Biting Down

First published in Stonehenge II

A Stonehenge consists of three sentences: the first two describe a setting or scene; in the third, something happens. A successful Stonehenge captures the emotion and impact of that instant and, like a haiku, leaves that brief but potent revelation ringing in the reader’s imagination.

My father stood across from my mother and me with that contract in his hand and a scowl on his face. Blood from my bitten cheek drained into mouth. Shoulders slumped, I moved toward the door and said, “I’m leaving.”