A gust of wind whacks a pebble against the slider, waking me up. It’s midafternoon, the wildlife laying low in this heat. Groggy, I peer outside and catch a shape, quivering, like a rattlesnake’s tail. I grab my glasses for a closer look—and it’s the shadow of fountain grass by the path, passing for an authentic reptile, complete with attack. Spared for now, I fall back on the bed while the imposter sways, parries, and strikes.

sometimes 
I can’t believe 

all the stories 
I’ve lived through 
to get to 

this one 

—Long-listed Finalist in MacQ’s Cheribun Challenge #3

Bio: Cynthia Anderson