shot glass
title
"... brevity is the soul of wit ..."
- William Shakespeare

Bio


James Gering is a diarist, poet, and short story writer. He is the Australian Society of Authors Emerging Poet of the Year, 2018 and teaches at The University of Sydney. Publication credits include Rattle, San Pedro River Review, Star 82 Review, and Meanjin. His collection of poetry, Staying Whole While Falling Apart, has been accepted for publication in 2021. James lives in the Blue Mountains, where he climbs the cliffs and rappels the canyons in search of Rilke's solitude, Chekhov's humility, and escape in general. He welcomes visitors at jamesgering.com


James Gering


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Aaron's Notion of Friends

Twilight brings familiar sounds: restless dogs, a car engine, little voices –
Daddy, Daddy, coming to get you! What's for dinner, Daddy?

Two trout glisten on the chopping block. Fuelled by vodka and beer,
Aaron claps, juggles the pans, and lays the table.

Lauren clears after dinner and leaves for a Neighbourhood Watch meeting.
The home sighs, the boys sleep. Six aspirin fizz in Aaron's tea plunger.

Music blaring from his headphones, he jots down thoughts masquerading
as insight. Outside the living room, some bookshelf buddies waylay him:

F. Scott Fitzgerald cracking up, Anne Sexton confessing, and Venedikt
Erofeev quaffing spirits on a train bound for the end of the line.