Tag Archives: microfiction

Knock, Knock

Posted on September 2, 2025 by Brian D. Butler

“Knocking” by Robert Walser translated by Tom Whalen and Carol Gehrig I am completely beat, this head hurts me. Yesterday, the day before yesterday, the day before the day before yesterday, my landlady knocked. “May I know why you are … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

It Explains So Much

Posted on May 26, 2025 by Brian D. Butler

“Neglect” by Joy Williams from 99 Stories of God The Lord was asked if He believed in reincarnation. I do, He said. It explains so much. What does it explain, Sir? someone asked. On your last Fourth of July festivities, I … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, USA, Writing | Tagged , | Leave a comment

The Citizen and the Traveller

Posted on May 16, 2025 by Brian D. Butler

“The Citizen and the Traveller,” a short fable from Robert Louis Stevenson  

Posted in Tourism, Travel Writing, Writing | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

The Fall

Posted on May 9, 2025 by Brian D. Butler

“The Fall” by Russell Edson There was a man who found two leaves and came indoors holding them out saying to his parents that he was a tree. To which they said then go into the yard and do not … Continue reading →

Posted in Writing | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Franz Kafka once called his writing a form of prayer.

Posted on April 14, 2025 by Brian D. Butler

“Not His Best” by Joy Williams from 99 Stories of God Franz Kafka once called his writing a form of prayer. He also reprimanded the long-suffering Felice Bauer in a letter: “I did not say that writing ought to make everything … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, USA, Writing | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

where everything was forbidden

Posted on March 31, 2025 by Brian D. Butler

“Making Do” by Italo Calvino translated by Tim Parks There was a town where everything was forbidden. Now, since the only thing that wasn’t forbidden was the game tip-cat, the town’s subjects used to assemble on meadows behind the town … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Europe, Writing | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Heaven’s Gate

Posted on August 25, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

“A Society of Scoundrels” by Franz Kafka Translated by Michael Hofmann There was once a society of scoundrels, or rather not scoundrels per se, just ordinary, average people. They always stuck together. When one of them had perpetrated some rascally … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Europe, Writing | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

who gives up a cherished habit?

Posted on April 6, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

“Hell” by Virgilio Piñera translated by Mark Schaffer   When we are children, hell is nothing more than the devil’s name on our parent’s lips. Later, this notion becomes more complicated, and we toss in our beds through the interminable … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Books, Writing | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

“The Fall”

Posted on November 8, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

“The Fall” by Russell Edson There was a man who found two leaves and came indoors holding them out saying to his parents that he was a tree. To which they said then go into the yard and do not … Continue reading →

Posted in USA, Writing | Tagged , | 4 Comments