CJ Woods III’s Story Archive

Sherlock. Sherlock Pig

January 12, 2017 | by CJ Woods III

“Cool Papa. Sherlock won’t stop squeaking. What should I do?” I shook off my nighttime drowse, sat up in the pull-out bed,  focused bleary eyes on my grandson. I tried to remember a conversation with my daughter about what her rat — excuse me, guinea pig — ate. “He’s had … Read More

The Effect of the Poem

January 5, 2017 | by CJ Woods III

The pharmacist was focused on her duties, scanning documents and touching her hand to screens and keypads. The skin on her face appeared to be stretched tightly across her skull, and her mouth was set in a grim line, the edges of which curved slightly downward. The duties that had … Read More

My Way, Our Way

December 22, 2016 | by CJ Woods III

“And now, the end is near…” — My Way The crushed gravel of our disappointed days crackles beneath our footsteps as we tread the lane leading to the end of the year, trailing behind us the brightly colored banners of our victories. The year 2016 was, indeed, the best of … Read More

I Love You Too, Man

December 15, 2016 | by CJ Woods III

A recent conversation with my brother set free a long-moored memory of a conversation with another of my brothers. I may have written of this before, and may be repeating some thoughts, previously shared, but then — some things may be worth repeating. My mother had five children: four boys … Read More

Racing the Streetcar

December 8, 2016 | by CJ Woods III

As dusk settles over a Pittsburgh neighborhood, three young boys twitch and dance on a street corner. On Oakmont Street, the three can hear the clanging of the bell as a streetcar grumbles down its rails, rocking towards them. They tense as the 82 Lincoln approaches the corner and grinds … Read More