CJ Woods III’s Story Archive

The Poetry of April

April 6, 2023 | by CJ Woods III

“Who are your favorite poets?” Ethel Winslow, the Editor-in-Chief of The Weekly View, put that question to me during a conversation about National Poetry Month. As is likely, lately, my memory seized up, but I managed to squeeze out Randall Jarrell. Ethel immediately cited “Death Of The Ball Turret Gunner” … Read More

The Cellphone Age

March 23, 2023 | by CJ Woods III

A dog follower strolled behind his companion, one hand on the leash and the other on his cellphone. His head was bent toward the device, and he seemed oblivious to the early morning sunshine that lit his hair and shoulders. The man was not the first person to pass my … Read More

It’s Not Easy Being Green

March 16, 2023 | by CJ Woods III

Two men were sitting in an Irish bar discussing the shenanigans they were going to get into on St. Patrick’s day. I was shooting pool at a table near where they were seated, and between the cracking sound of pool balls colliding, I could hear their conversation, most of which … Read More

Bad Ideas

March 9, 2023 | by CJ Woods III

“Can I play with the bad idea?” My youngest granddaughter had just arrived at my house for a visit and was giving me her best and bluest sad eyes as she requested to play with one of her toys. The toy in question had been purchased by another of her … Read More

The Nature of Hugs

March 2, 2023 | by CJ Woods III

This column first appeared in September 2021. Someone passed my seat at the new location of my favorite cidery; I met this person at the cidery’s previous location. When she shared “Wonderland” with people, I was one of them. When she displayed her art, I was a viewer. And when … Read More