I've started burning my trash. This isn't considered "legal," or "safe," but it's very convenient. And sure, it’s pollution, but so is almost everything else I do. Who’s counting?
It’s a feeling of power, turning the crap in my life into ash carried away by the wind.
Neighbors didn’t really like it at first, but now a few of them stop by in the evening once the fire is strong and dump a can in. Join the fun!
Last night a kid on a bike rode by and threw in a spray paint can, lit up the night like a firework.
I was fortunate enough to get picked as a “Judge’s choice” in Boise Weekly’s Fiction 101 contest in the February 1st, 2024 Edition for this piece. The only rules for the contest were a word count of exactly 101.