Category Archives: Willie stories

Telling long stories about other people’s nightmares — for Father’s Day.

“Every one of those guys knows that this could be his last Father’s Day at home, his last chance to see his kids before they get sideswiped for life by the family court system, his last chance to make believe … Continue reading

Posted in Poetry and fiction, The Naso Diaries, Willie stories | 3 Comments

Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Willie in one lesson: Thugs all the way down…

“No,” said Morczyk. “This will fix him better. Make him stay in the game. But take away his gun.”Photo by: Justin BaederA Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Willie story January 8, 1997 When I walked in, Murcheson from 4-B was holding a gun … Continue reading

Posted in Poetry and fiction, Willie stories | Leave a comment

What would Mohammed do? Just about anything, apparently, provided it’s petty, pathetic and cruel.

“We were watching horse racing by simulcast at the Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, home of the Preakness Stakes, and everything in the place seemed to be old and dirty and badly maintained. No skin off my nose. You can … Continue reading

Posted in Poetry and fiction, Willie stories | 1 Comment

Xavier’s destiny: Fatherhood and the manly art of manliness.

But the main job of being a father is simply being around. I’m not congratulating myself for what I did with Xavier, because I knew it was temporary. He didn’t have a father all of a sudden, he just had … Continue reading

Posted in Poetry and fiction, Willie stories | 4 Comments

Finding visibility, absolution and closure at the choo-choo train at the mall on New Year’s Eve.

Woo-woo!A Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Willie story December 31, 2015 When I got back with the train, the Lonely Guy was still sitting there on the bench across the way, his elbows on his knees, his palms supporting his chin. I had … Continue reading

Posted in Christmas brutality, Poetry and fiction, Traindancing, Willie stories | 3 Comments

How to slay dragons.

A Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Willie story And now I am a man-killer. We live with the consequences of our choices, and we cannot fail to live with all the consequences of all our choices. Sic semper nobis, sic etiam mihi. Thus … Continue reading

Posted in Christmas brutality, Poetry and fiction, Willie stories | 6 Comments

Courtney at the speed of life.

A Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Willie story January 1, 1997 – New Year’s Day “Lord-a-mercy!” I said in my thickest southern drawl. “Somebody tell god to take the rest of the week off. He has made perfection, and there ain’t no topping … Continue reading

Posted in Christmas brutality, Poetry and fiction, Willie stories | 4 Comments

“Merry Christmas, Princess Peach.”

There is only one Christmas, isn’t there? Even at the airport there is only one Christmas. Luigi smiled, and his face bore not the smallest hint of sadness. “Merry Christmas, Chloe.” He leaned forward and kissed the slumbering golden girlchild … Continue reading

Posted in Christmas brutality, Poetry and fiction, Willie stories | 1 Comment

A father for Christmas.

“If you give your daughter a father she can be proud of, then one day she’ll bring home a son-in-law you can be proud of. And then you’ll know for sure that your grandchildren will have a father to look … Continue reading

Posted in Christmas brutality, Poetry and fiction, Willie stories | 4 Comments

Christmas in Las Vegas with Kim Jong-un.

“You adorn your body with comical uniforms and undeserved medals, and you plaster your name with ridiculous titles, all to make up for your fundamental emptiness. You live your life as the empty puppet of an empty doctrine, and everyone … Continue reading

Posted in Christmas brutality, Poetry and fiction, This is Vegas, Willie stories | 3 Comments

A canticle for Kathleen Sullivan.

From the Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Willie Christmas story collection, available at Amazon.comA Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Willie story December 23, 2002 I got to the hospital after visiting hours, but the nurse led me to the room anyway. “There hasn’t been anyone,” she … Continue reading

Posted in Christmas brutality, Poetry and fiction, Willie stories | 4 Comments

Talkin’ ’bout my g-generation: “They paved paradise and put up a robot’s tit.”

I threw my head back and looked up at the sleek black mess, thinking that it was a delicious irony that the desiccated curators had taken the most horizontal art form in Western history and rendered it as a pyramid. … Continue reading

Posted in Poetry and fiction, Willie stories | 1 Comment

‘Bigger Than Elvis’…

“Bigger Than Elvis, man… A livin’ legend.”By: Daniele PratiA Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Willie story October 13, 1986, Greenwich Village, NY “I coulda been the biggest star of all!” The swarthy man with the approximated beard was half in his cups. Or … Continue reading

Posted in Poetry and fiction, Willie stories | Leave a comment

“Wha’s happenin’?” “Nothing. Go back to sleep.”

The Harried Harrier turned to the Senior Partner, a very expensive-looking, very reserved gentleman. He said: “Do you say this is happening?” The Senior Partner did not even look at Harrier. Instead, he began to poke at the elevator’s controls … Continue reading

Posted in Poetry and fiction, Willie stories | 3 Comments

Superman.

“Little boys need their daddies.”Photo by: Ryan DickeyA Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Willie story The little boy came gamboling up to me when I was just over the ridge. He was big for three, small for four, and cute by any measure. … Continue reading

Posted in Poetry and fiction, Willie stories | 1 Comment