new from above/ground press: An Extremely Well-Funded Study of Doors, by Evan Williams

An Extremely Well-Funded Study of Doors
Evan Williams
$5

My door is kicked in. It is splintered and sputtering. I stand in its shards, mixed with window glass. It is a structure which resembles a structure only insofar as I still can turn the knob. I turn the knob, and the door does not work. The knob works, the door does not. It is splintered and sputtering.

The intruder jumps from the window upon seeing my doorway stance. I take in hand the knob as a consolation weapon. In the glass of his exit window is a note and pile of money. There is so much money, $800,000. A tricky amount of cash to carry when hoping to be lithe. It is, however, not as large a bill bundle as expected. It is both overwhelming and underwhelming as a feat of agility. Only underwhelming after it is overwhelming, like the beautifully unkempt outside of an abandoned house.

The note says only: Go out and buy the best door.

                                                               *

published in Ottawa by above/ground press
September 2023
as the twenty-first title in above/ground’s prose/naut imprint
as part of above/ground press’ thirtieth anniversary
a/g subscribers receive a complimentary copy

cover illustration/design: Angelo Maneage

Evan Williams lives behind a white door in Chicago. It has, in its upper third, a peephole partially painted over. Evan is looking through it right now. Someone is knocking.

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