Murray Burns

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Jan, 2022

Stories (56)

56 Stories

1580 karma pts

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“Dumb Ass and Shit-for-Brains” by Murray Burns

Dumb Ass and Shit-for-Brains                                           “How much love is in a friend? It depends                   ...

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“1.72 Seconds” by Murray Burns

1.72 Seconds                 “Youth is easily deceived, because it is quick to hope.”                                         ...

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“Hey! What About Me?!” by Murray Burns

Hey! What About Me?!                                    “I don’t get no respect.” – Rodney DangerfieldThis is nuts. Dark, crowded and wet. I about can’t take it anymore. Day after day, week after week, month after month. Dogs are two months. I could live with that. Or how about mice? Twenty-five ...

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“It Was a Snickers” by Murray Burns

It Was a Snickers                                                           “Every man’s conscience is a thousand swords."           &nbsp...

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“It Takes a Child” by Murray Burns

It Takes A Child(Reference to domestic violence) It was indeed an unusual sight, a small child walking alone on the side of a dusty county road. He appeared to have proper upbringing as he was well dressed and walked on the correct side of the road, well off onto the shoulder. The sun was still sitting low in the sky, but he was observed by many as they retrieved their morning paper, let their dog out, or watered the perennials’ spring shoots. For some, curtains were pulled aside to get a b...

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“Gobbler” by Murray Burns

Gobbler                                                                         &...

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“The Furtive Adventures of Don Q. Hoty” by Murray Burns

The Furtive Adventures of Don Q. Hoty                                         “The danger of the past was that menbecame slaves. The danger of the futureis that men may become robots."         ...

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“The Shark and the Remora” by Murray Burns

The Shark and the RemoraThere are certain entities in life that would not do well alone. Apples need trees, rivers need riverbanks, Montana needed Rice, and Stockton needed Malone. Joey needed Frank. Or was it that Frank needed Joey? I guess we’ll find out.“We’ve got new neighbors, Frank. It’s a young woman and her ten year old son. She’s very nice. I didn’t meet the boy. He’s in school. Her name is Susan Clark, and her boy’s name is Joey.”

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“The Good Book” by Murray Burns

The Good Book(Perhaps a tad crude in places.)“Love your neighbor as yourself.”                                   &nb...

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“As You Wish” by Murray Burns

As You WishYou might call Harvey “Walter Mitty Lite”. He didn’t concoct fantastic journeys in his mind, or imagine himself committing an impressive array of heroic deeds. Rather, Harvey’s peculiar inclination rested with his ability to wrap himself in the identities of others more interesting or impressive than himself. More often than not, he found these characters in the movies.

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“Time Capsule Best Left Burried” by Murray Burns

 Time Capsule Best Left BurriedLike many children, I was saddled early in life with the burden of “great potential”. The label was first affixed by my presumably well-intentioned father, and later driven deep into my brain by a battery of optimistic educators. Due to the recent chance discovery of an old 10th Grade English assignment, I am now well positioned to evaluate how my actual performance in life stacks up against youthful aspiratio...

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“Sins of the Father (and Mother)” by Murray Burns

Sins of the Father (and Mother)It is a well established fact of life that parents will occasionally, usually unintentionally, embarrass their children. This is often accomplished, in most cases by the dad, simply by choice of attire. Kids do not want to be seen in close proximity to a parent who likely secured their latest colorful outfit at the clearance sale rack at the “Nerd Department” of Kohl’s.Such momentary ...

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“Torn” by Murray Burns

TornThere are things in life better left unseen, unheard, unknown. Truth is not always the best path.“Mommy, why do I have red hair?”“That’s just the way it is, Cal.”“Ricky and Jenny have brown hair. You have brown hair. Daddy has brown hair. Why do I have red hair?”“God picks the color, honey. You’re lucky. You have beautiful red hair.”Such explanations suffice for the very you...

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“The Dog Shrink” by Murray Burns

The Dog ShrinkI am so ashamed. I am only writing this because the beagle next store said it would be good for me to bare my soul, something about the “cathartic” effect of sharing my feelings. I don’t even know what “cathartic” means, but he’s a really smart dog (He once opened his family’s refrigerator to get at some hot dogs.), so I thought I’d try it. I’ve been burdened with recurring feelings of guilt over an ugly episode in my life, so I hope this works.<...

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“The Sleeping Beauty Sleep Solution” by Murray Burns

The Sleeping Beauty Sleep SolutionIt’s that fuzzy, foggy time of the day that falls somewhere between awareness and sleep. Not awake, not asleep, somewhere in between. If you catch it just right, words and sounds enter your ears while awake, and are received in the recesses of the mind when asleep. This often results in muddled messaging, a wandering, creative maze of interpretations. It...

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Author bio

Dartmouth, then Law School followed by years in mind-numbing law practice; now have more time to write. "Brevity is the soul of wit."

Shortlisted 1 story ⭐️

Contest #170
The Rosary – read story