This week’s story comes from CHEAP POP, a literary journal dedicated to micro-fiction. You can read Ridge’s story here.
Ryan Ridge’s story, COYOTE, clocks in at 156 words. What can an author accomplish in this space? With so few words? Ridge captures something important here, no doubt, and while I want to point out some metaphor in the story, some critique on society and how society views those members who live on the fringes, I will refrain from doing so. Instead, let me ask you to take 2 minutes, read Ridge’s piece, and comment below. CHEAP POP promises “stories that, regardless of their short nature, stick with you.” Ridge’s story has really stuck with me. I’ve read it several times now. Give it a read and let me know what you think.
What a great story. I love Ridge’s representation of the coyote, and how the coyote helps boil everything down to that one moment at the end of the story. I always think of a short story as being about one moment, and this is a textbook example of that. Thanks for highlighting this one.
There’s a Sherman Alexie feel to this story, acceptance and tilted admiration for primal (and sodden) existence. Loved this micro-piece.
Thanks for reading and commenting, Cat and Denton. I agree with both of you, and love “tilted admiration” and the “one moment” — which this piece shows us quite well.