PAUL MATTHEW CARR

Temptations & Trespasses

Olly, Olly All Come Free

When I was a boy we played games. We would gather at Mike’s house to decide what the game would be. Mike lived in the middle of the block so it was a centralized location and he had a stone retaining wall in his front yard. The wall was about knee-high, perfect for sitting, and if stood upon it gave you a perfect view of the surrounding area, both up

By Paul Matthew Carr|July 19th, 2021|

I Can Hear the Fireworks Up & Down the Line: 4th of July Memories

It is Independence Day. There is red, white and blue bunting hung from porches and windows. The air has the scent of smoke; it’s there in the background but always present. You almost don’t notice it...

By Paul Matthew Carr|July 4th, 2021|

All That Road Going: Kerouac & A Driving Beat

On my 16th birthday my brother gave me a copy of Jack Kerouac’s On the Road and it changed my life forever. Not really. It would be nice if it did, if it worked that way. Like a movie, all cut and dry. Defined beginning, movement toward clear resolution, satisfying ending. That would be nice. It would go something like this I think: Opening scene: boy receives inspirational text from

By Paul Matthew Carr|June 30th, 2021|

A Nothing Day: Comic Books, Video Games & Graveyards

I wheeled the bike from the garage and took a deep breath. It was the start of the lull week that happened every summer. The week when every kid I knew was off at camp and I was on my own. Every year the neighborhood children would be shipped off to some 7 day secluded spot chosen by their parents. Whenever asked if they were excited to go they would

By Paul Matthew Carr|June 10th, 2021|

Creative memoir. Stories and sketches drawn from real events but with slight embellishments added for entertainment purposes. In other words…writing.