Monkey's Dad's definitions

Fries with that?

The echo of a nearly-forgotten culture.

Awakening from a dream, the phrase "Fries with that?" kept playing in his head, like a guitar hook. It must have meant something, long ago, and perhaps it would come to him.

by Monkey's Dad April 20, 2020

Barely Breathing

Anthem for our country, our democracy, for Covid victims and victims of police brutality, all gasping for air.

"Barely Breathing" was a 1996 hit song from singer-songwriter Duncan Sheik, now to be sung in protest, shouted in the streets, whispered at the bedsides of the dying.

'Cause I am barely breathing
And I can't find the air

by Monkey's Dad July 13, 2020

icwfytgu

I can't wait for you to grow up

An acronym, conveying that the affectionate sender has long ago abandoned any hope that the recipient will ever grow up.

Again, her birthday, and again... turning twelve. What could he say? With steady fingers he texted "icwfytgu", secure in their shared understanding that she would remain twelve for the coming year, and for those to follow.

by Monkey's Dad June 22, 2021

What happened to you?

A stunningly inappropriate and thoughtless question often blurted toward a handicapped person, the only proper answer to which is "Don't ask".

"What happened to you?" asked the seemingly civilized man of the woman who was struggling mightily to take each halting step. Yet she needed no reminder of how hard it was to move, or of how many years she had been in pain. She was under no obligation to answer the moronic stranger, who in any event seemed to want no answer and quickly began prattling about his skiing accident, years ago, which he believed would be fascinating to a woman with a permanent handicap, but, please... don't ask.

by Monkey's Dad April 24, 2023

character is destiny

The belief that a person's arc is determined by the nature of their character.

She had always taken comfort in the idea that character is destiny, that good people would prevail, that the bad would receive their just punishment. Now, with the possibility of a second term, and the further catastrophe it would unleash, she was not so sure.

by Monkey's Dad September 19, 2020

tragile

Being easily brought to tears by the sufferings of the world.

The pain, the hunger, the ceaseless cruelties endured by so many, for no one's gain, immobilized her. She knew she was emotionally tragile and could never be indifferent to the grief of others.

by Monkey's Dad March 5, 2020

anticovidepressant

The magic pill many wish they could take to snap out of the endless torpor of the pandemic.

"If there's no vaccine, the least they could do is market an anticovidepressant. I mean, Jesus, how much freakin' longer is this going to drag on?" she thought, almost unable to remember her fun-loving, free-spirited, hopeful and joyful self.

by Monkey's Dad July 28, 2020