Fist First

Carol

Carol Kirkpatrick, possibly the brightest writer I ever met in a writing group (proof positive being her ability to scribble out a pithy, brilliantly crafted story on the spot) had the additional charm of treating me to an oral history of Brooklyn whenever we walked its streets together.  Combining warmth, depth, humor, and subtlety well into her 90s, she will always represent perfectly what I’d like to be when I grow up.  My hope is to charm you with this sample of her writing:

Abdominal Thrust

As an old time First Aid instructor for the Red Cross, I knew I needed an abdominal thrust (the Heimlich Maneuver) not water.

But I couldn’t tell Beatrice.  I couldn’t breathe.  Without air you can’t speak.

Beatrice stopped the car and ran into a bodega.  By the time she came out I had performed an abdominal thrust on myself and dislodged the chunk of bread.  I was able to sigh with relief, thank her, and drink the water slowly to calm myself after a bad scare.

I had had a close call.  A quick fist, pulled sharply inward just above the belly button forces a jet of air from the diaphragm to expel the obstruction.  Practice it before you need it.

You May Also Like

Barnett Berger

Barnett Berger: No Two Snowflakes

The poem below is by Barnett Berger. No Two Snowflakes No two snowflakes are alike No object from sky to earth Could possibly be identical We don’t know the sky’s influence in formation We don’t know the objects encountered on the downward ride And we don’t know the impact on…
Read More
MY BOOKS

Out with the sold; in with the new…

…author’s edition of my horror novel, Twisted, with heartfelt thanks to all who have bought, read, and given the original conventionally published version five-star reviews.  I think you’ll like this new version…much meaner and cleaner with new twists in the plot…even better.  You can get it on Amazon (paperback or…
Read More
Barnett Berger

Barnett Berger: Six A.M.

The poem below is by Barnett Berger. Six A.M. The river sends its chill The stars above are incantatory Wishing me well Creation of sound is my purpose Heard or unheard Harmonious or distant Taut with dissonance Or flowing with the signals Calling sweet love I am a wingwalker And…
Read More
MY BOOKS

Boomers for the Stars, latest news

Every year lately, my publishing credits have consisted of one sci fi novella.  For 2017 it was Boomers for the Stars.  Since it’s on the reading list for a Nebula award, I’ve made a free audiobook version available for the convenience of those who will vote.  But, at least for…
Read More
MY BOOKS

On The Road, Pittsburra: SFWA 2017 Nebula Awards Conference

All right, all right, it’s not Pittsburra, but rather Pittsburgh, but the last five letters are the same as in Edinburgh… Anyway, long ago I could have become an active member of “SIF-wuh.”  (Speaking of pronunciation, that’s how they say SFWA, which stands for Science Fiction Writers of America.)  But I…
Read More
Menu