My dear Valley, You raised me among mountains and rivers. The Colorado River will forever run through my veins. You were the breeze that reminded me to breathe whenever I felt life slipping away from me. I will return to you like a tourist searching for an escape from reality. And although I never stopped […]
Fiction
Work in Progress is The Sopris Sun’s platform to highlight the local community’s creativity. Fictional short stories, poems and illustrations can be submitted to fiction@soprissun.com to be published.
Posted inFiction
Works in Progress
Go Fish (a summer fantasy)Nancy Bo Flood Four Mile Jump in duck under Mask on Blow bubbles up your snorkel Flutter kick webbed feet Gaze at turtles, sharks — look, there — a whale! Swim! A bathtub can be As big As the deep blue sea
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Short-Term Rental
By Olivia EmeryCarbondale A few years ago, a robin built a nest on our back porch. She was as scattered and ditsy as I felt at the time — starting with a few sticks, changing her mind, tossing them on the ground, starting again. In the end she chose a spot two columns away from […]
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Works in Progress
An Independence Day tradition: counting the blooms — red, white and blue Gregory C. StapleMarble Editor’s note: This piece is adapted from the author’s field guide:“Get Out There Crystal River Valley Wildflowers” (2024) Each July 4 — along with attending Redstone’s folksy parade and barbecue — I celebrate our country by doing a bio blitz, […]
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Works in Progress
New town, new man By Tom MercerCarbondale-ish Alven Smith was a reclusive, 50-year-old bachelor. Most people who knew Alven regarded him as “painfully shy,” or worse yet “possibly anti-social.” And, over time, Alven had become aware of his unfortunate reputation, but did not know what he could do about it. Then, one day, Alven’s landlord […]
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Forever inked, forever young
At the “Visceral Alchemy: Fine Art + Tattoo” exhibit at Carbondale Arts, I find a temporary tattoo of a human heart, rendered more anatomically faithful than the two humps and sharp point of an emoji. But the aorta, pulmonary artery and venae cavae of this tiny tattoo heart are plants and vines. Planets float inside […]
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Works in Progress
Pride in the street and from above When the time arrived, Carbondale stepped out on First Friday, June 5, to celebrate diversity and the LGBTQ community, with a Pride parade and several other peripheral happenings throughout town, a few moments of which are memorialized here thanks to photographer extraordinaire Tommy Sands:
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Works in Progress
Remembering Mike Bouchet August 23, 1964 – June 1, 2025 Jen BouchetCarbondale Mike believed in connection and had a rare gift for it. “Mike’s magic, pass it on” began as a simple phrase during his celebration of life, inspired by his extraordinary ability to connect with people across differences and make others feel seen, welcomedand […]
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Works in Progress
TRUTHBy Nancy Bo FloodMemorial Day 2025 This Memorial Day is especially meaningful as I reflect on the many people in my family, in our country, through many generations, who have given years of their lives to protect democracy and freedom for us. How can their contributions be minimized, even erased from history? I am deeply […]