Lyric Essays
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A Strong Affirmation: Nominated for Best American Essays 2027
Please join Flash the Court in congratulating this year’s nominees for Best American Essays Read the nominated writers below: “Transitions” by Jennifer Braunfelshttps://flashthecourt.com/…/transitions-by-jennifer…/“Liturgist of the Land: A Single Work Completed” by Gregory Ormsonhttps://flashthecourt.com/…/liturgist-of-the-land-a…/“Lucky” by Nate Methothttps://flashthecourt.com/2026/07/03/lucky-by-nate-methot/“Balance Exercises” by Brian McNelyhttps://flashthecourt.com/…/balance-exercises-by-brian…/“On the Anniversary of My Mother’s Death” by Amy L. Bernsteinhttps://flashthecourt.com/…/on-the-anniversary-of-my…/ My essay appeared in the…
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Team Flame Takes the Field for The Twin Bill
Today is publication day, and I am delighted to share that my essay, “Team Flame,” appears in Issue 24 of The Twin Bill. The Twin Bill is a literary quarterly devoted to baseball writing and art. Each year, the journal releases a special issue on the day of Major League Baseball’s All-Star Game, bringing together…
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Baseball and Cuisine Share One Necessary Ingredient: NOSTALGIA
Baseball and Nostalgia In 2020, I came across a brand-new literary baseball publication started in New York, The Twin Bill. It was started by Scott Bolohan. Immediately, I was enthralled by an online magazine focused on writing and baseball, two of my favorite subjects. So I submitted a piece, “The Diamond Speaks in Runes,” and…
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Nothing Is Forced into Action Except the Old Boat Motor
At the cabin, stories rise the way ghosts do. Nobody can produce them on demand. They are, like the Dylan lyric about sons and daughters, “beyond our command.” They flash across consciousness, drift back into the trees, return when they are ready. This is why I come again to Big Casey Lake, to the Old-Style…
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Lightning Bolts and Scars
Lightning Bolts and Stars, a word and music piece by Gregory Ormson, Russell Thorburn, and Darrell Syria, guest on electric guitar. Listen in to this spoken word piece, a precursor to the lyric memoir, Stories Emerge Like Bears, Gregory Ormson’s forthcoming book by Cornerstone Press, UW Stevens Point. Lightning Bolts and Scars, originally published online…
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Team Flame nine fires in the game
Some batters arrive at the plate carrying heft. Some bring grace. Some survive enough innings to become myth. They’re all here and part of Team Flame. Nine batters in burnings and meditations, spirits and fires, spectacles and labors, longings and memories. They are dangerous poetic beautiful. Bodies on fire, smoking bats. Arms on fire, blazing…
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TEAM FLAME a Hermit Crab essay in a baseball lineup card
Nine At-Bats BATTING NINTH Number 68, Pitcher, FLAME THROWER (Coaches note: don’t expect much, a hit is a miracle) I’ve still not seen the burning bush, but I do see small flames, even miracles from STORYTELLERS: All those listening. All those walking. All those meditating. All those making music. All those riding bicycles. All those…
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TEAM FLAME, a Hermit Crab Essay in a baseball lineup card
Nine At-Bats BATTING SEVENTH Number 12, Second Base, FALSE FIRE (Coaches note: known for the glove and turning the double play) I spent years looking for the dramatic burning bush while overlooking the smaller flames surrounding me. The welder’s torch Lantern light at the cabin Woodstoves in February The flare of match heads Campfire smoke…
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TEAM FLAME, A Hermit Crab Essay in a Baseball Card
Nine At-Bats in a Lineup Card BATTING SIXTH Number 97, Center Field, SHAPESHIFTER (Coaches note: the sneakiest batter in the lineup) Walking behind him in New Delhi, he turned and laughed at me. His brown buttocks visible through threadbare pants, a thrush testing the limits of cover. He turned into an alley. Fifteen seconds later…
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TEAM FLAME, A Hermit Crab Essay in a baseball lineup card
Nine at bats. BATTING FIFTH Number 77, Third Base, DESERT DUST (Coaches note: all hit or miss, takes a big swing) Sitting on rocks, I recalled Gary Snyder’s line: “The closer you get to real matter — rock, air, fire, wood — the more spiritual the world is.” Under the tree and above the hard…