Author Archives: leodenatale

Broca’s Area 10: Return of the EloiByLeo de Natale Illustrations by Vince Giovannucci There is a new term that describes Americans under the age of 30: generational aphasia. Slowly, almost insidiously, boys and girls, men and women who have grown up under the specter of cell phones, laptops and social media have lost the abilityContinue reading “Broca’s Area 10: Return Of The Eloi”

Haitian Sun, Haitian Moon By Leo de Natale As she peered through her airplane window, Elizabeth Ann Murphy thought the island nation of Haiti resembled paradise. There were mountainous regions, verdant forests and beachfronts with gentle waves lapping along pristine beaches. Looks can be deceiving, especially after the plane landed. She knew firsthand. A formerContinue reading “Haitian Sun, Haitian Moon”

Faceless By Leo de Natale I started writing essays this year as an escape from the plague. In three short months a lethal virus spread from Communist China and brought the world to its knees. In early January, work was fun, as I enjoyed the camaraderie with colleagues, staff and clientele. By March, however, theContinue reading “Faceless”

Bespoke By Leo de Natale Illustration by Vince Giovannucci The author’s Brooks Brothers blue oxford shirt purchased in April, 2002 It was the late 1950’s, early 60’s. Harvard University has always cast a long shadow on Metro Boston communities. Many kids dreamed of matriculating there. Renowned academics continued to burnish its reputation. A book entitledContinue reading “Bespoke”

Colons ‘R’ Us By Leo de Natale January,  2020.  Two months before The Plague appeared and turned the world upside down.  Little did we know how health care would rapidly change.   I was  dreading an upcoming medical appointment.  It was the last time I underwent a medical procedure where there were no masks, social distancingContinue reading “Colons “R” Us”

Piccalilli By Leo de Natale September is a transitional month. Schools re-open, well at least some do in the era of the plague, apple picking, and fall harvests begin. For my wife and me it is green tomato season. It is a time for a nostalgic return. It is piccalilli time.         My maternal grandparentsContinue reading “Piccalilli”

Stupid Hands By Leo de Natale Illustrations by Vince Giovannucci         The late wordsmith extradonaire William F. Buckley, Jr. coined a term I have long embraced: the jeweler’s eye.  Whether it is innate or learned, paying minute attention to physical characteristics is a gift few possess.  Novelists are perhaps the group who demonstrate the mostContinue reading “Stupid Hands”

Gym Rat By Leo de Natale Since March, we’ve been experiencing a nationwide funk. It’s the damned Covid-19 pandemic, a disease that has disrupted every aspect of human life here and around the world. For months, Americans have been in solitary confinement. Men, women, children and their pets were living circumscribed lives. The pandemic hasContinue reading “Gym Rat”

Time Passages By Leo de Natale “You see this watch, Moss?” asks actor Alec Baldwin in his tour de force performance in the film Glengarry Glen Ross. Baldwin, as he verbally emasculates  fellow actor Ed Harris, flashes his Rolex and says, “This watch cost more than your car, pal.  And  you are nothing.”           WhenContinue reading “Time Passages”

A Day in the Life of a Morning Glory By Leo de Natale A hot summer sun rises and shines upon the trellis It is August and the colony of blossoms is about to awaken They’ve had their roots in the ground since May and it is time. Each blossom unique, shaped like a bud. Continue reading “A day in the life of a Morning Glory”