J.H. Johns

A CRIME UNSPOKEN

There’s probably a plan-
there has to be a plan-
I’m sure
there’s almost always
been a plan;

just talk at first;
maybe wishful thinking
or
a drunken indiscretion;

formalized-
back then-
with
a nod of the head;
a muffled laugh;
a raised glass;

becoming-
over time-
more secret;
more elusive;

moving from
the dining rooms,
libraries
and
private places;

waiting now,
waiting for that
moment
just shy
of
“too late;”

when it will
mysteriously become
a crime unspoken.


Paul Churchill Mann's YouTube video reading of "A Crime Unspoken"


J.H. confesses: "We have one family member much along the actuarial chart; throw in an inheritance; throw in the "birth" of intrigue, greed and betrayal- with the birth 'rearing' its ugly premature delivery before anyone has actually died- and you have the inspiration for 'A Crime Unspoken.'"

J.H. JOHNS "grew up and came of age" while living in East Tennessee and Middle Georgia. Specifically, the two places "responsible" for the writer that he has become are Knoxville, Tennessee and Milledgeville, Georgia. Since then, he has moved on to Chicago—for a brief stint—and New York City—for a significantly longer stay. Currently, he is "holed up" in a small town where when he is not writing, he tends to his "nature preserve" and his "back forty." His goal is to surround his house with all sorts of vegetation so as to obscure it from the gaze of the "locals." He is assisted in this task by his coonhound buddy and companion, Roma.