Patrick Salmen

Dear reader, the following miniatures and short stories originate from the period between 2008 and 2013. Most of the texts have already appeared in my first three books, Distances, Tobacco Leaves, and Skydivers, as well as The Little Bit of Beauty We Can't Get Rid Of. For this new edition, I have revised and reorganized them. As any author would likely claim, my writing style has changed significantly over the years. Perhaps because writing back then was a much more carefree and unfiltered process. There was no fear of slipping into idealization, exaggerating things, or wallowing too much in grotesque beauty and melancholy while trying to translate life into poetic language. Even though they seem a bit foreign to me in hindsight, I am incredibly proud of these stories, as difficult as it may be to admit that amidst all the self-doubt. Their images and motifs still accompany me. For this volume, I have selected my personal favorite stories. These were my first steps as an author and my attempt to find my own voice: stories that deal with writing, about failure, the fascination with cranes and power lines, and the fear of forgetting. Stories about fathers, sadness, and the magic of symmetry. Stories about green watering cans. Mostly about green watering cans. Enjoy your reading!.