Excerpt

“I Think I’m Going to Try Trying”

Nathan Dragon

March 13, 2025 
The following is a story by Nathan Dragon published in NOON Annual. Dragon is a frequent contributor to NOON Annual. He can also be read in Bomb, The Baffler, and New York Tyrant. He is the author of The Champ is Here and co-edits Blue Arrangements with Raegan Bird.

I think I’m going to try trying. To do what’s necessary to be forever forgiven.

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Today is the last day I am going to be despicable. I am no longer a degenerate from here on out.

Dear Lord, please help.

I have had stress breath all year.

I did save a turtle. I was driving down the hill and saw it in the middle of the street. I pulled the car over into the grass and I was holding the turtle almost like I was holding a sandwich.

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Now I am invested in its safety and well-being.

When I was carrying it, to put it down in the grass, it stuck its head out of its shell and looked right at me.

In the bedroom, back at home, the dog was sleeping like a person, using the pillow perfectly.

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Published in NOON. Copyright © 2025 by Nathan Dragon.

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