I hoped I would have the chance
To one day pass on my grandmother’s quilt.
The one she made when I was a child,
From scraps of my own mother’s clothes.
Alas, no children of my own,
And too many nieces to pick.
I’d rather it go to one of yours,
But for now, that wouldn’t be right.
So I hold it in a closet,
and look at it now and then,
The purple trim and quilted pieces,
I just hope one day it can be passed on
To someone who cares as much as I do.
Treat me like a woman,
Tease me, hug me, talk to me too.
Have a little interest in me,
And I’ll build my world to include you.
One moment gently touch me, show you care,
Another time, throw me down and pull my hair.
Read my moods, or ask how I feel.
Both work great if you are sincere.
I’ll open my world to you when I feel love,
And I’ll stand by you when push comes to shove.
Isn’t that what it’s about, being there?
She screamed into the darkness in despair.
Not a sound echoed, not a sound returned.
The abyss swallowed her voice.
She trembled, but not from the cold.
There was…nothingness.
No heat, no cold. No light. No sound.
She’d fall to the floor if she could,
But there was no floor, no ceiling, no walls.
Her pale feathers wrapped around her as she balled up.
Tears welled in her eyes, but then disappeared.
There was no liquid, no dryness.
She closed her eyes, and the view was the same. Nothing.
She opened them again, peering into the dark.
Finally, something. Red in the darkness.
She heard a sound when she thought she was most lost.
Metal on metal. Boot to girder.
The emptiness had lied.
The plodding footsteps advanced.
Steadily and then they picked up speed.
She feared what was to come.
Was this the end?
She saw the crimson outline of dark wings.
Saturated in blood.
She shuddered, her white wings began to glow with blue light and stood on end.
She closed her eyes tight, flinching as he neared.
Then, the softest touch on her cheek.
She slowly opened her eyes.
His lips parted, his voice was as gentle as the softest lamb.
It’s okay. I am here.
When they touched, the darkness faded.
He scooped her up from her floating position.
In the light she could now see that she knew his face.
She was saved by his love once more.
His boots continued to clink against the ground.
Hours passed in the vastness, but their light helped lead them along their way.
Finally, he found the path that would lead to their escape from this dark place.
You know I’m yours, right?
She paused and looked at him shakily.
He took in a long breath.
He was hers too, but.
It isn’t time.
Her shoulders dropped.
Each lifetime they do this dance.
I know. It isn’t time.
He looked her over.
His heart divided.
Her heart divided too.
A tear rolled down her cheek.
He stepped toward her to dry it.
She stepped back and turned away.
Promise, don’t go too far?
I’m right here.
She pointed to her heart.
Always.
The cacophony of sound paused her heart.
Then the night sky lit up in lights.
The shimmering sparkles danced up above,
Oohs and aahs came from the crowd.
He grabbed her hand and pulled her close.
Another burst, and this time, their lips met.
The taste of strawberry awaited on her tongue.
He curled her brown hair behind her ear,
Then pulled her tight to him. No secrets to hide.
Another explosion midair sealed the deal,
another round of fireworks set for later that night.
You wouldn’t recognize it anymore.
There’s a paved walkway from one end to the other.
Crowds gather all day into the night.
Our quiet place is only quiet in the darkest of nights
Or the earliest of mornings.
The music is no longer 80s and 90s pop and country,
Now the air is filled with Caribbean and Latin sounds.
The beach is dotted with showers and changing stations,
And the life guard stands are much improved.
Some things have gotten better,
Some things have definitely changed,
The gentle waves and the sunsets are still awe inspiring,
But our beach will never feel the same again.
Gentle breeze come over me.
Help me find my breath again.
The sweltering heat surrounds.
The salt rises to the surface of my skin
with each drop of sweat from my pores.
My muscles twitch without much work.
Recovery from my own neglect is hard.
However, I push onward, I must to survive.
She flicked her fingers, the sparks flew.
The dim room briefly lit up,
then quickly returned to dark.
She sighed a heavy sigh, loaded.
The cold emptiness of the room
Echoed through her soul.
She flicked her finger once more,
Lighting a distant candle with her spark.
Long casted shadows danced on the wall.
She watched them sway and move,
Bringing a moment of smiles to her lips.
For a brief time, she escaped her reality
To another place filled with hope.
The floor still rocks back and forth.
Yet, it is truly solid ground, there is no sway.
It has been days since the last clackity-clack.
The head is light, but the motion didn’t hit,
Until the earth stood still, and I stood upon it.
What is this odd sensation, why does it come?
And when will it finally leave?
Slumber is the only comfort, where I am free.
Hopefully it finally stills tomorrow….
Clackity-clack, sway away.
Sleep, save another day.
Vacation, Day 12 – Enjoy a re-post of a story I wrote while I catch up on work after a great vacation!
The snow started falling outside the window as Mikaela and Kester lay wrapped in each other’s arms. They enjoyed the silence with each other. They spent most of the rest of the day, and night, in bed.
In the morning, Mikaela snuck out of bed. Kester stayed soundly asleep. Rex climbed up into the bed and snuggled with his master.
Mikaela made her way outside to the chicken coop and gathered the eggs. The snow had stopped falling overnight and the skies were a brilliant blue with white cirrus clouds. She loved mornings like this.
Mikaela did a few more things then returned to the cottage. She mixed up some biscuits and set them to bake over the fire, hoping they didn’t get too dark being over the heat of the fire. She then whipped up the eggs and found some ham to slice. She hoped she would surprise Kester with a nice breakfast.
As she worked in the kitchen area, Kester couldn’t help but hear the commotion. Mikaela tried to be quiet, but was unsuccessful. Kester quietly walked in to the kitchen and behind Mikaela, kissing her on the neck. “Everything okay, here?” He whispered into her ear.
She giggled and smiled. “It’s not like cooking There.” She was trying to loosen up an egg she had cooked.
“Here, you will need to use more butter. It will stop it from sticking. You’ll get the hang of it.” With that he pecked her on the cheek and stepped back, leaning on the chair by the fireplace, watching Mikaela work on breakfast. He smiled to himself.
“Sit down. I will have breakfast ready in a minute.” Mikaela used more butter and cooked up two more eggs. She grinned when she pulled out the biscuits; at least one thing cooked up right. She plated everything up and served breakfast.
Kester looked over the meal. He picked up a biscuit and took a bite. Mikaela anxiously looked at him, wondering if she cooked them as well as back There.
“Best biscuit I’ve had outside of Oklahoma!”
Oklahoma? Mikaela thought to herself, Well, at least they came out edible. She took a biscuit and built a breakfast sandwich, drizzled a little honey on it, and joined him to eat.
“So, it’s a beautiful day. Could you show me around some?” Mikaela asked as they ate.
Kester looked outside. “Wow, it actually is. We probably shouldn’t go too far should the weather turn, but definitely. Let’s get out for a bit.”
They finished up breakfast and cleaned up. Kester found another coat, more suitable for Mikaela than a blanket, to wear. “Here, try this on. It may be a little long.”
The leather coat was lined with wool and was warm. “It’s perfect.” It actually hung down to Mikaela’s calves, but she didn’t mind.
“If the weather holds out for a few days, we can go onto town and get you some warmer clothes. How’s that sound?”
Mikaela smiled and nodded. “Right now, show me around, okay?”
They headed outside and walked along the stream which ran along the edge of Kester’s property. The sun had melted some of the snow, and the water babbled over the iced areas and rocks.
A small flower popped up in the snow. Mikaela kneeled down and admired it. It’s bright color was striking against the white snow.
Kester looked back. “Those only grow Here. I never saw one like it back There.”
“It’s beautiful!” Mikaela stood back up and caught up with Kester, slipping her hand into his as they walked on. Kester just smiled.
Dawn Renee Writes 