A flash of white against the black outline gave him away as he circled with his buzzard friends.
Only a keen and watchful eye would find him among the crowd.
Swiftly he lifted and dove on the invisible current in the clear blue sky.
He lowered himself closer to the earth, keeping a watchful eye on the lake.
His talons skimmed the waters surface and he shuddered just a moment.
Then back to the sky he flew with dinner in his grasp.
Melissa ran her fingers over the corners of the shell inlaid box. It’s intricate design mesmerized her momentarily. She found the latch and lifted it, then the top seemed to spring open.
Inside, green velvet lined the box. An envelope with her name rested inside. She picked it up, set it aside, then took a look at the contents. A black velvet box greeted her next. She opened it and gasped. A gold diamond and emerald encrusted collar necklace with matching chandelier earrings sparkled.
Why would Jane have this masterpiece?
She picked up the box to look at the stones more closely. The light danced and dazzled off each facet. Melissa was in complete awe of its beauty.
She finally set the jewelry box down. Then she realized why the box was so heavy. The bottom was lined with one Troy ounce gold ingots. There must have been 30 or more stacked on the top layer; and there were several layers.
Melissa sat stunned. What was all this hidden wealth? Hopefully Jane’s letter would explain it.
Melissa’s attention was pulled to the stairway. Kathy’s voiced echoed up, “Everything okay? I have another client and we only allow one person at a time.”
Melissa couldn’t process anything more. She slipped out two bricks for appraisal then placed the necklace back in and sealed the box.
“I’m ready,” she responded to Kathy.
She listened to the clunk of Kathy’s heels up the stairs. When Kathy reached the landing, she inquired, “Will you be taking the box today or keeping it here?”
Melissa stuttered, understanding the value. “Oh, up, definitely keeping it here for now.”
Kathy shook her hand and opened the door to the safe. Melissa walked the box back to its spot and locked it up.
“Thank you, Kathy. I’ll make an appointment next time I plan to stop in.
Melissa patted her pocket to ensure the gold was secure and held Jane’s letter in her hand. Kathy handed her a business card as they walked by the other patron waiting in the lobby.
Melissa smiled at the middle aged woman, dressed to the nines in a Chanel suit. The lady nodded knowingly back.
What has Jane gotten me into? Melissa pondered as she walked home, gripping Jane’s letter even tighter.
Sweet little kisses on bare skin
Gently waking me from my slumber
But the sandpaper tongue licks
Awaken me for these are not from a lover.
A purr and a meow beckon me to my feet,
For little boy wants breakfast and a treat.
6:30 am, right on time
There’s no escape from him,
Sheets and quilts may deter,
But any inch of skin exposed,
and he plants his kiss once more.
I relent and give in, time to rise.
Your breakfast is served.
Good morning to you too.
We couldn’t find the right boxes;
They’re somewhere in the disaster
That we call the bottomless pit, er, garage.
Finally, I relented and gave up,
Wrapped the silver ornaments
And stored them into a different box.
I know I’ll never find them again.
But it’s a small win, so I’ll take it.
Now the last of Christmas is finally away.
Which means Spring has sprung early….
I really love putting out my bunnies.
Even if the day of love has not yet passed.
Besides it’s already in the 80s today,
And strawberries are ripening on the vine.
Yes, yes, it’s time for springtime.
From the depths of the sea floor,
To high above the peaks in the sky,
Starving to see it all;
From the arid deserts to the rain forests,
And sunny beaches to shady mountains,
There is just so much to see.
Historical places with significant meaning,
To rarely seen nature deep in the jungles,
No place is really the same as another.
No wonder world travelers scour the earth,
Looking for their next adventure
Then making the rest of us drool like fools.
Waves lapping against the bridge;
Blue skies dotted with clouds;
The alarm sounds and gates fall;
Slowly the creaky grates rise
All for a tiny sailboat with a tall mast.
Put the car in park, lower the windows
And open the sunroof fully
Letting the salt air in while waiting.
Peer through dark sunglasses
Over the smooth glistening water.
Perhaps a dolphin or two will swim by.
Gulls and pelicans dip for snacks,
While we wait a little while longer.
Finally the groan of the lowering bridge,
And a jiggle of the span below.
It’s time to finally cross over
To the island and beach just beyond.
One of these weekends, I’ll get back home to enjoy this. It’s been too long and I miss feeling the soft sand between my toes and seeing the sparkling clear water. Just me, the sunrise, surrounded by coastal beauty.
Crusty, crunchy, flakes go flying.
The tender buttery layers give way,
But the crisp outer shell snaps away.
A smooth chocolaty center tickles the tongue;
Appreciate the hours it requires to make
Each of the fifty five layers it takes
To make the delightful pain au chocolat.
Anxiety starts to set in, nervousness too.
This is what happens when avoiding meds.
But stomach issues and other concerns interfere;
Nothing has been right for weeks on end.
Find your calm, return to center.
Resume your meds, and remember…
Breathe.
Time to get back to handling the basics,
Walking, writing, and cleaning if you have to.
Something is needed to take the edge off.
Sleep is fleeting and napping is not enough;
Dark circles and exhaustion show on your face.
Time to silence yourself in meetings;
We can’t let our struggle show,
It needs to be kept in check.
It’s how we moved forward in the past;
Time is now to do it again.
This world is small, so, so small,
Everyday it shrinks in size.
But I don’t know how to handle
Three degrees of separation.
I know him. She knows you.
He knows her. It just can’t be.
Is the world really this tiny?
Have we known, gasp,
each other all along?
You know my darkest side,
The one I rarely share.
But now I’m worried;
Are you already in my world?
Should I stop all of it cold
Knowing no good from this will come.
But I’m already addicted;
The attraction is so strong.
Don’t be mad; I just don’t know;
How can I go on?
Pale stripped bones reach to the sky,
Bleached by the sun and starved for rain.
Winters’ cold blasted, pushing towards death,
But life still pumps in its inner most core.
Will spring revive, renew, and nourish,
Allowing for buds of green and pink to return,
Will the fragrance of life fill its arms once more?
Dawn Renee Writes 