Tonight I keep trying to write, but I lack focus.
I start, I write a sentences or a phrase,
Then it no longer makes any sense.
Confusion clouds my tired mind,
Yet I did very little all day.
Exhaustion takes over and I wonder,
Is it time to sleep again?
Perhaps a good night’s sleep will restore this weary mind.
Sleep well.
Thunder pealed across the sky, rattling windows and startling those who dare sleep on such a stormy night.
She walked to the window and gently pulled back the shade. Blue and purple lightning danced across the blackened sky. As the flashes illuminated the dark, growing storm clouds blew up.
The winds picked up, slamming overhanging branches on the roof. A chill ran up the spine as a bolt struck the opposite edge of the lakeshore.
She rubbed her arms to comfort herself. Storms rarely bothered her, but this one was different. Goosebumps made her shiver once more.
Then, she felt his presence behind her. Warmth radiated from his body. He stepped closer and enveloped her in a hug. She suddenly felt safe in his arms.
He whispered softly in her ear, “Come back to bed.” Then he kissed the crook of her neck. He lowered his arms and took her hand, leading her back to their bed.
People huddled in the darkened store in small groups. The murmuring of hushed voices bounced around the building, words of different languages swirled about with no discernible rhythm.
Outside was filled with darkness and no one dared go out. The reason was not clear, but something was truly amiss. I stood alone to the side, observing the controlled chaos fear had brought down on us all.
Slowly, an older woman separated from a group of people. They all wore dusty and ragged clothes. As she approached, I noticed she had a small bundle in her arms.
“You….take,” the woman handed me the bundle.
As I looked down, I realized it was a small baby girl. Her dark hair framed her tender face. She stirred slightly, snuggling more into her swaddling.
“Mother, now,” the woman looked at me. A tear fell from her eye as she turned and shuffled away.
“Wait,” I called after her, “Where is her mother?”
She kept walking away, back to her group.
I neared the group. A man looked up, greyed with age. He simply replied, “Gone.” His ashen look betrayed what I feared. Her mother was a victim lost to the darkness.
“I can’t,” I pleaded as I tried to return the child. “I can’t take her.” Tears poured forth from my eyes, revealing my own shortcoming. “I am not worthy.”
The child began to coo in my arms and stir as she woke. Her warmth filled my heart with feelings I never had experienced before. But I trembled. This wasn’t right; I was no mother.
“She should be with family. Please.”
The aged woman looked at me, “You are family. We go now.”
With that, the woman and the rest of the group shuffled away in a strange walk. They left the store into the darkness.
I looked around and found a law man standing near by. I showed him the child. “What should I do?” I asked confusedly.
He drew in a breath and looked around. Then his dark eyes connected with mine, freezing me in my spot.
“There is no law. Raise her.” His eyes glanced at the darkness, then he slowly walked away from me. He circled the store, passing by me and bringing something each time.
First, a basket with formula and cloth diapers and diaper pins.
Onesies and a blanket. Then bibs.
A car seat. Bottles.
More with each loop.
Finally, he walked back to me. “This will get you started. Do you have a car?”
I looked hesitantly at the door, then back at the child. “The darkness…”
He looked me over. “She needs to eat. Let’s pay and take care of that.”
I stepped up to the register and the lady waved me off. “No sales. The darkness. Take what you need and do not worry,” she laid her hand on her heart. “Care for her; she is special.”
I shook my head agreeing while still in shock. Why am I being entrusted to raise this child? I am not worthy.
I laid the girl into the baby seat and prepared a bottle. She greedily took it as if she had not eaten in a while. I found a nearby bench near the door and took a seat with her.
Instinctively, I picked her up and lightly patted her back until she burped, then wiped her little mouth. Then I rocked her to sleep in my arms as time passed. Slowly I drifted off to sleep holding her tight.
The light pierced through the door, waking me from the darkness. I looked down at the comforter bunched up in my arms. Alas, she was just a dream, another reminder of a life not meant for me.
Her left eye turned inward. The excruciating pain welled up tears as her vision blurred. Stumbling, losing balance, she struggled to reach a safe place to fall.
Hand cupped over eye, all she desired was darkness and quiet. It struck swiftly this time, catching her unawares and piled deep in work. Timing is always a bitch.
At least the right eye was still clear. Maybe it would pass in a moment. The seconds and minutes ticked away.
Tik. Tok. Tik. Tok. Tik.
Not in time. Voices rang into her ear. Unable to escape to dark silence for now. Droning speaking sounded like the low roar of a tornado warning, echoing in her head.
The pain spread from her eye into her forehead and cheeks. She could hear her own heartbeat in her free ear.
Pound, pound…pound, pound.
Finally, the voices drifted away and she stumbled to her bed. Rest, please bring relief.
He wailed at the restraints holding him back.
Struggling to free himself, he began to growl.
He scratched at his captor who held him tight.
The more he fought, the harder it got.
It was no use, he was trapped.
Finally, he gave up, groaning to himself.
He hoped his capture would soon be over.
Finally, the restraints were lifted,
And he was set free.
He bolted from the trap, stopped, and arched.
Then he looked back,
sauntered from where he ran,
And curled back up, starting to purr.
Love, real love, transcends.
It sees past wrinkles and age to see the youthful heart.
It overlooks wrongs and missteps, granting forgiveness.
It overcomes changes in sexuality, seeing the person beneath.
It understands sickness and steps up to care.
It endures hardships to share in the celebrations.
It pushes each other to improve to grow together.
It guides through darkness, and leads to light.
Love survives. Love endures. Love transcends.
The orange hammock strung up between two oaks lured her outdoors. A breeze picked up, cooling in the summer heat. It was a lazy weekend, and she looked forward to this break for 12 days straight.
Her phone on silent, she slipped it into the pocket, then slid into the hammock like it was a swing. She inhaled the fresh air as she slipped off her sandals.
She lowered her sunglasses then lifted her feet. Carefully, she turned and settled in to the cocoon of the hammock. The sunlight pierced through the canopy, but the breeze brought relief.
She hung her feet out of the hammock and let the breeze gently swing her. She watched the birds and the squirrels playing in the branches above her. Slowly, she drifted off to slumber. Peace at last.
Dream your way back to me.
Remember me in my youth,
when all was new and spirited.
Feel the excitement of each first.
Dream your way back to me.
Recall the elation of each first kiss,
The gentle touches we gave the other,
The electricity we felt that first time.
Dream your way back to me.
Morning bled ominous red,
A warning filled with dread.
The lake ignored the warning,
Laying calm in the early morning.
Birds eventually took flight
As the red gave way to the sun’s light.
Only the early birds keenly know
Storm winds soon will surely blow.
The wall held back the water as it was built to do.
Strong and sturdy for years it stood.
The water rose, and the wall began to give to,
but it held for as long as it could.
Slowly drips began to push through,
small leaks streamed tears down.
The aging wall’s greyness changed hue
knowing soon it would drown.
Suddenly, it gave way with a great gush
And the water inundated the land in a final rush.
Dawn Renee Writes 