The Storm (Lanturne)

As the hurricane braces the East Coast, I will think of the sky on peaceful days. I hope everyone stays safe!

Sun
Rises
Through the storm
A peaceful lull
Soothes

A Slice of the Country

Hi bloggers,

A fellow blogger introduced me to a short story slam over at Bluebell Books. Here is my story based on the beautiful image above.

The wheat fields flirted with Sandra’s bare legs. They were tall and dressed in summer gold. The wind made her dress rise and salute. It was enough for Bobby to catch a glimpse of her britches.
“Nice legs,” he whistled. Sandra turned around red as a tomato.

“I knew you’d be spying on me,” she answered catching the hem of her skirt.

“Uh, don’t be mad at me,” he laughed. “The wind was playing tricks on you. Take your beef with him.”

“I swear you’re like my shadow,” Sandra answered slowly. “How’d you know I’d be out here?” Bobby reached out his arms from where he was standing. Sandra instinctively buried her head in his chest.

She had traded in the city life for a slice of the country, where the sky was rich and tasty as blueberry pie. Where the stars winked hello as she laid her back beneath the heavenly deep. Where the birds called to her from their nests. Where the cows mooed morning gossip. Where the rooster made the sunrise.

Sandra looked up into Bobby’s eyes. They were dark and full as storm clouds. She could sniff country rain on his skin.

“You were going to leave without saying goodbye. That ain’t fair,” he spoke sternly.

“I ain’t got no southern manners,” she laughed with a drawl.

“Yea, you’re still a city snob,” Bobby smiled. He leaned in close and gazed into her eyes.

Sandra felt her cheeks grow as red as apples. She threw Bobby back with one great shove.

“Look me up in the city,” Sandra shouted. She could no longer mask her tears and quickly turned to walk away. She felt the sunset against her back bathing her in a river of colors. She vowed to stop wearing overalls but couldn’t part with her suede cowboy boots.

Obsession (O.S.I.)

Hi all,

This week's theme at O.S.I. is obsession. Here is my poem:

I look for love
Between those eyes
This obsessive nature
Of mine
Won’t have me quit
Until I die
My heart consumed
I look for love
Between those eyes

A Sunday Verse

Hi all,

Hope you all had a wonderful Sunday. I am inspired today by a pair of verses in Psalm 104:

Who cover Yourself with light as with a garment, who stretch out the heavens like a curtain. He lays the beams of His upper chambers in the waters, who makes the clouds His chariot, who walks on the wings of the wind.

Sea (Haiku)

Hi all,

Happy Saturday!! This haiku is inspired by Acrostic Only.

Sown into blue depths
Empty in the shallow eves
And the waves recede

Carnival of Lights

Hi all,

The following story is written for Thursday Tales. The inspiring image comes from NineteenCID.

He called my name through the whir of carnival lights. The air smelled of cotton candy and popcorn. He wrapped his arms around me like a sweater. The brisk, autumn air kissed my cheeks.

“Let’s take a ride on those swings,” he smiled. He put his fingers through mine and lifted my hand into the air. When he touched me, I could feel butterflies rise in my stomach. I laughed like a school girl.

We stood in line stealing kisses when I noticed a proposal strung up in neon lights: Will you marry me?

“Who’s the lucky girl,” I laughed, glancing into his dancing eyes.

“I’m looking at her,” he smiled slyly. I fell back in surprise and my mouth flew open. This tipsy, giddy feeling swept over me. His body was the only thing keeping me up.

“I don’t know what to say,” I stammered. My quivering lips met his with the answer.

“Just say yes,” he whispered. He knelt carrying a velvet box. My eyes welled up in surprising joy as I hung my arms around his neck.

I felt young, barely five, when I rode with a giddy grin in the carnival of lights.

Silence (O.S.I.)

Hi all,

This poem is written for O.S.I. The theme this week is silence.

Music and praise
In the glorious sun
The trees exhaling
In August light

Serenading birds
Beating their wings
Church windows wide
Choir voices melt
Psalms singing sweetly

On the street corner
Girls turning ropes
Rhythm on pavement
Bodies rise and jump

Alone in my thoughts
Winding quiet path
A humbling prayer
For this gift of silence

Angel (Acrostic)

Hi all,

The following poem is written for Acrostic Only. The word I've chosen is angel.

At the edge
Needing a confidant
Grow giant wings
Extend your hands
Learn to fly

Dreaming In Night Sky

Dreaming into night sky
The city slinks
Into a gown
Of shimmering lights

Happy Sky Watch!!

Friendship (Haiku)

Hi all,

Here are a pair of haikus written for Haiku Heights. The theme this week is friendship.

We were strangers till
You smiled and asked for my name
An endless friendship

Our thoughts become one
We say little when we smile
Two souls sing akin

One Second Of Fortune

Hi all,

I am writing the following short story for Thursday Tales. The inspiring image is Aame at A Buzzing Mind... and a Passionate Heart.

Lee glanced down at the black under his fingernails. He could feel dirt and sweat collecting against his brow. His clothes reeked of hot, August suns in city garbage dumps. He couldn't remember the last time he bathed. He fantasized about taking a dive into that cold, glass of water on the table.

He was situated in a diner with black and white checkered floors and pretty, pastel paintings along the walls. The patrons turned up their noses and looked away. He disgusted them. He understood and kept his head down.

His mouth watered as he perused the menu. He watched an invisible plate grow with a mountain of golden pancakes, a river of strawberry and butter floating down his belly. He couldn’t recall the last time he had eaten. The pockets in his jeans were worn away and full of holes. He didn’t have any money.

A young girl with baby doll eyes and pink, pouty lips walked to his table. She had a crisp, white apron around her waist. He hadn’t loved a woman in a long time.

“May I take your order, sir?” There was an anxious quiver in her voice.

“What do you recommend miss,” Lee answered coolly. His dirty smile was not reassuring.

“People like the American style burger. We also have a special on all-you-can-eat flapjacks.”

“That sounds good. I’ll take the flap jacks.” Lee closed the menu and handed it over to the waitress. She reluctantly took the menu and bowed out silently.

Lee had his fill of flapjacks, devouring a mountaintop of buttery pancakes. Nearby, patrons ogled at the man with no stomach.

Then, the waitress turned her heels on him with a sheepish smile. She laid her tiny fingers on the table with a note. He had hoped it would be her number. Instead, it was a bill he couldn’t pay for.

He glanced at the counter top ahead of him where a man, dressed in a business suit, vacated his seat. Several bills were laid out next to the tip jar. The waitress was out of view and the patrons were too engrossed in conversation to notice him.

Calculating his moves, Lee stood and approached the counter top. He came within inches of the money when a man cleared his throat behind him.

The man in the suit had returned. His eyes were a brilliant blue; his blonde hair was slicked back. He fidgeted with his cuff links and glanced at the watch on his right wrist. He acknowledged Lee with a slight smile.

“You don’t want to take that,” he advised. “There’s a limit to that money. Fast money dries up pretty fast.” He leaned against the table and blocked Lee’s path. Lee feared the man might arrest him. After a moment of silence, the man laughed hard.

“Hey, don’t worry! I won’t give you away. I was in your shoes not too long ago.”

“What did you do,” Lee whispered. He was embarrassed to be seen this way in front of a business man.

“I got myself a job and cleaned up,” he smiled. “Money is easy to find when you aren’t looking for it. Take the money, man. You need it.”

Lee didn’t hesitate and grabbed the money on the counter. When Lee turned to thank the man, he was gone.

Lee smiled at his good fortune, paid the bill, and gave a generous tip to the girl with baby doll eyes.

B & W With A Splash of Color

Hi Skywatchers,

Here is a view of the old world in black and white. I have stepped into another time and place. The old world has a million stories to tell. I lean back and listen.





Then, a splash of color makes everything new and inviting. The new world dazzles me in art and splendor. I recognize friends who speak the same language. I am finally home.




Happy Sky Watch!!

Confession (Haiku)

Hi all,

Here are a pair of haikus written for Haiku Heights. The theme is confession.

When did the love stop
Why did the heart cease to beat
Broken in pieces

Lips reveal slowly
Answer in sorrow’s slow song
Life’s cruel confession