Sitting on a park bench,
Enjoying the sunshine,
Listening to the sound of birds chattering and calling to one another,
Breathing in the fresh, heady scent of Spring blossoms;
Eyes closed, face tilted up, the corners of my mouth lifted in a smile.
My smile of contentment reveals the peace I feel,
But it doesn’t tell the whole story.
I am filled with wonder; I am filled with joy.
God’s gratuitous grace abounds.
In this mid-morning reprieve the day pauses in suspense,
Like an inhaled breath, like my life,
Waiting for me to exhale,
To step forward in faith.
(Inspired by VelvetVerbosity.com 100 word challenge: "Gratuitous")
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Final round
“Don’t, Bobby. I’m frightened,” she said, but he ignored her. She whispered her fear, knowing even shouts and screams would be ignored. They’d played this game before.
He spun the cylinder with a glancing blow, hand flat against the revolver. One bullet and five holes quickly whirring, coming to a stop faster than any wheel of fortune should.
She heard the hammer click. She felt the barrel’s cool steel against her temple. She sensed the pressure of his finger squeezing the trigger. She met her end.
Bobby reloaded, this time filling every hole. Now it was his turn.
(Inspired by VelvetVerbosity.com 100 word challenge: "Frightened")
He spun the cylinder with a glancing blow, hand flat against the revolver. One bullet and five holes quickly whirring, coming to a stop faster than any wheel of fortune should.
She heard the hammer click. She felt the barrel’s cool steel against her temple. She sensed the pressure of his finger squeezing the trigger. She met her end.
Bobby reloaded, this time filling every hole. Now it was his turn.
(Inspired by VelvetVerbosity.com 100 word challenge: "Frightened")
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Understatement
“I have a small obsession with owls,” she confessed, ushering me into her home.
I’d already noted her sweater (owls knitted into the rib pattern with buttons stitched on for eyes) and jewelry (small, copper owl pendants with tiny turquoise eyes).
Yet nothing prepared me for the onslaught of sights and sounds pervading my client’s house: a large oil painting on the wall facing the front door, a throw rug covering the entry’s tiled floor, a stuffed bird poised on a small table to my right, a hooting soundtrack adding ambiance. On and on, owls everywhere!
“Indeed,” I responded.
(Inspired by VelvetVerbosity.com 100 word challenge: "Obsession")
(This particular entry is also inspired by the darling and delightful @PettyMagic, Camille DeAngelis)
I’d already noted her sweater (owls knitted into the rib pattern with buttons stitched on for eyes) and jewelry (small, copper owl pendants with tiny turquoise eyes).
Yet nothing prepared me for the onslaught of sights and sounds pervading my client’s house: a large oil painting on the wall facing the front door, a throw rug covering the entry’s tiled floor, a stuffed bird poised on a small table to my right, a hooting soundtrack adding ambiance. On and on, owls everywhere!
“Indeed,” I responded.
(Inspired by VelvetVerbosity.com 100 word challenge: "Obsession")
(This particular entry is also inspired by the darling and delightful @PettyMagic, Camille DeAngelis)
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
The Bottom Line
“Look at how she engages the little ones,” I said.
Principal Hodges and I watched two members of our assessment staff working with the Special Needs class.
“Yes, Sue’s remarkable,” he commented without expression. “Joe’s good, too.”
Joe, our speech therapist, sat cross-legged on the floor in front of a 4-year-old boy. Joe patiently cycled through flash cards, naming the colors and items shown on each card, highlighting the phonetics, carefully annunciating and encouraging the small boy to do the same.
We exited together, Hodges grim but resolute. The State mandated budget cuts; one position must go.
(Inspired by VelvetVerbosity.com 100 word challenge: "Engages")
Principal Hodges and I watched two members of our assessment staff working with the Special Needs class.
“Yes, Sue’s remarkable,” he commented without expression. “Joe’s good, too.”
Joe, our speech therapist, sat cross-legged on the floor in front of a 4-year-old boy. Joe patiently cycled through flash cards, naming the colors and items shown on each card, highlighting the phonetics, carefully annunciating and encouraging the small boy to do the same.
We exited together, Hodges grim but resolute. The State mandated budget cuts; one position must go.
(Inspired by VelvetVerbosity.com 100 word challenge: "Engages")
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Naturally
Jessie and I hadn’t spoken since the argument before our mother’s funeral.
“It’s ridiculous!” Jessie’s concern was more for her own reputation than our recently deceased mother’s.
“Of course it’s ridiculous, but it’s Mother’s last wish. I have to honor her request.”
“Which makes you ridiculous. I’m not coming to the funeral. I want no part of this.”
So Mother was buried in her pajamas, bathrobe and slippers.
Now, five years down the road, Jessie made sure I’d honor her wishes. She’d specified her burial attire in her will, as well as the wording for her tombstone: “Au Naturel”
This is a response to the 100 word challenge put forth by Velvet Verbosity. "Honor"
“It’s ridiculous!” Jessie’s concern was more for her own reputation than our recently deceased mother’s.
“Of course it’s ridiculous, but it’s Mother’s last wish. I have to honor her request.”
“Which makes you ridiculous. I’m not coming to the funeral. I want no part of this.”
So Mother was buried in her pajamas, bathrobe and slippers.
Now, five years down the road, Jessie made sure I’d honor her wishes. She’d specified her burial attire in her will, as well as the wording for her tombstone: “Au Naturel”
This is a response to the 100 word challenge put forth by Velvet Verbosity. "Honor"
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Regrets
I’d have told anyone who asked it was harmless. The ads and posters touting the dangers had nothing to do with me. I was fifteen.
From my first drag I was addicted. A pack of cigarettes cost less than a dollar. Smoking bans were barely a twinkle in some legislator’s eye. I sat in a restaurant and drew in the poison. I exhaled slowly, watching the smoke rise, loving the new me. On that day I became a smoker.
Forty years later I sit in the stink, stains and ashes that cover my life, wishing I’d heeded the warnings.
This is a response to the 100 word challenge put forth by Velvet Verbosity.
From my first drag I was addicted. A pack of cigarettes cost less than a dollar. Smoking bans were barely a twinkle in some legislator’s eye. I sat in a restaurant and drew in the poison. I exhaled slowly, watching the smoke rise, loving the new me. On that day I became a smoker.
Forty years later I sit in the stink, stains and ashes that cover my life, wishing I’d heeded the warnings.
This is a response to the 100 word challenge put forth by Velvet Verbosity.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Mystery Dance
When I arrived at the scene no one seemed interested in checking my credentials so I kept my wallet in the pocket of my coat.
As more officers, the coroner and the detective in charge arrived they focused on the corpse; no one gave me a second glance. I remained in the background, observing and considering my options. My only lead, now a dead end, pale and still against a colorful palette of fallen leaves.
The body, daylight and my last hope disappeared about the same time. I humbly approached the detective seeking pity and a possible clue.
This is a response to the 100 word challenge put forth by Velvet Verbosity.
As more officers, the coroner and the detective in charge arrived they focused on the corpse; no one gave me a second glance. I remained in the background, observing and considering my options. My only lead, now a dead end, pale and still against a colorful palette of fallen leaves.
The body, daylight and my last hope disappeared about the same time. I humbly approached the detective seeking pity and a possible clue.
This is a response to the 100 word challenge put forth by Velvet Verbosity.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
