A very rough draft of the opening chapter to Dancing with Orange Blossoms, the prequel to Honey Ko. I’m not sure I could write an entire novel this way, or if readers would enjoy it. Maybe I could bookend it this way but write the rest in the traditional manner.Thoughts? Is the italicized portion disconcerting? Is narration by a dead person too much. Finally, is … Continue reading Dancing with Orange Blossoms
I don’t fill the room I’m in, my presence slips quite thin between the walls, behind a chair, outside in the air; the vacuum I exist between pushes me both ways, to pop the empty bubble, to see what isn’t there. Is there a name for the space between two slabs of concrete block? That’s the way it’s always been, I’m a shadow drowned in … Continue reading I Don’t Fill The Room I’m In
I walked through a wood one summer’s day, Afternoon light dappled a forest glade; Lily pad in green-black pond and on it lay A frog whose languid croak appeared to say, As he scratched white belly in sun’s warm ray, I shall not move on this hot summer’s day. Continue reading The Frog and the Granite Shore, Part I
Our dance had a close but never an end, Continue reading Of Love and Moonsweat V
The first night of our dance, consumed with desire, Continue reading On Love and Moonsweat IV
The thrill of our touch, our first “sort-of” kiss, Continue reading Of Love and Moonsweat III
The magical night of our meeting… Continue reading Of Love and Moonsweat II
Sweet dreams, Campers 🙂 Continue reading Canvas Dreams
Bearing gift of love Rising spirits’ lofty dream Dove ascends with sun Continue reading Agape
There are stages of love as well as grief. I suspect more people know the stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance. Few people understand that love has stages as well: infatuation, passion, routine (or restless), partnership, companionship. If grief comes about through loss of loved one, where does love come in? Love comes with loss of self, meaning love causes self to become … Continue reading On Love and Self
The Sailor has a favorite bar, in every port of call, A favorite girl too, slender, stout, or tall; I’m no exception to the rule, immemorial in its time, Not so very particular, though her beauty be sublime; My favorite port of call, my favorite among the dozens, Rota Spain and sweet Susanna, and all her pretty cousins; Black hair my green-eyed beauty, and tiny … Continue reading A Sailor’s Favorite Bar
And lost souls, too We mustn’t forget them Sun marches across the sky Leaves behind another day Poppies waving gently In red dotted field Poppy red, dead red Black soil, sweet soil The wagon rolls on Boots reversed in stirrups Taps and gun salute Widow hugs the flag Somewhere, sometime, Someone remembers them The silver drop cleanses Refreshes them to mind Memory returns an image … Continue reading Thank The Living Souls
White Black Right Wrong Open Closed No shades No middle No question Authority Teacher Godhead Worship Easy target Unformed Uninformed Malleable Acolyte Foot soldier Abuse of trust Position Agenda Tyranny Infiltrate Calculate Indoctrinate Subjugate Annihilate Who teaches the eagle to fly? Continue reading Who Teaches the Eagle to Fly?
Bit by bit Clipped, ripped, lopped One limb, Then another And another And another. Ten branches To prune is to shape New growth Twenty-seven leaves X marks the spot Old Scratch Insinuating Subverting Bending willows Against the wind Opposites repel Hammer forms Sickle cuts Devil’s tongue Slick salesman Sells lemons Buys souls Slick illusion Grand delusion Where does the Eagle stand? Continue reading Where Does the Eagle Stand?
It’s that time of year! Originally posted July 6th, 2014 A leaf is a thing, That brings joy to my heart, Vibrant green, With points like a star, She hangs from the limb, waving at me, O, pretty leaf, what do you see? So live your life like a leaf, Just hangin’ around, And when your time comes, Just leap for the ground, A flying … Continue reading Live Your Life Like A Leaf
My family invaded Holland in June, 1964. I have heard that The Beatles invaded America that year, too, but I had no idea who they were and probably would not have cared had I known. At four years old, I cared only for the ice cream freezer in the lobby of the old hotel we took rooms in, the cheese-man and his horse, the walk-in … Continue reading Huis Ter Heide
I wonder why, after all this time has passed, I still find the need to write of you. Your voice has faded and your face has dimmed into an outline, but when I concentrate, I see you clearly though for less than the blink of an eye. Not long after we parted and I returned to my own land, I walked past an orange grove … Continue reading Susanna XII, A Prose Poem
I peered through a telescope, to infinity it seemed, but nothing behind the eye to see, no focusing that way; Day by day I peered, each day the distance shrank, but now behind the eye, a lengthening distance grew; A length of twine unwound, stretched to furthest end, I began to roll it up, seeking the distant end. I turned the telescope, to look behind … Continue reading The Telescope
Briefly here, my love, then gone, I’m left with hollow, aching heart; eleven years are not enough, though every second count; but the bitter wind is cruel that grays us, and preys upon regrets; so many miles we walked together, Yoshi, you and I, I with my head in the clouds and you, running ahead then pausing to look back as … Continue reading Love Poem for Yoshi
My poem, Leave Something Behind, was published today by Brian Geiger of Vita Brevis. This is my first published poem; I couldn’t be happier 🙂 Please check it out. While you’re there, consider browsing the Vita Brevis site. Brian has added some interesting features including a random poem generator and links to some of the best poetry offered on WordPress. Follow the site to read and support great poetry. Continue reading Leave Something Behind, up at Vita Brevis
Please read and enjoy, and follow, this story by Jackie of an independent woman finding herself and taking on the world. Beep, beep, beep, BEEP, BEEP the alarm resounded. Ugh. Make it stop. The bed was comfortable and warm and I didn’t want to get up. Ten more minutes; I’ll just lie here ten more minutes. I sat up and swung my legs over the … Continue reading Paris in Pearls – Chapter Four. A Novel by Jackie
Beautiful writing from a beautiful voice. I find myself anxiously awaiting blacqbook’s next work. Please read, enjoy, and follow blacqbook. Continue reading Silence, by blacqbook
This wonderful story from Scotland drew me in, set me in front of the fireplace with a cup of hot tea, and left me smiling in wonder. Please read and enjoy, and follow The Garden of Everyday Delight. The snow has finally arrived to give the land a purifying make-over. Behind the hills, the dawn is a pearly glow, while to the west a band … Continue reading Blowing hot and cold — Writing from The Garden of Everyday Delight
Please read and enjoy this wonderful continuing story of a woman realizing her lifelong dream of starting a new life in Paris. The romance is palpable ❤ By the time Renée returned, it was the height of lunch and the café was teeming with hungry Parisians. All the chairs were occupied, so she squeezed into the space beside me on the bench. “I’m sorry, … Continue reading Paris in Pearls – Chapter Three. A Novel by Jackie
My alarm clock goes off at 0510 There’s no snooze button and no plug to put in But his nose is cold and his tongue quite wet And he growls til I roll out of bed Originally posted on July 6th, 2014. Continue reading The Alarm Clock – A Poem
Please read and enjoy–and follow–this lovely, romantic story by my dear friend Jackie. Tiny dust particles floated on streams of light as the rising sun shone through the airplane window. My back pressed hard against the seat, and the engines roared upon landing. I’m here. Like a drum in a rock band, my heart beat double-time. I’m actually in Paris! After going through customs and … Continue reading Paris in Pearls, Chapter Two. A Novel by Jackie
Please read and enjoy–and follow–this first chapter in my dear friend Jackie’s novel, “Paris in Pearls.” via: Paris in Pearls This was crazy — so out of character for me; old reliable Kate was actually following her heart for a change. I reread the ticket: Kathleen M. Davis – Air France flight 3236 to Paris — one way. What it didn’t say, was that I … Continue reading Paris in Pearls, a Novel by Jackie, Chapter One
I walked through a wood one summer’s day, Afternoon light dappled a forest glade; Lily pad in green-black pond and on it lay A frog whose languid croak appeared to say, As he scratched white belly in sun’s warm ray, I shall not move on this hot summer’s day. I stopped to ponder my neighbor in green, Who, eyes near closed in dreamlike sheen, Lay … Continue reading The Frog and the Granite Shore – A Poem
I tried to take rubbings of his tattoos-the hula girl, the palm trees, the sailing ship, the crossed cannons, the anchor. The hula girl danced for me when he flexed his forearm. He never told me where he’d got them. He was in the war when he was eighteen, and he was an old man when he came home at twenty. His ships pulled into … Continue reading Tattoos – A Poem
I grew up with Zebco 202’s and caught quite a few bluegill, shiner, and catfish with Billy and Eddie in the pond next door. I even snagged a gator once but that was nothing compared to the nasty snapping turtle that tried to take his wrath out on my fingers. But I always preferred my bamboo fishing pole with the line tied to the tip, … Continue reading The Bamboo Fishing Pole
Winter’s flamboyance Snowfall’s crystal miracle Diamonds on my tongue Image via Google Images Continue reading Snowfall – Haiku Poetry
The anemic landscape unexcites me as I settle in for a long cold winter. Here and there are cached supplies to see me through my ennui. Mostly dry goods, I’ll leave them damp and lying in crumpled heaps scattered where they’re used. The liquids I’ll ingest as I did the chicken soup mom loved to spoon into my mouth. Nothing else matters as long as … Continue reading iDoctor – A Poem in Prose
Moving flat against my vision -left to right is how you like it- I play you like a God But your independence betrays me And I kill you off. Continue reading Character Assassination – A Poem
Sniffling sky, tired, gray Wind, whipping trees tear at clouds Another Kleenex Continue reading Ill Wind – Haiku
There is an intensity behind this writing that pulls me in. Maybe I identify with the writer’s honesty or with the topics. Whatever it is, I can’t stop reading and want to read more. I think you will too. Please read and share this writing and the thought that makes it possible. Add this site to your list of sites followed; you won’t be disappointed … Continue reading Reblog: Infinity Undone — The Birth Of Love
In all the nights you danced with me In the spins you laced with fire The music in your swaying hips The rhythm spilling from your eyes Another song, another dance Another tingling-spine romance Your writhing woke my naked lust Your pirouette my sucking breath My fingers strummed your humming lips Your quavering finish I undressed. Continue reading Play Me
Originally posted on Everything, Darling:
I noticed it when I was eleven. My parents were getting a divorce and Mr. McGonnegy said they had been unhappy since I was born. Whenever they fought, Mr. McGonnegy would just look at me and shake his head and say, “They used to be happy, boy. All your fault.” McGonnegy’s cat was just as mean as he was and… Continue reading The Yellow Light From the House on the Corner
Urban din recedes in anticipation of approaching quiet; homeward bound vacationers whish south in reluctant pursuit. Tires clack-clack on expansion joints as Molly Pitcher offers a garden of rest. “Push on, push on,” cried ancestors in covered wagons as winter’s snows crept near. But here, now, summer falls away in flittering drops of leaves and Autumn’s temperatures bring relief from insects, heat, and labor. … Continue reading Canvas Song – Poetry: Haibun
from night fall raindrops bursting notes on canvas sing lullaby, good night Continue reading Canvas Song – Haiku
My first attempt at Haibun. I often dream of living in a cabin in the woods. Handed the chance to live life over again, I would choose a career as a Forest Ranger, managing forests, assisting people who understand them, teaching those who don’t. Look now through my eyes How vision winds endlessly Look there! Do you see? I always felt I was born two-hundred … Continue reading Wanderlust – Haibun
Please read and share this amazing work from Fortune’s Expensive Smile. My love / a silent film / over dramatized for maximum effect / my life / stormy / I mean all out tornado Twister wild / “The Suck Zone,” / Phillip Seymour / “That’s not the technical term for it, obviously.” / Hoffman / (rest his soul) / look into my eye / you … Continue reading Twister — Fortune’s Expensive Smile
My first attempt at Haiku. Many thanks to Hannah for the inspiration 🙂 Flying on the wing Cross wind changes direction Wife calls to dinner Continue reading Haiku: On the Wing
Each line took a piece of my heart and caressed it. The last line put it together again, healed and happy. Please read and share this beautiful poem. For one more time I am lying down With my skin exposed To the chills Of December Shivering Under the warmth Of the blanket Like YOU Wrapped around me Wondering And pondering And stressing And depressing The … Continue reading DECEMBER — Read To Please.
Poor Fervor His neighbors thought him rude He never could remember The Spanish words for Please. (Silly, ain’t I 🙂 Word of the Day Continue reading Poor Fervor
What is the color of my skin when you are hidden beyond the horizon? What is the color of your skin when my heart swells with joy at the sight of you? What is the color of your touch when I clasp your hand in mine? What is the color of my touch when we embrace? What is the color of my mind when you … Continue reading The Color of Her Skin – Poetry by Will
Love isn’t cheap, although love can be cheapened. Love at any cost exacts an incalculable toll on the human soul. A five-dollar short time will get you love in Olongapo City, but what kind of love is that? Even a ten-dollar long time, an all-nighter, gets you nothing but relief, one more conquest to secure your manhood, and another sea story for the guys at work. Where’s the love? Where’s the … Continue reading On Love: Its Toll and Reward
Roger Bannister, the first athlete to break the four-minute mile, said this about his record-breaking run: “The world seemed to stand still, or did not exist. The only reality was the next 200 yards of track under my feet. The tape meant finality–extinction perhaps. I felt at that moment that it was my chance to do one thing supremely well. I drove on, impelled by … Continue reading On Writing, and the Four-Minute Mile
This post from Ana. P. Rose inspired me. Art is truth. Telling the truth is art. When the rejections roll in and it seems like nobody likes your story; when it seems like your work is going nowhere; when you feel like giving up and smashing the keyboard, remember you are an artist and you are writing the truth. Van Gogh’s success came only after … Continue reading Dear Artists, by Ana P. Rose
Erased by an impetuous sea, Jealous, I think, of my temerity in leaving behind an imprint of me Stone fabric, cold, incurvated; A chase, the sun, a hand, Symbols, signs, epitaphs that cry I Was Here, Remember Me The wind, the stars, the sea, Inked on the space that surrounds me; Permanence that comes with death, Usually; Not that bodily death is not permanent, Just … Continue reading Leave Something Behind – Poetry by Will
Writers Envy 