You said I love you, and I said I love you I remember the time we drove to Malaga and stopped in Tarifa along the way. We parked at the little cervecería just off the highway by the Roman ruins and walked to the beach. After a while when we were hot we sat on the rocks at Cabo de Gracia under the waterfall and laughed … Continue reading I Remember the Sunset at Tarifa
Tourist Boats. Pattaya Beach, Thailand. Photo Credit: Will Pennington Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue filled the foyer. I listened for a moment before knocking. The music stopped, then began again after a few seconds. I knocked again, harder. The door opened, and Sasi peeked around the edge of the door and smiled. “Thomas. Come in. How wonderful of you to come.” She didn’t appear surprised. I … Continue reading Honey Ko, Chapter 20. Thailand
Along Walking Street, Pattaya, Thailand. 1983. Photo Credit: Will Pennington The crucial moment lay before us, quivering with anticipation, awaiting resolution. I was anxious. I had to see Sasi again, but kept putting it off. We spoke in the morning before I left for the airfield, exchanging little more than pleasantries, and again in the evening when I returned. I think she waited for my … Continue reading Honey Ko, Chapter 19. Thailand
Sunset. Yokohama Beach. Makaha, Hawaii. Photo Credit: Will Pennington Sasi’s condo loomed tall before me. The sound of breakers crashing on the cliff face below and the fragrant sea breeze mingling with coconut oil by the swimming pool brought a déjà vu moment to mind. Similarities between the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Waikiki and Sasi’s place abounded. The only thing missing was Don Ho. I … Continue reading Honey Ko, Chapter 18. Thailand
Seating the Wheel Bearing on the P-3 Orion Port Inboard Landing Gear Mainmount. Photo Credit: Will Pennington Exhausted after a heavy day of maintenance, we dropped our dirty coveralls in a bin and trudged to the van. A local woman would collect the work clothes and wash them. For a few dollars more, she would wash and press personal clothing, a bargain considering how much … Continue reading Honey Ko, Chapter 17. Thailand
Unloading Maintenance Equipment at U-Tapao Military Terminal. Photo Credit: Will Pennington Sasi. I dreamed about her. I shook the water out of my hair and stepped from the shower. Except for vague bits, I rarely recalled my dreams. Not that dreams had context. Did any dream make sense? Did dreams do anything more than increase the hurt? In the dream, Sasi was swimming in a … Continue reading Honey Ko, Chapter 16. Thailand
A uniformed doorman nodded and smiled to Sasi, but gave me the once-over and a frown as we passed. Revolving doors led to an expansive lobby buzzing with activity and the heady fragrance of incense. Another doorman took the groceries from me and gave them to yet another employee who disappeared who-knew-where with them. Plush, high-end sofas and chairs furnished sitting areas where visitors and … Continue reading Honey Ko (Sweetheart), Book 3, Chapter 14, Part 2: Thailand
Pattaya Beach, Thailand. 1983. Photo Credit: Will Pennington Adrenaline pumped my system into a throbbing, vibrating engine burning on twenty-four cylinders. I rubbed my leg to make it stop tapping the foot rail. My mind churned with anxiety and uncertainty. Shooting up caffeine wouldn’t have given me a bigger buzz. I rested my elbow on the bar and chewed my thumbnail as I stared through … Continue reading Honey Ko (Sweetheart), Book 3, Chapter 14, Part 1
I wasn’t going back to Vietnam! Neither was Sam. Chip and the Command Master Chief said we had been there long enough. Others who needed the time in-country would replace us. I hadn’t felt such relief in months. The news drained the tension from me like I was shedding a layer of skin. Sam and I walked through the hangar bay like changed men, calling … Continue reading Honey Ko, Book 2, Chapter 12
She wasn’t beautiful to some, but she had many lovers in her lifetime and they thought her beautiful. She had accepted them, taken them in, loved them, accepted their gifts, sent them away. She sailed west with the tide one morning. A pregnant lady bursting with excitement and impatient to birth the force within her womb. To birth them across the sea and into troubled … Continue reading The Vessel
I clenched my jaw until it ached to hold back the tears. Susanna’s soul had spoken to me, had wrapped around my heart, and lifted away my carnal love for her. She had spoken; she could not love me the way a woman can love only one man. I had to accept that. I had to grasp that bond and let it wrap around my … Continue reading Honey Ko, Book 2, Chapter 11, Part 2
Cigarette smoke assaulted my lungs as I made my way to the exit, already missing Marie’s fragrance. I had reached the door when I heard my name called above the screeching racket from the jukebox. I looked above the heads bobbing on the dance floor. Frank! Hey, Frank. Over here. Sam waved from the bar. I changed direction, but the door opened, forcing me to … Continue reading Honey Ko (Sweetheart), Book 2, Chapter 11, Part 1
I look for you in the white feather that floats from nowhere, the light footfalls that pause when I pause, the whisper over my shoulder while I write; I read your message in the flash across the night sky and breathe your orange blossom fragrance when the nearest orange blossoms are miles away I feel you without thinking, a touch upon my shoulder, a sigh … Continue reading The Whisper Over My Shoulder
My pulse raced as Frank walked away. I wanted to call him back, tell him I wanted to know him too, but I couldn’t. I was too proud to be the weak one. Too independent to seem dependent. I had been wrong about one thing, though. He wasn’t unlike other Sailors. He was unlike any man I had ever known. He was confident, but not … Continue reading Honey Ko (Sweetheart), Book 2, Chapter 10: Marie Taneo
The silence pounded in my ears. I wanted to sit and think, but my knees were locked. All I could do was stare at the door that had both opened and closed a moment before. I had learned something about Chip and something about myself. I had often noticed the purple heart ribbon among his many decorations but never asked for what action he earned … Continue reading Honey Ko (Sweetheart), Book 2, Chapter 9: Frank
Approach to Cubi Point Naval Air Station, Olongapo, Philippines. The sun set on another blistering day in the Philippines as our C-130 touched down at Cubi Point Naval Air Station. The war in Vietnam was nine-hundred miles in the past. I could finally relax and put the horror of that last, bloody attack behind me. For the next week at least, I wouldn’t have to … Continue reading Honey Ko, (Sweetheart), Book 2, Chapter 7: Frank Bailey. 1968
Author’s Photo. The view from the apartment bedroom. I edged the gate open with a gentle push, but the squeal of the rusty hinges gave me away. I uttered a silent oath when Aida poked her head out the window. Oh, Tommy, she cried. You forget again the oil. I’ll bring the oil home tomorrow, Aida. I promise. Yoshi had run ahead, barking at the … Continue reading Honey Ko (Sweetheart), Book 1, Chapter 6
…just don’t cross your legs Photo by John Rocha Hmmmm that feels so good stop wriggling around I wish it would never stop I have to come up for air sometime not if it makes you stop there’s something wrong with that statement I don’t care. it feels soooo good to stretch and writhe around while you do that well, I guess I can work … Continue reading Hmmmm that feels so good
because she thought I was the only one who loved her Just seeing you was enough to bring me back to life your smile so bright and sweet your hugs most likely to sweep me off my feet and spear my soul with the love you saved for me tho’ I never knew how deeply wounded the spirit I knew as charming and warm inviting … Continue reading She Called Me Honey
Shadows hover above me grasping at my heels swiftly pulling me into an unfamiliar sky; wailing at the light that blinds I’m unwilling to abide while slapped then cradled until my cries subside; fear and wonder fill my head as I leave the world to which I’m tied slate clean and pure as snow and casting the first stone at fate; by the time you’re … Continue reading All Love is Colorblind
To-Be Am Then Time permeates me relentlessly in a stream rushing, babbling, trickling as the case may be I inhale you You inhale me We exhale us To Be, Am, Then flow through and out a stream of us tobeamthen Autumn is for sowing seed for growth that follows winter not every winter ends in spring but every autumn ends in winter … Continue reading Every Autumn Ends in Winter
Soft curl of a sweeping wave breaking on a sandy beach; crystal clear dew drops dangling from a leaf; wind- whispers leaning on pond grass with feather-tips softly sighing for the dragonflies hovering near; random dreams while dozing in the warmth of a sunny day in May; rose petals’ intimate, layering spirals; the delicate filigree of your ear; soft caress in the touch of your … Continue reading Perfection
When it snows, lips closed, eyes shut tight, seeing you, behind the mist, you’re so smooth, slip away, beating breast, burning up, snow-capped peak, kiss your lips, let it go, push away, catching flakes, on your tongue, melting snow, on your cheek, wipe away, tired me Continue reading Snow-Capped
Green, green of eye, with strangled cry and knuckled mouth, chasm-echoed tricks of thought, devil-filled, of shadows in the dark Behold the crack of heart’s desire, where love is thwarted, thinking he, she seeks another, one not he, but he his brother He must fly at risk of thunder from fool well-versed in blunder, bethought a man, beheld a cripple weak of heart and branded … Continue reading Gentle Dove of Sweetly Cooing Breast
My first attempt at a video ad. Thoughts? Continue reading Honey Ko Video Ad
In love againWhat if this is the one?Ache in my heartStabbed in the gut againWhere have you gone?Standing right next to meDon’t leave me nowDon’t be the one to leaveCome to me nowWhat will our love become?How do we know?Will the sun rise again? It’s all the sameNever a change of heartShaded in blackPurple and blue the bruiseSleep is my fearEnemy of my nightsDreams come … Continue reading Why Did You Come?
What is in a kiss, William? What do you mean, Susanna? What do you feel when you kiss me? Oh… I feel the sensual moisture of your mouth; the Tender bumping of your nose; the Tickle of your eyebrows, and the Tingle in my toes; I feel the texture of your lips, and the Curve of Cupid’s bow; I feel the softness of your cheeks; … Continue reading What do you feel when you kiss me?
I bared my heart When you closed yours I’d hoped to make amends For all the times I stood by you You stood apart from me For all the words You didn’t say I heard those words so plain For all the love You didn’t share I shared my heart alone It’s a curious way To be in love When love has passed you by … Continue reading It’s Curious
Hosannas Rose Into the Night Continue reading The Melody of Your Soul IV
No Interval Could Unpair Us Continue reading The Melody of Your Soul III
Each Movement Measured Note by Note Continue reading The Melody of Your Soul II
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
In all the nights you dance with me… Continue reading Play Me
Bearing gift of love Rising spirits’ lofty dream Dove ascends with sun Continue reading Agape
Unto you this day Angels we have heard on high Tidings of great joy Merry Christmas, Writers ❤ Continue reading Haiku – Merry Christmas
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
Sipping strong hot coffee while peering through the window; Scraggly hair and sleep filled eyes; Dreams still fading in the fog. Leafless trees hibernate storing energy for Spring; Dormant grass hangs on to green; Bird feeders full of diners Lack of cover lets me see the pruning that’s still needed; Clipping off the life impeding; Trim the wood that won’t bear fruit. Continue reading Winter Thoughts
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
First posted in October 2014. I flew from you last night, Reluctant, bound to her despite The dimming of the light That lies, and die vows of troth and love. Joy hastened sweep of hand, Relentless, bound to her demand And damning of the band That lies, and die vows of troth and love. Miles increase my desire, Reliant, bound to her cold ire … Continue reading I Flew From You Last Night
After we parted Having said our goodbyes With breaking heart And taste of metal In my mouth I walked Unaware of everything but you Through the afternoon Into evening Nighttime breeze cool On my wet face Never noticing The sun had set When I looked up and Through the blur There you were The first one I saw The first one I loved My Cassiopeia … Continue reading Susanna
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
Pressed against glass, face down, born again in the cloud. Another memory retained for…what? “Marianne loves Bobby. 12th Grade. 17 Years old.” That lasted nine months before ending in bruises, abortion, and divorce. Yet, the photos remain, reminders of erstwhile lovers and friends, a past suffused in shade. Sadness the emotion as album pages flutter by, the memories that began in happiness later viewed from … Continue reading Honey
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
Writers Envy 