Winter's night falls,

absolute darkness,

drowning out the light,

swallowing it down

to

the

very

pinpoint

of existence.

The cruel words you uttered

resound in my mind

as I sink

b

e

l

o

w

the damp, freshly-turned earth.

My skin is frozen,

numbed by the cold,

longing for the warmth of your touch.

But you willingly left me

to die here

alone

entombed in my quiet

despair.

Phantom fingers brush my cheek

with tender concern

as my heart goes to sleep.

Icy cold surrounds my soul

as welcoming blackness

calls me home.

One day,

the sun will shine

again

and bathe my face with rays of bliss.

The sweet spring breeze will softly sigh,

its quiet whisper

once more

coaxing color

into my pallid ivory features.

But,

until then,

in this shallow grave

I wait

for the clouds to disappear,

and for love's gentle thaw

to revive me.

Lovely lusciousness lays before me,

and I can't wait to do more

than just

whet

my appetite.

My eyes linger

on each

delicious,

delectable

detail,

and I'm almost

dizzy

with anticipation.

I longingly lick my lips,

a sweet sigh escaping softly

as my excitement grows.

Closer,

closer,

and closer still,

until it is all that I can see.

My whole world is filled

in this moment

by the brazen and bold

beauty before me.

I reach out

and take

what is mine,

unapologetically

brash

in my thrall.

I am unashamed

as I reap my reward,

finally

getting a piece

of my favorite

chocolate cream pie.

;)

Send me on a journey

to nowhere,

a one-way ticket

out of here.

Home I carry with me,

so it doesn’t matter if I return.

Coming back this way

might be more painful than the leaving.

Knowing not where the path

will take me,

seeking new adventure ahead,

finding fresh roads to walk

can heal a tired and wounded soul.

Time travels with me,

leaving behind distant memories.

Shelter can be found in unexpected places,

where discovered doors

open worlds of possibility,

and welcome a weary wanderer.

The smoke and haze hang

heavily

in the sky,

opaque enough

to hide

the tears

forming in my eyes.

Your mouth moved,

words

spilling

carelessly,

pouring

from

your

lips

as you

shattered

my world

so casually.

Ears burning

with the pain

of aching goodbye,

I could only watch

as you turned

in the misty morning,

and all I saw

was your

back

as you

walked

away.

So

it is

fine

that the smoke and haze hang

heavily

today,

like the lingering debris

from the collapse

and razing

of a once happy home.

It seems

as if the air

sometimes

knows

when comfort is needed,

even if the blanket

is made of

pollution

and broken dreams.

There's a burning deep inside,

a fire that yearns to be set free,

and one that longs to breathe heat,

light,

and life

into every corner of the world.

The flickering of passion

grows within,

embers igniting new sparks,

inspiration looking for an outlet

to rise upward and flow,

a beautiful smoke

that settles on the wind,

and reaches out to touch

anyone who will breathe,

read,

and listen.

Scorched

and

blackened,

the flames

of being

and circumstance

have charred me whole -

heart, body, and soul -

until all that remains

is a mound of ashes.

Temptation lies

in the form of release,

a longing to just let the wind

carry the cinders away,

fragments flying free

to go where

and as they please,

no cares or worries

grounding the me debris.

But

instead,

I choose

to rise,

to try and reform

the deadened dust,

to fuel the fire

that burned inside before,

creating a renewing flow

of life,

lava that I can shape,

molding it into

volcanic glass,

and emerge

with stronger wings,

sharp,

but beautiful,

unsteady,

but ready

to

soar.

Run free, sweet boy,

feel the wind

as it ruffles your fur.

Stand tall and majestic

on the bridge

as you cross beyond sight.

You were a son’s dream,

a loyal friend

wished for and come true,

perfect for your destiny

to become part of our family.

Young and vibrant,

full of life,

brilliant,

and beautifully bold,

your fire was dimmed

too soon,

and the darkness came on

before

we were ready.

But your light will stay strong

like stars in the night sky -

a steady presence,

constantly reminding

of an unbreakable bond

shared through cherished memories.

So go free, sweet boy,

move on to eternal peace,

play with the ones who’ve gone before.

Wait for the day

when again we will meet.

And until then,

love will always bring you home

to our hearts. 

The long day slowly faded into dusky twilight, darkness deepening as night settled over the lonely mound where he lay. The little brown dog remained where he'd been told to stay, with only his ragged stuffed toy and favorite blanket for company. He wondered where his master had gone, and why he had left him here alone in this place so far away from home. Huffing sadly, he laid his head on his paws, ears up, hopeful, waiting anxiously to pick up the welcome sound of approaching footsteps and the call of a beloved voice. The evening was restless, and as dawn's light broke on the horizon, it became apparent that there would be no return from the master. The poor dog had been trained well, his loyalty unwavering, and he would not move from his spot, still believing that he needed to show his obedience the best he could so that he would be able to go home.

Serrated blade

sinks

deeply

into

soft surface,

teeth biting

jaggedly,

tearing unforgivingly,

slicing

fresh

bread.