The sun scorches the sacred ground

Where mankind drew its first breath

The river searches for the sea

Blistering and parched

Impala and wildebeest huddle close

Seeking shade from the sweltering sun

Herds of zebra graze along the Savannah plain

A soft warm breeze ripples through the long grass

I cruise along the dusty gravel road

Windows rolled down

My eyes exploring the trees and underbrush

Eager to find signs of life or life itself

Wishing for a leopard lying in a tree

Or a pride of lions feasting on a recent kill

I spot warthogs wallowing in a mud puddle

A waterbuck observes curiously

Broken branches litter the road ahead

My senses on high alert

Aware of only one creature

That destroys trees with such ease

The road curves around a large baobab tree

Its engraved trunk larger than my vehicle

The path ahead obscured

Proceeding with caution, I orbit the tree

Long ivory tusks and beady black eyes

On guard and vigilant greet me

Head shaking side to size, he sizes me up

I am a threat

His ears start to flap

His movements a series of jerks and violent shrugs

He raises his powerful trunk and trumpets his warning

I shift my vehicle into reverse heeding his war cry

I am too slow

My heart hammers in my chest

I hear the blood rushing through my veins

He charges

The earth quakes beneath his giant feet

My vehicle shudders with each pounding step

I see a flash of grey and white as he thunders towards me

My vehicle slips off the side of the road

My stomach drops

My tires spin failing to find traction

A panicked scream escapes my lips

Fear paralyzes me

Instinct kicks in and my body moves

The desire to live overpowering my fear

I slam on the gas and my vehicle finds purchase

In a puff of smoke and dust, my vehicle lurches forward

I feel the earth still shaking

Closer and closer

Each stride the length of my vehicle

Closer and closer

He is right behind me

My foot pushes the peddle harder

My vehicle vibrates and growls in protest

Just a bit farther

I will my stuttering vehicle forward

Praying it won’t break down again

I watch the speedometer falter

Another deafening trumpet resonates through the air

A quick glance into my rearview mirror

He slows, head shaking and ears flapping wildly

My retreat

His victory

As the distance between us increases

My heart rate slowly returns to normal

Grateful to be alive

I spend the remainder of the drive

Reminded of my place in the ecosystem

Reminded of which species is truely

the King of the Beasts

This is their world

We are mere visitors.

Another day I find myself

Beckoning the sun to rise

Close my eyes and soak in the warmth

Deep breaths calm my soul

Every part of me braces for the tide

Fire burns behind my closed eyelids

Gentle breeze plays with my hair

Headache fades and my mind clears

Imagine myself flying, free 

Journal resting open in my lap

Keeping my thoughts bound  

Letters on a page 

Memories and ideas immortalized 

Never forgotten even after I’m gone 

Open my eyes 

Peace washes over me 

Quiet waves lap the shore

Rise and fall like heart beats

Seaweed tickles my toes 

Today 

Unknown 

Views may change 

Worlds may collide

Xenacious

Yet in this moment 

Zeal embraces me.

Lemon eyes and perfect lies

Your weapons brandished at me

Blinded by sweet words of grace

A dangerous game played we

Smitten by unwavering faith

Round the corner I did not see

Hidden behind a perfect smile

Another, not one, not two, but three

Again I traded my heart and soul

For a mere moment of ecstasy

Ignoring the embers of burning doubt

Dreaming instead I deny tragedy

Lemon eyes and perfect lies

Your weapons brandished at me

Blinded by sweet words of grace

A dangerous game played we.

Heart once perfect now jagged and torn

Broken in half and severely worn

Met another just the same

Ravaged in Lover's Game

No longer bleeding

Butterfly feelings

Dreaming.

Something is really wrong, showing up today like this. Something is really wrong, unable to stand still. You words slur, you eyes glassy and animated. Your movements slow and deliberate. Every word is forced. I can tell you are trying you best to act normal. Trying to act like your world is not falling apart. You drop a penny and stumble to pick it up. You catch yourself on the counter trying to look smooth. You don't.

I am not the only one to see your world shattering. He does too. He pulls you aside - into his office. The door closes behind you. I don't know what happens behind closed doors. No one does. But I imagine it is nothing good. Nothing good ever happens behind closed doors. An hour later you reappear. A smile is plastered haphazardly across your face. Your smile does not meet your eyes. You shake off the weight you have been carrying all day. You leave it on the ground as you pick up your backpack. One last glance in my direction. One last lopsided grin. This time it does meet your eyes. For a brief moment it is as if nothing had changed. With a wink you turn and walk out the door, shoulders square, head held high. The door shuts behind you and I whisper my goodbyes.

Foolish mortals

Your putrid desperation invades my nostrils

Hollow prayers and clamorous praises pollute the air

Ritualistic sacrifices from self-centered heathens

Your adoration a mere charade

Misguided souls

Selfish existence

Your vices captivating

Ignorant of your enslavement

Your efforts are futile

Pride blinds your fragility

Humanity’s impudence will result in destruction

For I am the god of fire and smithery

Foolish mortals

Look at what have you done

Once again betrayed by the ones I have saved

No longer my dissatisfaction will I hide

No longer will I contain murderous fury

The time for repentance has expired

Crimson rage boils from the depths of my soul

I seethe with discontent, my body trembles

Tongue lashing spewing anger

Hungry flames licking lips

Molten blood surging through my veins

I raise my burning eyes to the sky

As I unleash my wrath in an almighty roar

Extinguishing all light bruising the horizon

I explode

Shooting stars raining down death

I consume mankind

For I will not be forgotten

I will not be ignored

I am Vulcan

I am free



The little girl approached the edge of the wishing well cautiously. Standing on her tippy toes, she peered over the rim and stared down into the darkness far below. It looked like any ordinary well but her big brother, Adam, told her it was a magical wishing well. Adam was already ten, so if he said it was magic, then it had to be true. She took a step back and looked around. She was standing at the center of a clearing. Flowers grew in patches at the base of the well. She liked the red flowers. Once she made her wish, she will pick some flowers for mommy. Mommy loves yellow flowers but she will like the red ones too. The little girl looked back at the wishing well. She dug her hand into her pocket for the penny Adam had given her earlier that morning. Clutching her penny tightly, she stretched her arm out over the well. She squeezed her eyes shut tightly and made her wish. “I wish the monster would go away. I wish the monster would go away. Please, please, please make the monster go away.” Her nose crinkled in concentration and her lips traced every word as she thought of her wish. Eyes still squeezed shut, she uncurled her fingers and dropped her penny into the well.