under canopies of trees
Ask me in December, Babs' unofficial Challenge
You said you'd see me in awhile, my ever after crocodile,
yet I watched those tail lights fade from view, the smudge
of reddish glow chasing apricot horizon, and I
knew you'd never find your way back to this hearth.
Fireflies beckoned me to dance on summer breeze,
swirling through starry skies and milky way to meet you on the other side,
but I, I felt the tether break, the one that bonded me to you.
Now all I see are days collected, piled in vacant baskets we used to fill with wine and love under canopies of trees.
I've spent these last few months perfecting loneliness, while you've been looking for the 'real' you,
but I found your ghost. It never left. It haunts these halls along with mine, hand in hand, we linger.
You said to 'ask you in December' how the world spins outside these small town limits. You promised your itch would finally be scratched,
only my new calendar arrived today–it's January.
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Thank you so much for reading!! This was written for Babs Iverson's wonderful unofficial challenge :)
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The Road to Nowhere
Trigger warnings: Violence, Death. "May the Sun burn your tongue out, woman," Fredrick's father screamed the curse into his mother's ear as their elegant little carriage rumbled along, its polished wood and gilded trim glinting in the torchlight. They had just left the small village of Saffron and were on an unnamed road to the capital for the Royal wedding. Fredrick leaned back in his plush velvet seat to escape into the passing landscape, but across from him sat the servant boy, a scrappy lad named Jack. Jack's eyes held a mixture of awe and fear, the kind that only a commoner could feel in the presence of nobility. Jack looked up and caught Fredrick's gaze, offering him a sad little smile before reaching into his pocket and retrieving a little caramel treat. This candy was no doubt stolen from the kitchen treat cupboard; if he was caught with it, he would be locked in the box as punishment.
By Frank English3 days ago in Fiction
Comments (11)
Whoa!!! What an ending! 👏👏👏
I love everything about this poem… including the picture! Especially liked the variation of ‘In a while, crocodile!’… & wistfulness of fireflies! ‘ You said you'd see me in awhile, my ever after crocodile, yet I watched those tail lights fade from view, the smudge of reddish glow chasing apricot horizon, and I knew you'd never find your way back to this hearth. Fireflies beckoned me to dance on summer breeze…’
😔 Wunderbar entry Heather! Could definitely imagine the thoughts and feelings through your writing. ☺️👏
Who knows why feelings are so fickle, changing like the seasons and leaving hearts to wander and wonder. Yet, when a door closes a new window of joy and opportunities is now wide open. Grab the bull by the horn and be free.
Amazing, heartwrenching piece. And the pic is mesmerizing. I feel I'm laying on the forest floor when I look at it. Perfect.
Another amazing poem, Heather! Hard-hitting!
Omggggg, that last line was so heartbreaking 🥺 Loved your take on this challenge!
Wow it reflects your creativity. I like such poems. Keep up the good work
Your poetry is conveying clearly the lesson about accepting that some promises may never be fulfilled and moving forward without waiting for them is practically ok. Amazing writeup about letting go of the past and finding happiness in the present. We all forget it, thanks for reminder.
Delighted that you had fun with the challenge!!! Emotionally heartbreaking and exquisitively written!!! Loved it!!!
This was so good, Heather. Emotionally powerful. Hit me right in the feels