Fresh from her University studies, and out in the world, Summer Forster was as bright eyed and bushy tailed as everyone else in her graduating class. She was nearing the end of her first year as a fully fledged social worker. It was nearing Christmas, her favourite time of the year. For her Christmas had always been filled with as much joy and merry as was humanly possible.
Unfortunately for Summer, thus year was to bring a rather rude shock. And a bit of a wake up call. Because this year was the year she learnt that not everyone shared the same magical view of Christmas that she did. In fact, for most of the clients she worked with, Christmas was a time of great sorrow and heart ache. For some, Christmas brought memories and longing for lost loved ones. For others, it brought sadness for those who couldn't make it home. For some, it was a time of frustration and anger, for they could not afford such luxuries as gifts and special food to celebrate the day.
It was only upon witnessing such frustrations and sorrows that Summer realised just how privileged she was. Never had she gone without. Never had her family gone through struggle just to give her a nice Christmas. The Christmases of her childhood, every Christmas up until now had been worry, stress and carefree. It had been a cheerful time when everyone came together to sit, talk, laugh and be merry.
Not only that but she noticed that out in the wider world, people started to become increasingly stressed and rushed. Suddenly, she understood why it was known as 'the silly season'. Why such a term as 'Christmas crazy' existed. The local shopping centres were packed to the brim, their carparks so full that some were parked illegally. There were more traffic jams and hold ups, more angry beeping of horns than was usual.
And then, there were people like Summer, whose excitement and joy at the season seemed only to heighten the anger of some, a great disappointment to her. Usually, happiness was infectious. So why not now? Of all the times when everything should be cheerful, everyone joyful, why was the merriment not catching?
Why? Because the harsh reality is that for many, the joy of Christmas is overshadowed by stress, worry, frustration and sadness. Christmas was a time when suddenly, everyone was in a rush. There were pressures, for gifts, and food and for the 'perfect' day. The more Summer though about it, the more it made sense.
Buried deep beneath all of that was the spirit of Christmas. Of giving to others. And so, Summer vowed, from this Christmas on, to lend some of her cheer to those less cheerful. She vowed to be a beacon of peace at a time when so many were anything but. But, she vowed, she would never push it on anyone to enjoy Christmas as much as she did. Never would she try and pressure someone into being joyous when for them, there simply was no joy. But she hoped that by lending some of her own joy, some of her own peace and cheer that maybe it would rub off on a few people, make the season a little better for them and bring some much needed merriment to those who needed it the most.
Sunday, December 24, 2017
Saturday, December 9, 2017
Ray Is Real!
"I don't know sweetheart," said her mother.
"Why won't you believe me?" she asked. "Ray is real!"
"So why can't we see him?"
"Because..." The young girl thought a moment. "Because he's magical too!"
"Magical?" asked her mother.
"Yeah. That's why you can't see him. Cause he's magical and his powers got stuck."
"What do you mean his powers got stuck?"
"His powers got stuck, and that's why we need your help!" Jen was almost yelling.
Her mother put her hands on Jen's shoulders. "Ssh. Jen, calm down. I need you to tell me more. I don't know what 'his powers got stuck' means."
"It means Ray is stuck being invisible." Jen still spoke loudly, but she was quieter than a moment ago.
"Ok," said Jen's Mum. "So where is Ray now!"
"I'm right here!" came Ray's squeaky, high pitched voice. But only Jen could hear him.
"He's right here Mum. He's standing right next to me."
Mum looked at the spot where Jen had indicated. She couldn't see anything. "Ok."
"Will you help us Mum? Please!" Asked Jen. "You'll be able to see him if you help us."
Mum sighed.
"Please!?" said Jen again.
"Alright then." She said and Jen smiled. Ray did too, but no one saw. "So what do we need to do?" Mum dropped to her knees and Jen leaned in close, whispering into her ear like it was a secret.
Jen, Mum and Ray spent a long time around the kitchen as Mum mixed together all sorts of different things into a potion, hoping something would turn it into the shimmering shade of rainbow they needed. Ray stood and cheered them on as they went. Only Jen could hear, but that didn't matter. It kept her going. It reminded her why she was doing this. It helped her to remind her Mum.
Finally, after days of experimenting, Mum held up the glass, inside of which was a shimmering, sparkly rainbow liquid. Ray cheered louder than he had ever done before. This time Jen joined him. They threw their arms up in the air and smiled the biggest smiles they'd ever smiled before.
"Mum! You did it!"
Slowly, Mum picked up the glass and handed it to Jen. Just as carefully, Jen handed it to Ray, still gripping it tightly with one hand until she knew Ray was holding it tight. Slowly, carefully he tipped the glass up to his lips and drank all that was in it quickly in one go.
There was just enough time to put the glass back down on the bench before he was lifted into the air and thick, purple smoke came to surround him out of nowhere. Mum gasped. Suddenly, she could see Ray! There was a bright, blinding flash and Ray was lowered back down to the ground. Now, instead of looking like a doll, he looked like a rather odd little boy, for his hair was a bright shade of aqua and stuck up in little spikes over his head.
"See Mum!" said Jen. "Ray is real!"
"Why won't you believe me?" she asked. "Ray is real!"
"So why can't we see him?"
"Because..." The young girl thought a moment. "Because he's magical too!"
"Magical?" asked her mother.
"Yeah. That's why you can't see him. Cause he's magical and his powers got stuck."
"What do you mean his powers got stuck?"
"His powers got stuck, and that's why we need your help!" Jen was almost yelling.
Her mother put her hands on Jen's shoulders. "Ssh. Jen, calm down. I need you to tell me more. I don't know what 'his powers got stuck' means."
"It means Ray is stuck being invisible." Jen still spoke loudly, but she was quieter than a moment ago.
"Ok," said Jen's Mum. "So where is Ray now!"
"I'm right here!" came Ray's squeaky, high pitched voice. But only Jen could hear him.
"He's right here Mum. He's standing right next to me."
Mum looked at the spot where Jen had indicated. She couldn't see anything. "Ok."
"Will you help us Mum? Please!" Asked Jen. "You'll be able to see him if you help us."
Mum sighed.
"Please!?" said Jen again.
"Alright then." She said and Jen smiled. Ray did too, but no one saw. "So what do we need to do?" Mum dropped to her knees and Jen leaned in close, whispering into her ear like it was a secret.
Jen, Mum and Ray spent a long time around the kitchen as Mum mixed together all sorts of different things into a potion, hoping something would turn it into the shimmering shade of rainbow they needed. Ray stood and cheered them on as they went. Only Jen could hear, but that didn't matter. It kept her going. It reminded her why she was doing this. It helped her to remind her Mum.
Finally, after days of experimenting, Mum held up the glass, inside of which was a shimmering, sparkly rainbow liquid. Ray cheered louder than he had ever done before. This time Jen joined him. They threw their arms up in the air and smiled the biggest smiles they'd ever smiled before.
"Mum! You did it!"
Slowly, Mum picked up the glass and handed it to Jen. Just as carefully, Jen handed it to Ray, still gripping it tightly with one hand until she knew Ray was holding it tight. Slowly, carefully he tipped the glass up to his lips and drank all that was in it quickly in one go.
There was just enough time to put the glass back down on the bench before he was lifted into the air and thick, purple smoke came to surround him out of nowhere. Mum gasped. Suddenly, she could see Ray! There was a bright, blinding flash and Ray was lowered back down to the ground. Now, instead of looking like a doll, he looked like a rather odd little boy, for his hair was a bright shade of aqua and stuck up in little spikes over his head.
"See Mum!" said Jen. "Ray is real!"
Sunday, November 26, 2017
Comfort In Connection
Though the number of tears in his eyes was great, he somehow managed to hold them back. Instead, his eyes glistened and glittered with the build up of moisture, though you could only see it if you looked closely, which at the speed he was travelling, was made impossible. Really, at that speed, he could have cried freely without anyone able to see. He ran robotically, his attention fixed on the image in his mind's eye, of a beautiful quiet, calm, tranquil sanctuary.
At long last, he reached it and as he stopped before the luminous willow, he let the air leave his lungs as he gazed at it. He fell to the ground and wriggled into a comfortable position, his eyes locked on the tree above him, it's leaves hanging so low he could almost reach out and touch them. Again he closed his eyes, breathing deep as a new image began to take shape on the screen of his eyelids. This time, he saw his parents, their faces just as he remembered. They were eternally ageless now. His mother would forever have the smooth porcelain skin that had always made her look so young. His father would always be in that state of pause, between the flawless appearance of youth and the wise looks that come with age. His father had always been mature beyond his years, one of the smartest people he'd known, but never would his looks catch up.
A smile spread across his lips as he continued staring lovingly at the same image. After a while, as if by some strange magic, he started to hear their voices, whispering in his ear.
"We love you Quinn," came the gentle, soothing voice of his mother. "We didn't want to leave you. We're sorry. So, so sorry," Quinn could see his mother's soft hand reaching out, but he knew the warmth of it's touch would not reach him. It was only then that he allowed a few tears to emerge and fall slowly down his cheeks. At this, the vision of his mother's face fell and she too looked like she wanted to cry.
The tears stopped when his father reached out to him. Though he, like Quinn's mother was not able to actually touch him, the gesture was enough. "Remember Son," said his father, speaking finally, his deep and serious voice comfortingly familiar. A tiny smile reappeared on Quinn's face as he remembered the countless times growing up when his father had given him a pep talk filled with logical reasoning and affectionate, loving reminders along with sprinkles of his wisdom and a library's worth of knowledge. "We are always with you, you just need to look deep within and you'll find us. We will always be with you. And when you forget, just come back here, to this sanctuary and we'll remind you ourselves that we are right by your side. Always."
At long last, he reached it and as he stopped before the luminous willow, he let the air leave his lungs as he gazed at it. He fell to the ground and wriggled into a comfortable position, his eyes locked on the tree above him, it's leaves hanging so low he could almost reach out and touch them. Again he closed his eyes, breathing deep as a new image began to take shape on the screen of his eyelids. This time, he saw his parents, their faces just as he remembered. They were eternally ageless now. His mother would forever have the smooth porcelain skin that had always made her look so young. His father would always be in that state of pause, between the flawless appearance of youth and the wise looks that come with age. His father had always been mature beyond his years, one of the smartest people he'd known, but never would his looks catch up.
A smile spread across his lips as he continued staring lovingly at the same image. After a while, as if by some strange magic, he started to hear their voices, whispering in his ear.
"We love you Quinn," came the gentle, soothing voice of his mother. "We didn't want to leave you. We're sorry. So, so sorry," Quinn could see his mother's soft hand reaching out, but he knew the warmth of it's touch would not reach him. It was only then that he allowed a few tears to emerge and fall slowly down his cheeks. At this, the vision of his mother's face fell and she too looked like she wanted to cry.
The tears stopped when his father reached out to him. Though he, like Quinn's mother was not able to actually touch him, the gesture was enough. "Remember Son," said his father, speaking finally, his deep and serious voice comfortingly familiar. A tiny smile reappeared on Quinn's face as he remembered the countless times growing up when his father had given him a pep talk filled with logical reasoning and affectionate, loving reminders along with sprinkles of his wisdom and a library's worth of knowledge. "We are always with you, you just need to look deep within and you'll find us. We will always be with you. And when you forget, just come back here, to this sanctuary and we'll remind you ourselves that we are right by your side. Always."
Friday, October 13, 2017
Your Name Is In Red Underlined
I can't help but smile. I have been waiting for this moment for so long.. He may have forgotten, but my memory of our time together all those years ago is as clear as if it had all happened yesterday. Yet he, after everything that happened, does not remember me at all. He doesn't remember a thing...
Little does he realise that dorky girl he used to tease back at school is standing right behind him, a completely different woman. I'm not the shy, scared little girl he used to know. I'm not the girl he can push around, making life a living hell. I'm not a fool. Not anymore. Now I am strong and I am powerful. I have grown from an ugly duckling into a beautiful and graceful swan.
Now, the smile on my lips is inerasable. No one will, no one can steal my vengeance. "I've got a list of names," I say under my breath, even though I don't think he can hear me, or is even listening for that matter, "and yours is in red, underlined."
I hold the all powerful switch in my hand, looking at it a moment, only to realise I don't need it anymore. I have more power than that now. So I toss it aside and stride closer toward my victim, purpose in my step.
He quivers and shakes, looking round wildly as he feels my approach. His eyes widen, a deer in the headlights as he spies my arms moving above him, casting my spell upon him. I am focused, but as his arms are forced to move along with mine, the smile not long on my lips reappears. I push him down and swing my leg over him, tempted to stomp it right down. But, I figure, the feeling of my skirt brushing against his back will instil enough fear in him.
He rises quickly as I come round to face him at last, my smile growing wider as I maintain my gaze upon him. I lean toward the chair he had been seated on and slide down toward the ground, watching happily as he mirrors my every move. Together, we rise again and I look away before he grabs my wrist in his hand.
For a moment, my steely focused dissolves and it is my turn to be fearful. For a moment. Only a moment, as I regain control and pull him toward me, taking his other hand in mine. We step away from each other, his grip remaining before coming in close once more. I feel his hand come to rest on the small of my back and try to hide the pleasure this brings me. My plan is working. He is falling for me...
I lead us forward and we glide across the room. We spin around and glide back. I kick every so often, once wrapping it round his and leaning further into him. He pushes me off and we resume our gliding about. I stop, arching away from him suddenly. He scrambles to catch me. He's falling deeper still...
I let him pull me closer and fall back, letting him pull me close, trying to create the illusion our feelings are the same. Then I push him off and step back. I can't have him too enthralled. Every girl knows that you have to keep them wanting more... Right?
We spin around again and he leans in closer, then closer still. He's swooped in to nuzzle my neck so quickly I barely have time to think let alone react. But then, I realise, he doesn't get to win anymore. That was the entire point of all this. I slide my hand on to his shoulder and push him away with such force he is knocked to the ground. Looking down at him sprawled out, face down at my feet I shake my head and tut. "Look what you made me do." Finally, I look up. I am strong, powerful and unbeatable. No one can stop me now.
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An alternate perspective on 'Look What You Made Me Do' (found below) inspired by the tango of #TeamViva on Dancing with The Stars which you can watch here.
Little does he realise that dorky girl he used to tease back at school is standing right behind him, a completely different woman. I'm not the shy, scared little girl he used to know. I'm not the girl he can push around, making life a living hell. I'm not a fool. Not anymore. Now I am strong and I am powerful. I have grown from an ugly duckling into a beautiful and graceful swan.
Now, the smile on my lips is inerasable. No one will, no one can steal my vengeance. "I've got a list of names," I say under my breath, even though I don't think he can hear me, or is even listening for that matter, "and yours is in red, underlined."
I hold the all powerful switch in my hand, looking at it a moment, only to realise I don't need it anymore. I have more power than that now. So I toss it aside and stride closer toward my victim, purpose in my step.
He quivers and shakes, looking round wildly as he feels my approach. His eyes widen, a deer in the headlights as he spies my arms moving above him, casting my spell upon him. I am focused, but as his arms are forced to move along with mine, the smile not long on my lips reappears. I push him down and swing my leg over him, tempted to stomp it right down. But, I figure, the feeling of my skirt brushing against his back will instil enough fear in him.
He rises quickly as I come round to face him at last, my smile growing wider as I maintain my gaze upon him. I lean toward the chair he had been seated on and slide down toward the ground, watching happily as he mirrors my every move. Together, we rise again and I look away before he grabs my wrist in his hand.
For a moment, my steely focused dissolves and it is my turn to be fearful. For a moment. Only a moment, as I regain control and pull him toward me, taking his other hand in mine. We step away from each other, his grip remaining before coming in close once more. I feel his hand come to rest on the small of my back and try to hide the pleasure this brings me. My plan is working. He is falling for me...
I lead us forward and we glide across the room. We spin around and glide back. I kick every so often, once wrapping it round his and leaning further into him. He pushes me off and we resume our gliding about. I stop, arching away from him suddenly. He scrambles to catch me. He's falling deeper still...
I let him pull me closer and fall back, letting him pull me close, trying to create the illusion our feelings are the same. Then I push him off and step back. I can't have him too enthralled. Every girl knows that you have to keep them wanting more... Right?
We spin around again and he leans in closer, then closer still. He's swooped in to nuzzle my neck so quickly I barely have time to think let alone react. But then, I realise, he doesn't get to win anymore. That was the entire point of all this. I slide my hand on to his shoulder and push him away with such force he is knocked to the ground. Looking down at him sprawled out, face down at my feet I shake my head and tut. "Look what you made me do." Finally, I look up. I am strong, powerful and unbeatable. No one can stop me now.
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An alternate perspective on 'Look What You Made Me Do' (found below) inspired by the tango of #TeamViva on Dancing with The Stars which you can watch here.
Look What You Made Me Do
She has me under her spell. I'm not sure quite how long I've been under her control. I just know it's been a while since I was free. She enchanted me with her beauty. The beauty of an angel. Her dress, white as the pearly gates of heaven, glows brightly against the blackness of her lair. Her dark hair is pulled back tightly, falling down a way past her shoulders like a luminous waterfall. The sparkly jewel adorning her neck sparkle as the lights hit. Her plump lips, a beautiful red-purple tinge draw back to reveal her teeth, a perfect ivory to match her dress.
I sit still on the chair I've been led to, staring out into nothingness. It's as if I've been asleep. I feel her approach me from behind and jolt awake again. I glance back, frightened and catch a glimpse of her dress. I try to rise from my seat, but to no avail. Alas, the witch has trapped me somehow. I look around hurriedly to see where she is, kicking my feat as I grip the chair for dear life. I look up to see her raise her arms above me, about to cast a spell. A spell of imitation I realise as I feel my arms involuntarily lift with her own, like there is an invisible string attaching them. My mouth falls open and my eyes widen as it dawns on me that I am completely under her control...
Her smile grows wider and more sinister with each movement of our arms. She actually seems to be enjoying this.. For her, it seems, all of this is a game... Then she pushes me forward, and I feel the silk of her skirt brush my back, following her leg.
She comes around to face me, that evil grin glued to her gorgeous lips. I realise suddenly that I am free and stand quickly, spinning around to look at my captor. Her hand on the chair, she smiles at me, a glint in her eye as she holds my gaze. Again, I am mirroring her as she leans forward, effortlessly sliding toward the ground. I, meanwhile, grip the chair as I am pulled toward it and down me invisible magnetic force. She leans closer toward me as we rise.
I turn away quickly when I reach my full height. But her spell is stronger now and I can't bear to look away for long. I turn to face her again, grabbing her wrist like it will give me some degree of control. She steps forward, quickly, dragging me along with her. I guess I don't have that much control after all. But, I don't think I really care.
I get lost in her dark eyes as she pulls me close and takes my other hand in hers. Then, she releases me with such force I spin away again. But the pull is too strong and I come in close again. I let go of her wrist, moving it to cradle her back so as not to lose her again.
She stares at me a moment before looking forward. I find my gaze shifting too as she leads us forward. We move so quickly it feels as if we are flying or gliding about the floor. Then we are spinning, too fast for me to see anything but her in front of me.
She lifts a leg and wraps it around me, leaning into me before untangling it and standing straight once more. She lets go and I spin before I fall into her again and we are gliding. She arches away from me and I reach to catch her, afraid she will fall.
Her face is fierce now as I pull away to look. She's not smiling anymore. She's focused. But I can't face it anymore and I put a hand on her cheek, moving in like a vampire to kiss her neck. I feel her hand on my shoulder and she pushes me away. The air is rushing around me as I fall quickly to the ground, face down. Right before I black out, I swear I hear her whisper, "look what you made me do".
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Inspired by the incredible tango performed by #TeamViva on Dancing with the Stars. If you haven't seen it yet, you can check it out by following this link-->
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7WDV60QRng
I sit still on the chair I've been led to, staring out into nothingness. It's as if I've been asleep. I feel her approach me from behind and jolt awake again. I glance back, frightened and catch a glimpse of her dress. I try to rise from my seat, but to no avail. Alas, the witch has trapped me somehow. I look around hurriedly to see where she is, kicking my feat as I grip the chair for dear life. I look up to see her raise her arms above me, about to cast a spell. A spell of imitation I realise as I feel my arms involuntarily lift with her own, like there is an invisible string attaching them. My mouth falls open and my eyes widen as it dawns on me that I am completely under her control...
Her smile grows wider and more sinister with each movement of our arms. She actually seems to be enjoying this.. For her, it seems, all of this is a game... Then she pushes me forward, and I feel the silk of her skirt brush my back, following her leg.
She comes around to face me, that evil grin glued to her gorgeous lips. I realise suddenly that I am free and stand quickly, spinning around to look at my captor. Her hand on the chair, she smiles at me, a glint in her eye as she holds my gaze. Again, I am mirroring her as she leans forward, effortlessly sliding toward the ground. I, meanwhile, grip the chair as I am pulled toward it and down me invisible magnetic force. She leans closer toward me as we rise.
I turn away quickly when I reach my full height. But her spell is stronger now and I can't bear to look away for long. I turn to face her again, grabbing her wrist like it will give me some degree of control. She steps forward, quickly, dragging me along with her. I guess I don't have that much control after all. But, I don't think I really care.
I get lost in her dark eyes as she pulls me close and takes my other hand in hers. Then, she releases me with such force I spin away again. But the pull is too strong and I come in close again. I let go of her wrist, moving it to cradle her back so as not to lose her again.
She stares at me a moment before looking forward. I find my gaze shifting too as she leads us forward. We move so quickly it feels as if we are flying or gliding about the floor. Then we are spinning, too fast for me to see anything but her in front of me.
She lifts a leg and wraps it around me, leaning into me before untangling it and standing straight once more. She lets go and I spin before I fall into her again and we are gliding. She arches away from me and I reach to catch her, afraid she will fall.
Her face is fierce now as I pull away to look. She's not smiling anymore. She's focused. But I can't face it anymore and I put a hand on her cheek, moving in like a vampire to kiss her neck. I feel her hand on my shoulder and she pushes me away. The air is rushing around me as I fall quickly to the ground, face down. Right before I black out, I swear I hear her whisper, "look what you made me do".
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Inspired by the incredible tango performed by #TeamViva on Dancing with the Stars. If you haven't seen it yet, you can check it out by following this link-->
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7WDV60QRng
Saturday, August 5, 2017
Just Be
She had every reason to run and hide. Every reason to shy away. Every reason to give up. Yet, she stood strong and tall. Unapologetically and unashamedly her. Despite everyone's attempts to tear her down, she answered to no one. She just was. She was simply Laura, and proud of it.
Francis stood, open mouthed as he watched her do her thing. Smiling, laughing and just being her. As he looked around, he soon realised there was not one frown in the place. No, she'd managed to turn each and every one upside down. No wonder the place is packed, he thought. If only I could figure out what her secret is...
"Secret?" she repeated, blinking her long, bedazzled lashes at him. "What do you mean secret? I.. I just be. I'm me. That's it!"
Francis' mouth dropped open again. Laura's brows furrowed briefly before her face relaxed into that effortlessly mega-watt smile of hers. "Ah... What did you say your name was again?"
"Francis."
"Francis," she repeated, "In my time, I've learnt that people will judge you if they want to, and there's nothing you can do about it. So why bother trying to fit in? Especially if you're like me and were born to stand out." Francis couldn't help but laugh at the theatrical emphasis she put on those last few words. But really, where did that confidence come from? And how could he... and everyone for that matter, get a piece of it?
"Besides," Laura continued, "Trying to conform would only make you unhappy, right? So why bother if people will judge anyway?" She sunk onto a stool and took a breath before looking up at him. "So.. I guess if there's any secret, it's to just be. And to stay strong and proud and true. Which," she added at Francis' expression, lifting a finger in warning, "is a lot harder than it looks."
"I don't doubt it," said Francis with a laugh. "But how do you do it? Every single person in the place had a smile on their face."
At this, Laura's smile grew. "Well, joy breeds joy, does it not? I carry them away, and they soon forget what made them a little... uncertain of me. But, I've accepted myself, and accepted that this is who I am, and when you accept yourself, you accept others too."
"Ok..." said Francis, unsure of what that had to do with anything.
"When you judge someone, unless you're really good, it shows, and they pick up on it. I like to think they learn something new when they come to see me, and when you change your mind, you can change the world!"
"Do you think so?"
"Well, I don't know if you noticed, but there were a few guys in here tonight who looked like they'd rather be anywhere but here, watching me. By the end, you said everyone was smiling, right?"
Francis' eyes started to light up as understanding set in.
"I figure," said Laura, crossing one leg delicately over the other and leaning further toward him, "I can't do anything about them judging me, so why not kill 'em with love and kindness instead? I let love shine and pride be my guide."
"You pursue the truth," said Francis thoughtfully. "The truth of you, and just be you, no matter what anyone says."
Laura clapped her hands together. "Now you're getting it!" Francis' lips widened into a smile. A pretty big grin by his standards, but still one that paled in comparison to Laura's.
"Stop!" she said suddenly at the sight of his frown and furrowed brows.
"What?" asked Francis, his expression turning quizzical.
"You're not being true now, are you?" Francis didn't respond. All he could do was stare at her. "Don't try to deny it," she said. "I'ce done it too. A thousand times. Comparing myself. But you've got to stop. Because to just be is to accept yourself and to just be you, no matter what."
"You've started a long list here, Laura. Stay strong and proud and true, accept yourself, let love shine, pride be your guide, pursue the truth and just be."
Laura smiled, reaching across to squeeze his hand, smiling when he net her gaze. "That's the most important," she said, letting go of his hand. "Just be. Just be who you wanna be."
Francis stood, open mouthed as he watched her do her thing. Smiling, laughing and just being her. As he looked around, he soon realised there was not one frown in the place. No, she'd managed to turn each and every one upside down. No wonder the place is packed, he thought. If only I could figure out what her secret is...
"Secret?" she repeated, blinking her long, bedazzled lashes at him. "What do you mean secret? I.. I just be. I'm me. That's it!"
Francis' mouth dropped open again. Laura's brows furrowed briefly before her face relaxed into that effortlessly mega-watt smile of hers. "Ah... What did you say your name was again?"
"Francis."
"Francis," she repeated, "In my time, I've learnt that people will judge you if they want to, and there's nothing you can do about it. So why bother trying to fit in? Especially if you're like me and were born to stand out." Francis couldn't help but laugh at the theatrical emphasis she put on those last few words. But really, where did that confidence come from? And how could he... and everyone for that matter, get a piece of it?
"Besides," Laura continued, "Trying to conform would only make you unhappy, right? So why bother if people will judge anyway?" She sunk onto a stool and took a breath before looking up at him. "So.. I guess if there's any secret, it's to just be. And to stay strong and proud and true. Which," she added at Francis' expression, lifting a finger in warning, "is a lot harder than it looks."
"I don't doubt it," said Francis with a laugh. "But how do you do it? Every single person in the place had a smile on their face."
At this, Laura's smile grew. "Well, joy breeds joy, does it not? I carry them away, and they soon forget what made them a little... uncertain of me. But, I've accepted myself, and accepted that this is who I am, and when you accept yourself, you accept others too."
"Ok..." said Francis, unsure of what that had to do with anything.
"When you judge someone, unless you're really good, it shows, and they pick up on it. I like to think they learn something new when they come to see me, and when you change your mind, you can change the world!"
"Do you think so?"
"Well, I don't know if you noticed, but there were a few guys in here tonight who looked like they'd rather be anywhere but here, watching me. By the end, you said everyone was smiling, right?"
Francis' eyes started to light up as understanding set in.
"I figure," said Laura, crossing one leg delicately over the other and leaning further toward him, "I can't do anything about them judging me, so why not kill 'em with love and kindness instead? I let love shine and pride be my guide."
"You pursue the truth," said Francis thoughtfully. "The truth of you, and just be you, no matter what anyone says."
Laura clapped her hands together. "Now you're getting it!" Francis' lips widened into a smile. A pretty big grin by his standards, but still one that paled in comparison to Laura's.
"Stop!" she said suddenly at the sight of his frown and furrowed brows.
"What?" asked Francis, his expression turning quizzical.
"You're not being true now, are you?" Francis didn't respond. All he could do was stare at her. "Don't try to deny it," she said. "I'ce done it too. A thousand times. Comparing myself. But you've got to stop. Because to just be is to accept yourself and to just be you, no matter what."
"You've started a long list here, Laura. Stay strong and proud and true, accept yourself, let love shine, pride be your guide, pursue the truth and just be."
Laura smiled, reaching across to squeeze his hand, smiling when he net her gaze. "That's the most important," she said, letting go of his hand. "Just be. Just be who you wanna be."
Friday, August 4, 2017
Goodbye
You never know what tomorrow will bring. One moment, everything is fine, and the next, the world has turned upside down. In an instant, everything can change. You were there one moment, and the next, everything was different. You were still there, but you weren't really. Your spirit had escaped you. But it gave us time. Time to hold your hand. Time to give you just one more hug. Time to say goodbye.
Goodbye. The hardest word in the world. You don't want to say it, but you know you need to. You know that it's time. But goodbye... it's so final. So... unfitting. It doesn't contain everything they are to you, everything you love, how much you love. It's just a word. But to say it feels like admitting the end, and who wants it to be the end? Who wants to say goodbye?
We all sit around, sharing stories, laughing about all the times we've shared. We look over and see you there and a smile appears across our lips as a tear falls down from our eyes. How we all want more than anything in the world... how we all wish that we could just go back. Back to when all of this seemed like a horrible nightmare that would never come to be. Back to when you were here. Really here. Laughing and joking and sharing stories with all of us. Back to when the end didn't seem so close. Back to when goodbye didn't seem so soon.
So we sit, we hold your hand and we tell you we love you. We tell you everything you've meant to us. We tell you everything we've ever wanted to tell you. We tell you about all the good times. Then we whisper in your ear, and we say that awful word. We give your hand one final squeeze as the last breath of air leaves your lungs. We close our eyes, wishing we could wake up. Then we look at you. We kiss your forehead and squeeze your hand again. We whisper one last 'I love you'. We gather every last ounce of courage we have and we get up to go. We pause at the door, looking back at you one last time. Then we leave you to rest in peace.
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For Rob. Loved always.
Goodbye. The hardest word in the world. You don't want to say it, but you know you need to. You know that it's time. But goodbye... it's so final. So... unfitting. It doesn't contain everything they are to you, everything you love, how much you love. It's just a word. But to say it feels like admitting the end, and who wants it to be the end? Who wants to say goodbye?
We all sit around, sharing stories, laughing about all the times we've shared. We look over and see you there and a smile appears across our lips as a tear falls down from our eyes. How we all want more than anything in the world... how we all wish that we could just go back. Back to when all of this seemed like a horrible nightmare that would never come to be. Back to when you were here. Really here. Laughing and joking and sharing stories with all of us. Back to when the end didn't seem so close. Back to when goodbye didn't seem so soon.
So we sit, we hold your hand and we tell you we love you. We tell you everything you've meant to us. We tell you everything we've ever wanted to tell you. We tell you about all the good times. Then we whisper in your ear, and we say that awful word. We give your hand one final squeeze as the last breath of air leaves your lungs. We close our eyes, wishing we could wake up. Then we look at you. We kiss your forehead and squeeze your hand again. We whisper one last 'I love you'. We gather every last ounce of courage we have and we get up to go. We pause at the door, looking back at you one last time. Then we leave you to rest in peace.
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For Rob. Loved always.
Saturday, July 29, 2017
My Lighthouse
When the day darkens and gives way to night. When the storms roll in and the seas get rough. When I've lost my way. If I look hard enough, through the dark clouds, the waves and the sheets of rain falling overhead, I can see it. It shines through it all, a beacon of hope when all hope seems lost. A lighthouse. The lighthouse. My lighthouse.
A tall pillar of strength when times are rough and I grow weak. I search for the light to guide me through the rough and stormy seas. Never once has it failed me. Whenever I've needed it, it's there, sure and reliable, to lead me back into calmer waters.
When I feel weak, you are my lighthouse, strong enough for both of us, beaming your light to show me the way. When I feel lost and helpless, you are there to call me home, full of hope. When I feel cold and lonely, you are there, ready to take me into your warm embrace. Any feelings of loneliness melt away when I look up and see my lighthouse standing there. Never do I feel lonely, knowing that you are there, even if all I can see is your light to lead me home.
A tall pillar of strength when times are rough and I grow weak. I search for the light to guide me through the rough and stormy seas. Never once has it failed me. Whenever I've needed it, it's there, sure and reliable, to lead me back into calmer waters.
When I feel weak, you are my lighthouse, strong enough for both of us, beaming your light to show me the way. When I feel lost and helpless, you are there to call me home, full of hope. When I feel cold and lonely, you are there, ready to take me into your warm embrace. Any feelings of loneliness melt away when I look up and see my lighthouse standing there. Never do I feel lonely, knowing that you are there, even if all I can see is your light to lead me home.
Friday, June 23, 2017
The Pirate & The Mermaid
First, I was all by myself. Just a lonely sea captain who's spent my life sailing the seven seas and exploring the world. The world had much to offer, yet I did not find much I truly loved. That was until the day I saw her. Till then, I hadn't had any reason to believe that her kind were anything but a legend. Nothing but a myth, they said. But she couldn't be a myth. There was no way. Not when she was sitting there, right in front of me.
Legend said their call was irresistibly alluring, their voice beautifully haunting. But she was neither singing nor calling out to me. Instead, she just sat there, high up on the rock, slowly, carefully combing her long, wavy dark her with a fork. Yet even though she hadn't noticed me, I had been enchanted by her nonetheless. Distracted enough by her beauty to crash my ship, albeit lightly, into a group of rocks nearby. At the loud crashing sound, she finally looked up a fraction, and it was then that I saw her dark, chocolate eyes, falling well and truly under her spell. Another minute passed before she finally saw me, at once looking back down again. I continued to stare at her, like a creep. I didn't want to scare her, but I just couldn't look away. I was too afraid that if I did, she'd be gone. Disappear, nowhere to be found. My breath caught in my throat as I saw her eyes rise, so she was gazing shyly at me from underneath her lashes.
"Hey, you there!" I called out. Embarrassed she looked away. "It's ok," I said, wincing at the desperation that had seeped through into my voice, "I won't hurt you. I promise. I only want to..." She jumped from the rock into the ocean. "Talk," I said hopelessly.
I inhaled deeply, the icy air burning my throat as I stepped toward the edge of my boat. In one swift motion, I climbed upon the rail of the boat, prepared to jump when she reappeared on the rock, combing her hair again, the only sign she'd moved at all the water droplets shining on her olive skin. This time, I squinted closer, noticing a pearl white flower tucked neatly behind one ear, bright and vivid against the backdrop of her jet black hair. Not knowing how else I'll reach her, I breathe deep and take a lap down into the blue, watery depth below me.
I try to swim to her, but the current is too strong and I'm soon carried away. I gasp for breath as the waves begin to pull me underneath, into another world beneath the surface. Her world, I presume. Then, everything was still. I felt a warmth near my arm and looked over to see her floating effortlessly beside
me, a small smile on her face. I glanced down to confirm my suspicions, and sure enough there was her tail, beautiful and colourful, glistening in the light of the sun. She smiled at me again, leaning close to whisper sweet nothings into my ear. "It's alright," she said, her soft voice resembling the pretty tinkling of a bell. I jumped only because it was not what I expected her to say. "I've got you."
"You've got me," I said, my words mostly incoherent for the water gurgling into my mouth as I try to speak. "You're my angel," I said, the delirium starting to set in as I lost consciousness.
"Ssh," she said, her voice soothing, like the hushed voice of a mother, soothing her baby to sleep. "Don't try to speak. I'll get you home."
Yes, I thought, please, take me home with you.
"Ssh, my sweet sailor. It's alright. Your safe now."
"I'm a captain," I tried to say.
"Oh," she said wistfully, her voice, unlike mine, not incoherent at all. "I've always wanted to meet a sailor. I've met many in my time, but none like you. You are one of a kind, my Darling." At that moment, I wanted to melt into her arms as a warm tingling spread throughout my body, causing a shiver to run down my spine.
"Captain," she asked, when we were back above the surface, both of us seated on her rock. Her eyes never once left mine, and I couldn't look away. But I didn't care.
"Jackie," I said softly, half in a daze, "call me Jackie."
"Jackie," she said, and I shivered at the beauty of my name coming from her mouth. "Do you believe in love at first sight?"
"I don't know. I've never been in love before."
"Only that we've known each other barely a day, yet, I think I love you."
"Really?" I asked, blinking, not believing the words I was hearing.
"Yes," she said, equally wistful. Her soft, smooth finger hooked itself beneath my chin and pulled me closer. I closed my eyes as she guided my lips toward hers and pressed them gently together, just as the sun took it's final peep out over the ocean for the day.
Legend said their call was irresistibly alluring, their voice beautifully haunting. But she was neither singing nor calling out to me. Instead, she just sat there, high up on the rock, slowly, carefully combing her long, wavy dark her with a fork. Yet even though she hadn't noticed me, I had been enchanted by her nonetheless. Distracted enough by her beauty to crash my ship, albeit lightly, into a group of rocks nearby. At the loud crashing sound, she finally looked up a fraction, and it was then that I saw her dark, chocolate eyes, falling well and truly under her spell. Another minute passed before she finally saw me, at once looking back down again. I continued to stare at her, like a creep. I didn't want to scare her, but I just couldn't look away. I was too afraid that if I did, she'd be gone. Disappear, nowhere to be found. My breath caught in my throat as I saw her eyes rise, so she was gazing shyly at me from underneath her lashes.
"Hey, you there!" I called out. Embarrassed she looked away. "It's ok," I said, wincing at the desperation that had seeped through into my voice, "I won't hurt you. I promise. I only want to..." She jumped from the rock into the ocean. "Talk," I said hopelessly.
I inhaled deeply, the icy air burning my throat as I stepped toward the edge of my boat. In one swift motion, I climbed upon the rail of the boat, prepared to jump when she reappeared on the rock, combing her hair again, the only sign she'd moved at all the water droplets shining on her olive skin. This time, I squinted closer, noticing a pearl white flower tucked neatly behind one ear, bright and vivid against the backdrop of her jet black hair. Not knowing how else I'll reach her, I breathe deep and take a lap down into the blue, watery depth below me.
I try to swim to her, but the current is too strong and I'm soon carried away. I gasp for breath as the waves begin to pull me underneath, into another world beneath the surface. Her world, I presume. Then, everything was still. I felt a warmth near my arm and looked over to see her floating effortlessly beside
me, a small smile on her face. I glanced down to confirm my suspicions, and sure enough there was her tail, beautiful and colourful, glistening in the light of the sun. She smiled at me again, leaning close to whisper sweet nothings into my ear. "It's alright," she said, her soft voice resembling the pretty tinkling of a bell. I jumped only because it was not what I expected her to say. "I've got you."
"You've got me," I said, my words mostly incoherent for the water gurgling into my mouth as I try to speak. "You're my angel," I said, the delirium starting to set in as I lost consciousness.
"Ssh," she said, her voice soothing, like the hushed voice of a mother, soothing her baby to sleep. "Don't try to speak. I'll get you home."
Yes, I thought, please, take me home with you.
"Ssh, my sweet sailor. It's alright. Your safe now."
"I'm a captain," I tried to say.
"Oh," she said wistfully, her voice, unlike mine, not incoherent at all. "I've always wanted to meet a sailor. I've met many in my time, but none like you. You are one of a kind, my Darling." At that moment, I wanted to melt into her arms as a warm tingling spread throughout my body, causing a shiver to run down my spine.
"Captain," she asked, when we were back above the surface, both of us seated on her rock. Her eyes never once left mine, and I couldn't look away. But I didn't care.
"Jackie," I said softly, half in a daze, "call me Jackie."
"Jackie," she said, and I shivered at the beauty of my name coming from her mouth. "Do you believe in love at first sight?"
"I don't know. I've never been in love before."
"Only that we've known each other barely a day, yet, I think I love you."
"Really?" I asked, blinking, not believing the words I was hearing.
"Yes," she said, equally wistful. Her soft, smooth finger hooked itself beneath my chin and pulled me closer. I closed my eyes as she guided my lips toward hers and pressed them gently together, just as the sun took it's final peep out over the ocean for the day.
Friday, June 9, 2017
Living In A Rainbow
From my post, high up here, I can see the world. Lush green, grassy hills that stretch on for ages, and the ocean far beyond that, a bright, yet deep blue that sparkles magically as the light hits it. Above me, there are clouds, a soft, calm, smokey grey spread across an endless expanse of breathtaking cornflower blue.
Where I sit, way up high, there's quite a chill in the air. But not that awful winter chill that is so cold it hurts when you touch something. No. This chill is like the cool breeze on a warm summer's day. One that, when you've been out in the heat of the day, is overwhelmingly pleasant to experience. Yet, the cool air still sends shivers down my spine.
The colours surrounding me are so vividly beautiful. So bright they're almost blinding. The blue of the sky above and the sea below. The green of the grass, the hills and the trees. The dazzling yellow of the sun. The vibrant red of a bird flying by. The flowers, a deep shade of bright indigo, that from this great height, look like tiny little speckles of colour. The striking orange of a fire, blazing strong in a forest clearing.
This is my life, in the cool, refreshing bubble that is my perch high above the world, surrounded by a splendid array of vibrant colours. Yes, this is my life, and a lucky one at that. My life. Living in a rainbow.
Where I sit, way up high, there's quite a chill in the air. But not that awful winter chill that is so cold it hurts when you touch something. No. This chill is like the cool breeze on a warm summer's day. One that, when you've been out in the heat of the day, is overwhelmingly pleasant to experience. Yet, the cool air still sends shivers down my spine.
The colours surrounding me are so vividly beautiful. So bright they're almost blinding. The blue of the sky above and the sea below. The green of the grass, the hills and the trees. The dazzling yellow of the sun. The vibrant red of a bird flying by. The flowers, a deep shade of bright indigo, that from this great height, look like tiny little speckles of colour. The striking orange of a fire, blazing strong in a forest clearing.
This is my life, in the cool, refreshing bubble that is my perch high above the world, surrounded by a splendid array of vibrant colours. Yes, this is my life, and a lucky one at that. My life. Living in a rainbow.
Saturday, May 27, 2017
Escape
She looked around her, but everything she saw was a blur. None of it made sense. It was all just one big rainbow of colours, all bleeding into one another. Then, the world began to spin. Slowly at first before picking up speed. Faster and faster it went until the already blurred world became hazier still. There was sounds; shouting, screams of terror and squeals of delight, all at once. A blur of overwhelming noise and confusion. Like that merry go round at the playground when you've ridden it one time too many. She wanted the world to stop. She wanted to get off.
Yet, like everyone else in the world, she was stuck on this crazy ride called life. But in the few moments the world stopped spinning and she was able to look at the people around her, she felt the worst of all. It didn't seem like anyone else's world was spinning. No one else looked as green as she, the child who'd ridden the merry go round too fast and too much. Everyone else was still, almost like they were on a merry go round that was a tenth of the speed of hers. So much slower it seemed they were not moving at all, or at the pace of the slowest snail on Earth at the very least. Yet, they were all moving too.
And then, she looked up. Up at the sky over their heads. The sky that, but for a few fluffy white clouds, was not moving at all. The sky, that unlike everything else, was still. The sky that made her smile. Because, even if nothing else made sense. Even if everything else was a huge, confusing, overwhelming blur, she still had the sky. Even if they could take everything else and turn it all into one big, blurry mess, they couldn't take the sky.
So she lay back and stared up at the sky, basking in the beauty and peace of it's stillness and the solace it brought her. Still, around her, the world continued to spin, though she didn't seem to notice as much anymore.
She closed her eyes, the image of the sky and clouds overhead etched in her mind. It happened both quickly and in slow motion. One moment, she could feel the cool wood beneath her back, the next, the sensation had gone, and she was floating. Floating upward, like she was in an indoor skydiving chamber, or an anti-gravity thing. In any case, she moved slowly, like a feather being carried gently by the breeze. And so she floated up toward the sky. Away from the confusing, blurry mess that was her spinning world. Up she floated, and away. Away to the sky. Away to an escape. To freedom.
She closed her eyes, the image of the sky and clouds overhead etched in her mind. It happened both quickly and in slow motion. One moment, she could feel the cool wood beneath her back, the next, the sensation had gone, and she was floating. Floating upward, like she was in an indoor skydiving chamber, or an anti-gravity thing. In any case, she moved slowly, like a feather being carried gently by the breeze. And so she floated up toward the sky. Away from the confusing, blurry mess that was her spinning world. Up she floated, and away. Away to the sky. Away to an escape. To freedom.
Wednesday, April 5, 2017
In My Dreams
I remember it feeling like the world had ended when you were stolen away. I remember feeling like it would never be the same again. The world, all of a sudden, had gone dark. Pitch black like the lights on a stage when the show's over.
But then, light appeared to illuminate the way and suddenly, I could see again. You were gone, and that hurt, sometimes it still does, but the world wasn't ending. Not anymore. At least, not for now. No. Instead, the world had just... Stopped. For a while. And then, strangely, the world just continued. It resumed, like nothing had happened. Like it, and me, had not just sustained a huge loss. Like you hadn't gone at all.
Sometimes, I'd forget, then, I remembered again. It'd hit me like a slap in the face. I could almost see you and your sweet face, smiling back at me. I could almost feel you beside me, a feeling I was afraid I'd forget. And sometimes I did, but when I remembered, it didn't hurt as much as it once would have.
Then, there's now. Finally, the world was starting to feel normal again. Until I got a cold, hard slap in the face, so painful it started raining from my eyes. The rain brought with it memories of you that it seemed I'd forgotten, and suddenly, I'd been catapulted back in time, if only for a moment.
And now, it's the end of the world again, and there you are. You've come back to me, just like I always hoped you would. But, it's different now. Because it's not dark anymore. Because this time, there's a light surrounding you and me. You're holding me closer than I can ever remember being held before. Can we just stay like this now, until it really is the end of the world? Cause you've finally come back to me. In my dreams.
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Inspired by the incredible Kate Miller-Heidke's 'Last Day On Earth'
But then, light appeared to illuminate the way and suddenly, I could see again. You were gone, and that hurt, sometimes it still does, but the world wasn't ending. Not anymore. At least, not for now. No. Instead, the world had just... Stopped. For a while. And then, strangely, the world just continued. It resumed, like nothing had happened. Like it, and me, had not just sustained a huge loss. Like you hadn't gone at all.
Sometimes, I'd forget, then, I remembered again. It'd hit me like a slap in the face. I could almost see you and your sweet face, smiling back at me. I could almost feel you beside me, a feeling I was afraid I'd forget. And sometimes I did, but when I remembered, it didn't hurt as much as it once would have.
Then, there's now. Finally, the world was starting to feel normal again. Until I got a cold, hard slap in the face, so painful it started raining from my eyes. The rain brought with it memories of you that it seemed I'd forgotten, and suddenly, I'd been catapulted back in time, if only for a moment.
And now, it's the end of the world again, and there you are. You've come back to me, just like I always hoped you would. But, it's different now. Because it's not dark anymore. Because this time, there's a light surrounding you and me. You're holding me closer than I can ever remember being held before. Can we just stay like this now, until it really is the end of the world? Cause you've finally come back to me. In my dreams.
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Inspired by the incredible Kate Miller-Heidke's 'Last Day On Earth'
Thursday, March 2, 2017
I Wish...
"Anything! It could be anything!" said Scott, his arms spread wide. "What have you akways wanted? A car? A house? A million dollars?" Alan shook his head, at which Scott sighed heavily. "Seriously?! There isn't anything you'd do with a genie from a magic lamp who offered you three wishes?" he asked. "Alan, just picture it. Just imagine it. You've found a lamp, within which is a genie who offers you three wishes. What are you going to do with them?"
Finally, Alan shook his head, sighing in defeat. "Ok. I find a genie. We have an adventure. A big grand one. I don't know about my other two, but with the last wish, I'd say, Genie, I wish for your freedom." Alan closed his eyes, a big grin spreading across his face as he pictured the moment. "I'd say Genie, you're free!"
Scott's shoulders drooped and his mouth fell open. "That's it?"
Alan shrugged. "Yep. I wouldn't need any wishes. If I found a friend in Genie, he would've fulfilled all my wishes without me even having to really wish for them."
"You've got a friend in me," said Scott.
"Don't I know it!" said Alan, slipping an arm round his shoulders. "But think about it. If you had a genie for a friend, you'd have never had a friend like him!"
"Well that's true," said Scott. "What I wouldn't do to have a genie friend!"
"Why?" asked Alan. "What would you do if you had three wishes?"
"Well I could do just about anything. I could wish for a new life."
"You don't like the life you have?"
"I never said that!" Scott walked across to the other side of the room. "Um... I could wish for a more comfortable. Enough of a fortune that I would never have to worry about money again."
Alan nodded, seeing the logic in it.
"I could wish for the trip of a lifetime."
"I wouldn't want to waste my wishes if ever I had any," said Alan honestly.
"You think my wishes are wasteful?" Scott walked toward him, arms folded across his chest.
"No. I just think that no amount of money or magic in the world will buy you happiness." Scott raised a brow.
"You have to make your own magic," said Alan simply. "You have to make your own happiness."
"Huh," said Scott breathlessly. There was certainly no arguing with that.
"I want to make my mamma proud of her boy. No amount of wishes or magic in the world, nor any genie, let alone one from a magic lamp is going to do that for me. I have to do it for myself."
"Right."
"So what's the point in wishing for material things?" asked Alan. "They'd probably only bring you temporary happiness anyway."
"So, what would you wish for then?"
Alan scratched his chin. "Hmm... I'd probably wish for some kind of experience. Something that would give me memories to treasure for the rest of my life."
Finally, Alan shook his head, sighing in defeat. "Ok. I find a genie. We have an adventure. A big grand one. I don't know about my other two, but with the last wish, I'd say, Genie, I wish for your freedom." Alan closed his eyes, a big grin spreading across his face as he pictured the moment. "I'd say Genie, you're free!"
Scott's shoulders drooped and his mouth fell open. "That's it?"
Alan shrugged. "Yep. I wouldn't need any wishes. If I found a friend in Genie, he would've fulfilled all my wishes without me even having to really wish for them."
"You've got a friend in me," said Scott.
"Don't I know it!" said Alan, slipping an arm round his shoulders. "But think about it. If you had a genie for a friend, you'd have never had a friend like him!"
"Well that's true," said Scott. "What I wouldn't do to have a genie friend!"
"Why?" asked Alan. "What would you do if you had three wishes?"
"Well I could do just about anything. I could wish for a new life."
"You don't like the life you have?"
"I never said that!" Scott walked across to the other side of the room. "Um... I could wish for a more comfortable. Enough of a fortune that I would never have to worry about money again."
Alan nodded, seeing the logic in it.
"I could wish for the trip of a lifetime."
"I wouldn't want to waste my wishes if ever I had any," said Alan honestly.
"You think my wishes are wasteful?" Scott walked toward him, arms folded across his chest.
"No. I just think that no amount of money or magic in the world will buy you happiness." Scott raised a brow.
"You have to make your own magic," said Alan simply. "You have to make your own happiness."
"Huh," said Scott breathlessly. There was certainly no arguing with that.
"I want to make my mamma proud of her boy. No amount of wishes or magic in the world, nor any genie, let alone one from a magic lamp is going to do that for me. I have to do it for myself."
"Right."
"So what's the point in wishing for material things?" asked Alan. "They'd probably only bring you temporary happiness anyway."
"So, what would you wish for then?"
Alan scratched his chin. "Hmm... I'd probably wish for some kind of experience. Something that would give me memories to treasure for the rest of my life."
Sunday, February 26, 2017
Following In My Father's Footsteps
Gus shook his head. He could still see
himself and his mates when they were young boys, playing games of war. Never
again would war be a game, he thought. It was real now. Before this, it had
never seemed quite real. You could watch the protests on the TV, you could hear
about people setting their papers on fire and going to jail. It was not until
his number was the one pulled from the barrel that it hit him that all of it
wasn’t just a work of fiction constructed for entertainment. No. This stuff was
real. There was a war, and he was headed straight for it.
Once, back in his Granddad’s day, there
would’ve been a line out the door of young boys volunteering to go out to war.
To fight for their country and do their part for Australia
Gus remembered the war games played as a
child. He knew, staring up at the canvas ceiling of the tent he lay in, that
war would never be a game again. His grandfather and his father had both done
their part, now it was his turn to do his bit for Australia
“Gus!” The sound of his friend’s whisper
from the sleeping bag beside his own caused Gus to jump, and he gasped at the
unexpected break in silence. He rolled over on to his side to see his friend,
Ernie, was covering his mouth with a hand. Slowly, he let it fall away, before
speaking in a voice that was softer than before, if that was possible. “I’m
sorry! Did I wake you?”
“No,” said Gus, his voice equally quiet. “I
never went to sleep. Haven’t been able to.”
“Thinkin’ about tomorrow?” said Ernie. Gus
nodded. “Yeah, me too. But, some say this’ll be the last bit of piece we’ll get
for a while. We want to make the most of it. How’re we possibly gonna sleep in
a war zone? I wouldn’t be surprised if I went of sleep deprivation rather than
something to do with the war.” Ernie chuckled, but Gus remained silent.
“I’m sure we’ll find a way,” he said,
choosing to ignore Ernie’s last comment. “I just… I don’t know that I want to
go out there,” Gus said, more to himself than to Ernie, but he still heard.
“We don’t have a choice though mate. What’s
the point of dwelling on it?”
“I don’t know. Grandad and Dad were both
excited when they went off to war. I’m not. If I’m completely honest,” he said
slowly, “I’m scared.”
Ernie’s face softened. “People know more
about wars now, All your dad and his old man had to go off was the excitement
and push of everyone else. They had no clue what it actually meant to go to
war.”
“That’s the thing Ernie,” said Gus.
“They’ve been to war, yet they’re still telling me I should go, when they know
what it’s like. Why would they do that, once they’ve been exposed?”
Ernie shrugged. “You got me mate! I mean,
we probably weren’t. It was a whole different time when they went to war. Back
in their day, going to war was honourable. So, when they’ve had that instilled
in them their entire lives, and told what heroes they were for going out and
fighting, of course they’re going to drum it into us.”
Gus nodded. “Yeah, I suppose you’re right.
I just… I don’t really want to go. Not after the look on Mum’s face when they
called me number.”
“I don’t really want to go either,” said
Ernie. “We’re just doing our bit. We’re doing what we’ve got to do. But
hopefully, this’ll be the last generation to go out and fight. Hopefully, our
sons won’t have to follow in our footsteps like we followed in our Father’s.”
Thursday, February 16, 2017
I Just Want To Hear You Sing
As she weaved her way through the tables, collecting as many empty glasses as she could on the tray she carried, Katie happily hummed along to the country music playing over the loudspeakers near the bar. Temporarily forgetting where she was, Katie even began to sing along, her voice soft and sweet. One of the regular patrons, seated at the last stool by the bar's edge smiled at her as she passed him. "You've got the voice of an angel, Darlin'" he said. Immediately, Katie's cheeks turned a bright shade of red as his comment dragged her back to the reality of the bar.
"Thanks," she said sliding away from him with her tray, toward the sink to wash the glasses she'd collected. I think. As she washed and dried, Katie went back to her humming, soon becoming lost in her own little world.
"Hey, Katie!" The voice of her manager, Troy, made her jump. She looked over her shoulder to see him leaning against the doorway leading to the staff area. Well, a small anteroom with several doorways, leading into the break room, the staff toilet and Troy's office.
"Are you working on Tuesday night?" Troy asked when she reached him.
"I don't know," she said, scrunching her eyebrows together as she tried to picture her calendar. "I don't think so."
Troy's face fell momentarily. "Could you?"
Katie looked at him. His eyes were wide and sad, like a puppy dog begging for food. She wanted to scold him for pulling that face. It was a cheat. Everyone knew you couldn't resist, couldn't say no when someone pulled the puppy dog eyes. But, he was her boss. So instead, she said, "sure," causing the smile to return to his face.
"Thanks Katie," he said, making to head back toward his office. "You're a star!"
Katie never gave Troy's request a second thought. He asked her to work extra shifts all the time, or to cover for one of the other girls who worked at the bar. Who was she to deny them? It was extra money after all. There was nothing out of the ordinary. What she had forgotten was that Tuesday was karaoke night, and little did she know, Troy had heard her singing softly to herself when she had thought she was alone and away from prying ears or in the moments when she temporarily forgot where she was.
A smile spread across Katie's face when she walked in for her shift to find them setting up. "Hey Katie!" called Nate, Troy's nephew, waving at her from where he was helping set up over by the makeshift stage on the other side of the room.
"Hi Nate," she called, waving back as she hurried to put her things out the back before her shift started. Katie shook her head. Somebody had to tell that young boy that there was absolutely no chance that what he was hoping would actually ever happen. She knew it wouldn't, but wondered if he knew it too, because if he did, he had a major case of denial happening. She shook her head, feeling bad for him as she emerged from the break room to start her shift.
As she always did when she was lucky enough to be rostered onto a shift on karaoke night, Katie enjoyed listening to the songs and humming along to the tunes, most of which she knew off by heart. As always with karaoke, there were those who surprised everyone with their talent while others made her want to cover her ears to block out the noise, of what to them was singing, but to everyone else was a whole lot of wailing. All of this, Katie had expected. What she hasn't was what Troy said, up on the stage after what she thought would be the last act.
"Well, folks," he said, "I hope you've enjoyed our karaoke night. But, it's not quite over yet. If she'll oblige us, we have a very extra special treat for you all tonight! She's one of our own, and it's her first time on this stage so please put your hands together and give a warm welcome to Katie!"
At once, it seemed the whole room was staring at her, causing her cheeks to grow hot. She pointed to herself, glaring at Troy, whom she had a clear view of seeing as the crowd seemed to have parted like the Red Sea for her surely imminent ascent onto the stage.
Troy nodded, a small smile on her face. Suddenly, Katie understood his request for her to work that night had not been as innocent as it had first seemed. He beckoned with his finger, but she stood her ground, folding her arms across her chest and continuing to glare back at him.
"Well folks, it looks like she might need a little encouragement!" At once, there was the loud steady rhythm of clapping as the crowd repeatedly chanted her name and Katie knew, should have known all along, that there was no getting out of it this time. Just as she was about to step out, she felt a hand on her shoulder and looked over to see the man from the other night. "It's alright Darlin," he said. "We just want to hear you sing. Troy's heard ya! He knows how great you are! He just wants to share it with the rest of the world. An angel's voice like yours'd be selfish to keep to yourself, don't you think?" Katie shrugged and looked back toward Troy before taking a breath and taking that fateeful first step.
She could have laughed when she reached Troy on stage. Well, at what he said as he handed her the microphone. "I just want to hear you sing."
As she always did when she was lucky enough to be rostered onto a shift on karaoke night, Katie enjoyed listening to the songs and humming along to the tunes, most of which she knew off by heart. As always with karaoke, there were those who surprised everyone with their talent while others made her want to cover her ears to block out the noise, of what to them was singing, but to everyone else was a whole lot of wailing. All of this, Katie had expected. What she hasn't was what Troy said, up on the stage after what she thought would be the last act.
"Well, folks," he said, "I hope you've enjoyed our karaoke night. But, it's not quite over yet. If she'll oblige us, we have a very extra special treat for you all tonight! She's one of our own, and it's her first time on this stage so please put your hands together and give a warm welcome to Katie!"
At once, it seemed the whole room was staring at her, causing her cheeks to grow hot. She pointed to herself, glaring at Troy, whom she had a clear view of seeing as the crowd seemed to have parted like the Red Sea for her surely imminent ascent onto the stage.
Troy nodded, a small smile on her face. Suddenly, Katie understood his request for her to work that night had not been as innocent as it had first seemed. He beckoned with his finger, but she stood her ground, folding her arms across her chest and continuing to glare back at him.
"Well folks, it looks like she might need a little encouragement!" At once, there was the loud steady rhythm of clapping as the crowd repeatedly chanted her name and Katie knew, should have known all along, that there was no getting out of it this time. Just as she was about to step out, she felt a hand on her shoulder and looked over to see the man from the other night. "It's alright Darlin," he said. "We just want to hear you sing. Troy's heard ya! He knows how great you are! He just wants to share it with the rest of the world. An angel's voice like yours'd be selfish to keep to yourself, don't you think?" Katie shrugged and looked back toward Troy before taking a breath and taking that fateeful first step.
She could have laughed when she reached Troy on stage. Well, at what he said as he handed her the microphone. "I just want to hear you sing."
Friday, February 3, 2017
The Fight to Lead
Rooster strutted up and down the dusty yard, crowing happily as he did so. Little did he realise, Rat was following cautiously along behind him, trying to imitate his perfectly confident strut. Up until now, she'd been prepared and had managed to move herself as he moved so that she was always invisible. But this time, Rooster was too quick for her. He whirled around so quickly it made her jump before she froze again. His face went from an expression of elation to one of anger.
"What do you think you're doing Rat?" he snapped at her, causing her to jump back a few metres from him.
"I was trying to be like you," she said defensively, her ears drooping as her head hung low. She didn't think she was doing anything wrong. They'd both been having fun! At least, that's what she'd thought...
"And what makes you think you can be me?" asked Rooster loudly, beginning to flap his wings.
"I wasn't trying to be you. I was trying to be like you," said Rat quietly, speaking to the ground.
"What makes me think you can be like me?" Rooster spat. "You're you, and I'm me. Separate. Different."
"But..." Rat stopped, furiously searching her brain for a good defence. "But... I'm... I'm adaptable!"
Just as it seemed Rat would burst into tears, Pig appeared, trotting slowly toward them. "Rooster is right," she said, looking at Rat. "But so is Rat," she said as her gaze shifted to look at him.
"What?" they both asked, open mouthed. "Rat, the two of you are different," she said, "but Rooster, can't you see that Rat was only trying to have a little fun? She meant no harm," said Pig calmly. Beside her, Rat nodded her agreement. "It's fun to pretend sometimes," said Pig.
Meanwhile, Monkey, Rabbit, Dragon, Horse and Dog laughed as they played not too far away. They danced around each other and clapped as Dragon exhaled a puff of sweet smelling smoke in the middle of the small huddle.
Rat ran toward them, having decided it was best to leave Rooster to his own devices. Jumping up and down, due to her small size, Rat eventually managed to tap Dog on the shoulder. Dog turned round and lowered himself so Rat would not need to jump anymore. "Thank you," she said, panting for breath. "Can I come play with you guys?"
Dog smiled and edged to one side, closer to Monkey in order to create a small gap in between himself and Rabbit. "Don't be silly! Of course you can."
A little further away, Ox and Tiger argued loudly about who should be in charge. "I am the strong one!" said Ox, "I can protect us from attack."
"But I'm a born leader!" argued Tiger passionately.The argument went on like that a long while, each new retort becoming louder and louder.
Rooster wandered over to see what all the fuss was about, having heard the yelling from across the yard. He soon joined in, believing himself to be the best candidate for leader.
Before long, even the animals who'd been playing happily came to join in the fight. The noise disturbed Sheep and Pig, who's returned to her resting spot. They watched on, trying to understand what all the commotion was about. They were tempted to join in. They knew they had good leadership qualities. Pig was focused and known to achieve great things. Sheep was quiet and sensitive, but also creative and compassionate.
The argument was so loud now, with nearly all the animals involved or watching on, that Snake, who usually kept to himself so much that the others knew little about him, wandered to the quarrelling group. "Well," he said calmly, "I'm the wisest one. It's only right that I should lead us." The group erupted with angry noises from the other animals. And so the heated debate continued, until suddenly, there was a thunderous bang as a bright light flashed overhead, stopping the animals in their tracks.
The brawl had become so loud and boisterous that it had disturbed the spirits from the sky. "Now," said the spirit, in such a commanding way that the animals all turned to look. "What is all this fuss?" he asked. Sheep stepped forward, and said quietly. "We all think we should be the leader."
"And so you all should," said the spirit. "You shall all be leaders. Each of you will take it in turns to lead for a year, however you should all be celebrated for your unique qualities." The animals nodded and murmured excitedly. And so it was, that each year an animal is chosen to lead and all the animals celebrated for who they are.
"What do you think you're doing Rat?" he snapped at her, causing her to jump back a few metres from him.
"I was trying to be like you," she said defensively, her ears drooping as her head hung low. She didn't think she was doing anything wrong. They'd both been having fun! At least, that's what she'd thought...
"And what makes you think you can be me?" asked Rooster loudly, beginning to flap his wings.
"I wasn't trying to be you. I was trying to be like you," said Rat quietly, speaking to the ground.
"What makes me think you can be like me?" Rooster spat. "You're you, and I'm me. Separate. Different."
"But..." Rat stopped, furiously searching her brain for a good defence. "But... I'm... I'm adaptable!"
Just as it seemed Rat would burst into tears, Pig appeared, trotting slowly toward them. "Rooster is right," she said, looking at Rat. "But so is Rat," she said as her gaze shifted to look at him.
"What?" they both asked, open mouthed. "Rat, the two of you are different," she said, "but Rooster, can't you see that Rat was only trying to have a little fun? She meant no harm," said Pig calmly. Beside her, Rat nodded her agreement. "It's fun to pretend sometimes," said Pig.
Meanwhile, Monkey, Rabbit, Dragon, Horse and Dog laughed as they played not too far away. They danced around each other and clapped as Dragon exhaled a puff of sweet smelling smoke in the middle of the small huddle.
Rat ran toward them, having decided it was best to leave Rooster to his own devices. Jumping up and down, due to her small size, Rat eventually managed to tap Dog on the shoulder. Dog turned round and lowered himself so Rat would not need to jump anymore. "Thank you," she said, panting for breath. "Can I come play with you guys?"
Dog smiled and edged to one side, closer to Monkey in order to create a small gap in between himself and Rabbit. "Don't be silly! Of course you can."
A little further away, Ox and Tiger argued loudly about who should be in charge. "I am the strong one!" said Ox, "I can protect us from attack."
"But I'm a born leader!" argued Tiger passionately.The argument went on like that a long while, each new retort becoming louder and louder.
Rooster wandered over to see what all the fuss was about, having heard the yelling from across the yard. He soon joined in, believing himself to be the best candidate for leader.
Before long, even the animals who'd been playing happily came to join in the fight. The noise disturbed Sheep and Pig, who's returned to her resting spot. They watched on, trying to understand what all the commotion was about. They were tempted to join in. They knew they had good leadership qualities. Pig was focused and known to achieve great things. Sheep was quiet and sensitive, but also creative and compassionate.
The argument was so loud now, with nearly all the animals involved or watching on, that Snake, who usually kept to himself so much that the others knew little about him, wandered to the quarrelling group. "Well," he said calmly, "I'm the wisest one. It's only right that I should lead us." The group erupted with angry noises from the other animals. And so the heated debate continued, until suddenly, there was a thunderous bang as a bright light flashed overhead, stopping the animals in their tracks.
The brawl had become so loud and boisterous that it had disturbed the spirits from the sky. "Now," said the spirit, in such a commanding way that the animals all turned to look. "What is all this fuss?" he asked. Sheep stepped forward, and said quietly. "We all think we should be the leader."
"And so you all should," said the spirit. "You shall all be leaders. Each of you will take it in turns to lead for a year, however you should all be celebrated for your unique qualities." The animals nodded and murmured excitedly. And so it was, that each year an animal is chosen to lead and all the animals celebrated for who they are.
Saturday, January 28, 2017
Father Kane's Final Act
As he walked into the church, Father Kane breathed in deeply, taking in the scent of the candles at the front of the room. He looked around him at the as-yet empty rows of pews and the beautiful stain glass windows glowing, as light streamed through them into the room. He sat in a chair just off the aisle in the front row and closed his eyes to take in the monk's chanting his trainee clergyman had started. He'd heard the same music countless times before, but it never once failed to calm him and bring with it an overwhelming rush of peace.
Little was Father Kane aware, the longer the Reverend served alongside him, the more the power that came with being a leader of the Church began to go to his head. Having come from a poor family, Reverand Sanders had never before had as much influence as he had now. Never before had he seen so much money in the collection plate. All for the good of the church though, of course. The money, the influence, the power, it was all music to his ears. There was only one problem. One block. One thing standing in the way of him having it all for himself. Father Kane.
As soon as the Reverand realised the existence and identity of this obstacle, it would seem he was out to get Father Kane at all costs. The Reverend was sneaky though, and it was only ever the two of them around when Reverand Sanders would 'accidentally' push him or complain about how people could be 'too' good. The marks that followed, Reverend Sanders knew, could easily be explained away as part of the perils of getting older. Father Kane was helpless. It was this fact that the Reverend was counting on, because he knew the old man, couldn't... Wouldn't admit to anyone that he had anything to do with it.
"Curious," said Father Kane thoughtfully, his voice quiet as he circled his trainee clergyman.
"Very curious..."
"What?" Asked Reverand Sanders, blinking.
"You haven't really been feeling quite yourself, have you, Reverend?"
"What do you mean?"
Father Kane didn't bother rephrasing the question in order to get a proper answer. He didn't need to. He knew the answer answer already. "Because you haven't been yourself at all, have you?" The reverend's mouth fell open. "Not since you started here. I met the real you once. Just once, at your interview. That version of you, that unconrupted, uninhabited version of you, has potential. Serious potential, to lead the Parish of St. Vincent's into the next generation. But for that to happen, the evil spirit within you must leave."
With that, a bright red ghostly figure appeared, leaving the now unpossessed Reverend Sanders gasping for breath.
Father Kane looked in turn at the spirit, then his terrified clergyman. He wanted to comfort him, to reassure him, but how could he, when he was so unsure himself? But, just as he was starting to think that he'd unleashed an unnecessary evil in this world, a bright light shone through the stain glass window at the head of the Church building, mysteriously bringing with it the answer Father Kane had been silently praying for.
Moving quickly and wordlessly, Father Kane stepped to his side and grabbed the evil spirit, ignoring the reverend's now gaping mouth as he turned his attention momentarily back to the light streaming in through the stain glass window ahead of them.
"Fear not Reverend," he said, turning to look at the man. "The Lord shall guide you in the path He desires you to follow."
"But Father, what will I do without you?" Asked the Reverend as he realised what would shortly happen.
"You have great knowledge already. Allow the Lord and your Bible to aid you along in your path." At the young man's expression, Father Kane continued. "Great men are forged in fire. It is the privilege of lesser men to light the flame. My time is here now. It has been coming awhile. What better way then one final act to serve our Holy Father?"
The reverend nodded, trying his hardest to don a brave face. "Thank you, Father Kane. Lord, our Father, please take Father Kane to live with you in Heaven. Lord, please bless him and be with those here who mourn him," said Reverend Sanders as he watched them go.
As he'd expected, his trainee emerged from the side curtain just as he opened his eyes.
"Hello Father," said Reverend Sanders in greeting as he approached. "Ready for the service?"
Father Kane looked at him as he rose slowly to his feet. He was a young man, yet it seemed to him that he was still just a boy. He was well past his prime. He'd served and led this church for many, many years and he'd done it all alone. But he knew now that the Father above could come for him at any time now and so he had taken on Reverand Sanders in order to train him up to take care of his beloved congregation when he was gone.
Father Kane looked at him as he rose slowly to his feet. He was a young man, yet it seemed to him that he was still just a boy. He was well past his prime. He'd served and led this church for many, many years and he'd done it all alone. But he knew now that the Father above could come for him at any time now and so he had taken on Reverand Sanders in order to train him up to take care of his beloved congregation when he was gone.
Little was Father Kane aware, the longer the Reverend served alongside him, the more the power that came with being a leader of the Church began to go to his head. Having come from a poor family, Reverand Sanders had never before had as much influence as he had now. Never before had he seen so much money in the collection plate. All for the good of the church though, of course. The money, the influence, the power, it was all music to his ears. There was only one problem. One block. One thing standing in the way of him having it all for himself. Father Kane.
As soon as the Reverand realised the existence and identity of this obstacle, it would seem he was out to get Father Kane at all costs. The Reverend was sneaky though, and it was only ever the two of them around when Reverand Sanders would 'accidentally' push him or complain about how people could be 'too' good. The marks that followed, Reverend Sanders knew, could easily be explained away as part of the perils of getting older. Father Kane was helpless. It was this fact that the Reverend was counting on, because he knew the old man, couldn't... Wouldn't admit to anyone that he had anything to do with it.
"Curious," said Father Kane thoughtfully, his voice quiet as he circled his trainee clergyman.
"Very curious..."
"What?" Asked Reverand Sanders, blinking.
"You haven't really been feeling quite yourself, have you, Reverend?"
"What do you mean?"
Father Kane didn't bother rephrasing the question in order to get a proper answer. He didn't need to. He knew the answer answer already. "Because you haven't been yourself at all, have you?" The reverend's mouth fell open. "Not since you started here. I met the real you once. Just once, at your interview. That version of you, that unconrupted, uninhabited version of you, has potential. Serious potential, to lead the Parish of St. Vincent's into the next generation. But for that to happen, the evil spirit within you must leave."
With that, a bright red ghostly figure appeared, leaving the now unpossessed Reverend Sanders gasping for breath.
Father Kane looked in turn at the spirit, then his terrified clergyman. He wanted to comfort him, to reassure him, but how could he, when he was so unsure himself? But, just as he was starting to think that he'd unleashed an unnecessary evil in this world, a bright light shone through the stain glass window at the head of the Church building, mysteriously bringing with it the answer Father Kane had been silently praying for.
Moving quickly and wordlessly, Father Kane stepped to his side and grabbed the evil spirit, ignoring the reverend's now gaping mouth as he turned his attention momentarily back to the light streaming in through the stain glass window ahead of them.
"Fear not Reverend," he said, turning to look at the man. "The Lord shall guide you in the path He desires you to follow."
"But Father, what will I do without you?" Asked the Reverend as he realised what would shortly happen.
"You have great knowledge already. Allow the Lord and your Bible to aid you along in your path." At the young man's expression, Father Kane continued. "Great men are forged in fire. It is the privilege of lesser men to light the flame. My time is here now. It has been coming awhile. What better way then one final act to serve our Holy Father?"
The reverend nodded, trying his hardest to don a brave face. "Thank you, Father Kane. Lord, our Father, please take Father Kane to live with you in Heaven. Lord, please bless him and be with those here who mourn him," said Reverend Sanders as he watched them go.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In memory of Sir John Hurt, who brought to life Ollivalander in Harry Potter and The War Doctor in Doctor Who, among many other amazing characters. RIP.
Saturday, January 21, 2017
The Sound of Your Beating Heart
Lying here with you, off in our own little world, the sound of your beating heart is comforting. It grounds me, and it tells me you're still here, alive, with me. It reassures me that I'm not alone. The warmth of your skin against mine, your cute little smile, I love it all, but nothing more than the sound of your beating heart.
I remember long ago, some other world, some other life, when I lay with someone else like this. We were friends too, and we had our own little bubble, our own little world, just like you and I. She let me cry on her shoulder, she let me hold her close whenever I was scared and afraid. Just like you, I loved the feeling of her warm skin, her smile, the sound of her beating heart. Though it was long ago, I remember, clear as day when I lost her. Sudden, unexpected, no chance for goodbyes. I lay with her as I always used to, but it wasn't the same. The warmth had left her, and she wasn't smiling anymore. Her heart was still. The tears that were shed that day could have formed an ocean around us.
That was then, and this is now. Now, I have you. A new friend, a new life. A different world. I'll always have the memories of her, but you and I aren't finished. We're still writing our story. We're still making memories. I fear the same thing that happened to her happening to you. I know one day, it will. It happens to everyone one day, but I hope that with you it will be different. That I'll at least get to say one last goodbye. But for now, you're right here, by my side. The sound of your beating heart reminds me that you're still here. It reassures me, and it helps me not to be so scared anymore.
When the world becomes mad and chaotic, I listen for the sound of your beating heart and retreat into the sanctuary of you and I. The noise, the madness, the chaos, all disappears and I'm left with you. Just you and me, set free from it all in our own little world. The sound of your beating heart is comforting, and it helps me to take a pause and just be, even if it's only for a moment.
As unfortunate as it is, the sad reality is that you can't hide, you can't escape. At least, not forever. At some point, we'll have to emerge from this little bubble of ours. And when we return, to the madness and the chaos of the world beyond, I know your heart will help. The sound of your beating heart will ground me when I may otherwise have quickly become lost among it all. The steadiness of it's rhythm will help me believe that everything will be calm again, sometime soon. Until then, I have you and the sound of your beating heart to help me through.
I remember long ago, some other world, some other life, when I lay with someone else like this. We were friends too, and we had our own little bubble, our own little world, just like you and I. She let me cry on her shoulder, she let me hold her close whenever I was scared and afraid. Just like you, I loved the feeling of her warm skin, her smile, the sound of her beating heart. Though it was long ago, I remember, clear as day when I lost her. Sudden, unexpected, no chance for goodbyes. I lay with her as I always used to, but it wasn't the same. The warmth had left her, and she wasn't smiling anymore. Her heart was still. The tears that were shed that day could have formed an ocean around us.
That was then, and this is now. Now, I have you. A new friend, a new life. A different world. I'll always have the memories of her, but you and I aren't finished. We're still writing our story. We're still making memories. I fear the same thing that happened to her happening to you. I know one day, it will. It happens to everyone one day, but I hope that with you it will be different. That I'll at least get to say one last goodbye. But for now, you're right here, by my side. The sound of your beating heart reminds me that you're still here. It reassures me, and it helps me not to be so scared anymore.
When the world becomes mad and chaotic, I listen for the sound of your beating heart and retreat into the sanctuary of you and I. The noise, the madness, the chaos, all disappears and I'm left with you. Just you and me, set free from it all in our own little world. The sound of your beating heart is comforting, and it helps me to take a pause and just be, even if it's only for a moment.
As unfortunate as it is, the sad reality is that you can't hide, you can't escape. At least, not forever. At some point, we'll have to emerge from this little bubble of ours. And when we return, to the madness and the chaos of the world beyond, I know your heart will help. The sound of your beating heart will ground me when I may otherwise have quickly become lost among it all. The steadiness of it's rhythm will help me believe that everything will be calm again, sometime soon. Until then, I have you and the sound of your beating heart to help me through.
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