He would love her forever. Standing over her grave now he knew it as surely as he knew his own name. Letting go wasn't even an option. She was in his heart, a permanent resident, no vacancies, a lifetime lease. Her wildness had infected him and her spirited independence made him proud that she had chosen him to share even a portion of her life ( Read more... )

I suppose you're all wondering why I invited you here.

I figured the only way to get this done was to call this meeting, so never let it be said that I'm afraid to confront my feelings. That's the reason for this gathering. I need to say my piece so y'all can just grab a drink, have a seat and hear me out. You belong to me, so you damn well ( Read more... )

It has to be perfect. Every detail has to shine! If I mess this up there won't be a do-over... no mulligans on a gaff like that. I need to find a spot so perfect her breath will be taken...

A pothole rudely interrupted his train of thought as his SUV bounced down the overgrown dirt road. He smiled and imagined how funny it would be driving ( Read more... )

My body breaks. It folds and creaks and barely contains the spirit inside it. Daily battles to keep it on an even keel have become the 'just how it is' of my life. And it's good. “Ill advised” was the catch phrase when he came to be. A gorgeous bundle of cells, draining my resources, but filling my heart. Potential personified, his little heartbeat ( Read more... )

He was ready to marry her before they shared their first conversation. He blew in off the road that night, wasted and worn. He wanted a shower, a coffee and to wait until his hours rolled back over so he could finally shed this load of cars he was pulling and get onto the next haul. When he laid eyes on her, a thunderclap of clarity smashed his ( Read more... )

LJ Idol 10: Topic 15: Patchwork Heart

There's something about my heart

that has always needed mending.

So many hands over time

have been responsible for it's tattered state.

Some stretched it beyond it's capacity,

rending pieces away...

others carefully stitched lines with zigzag love.

Time has offered layers of batting

as well as the wear and tear of ( Read more... )

we touched the skies

while walking in clay

greedy for every step

on trails beyond

our familiar terrain in

urban landscapes

we marched along

paths unseen by human eye

for decades past

and shared together

the secrets that come from

complicit silence

lying in darkness

couched in beds of denial

shadows dancing in flickering light

philosophical fortresses

( Read more... )

LJ Idol 10: Topic 12: Salty

I knew as soon

as I could smell

the passionflowers

on the balmy night air

when white satin wind

caressed your strawberry

curls and wrapped them

into my memory

a strand of beach lay

colorless in moonlight

before us

a blanket covered in the result

of cheap wine and priceless

courage

to try

and try again

until we found each other

tidal ( Read more... )

LJ Idol 10: Topic 11: The Blue Hour

Every day was a struggle. She knew it didn't have to be, but she preferred it that way. Clifton would have said she was being cantankerous. He would have been right and they would have laughed and laughed. Then he would pat her cheeks, cradling them like she was made of china and kiss her nose from bridge to tip.

( Read more... )

LJ Idol 10: Topic 10: Take a Hike

Even after 30 years gone, I can still hear the raspy drawl of my great grandmother calling me to supper. Her tiny four square house was filled with the lingering fragrance of the back to back Winston cigarettes she smoked... along with day old coffee, bacon grease and fresh, hot biscuits. If food is love, my ( Read more... )