Matches

   Getting angry is like striking a tiny match. It is fire but usually short lived. True some matches are longer than others, but in time the flame still burns out. No matter the strength of the flame it will burn out and in time you forget why you were ever mad. Maybe after a few minutes, a few months or a few years. Maybe you won't forget about why you were mad but the anger usually dies out with the match. But if we aren't careful about what we do with our matches we cause damage that outlives the matches, and even the memory of the anger itself. If we don't watch our matches we burn the people around us and they won't forget the burns left from the matches. Too many burns leaves a lasting impression of the type of person we are choosing to be in the world. We remember the burns that we receive and hardly remember the burns we leave in the wake of our  short lived angers.

   Until the people of this world start worrying more about the burns we are causing instead of the ones we are receiving the world won't change for the better and will slowly spiral down into bigger flames of anxiety, fear, sadness, segregation, discrimination, contempt, corruption, hatred, violence, and pain.  Which threatens our future as a people. These fires are just as dangerous as the ones scattered across the world consuming our forests and lands.

   We owe it to ourselves to strive for a world of tranquility, courage, happiness, acceptance, tolerance, fairness, understanding, affection, justice, love, peace and well-being.

We deserve to thrive. To prosper.

Mind the matches, forgive the burns.

Mine

   The moment I saw him I wanted to be with him. He was everything I needed. Everything  I didn't know I would want. He was always smiling. Surrounded by people. I used to watch him play football with his friends. Always laughing. All of the girls I knew would talk about him. They all wanted him just like I did. He was often on my mind during class and passing periods. I used to search the halls as I walked to just catch a glimpse of his face.

  He graduated and I didn't see him in the halls anymore.  

  

  Halloween 2 years later. We were both invited to the same party. I only went in hopes of seeing him. I didn't dress as anything in particular. Just a long beautiful midnight blue halter dress covered in glitter. I walked up the stairs and there he was. He was an undead biker. My heart was racing. He walked over to me. My insides could have won the Gold medal in gymnastics. He was talking to me. I almost could hear a word he said because of the ringing in my head, the music in my mind. We hung out together the rest of the night with my sister and her husband. I was so nervous I can't hardly remember what movies were even on He held me in his arms as we watched movies all night. I was so nervous. I kept praying he couldn't feel my heart pounding so hard through me. During one of the movies he kissed me and it was sweet. The best first kiss ... ever.

   Two days later he asked me to come over and watch a movie. During the end credits he asked me to be his girlfriend. It was a dream come true. My crush, who I was so shy and afraid to talk to wanted me to be his. It was the best feeling in the world. Little girls who daydream of fairy tales can never imagine the pure sweetness of the real thing.

  He is my crush, my knight in shining armor, my love with a trouble and a boat, my protective hunter in an Impala, my farm boy who does as I wish, he is my Montague, my boy who was looking for a star.

Best of all is he is mine.

A second line

   It all starts with a second line. Your heart starts racing, your mind goes blank, then crashes into a million things you never worried about before, and you know never will stop. You feel slightly dizzy and your palms get sweaty. Your insides get excited and nervous all at once. You share it with your most loved ones. Your belly begins to ache.You get tired, sick and sometimes sad. Your belly slowly grows. And then like a tiny trapped butterfly a tickle comes from inside. The next day another flutter. The flutters turn into kicks. Soon your tummy is too big, that every movement hurts. Until the day you struggle through so much pain, fear, anxiety, and hope.

  Then all at that moment. The world stops. The people buzzing around you blur. And they're all you can see. Two tiny swollen eyes trying to see for the first time, on a tiny wrinkled face. All you feel is pure love. There is nothing in this world comparable. The small fingers hold tight to yours. The sweet smell of their soft skin. All you want is to hold them like this forever, regardless of the labor you just went through. 

   The nights grow into each other as the sleeplessness of constantly tending to every need. Every stir, every cry, every diaper and feeding. These days and nights feel like the end. The pain of lack of sleep leaves you feeling desperate, and at times hopeless. That tiny life keeping you going, even when you didn't think you could. But then the nights and days return to some version of normal. You begin to catch more sleep. But then you see it one day. They rolled over. And it floods your heart with joy and sadness. Soon will be sitting, crawling, walking, running. The baby bubbles and spits slowly evolve into a word and then another. Then those words become sentences, and those turn into fantastic conversations of toddler randomness. Seasons slowly pass. Still slower than how fast they grow. Soon the onsies are packed and gone replaced with normal shirts. The pants no longer fit. They  need shoes they can walk in. 

   Then it happens and the last bit of them being an infant is abandoned for underpants. They aren't a baby any more.Your heart aches. It is happening all too fast. They start a collection of bumps, bruises and scrapes as they better understand their bodies and the explorable world around them. Messes in the pet water and food. Mud pies in the back yards. Rain puddles to splash in. Everything in this world a wonder and a need for them to experience. Watching them grow before your eyes, helpless in keeping them little.

    The first day of Kindergarten, they smile and wave as they walk in without you. The first time in five years where they will depend on a stranger to teach and protect them. Tears sitting in your eyes screaming to be let out, your heart protesting the smile on your face and the wave in your hand. You watch every step they take into the school until you can no longer see them and you just want to run up to them grab them and take them home. Make the little years stay, but you know you can't.

   The days get easier letting them go. Because you know you will see them later. Homework piles around you. Stuff to be done, papers already graded and sent back home. The school year ends and you sigh a sigh of relief you get to be with them more again but, they're different. They are older. You spend every day of the summer with them. Soaking them in. Dancing in the rain, drawing chalk on the ground, learning to ride a bike or cuddling watching a movie. But its over too soon and school begins again. 

   One day it happens. The school days blend together, the summers shorten every year, as they grow taller. They go from wanting toys to more expensive things. They start worrying about what other people think of them. Your cute nonsense conversations grow into more sophisticated ones then taper of into grunts, yes', no's, wants and complaints. You pray everyday you are doing the best you can to teach them right. They begin to act different as they find themselves. They make good choices and bad choices.  No matter their mistakes. No matter how many times they break your heart. Still at the end of the day, you peak in on them as the sleep in their bed, and still see that sweet face from years before. And you can feel it, you love them more each day than the one before.

   Then you find yourself surrounded by strangers. Other parents, other siblings. There they are, there with all of their classmates. All dressed alike, caps and all. Tears of joy and sadness sit quiet waiting behind your lids. You are filled with so much happiness and pride on how far they have come. So sad that this part is now over. The years going by faster and faster and there is no signs of slowing. 

   They pack and leave for college, or to move into their very first apartment. You want to hold onto them and never let go. But you know they have to go. You see them rarely. They are so busy at school, or work. Growing into a functioning adult. Then they bring someone home and it's never who you would have thought, but once you see it in their eyes you know it's perfect. Later you see them in that isle, gazing into their loves eyes and you cry inside. Amazed at this wonderful person you not only made but sculpted.

   Then it ends and begins.Some time later with a phone call, or dinner about a second line.

   

Moments

   The sunset streaks oranges and pinks in waves across the sky like an ocean. The sparse clouds like sea foam. The heat settles in our skin, our only defense is the cool water from the wading pool. Splashes strike up laughter that had began early in the morning and continues to echo in the air. The sticky humidity begins to ease as the sky slowly darkens from pinks to purples. Chirping begins to sing along with the innocent laughter. Squeals and giggles as the water cools and thrashes around us. The scent of wet grass mingles with a sweet breeze. The gentle wind touches the flame on our skin and soothes it. Our slightly reddened skin finds refuge under the cooling dusk. Stars begin to shine, each slowly waking up to a new night. The chirp from our serenaders grows louder and the laughter persists. Tiny stars waltz around us. The pool grows still as we follow the steps of the stars among us. Damp grass smooth under foot tickles our ankles. Hand in hand we dance and spin, among the fireflies, laughing. The sound bringing joy to heaven. We only settle to enjoy a cold sugary treat. Sweet creams drip down our chins and onto our fingers. Laughing trying to catch the drips. The sky darkens and lightens with uncountable stars. Tiny gusts swirl around us and relieve remaining heat from the day. A few last splashes in the water before the grass pokes at our skin. Laying in the moist grass gazing up. Attempting the impossible of ever counting them all. Whispers and silent giggles barely heard through the chirps. As we dose we relinquish our fun and return home to sleep and dream of  these moments.
     Moments that last forever. Moments like this come all the time. Although they are hardly ever realized. Moments when time stops and the world just exists.

My love

  So I decided to take a small break from my short story about Layne and post a poem that I wrote for my husband for his birthday. But I ran into a snag or two so here are four poems (good or bad), dedicate to my sweet love James. Happy birthday love.

I tried this basic type of poem...

Everything to me

I was only seventeen,

You were all I ever wanted.

Already in love I fell deeper,

Now you're all I ever needed.

You are everything to me.

The light in my life,

The warmth in the cold.

You made me your wife.

You are a great husband,

And the best father.

You keep me happy,

Also our sons and daughters.

For the whole of time,

I'm yours, you are mine.

                                              I.L.

But I wasn't sure if it was right so I tried something a little different...

True Love

before you who was I

I didn't know true Love

until I fell for You

you're my everything James

I couldn't be happy without You

so important, you Are

the only one I love, The

truest love, the Best

love, so blessed you're my Husband,

my true love, you're My

other half of my Soul

you're my best friend, Mate.

you make me so Happy

have a great Birthday!

                                           I.L.

Still unsure I thought short and sweet might try a simple haiku...

Forever Love

Hand in hand my love

And together  forever

I'll always love you

                                   I.L.

A final attempt to write perfect words for this perfect (to me) man...

Just right

I tried to write you a poem,

But nothing was quite right.

They were all ho hum,

Everything off a slight.

I tried words that rhyme,

Even tried a haiku.

Tried with precise time,

But no words would ever do.

After time I realized,

Words cannot express.

They would only downsize

My love without finesse.

No one can truly know,

How you make my world go 'round

I can only show,

that my true love's found.

To my eternal love,

My blessing from above.

                                    I love you.

                                                 I.L.

I love you James, Happy birthday.

A Plume

   Thunder clapped against the sky. The girl shuddered. She knew something was out there in the night. Something that shouldn't be. A drip of cool water hit her cheek. Her eyes eased open. She slowly sat up, her whole body ached, especially her head.
  "Lay down and rest." a comforting voice said.

The girl quickly looked to the owner of the voice next to her. 

 "Aaliyah!" the girl shouted, throwing her arms around the woman.

 "Oh, Layne." she said, hugging the child tight. "I am so glad you're ok." Holding back a tear. 

Layne jumped at the boom of another crash of thunder. "Where are we?" she asked looking around.

Sitting together at the base of a large oak tree. Although all Layne could see was the black sky from the tiring storm, and the only light was the warm glow of Aaliyah and random crashes of lightning,she realized where she was she knew this tree. It was her tree far from everyone, on the far end of her family's property. It was her place she ran to when ever the world was too harsh. Her mother too sad, her father too absent, her sister and classmates too mean, her life too lonely. Rain dripped through the leaves. Sprinkling her with each passing breeze. She soaked in her sanctuary and sighed.

 "What happened?" the girl asked tears coming to her eyes.

 "The lightning grazed my arm, but was conducted away through my sword back at Cole. I'll be fine. Remember I can't die.You'd better be careful though, as she kissed a bruise above Layne's eye" the beautiful woman winced, squeezing the little girl close. 

 "Where is he?" the girl asked trying to see into the darkness.

 "I don't know but he isn't far."
 "Who is he?"
 "His name is Cole. He is yours, just as I am, we are also Dani's. We are drawn to you. He is after you because... it's who he is."

 "I don't understand. My what? Why does he want to hurt me? You don't want to hurt me. Does he want to hurt Dani?"

 "Everyone has their own guardian angel and personal demon. Because you and Dani are twins, you both are ours. He doesn't seem to be interested in Dani, but I'm not completely sure. He can't hurt you, or Dani. Only scare you, attempt to put you in danger, and hope for your pain and demise."

 "My demise?"

 "Death..."

Death. The word caught in the air. Stinging the throat of Aaliyah as she spoke it and the ears of Layne as she heard it.

 "Why? Why does he want me dead? I didn't do anything to him."

 "He is a cursed soul, we call his type a shadow, humans call them demons. You and Dani are his charge until the next comes along."

 "What?" Layne asked feeling overwhelmed. "He doesn't look like a demon. Aren't they supposed to be red with horns?" the girl asked, a small seed of fear building up in her.

 "No they look like us, angels, humans... we are all cut from the same cloth, made in the same mold. He only shows you what he wants you to see. It's his only power. Power of manipulation. No matter how big he makes himself he isn't what you see."

 "Wait... you said he can't hurt me, but he had me by the throat. It did hurt." Layne spoke. The taste of salt surprised the child as rebellious tear trickled into her mouth. 

 "He couldn't before... Something is special about you, different. You brought him into the physical world. He hasn't realized it completely yet. But your fear manifested him." the woman said looking far into the storm, a crease in her brow.

 "Manifest?"

 "Your fear made him real..."

 "What? How?" the girl began to panic.

 "Your hope brought me into the physical realm as well. You are very special. So don't worry. Nothing will happen to you. I am here with you. I always will be. You are safe." she spoke holding the girl close stroking her hair. Layne's fear quickly vanished in the warm embrace. The woman smelled sweet like honeysuckle. Her soft golden hair, brushed Layne's face and her eyes started to flutter and weigh. Aaliyah's warmth made everything feel safe. She reminded Layne of her few friends.

 "We need to get you warm and tucked in before the sun rises, your nan wakes and your mother comes home." the woman spoke, seeing the little girls nightgown was soaked and the sun was nearly up. She stood, lifting the child. Thunder sounded far off.

 The woman glared at the storm and the rain stopped. She began to walk.

 "What about the house? My bedroom door? What if Cole's there?" the concerned girl asked, her eyes  fighting to stay open.

 Aaliyah smoothed Layne's hair quietly shushing her.

 "All will be fine when we arrive home. Cole won't be there." the angel hoped.

Aaliyah walked tall and slow, through the wet grass from the tree to the farm house. The swaying rocked the girl to sleep just as they arrived at her home. Cautiously she walked into the old farm house. All though she told the girl he wasn't there, she wasn't so sure. The old wooden stairs creaked as she gracefully climbed them. With one touch of the girl's bedroom door the door was repaired. She eased the sleeping child into her bed. Touched the scorched mark on the wall from the lightning hours before, and it vanished without a trace. She brushed hair that had escaped the girl's braids from her face, and her hair and gown dried; her bruise above her eye healed. She pulled the covers up and over Layne.

The child stirred. Her eyes cracked open. "Don't go."

   Aaliyah stepped back from the bed, walked to the window and shut it. Standing on the wet wooden floor extended her beautiful white wings. So large that couldn't reach full length indoors. She plucked a single feather from her wing, walked to the girl and placed the large plume in her tiny hands.

 "Do you know why people put feathers in their pillows and bedding?" She asked the tired girl. Too tired to answer she shook her head, her eyes trying to stay open. "They put feathers in the places you sleep because birds fly through the heavens and angels bless their wings. The feathers keep you safe. Sleep now, you are safe. I will be back soon I am going to figure out what's going on. I have to find Cole. Sweet dreams." the angel said kissing the child on her forehead lulling Layne back to sleep, then vanishing in a cloud of shimmer.

A low whisper of laughter echoed up from the depths of the cellar.

To be continued ...

Writing prompt from http://hubpages.com/literature/365-creative-writing-prompts
21.Thunder clapped against the sky. The girl shuddered. She knew there was something out there in the night. Something that shouldn't be.

Layne

  The wind howled through the window. The girl sat huddling, hugging her knees waiting for the storm to be over. Darkness filled the room. She said she'd be back soon the girl thought to herself. Trying to hold onto the hope that begins to fade.The storm slowly grew darker and the clouds thicker. A strike of lightning streaked across the black sky with a loud boom shaking the old house. The girl jumps, and squeezes her legs closer to her. Shutting her eyes so tight the girl tries to lock out her fears. A tear escapes. "Where are you?" the shaking girl whispers. The rain starts coming down. Sprinkling through the open window. More lightning lights up the dark room. She scoots to the far corner from the window, into the darkness. 
 The girl gasps at a noise outside the bedroom door. She shallows her breathing trying to hide away into the shadows. Her heart beating faster and faster. Please be her, please be her. Please let her be safe. The girl thinks in her head. A loud thud against the door, the rain begins to poor in, soaking the old wood floor. As the fears win against hope, tears begin to run uncontrollably. The handle turns, the door creeks. A dark figure enters the room.  It's not her... it's not her. What do I do? The girl panic deep inside. The shadow steps into the room slowly scanning the room. A few more steps in, lightning strikes again and lights up the figures face. 
  It's him. Blood begins to rush fast through the girls face. Adrenaline pumps hard. Panic quickly turns in to despair. Alone. Her whole body shaking and sweating. Tears streaming down into her brunette braids. His gaze is slowly reaching around the room. He turns and his silver eyes focus on the girl. 
"There you are?" his velvet voice melts into her. 
" Leave me alone." She pulls her knees closer to her. 
"Oh come now, that's no way to speak to old friends, Layne."
Her streams of tears turn into full sobs. Sly salty tears make their way into her mouth dancing cruelly on her tongue. He begins to step closer to her. With each step a bolt of lightning reaches for the house. Her heart beating hard through her chest.
"Stay back." Lanye  warns. He stops.
"Oh look who's gained some courage since the last time we met. Although not much by the looks of it." he scoffs. " Come on Layne don't you like me? We're a perfect team. A young girl and eternal being." He mocks a pout that breaks into a chuckle.
"No, never!" she shouts. 
"But why? Don't you like how I look?" A grim grin spreads across his handsome face.  "Or would you prefer this?" And with that his body begins to morph into a large scaly monster with horns of a bull, his wide smile filled with sharks teeth. His fingers turn into claws only seen in nightmares. He grows to the ceiling, almost filing the room. His eyes as black as night. The smell of swamp fills the room.
 "No, leave me alone." her voice breaks as her throat swells with fear. Where is she? Come help me. Layne thinks to herself. 
 He chuckles deep. Takes a step closer. His enormous body shaking the room, booming louder than the thunder dancing outside.
 "You don't like this? How about this?" he snarled. Fur began sprouting from between the scales and lions tail as long as a full grown anaconda grew. Wiggling and slithering around behind him, almost with a mind of its own. His feet turned into large hooves. Two saber tooth fangs appeared in between some of the sharks teeth. The smell of wet dog mixes with the swamp stench, and makes her nose burn. He takes one final step to remove the gap between him and the child. He crouches down, inches from her face. Breathing hot, vile air on her face, searing her eyes. She closes her eyes and trying to bury her face further into her knees. 

  His deep laugh at her weakness, shakes her soul. Fear floods her mind drowning out the adrenaline, the hope, and any courage she had left.
 Her body shaking with sobs and almost no voice she tries to speak. "Why? Why are you doing this to me?"
 "I love it, it is who I am and I was made for this." he breaths.

  A creek from downstairs lights the last spark of hope inside the girl. Layne's eyes look towards the door just as the large creature lunges for it. It slams closed. He turns to Layne with a terrifying grin, a warm light passes by the bedroom. Shinning gold light under the door.

 "Aaliyah? Help me!" Layne screams desperately.

 Silence settled around the room, with the exception of the booming thunder outside, the pouring rain hitting the floor and the wind howling like a wolf through the window.
 The beast takes a step towards Layne. Then a beam of light sliced through the wooden door. A gleaming golden sword passes all the way through the wood and pierces the shoulder of the hideous beast casting it down to the floor. Writhing around, the shadow regains its original form of a sandy blond handsome man. The foul stench of the beast, wet dog and swamp disappear and are replace with the sweet smell of rain and honeysuckle.

 The sword disappeared back through the door, as it swung open. 
 "Aaliyah!" Layne screamed leaping to her feet. She ran to the opening door as quickly as she could. But not quick enough, the mans silver eyes dart to Layne just barely faster than he moves. He grabs the child. Kicking and screaming. Her tears return. "Aaliyah!" she screams again. Backing against the open window.
 A bare foot steps into the room. Golden soft skin. The figure of a beautiful woman stands in the door way. Her skin illuminating the room, suffocating the darkness.
 "Aaliyah, help!" The small girl shouts reaching with her arms. She wiggles and kicks trying to escape the arms of the shadow man. 
 "Cole, release her." Aaliyah said with a voice as soft as silk.
 "Hello, Aaliyah. Heaven looks good on you." he smirked.
 "Let the girl go, she's much stronger than you think. You have to let her go or you will ..." 
 "What? Die. We don't die." he laughed.
 "Yes you will die, or worse you will perish from existence." she spoke calmly.
 "What this little weakling? No human could ever have the power. Never has and never will." His left arm slid up around Layne's throat. She begins to pull at his arm in panic. 
 Aaliyah takes a step forward.
 "Don't move." Cole said.
 "Don't do this. Don't make your situation any worse on you than you already have." Aaliyah said as she continued to walk to the shadow. Lightning hitting right outside the window. Rain soaking the man and girl. Wind whipping around them..
Aaliyah raised her sword towards him. 
 "I will kill her if I have to." he seethed.
Layne struggling, her face pulsing with the pressure of blood and lack of oxygen. She begins to hear a ringing in her ears, her mouth feels dry and the room starts to blur.
 Aaliyah moved the tip of the beaming blade to Cole's throat.
 "Release her."
 "Never." he shouted as he lunged to the side with the child and commanded a bolt of lightning through the window at Aaliyah. Cole and Layne hit the floor. Her head hit hard, and the room grew fuzzy. What consciousness Layne had left, lost hope as the room went black.

To be continued...


Writing prompt from http://hubpages.com/literature/365-creative-writing-prompts

1. The wind howled through the window. The girl sat huddling her knees waiting for the storm to be over.