I didn’t want to fight. I wasn’t made for battle, I was made to sit on a throne and be quiet and pretty.
When my brother ran in, he was already mortally wounded and died in my arms.
His blood was the anger I needed to pick up his sword and fight back.
A rebel entered. Had I been empty handed, he may have left, but I was armed, and he engaged me.
His sword came down, and I saw the faces of my people in his blade.
I hacked and stabbed and finally killed him.
But all for nothing.… Read the rest
“Tell me, was I just another pawn in your elaborate game of chess?”
“You were, but unlike the other pawns you managed to become my queen.”
“I am not your queen! I have no crown; she got your crown!”
“But you get me. You get my nights my mornings, my kisses, my hugs and love. You get all of that, she gets none of it.”
“Games! It’s just games you play and nonsense you speak!”
“No, my love, no, you are the queen of my heart.”
“But not by name, so I will never sit by you on your throne.”… Read the rest
We walk up the old wood path that is obscured by mist, which makes everything colored in a haze of green reflected from the lush trees.
“We should turn back,” Micah said.
“No, we’re too close, it’s right here.”
And it was. They’d reached the tree they searched for, and knocked three times on its bark.
A hidden door swung in and bright light emanated from within. Cheney proceeded directly inside while Micah tried and failed to stop her.
He was glad he did.
They’d found the ancient, secret library of the mystics, and now everything in it was theirs.… Read the rest
I’ve traveled incomparable distances through space and time to be you.
I’ve seen all the things that you’ve missed: the dinosaurs, the Neanderthal’s (who say hello), the Romans, the rise of Nazis, the fall of America.
(Oh wait, you’re not missing that, you’re living it.)
Within you are billions of years of time getting your back, making your spine tall and strong as a planet of its own, what everything else is tied to, to make you.
You will never see me, even if you think you do, that shimmer on your skin is your own glow, babydoll. Shine on.… Read the rest
The days we went to the beach and searched for sea glass, the days we spent at new breweries, the days we hung around campsites – it was days like these that made me miss you a deadly amount.
Deadly, by which I mean, I felt like I wanted to be dead without you; I didn’t think I could live without you.
I couldn’t live knowing you were out in the world, in a place where I couldn’t touch you and love you.
Despite what you think or want to believe, I believe you are mine, and you always will … Read the rest
I remember the days when the rain would fall and we would dance on the sidewalks all the way home.
The ground glittered like diamonds under our feet and made us feel like royalty even when we pushed the revolving door into the dump of the hotel.
We’d stagger up stairs because the elevator has been broken for years and then collapse onto empty, itchy duvet covers.
How gross, how ridiculous, how sure I am those were the best days of my life, and none better will ever come.
How often I close my eyes and come back to you.… Read the rest
She went up like Dorothy would have, had she not gone to Oz.
Up up up into the sky, into the place where angels live in the clouds, that’s what Dad taught her, that the people we love will always be there watching over us.
Well, who was watching over her when she rose up only to come crashing back to the earth and be buried under a pile of awful?
She didn’t see anyone in the clouds, and she didn’t think anyone was watching over anyone.
It felt empty up there, like the inside of her heart always did.… Read the rest
Getting ready for work, I have a smile on my face and a lightness in my step and in my heart that is unusual for this time of morning.
I have coffee, get dressed, get to the office early and have a great day.
I go home, have dinner, chill with the people I love, and get into my nice, warm bed.
There’s nothing amiss, there’s nothing to complain or worry about or fear.
I am able to slide between the sheets and fall asleep without being scared for anyone at all.
Cable news went off the air this week.… Read the rest
“Well, you’re not what I expected.”
“Bow to me!”
“Yeah, no, I don’t think I’m gonna do that.”
“You are a servant of God!”
“Yeah, no, I’m actually not.”
“You mock me?”
“Yeah. Are you the one in charge around here?”
“I rule the land and seas and sky.”
“Okay, well, you’re doing a really shit job of it. The air is polluted, the seas are filling with garbage, and the land is either flooding or on fire at any given time. Plus, we have millions of people fighting in wars over land… or God.”
“I need a fucking vacation.”… Read the rest
“I can’t believe you agreed to do this, grandpa!”
“I have the time now, sweetheart.”
“You sure you’re up for this?”
“Well, I won’t let you go it alone, kiddo.”
“Who’s first?”
She stepped right up to the door and gave me the thumbs up before she jumped and was out of sight.
The man strapped to my back started pushing me toward the door.
“Now that she’s out, I don’t really have to go, I’m fine,” I said.
“You’re fine? Let’s rock and roll!”
I didn’t jump out of a plane, he did.
I was along for the ride.… Read the rest