I’ve come to this place
to ease my mind
to smile at the chatter of birds
to feel a tender breeze
and listen to the silence
of tall trees
it’s as if this place
is here just for me
to soothe my spirit
ease my mind
and free my thoughts
but today I struggle to
find comfort here
worry fills my head
a jumble of concern
and cluttered words
as I sit disheartened
the warmth of the sun
peeks through the treetops
and in the far off distance
I hear a train whistle
now watching leaves flutter and squirrels chasing…
walking out into
the gusting wind
sharp snow crystals
bite and sting my face
with my hood up
and gloves pulled snug
I dip my head
to start the journey
deep in the woods
I find the Noble fir standing tall
as it was last year
and the year before that
reaching into my pocket
I retrieve a small bundle
and unwrap it with care
though my parka is bulky
I stretch up as far as I can
suspending the gift
from a sturdy branch
closing my eyes
I recite the blessing
“thank you for bringing beauty to the forest…
The sun reflected so brightly off the snow that Jessica needed to put on her sunglasses. Fumbling for the case in her backpack, she found the Ray-Bans and easily slipped them on. She’d decided to buy only the best since treating herself to Lasik surgery last year. Now she thoroughly enjoyed the freedom of not having to wear glasses.
Jess looked up toward the cabin and hiked her backpack up onto her shoulder. The snow must have been at least two feet deep and completely covered the gravel driveway all the way from the main road to the cabin. Setting…
Picking up the box of candy Valentine hearts from her chair, Danielle took a seat in the classroom. At the age of 45, she’d decided to take a college physics class. In high school she’d always been the nerdy type. But, after one year of college, her boyfriend had convinced her to give up on a degree and get married. So now divorced for two years and her son away at an out-of-state university, she decided it was time to get back out into the world. Danielle thought finishing her degree might be just the thing.
Starting off slow, she…
Dear Private Note Sender:
Thank you for politely informing me about the typo in my story. I sincerely mean that. But, I have a question for you, “Why no claps?” I mean, what the shit!?!? You obviously read the whole thing since you pointed out the error. But I’ll ask again “Why NO claps?!?!?”
Thank you for pointing out the error. It was appreciated and I said as much in my response to your private note with a heartfelt “Thank you!” …