penned in moon dust

It Never Rains… #California #HappyNewYear

“So this is Sunny So Cal. “

“Welcome – we’ve had better days. Right now you can’t see the sun. Pollution always prevents you from seeing it from several parts of LA but the beach is beautiful.”

” What’s that smell?”

“Hmm well we are very close to the ocean and presently there is beach scum a weird phenomenon probably caused by reversed global polarity.”

“Yeah we have noticed in the East that our weather is off but we never smell anything like that.”

” Let’s skip the trip to the coast today. There are other places that I thought you might take me . How about Disney?”

“Yes that’s always a good place to visit but they have posted the limits and the park is already full for the next week.”

” How is that possible?”

” People stay or they are waiting in line until their turn comes up. Ya know we could go north. There are some great wineries once we get out of the valley.”

” I heard many of the best wineries were burned by that last fire y’all had.”

” Oh you mean the So/ North fire? It started in a small forested area but now it connects the no and some of the state. That’s why the air looks brown.”

” I wondered what that burnt smell was. Kind of a combo of over burnt marshmellows and plaxtic mixed with…

“”Well there are many great restaurants in our area. You name it they have it.”

” American?”

“Oh yeah there’s a greasy spoon drive in that’s open.”

” No not really into grease but I do like Middle Eastern.”

” Hmm yes we had a wonderful place the dishes are wonderfully spicy. Someone burned it to the ground. What about seafood? “

“After smelling the seascum I think Ill pass It’s probably radioactive.”

” Well I have a loaf of bread and a can of tuna at my home.”

” Where’s that? “

“Out toward the dessert.”

” Isnt that flames?”

“Well yes yes. We have been evacuated Ive been living in my car. Hmmm How about the airport?”

” Good idea. I think I’ve seen all the best parts of LA. “

“Well please come back and bring some clean air and water with you…”

***

2020 was a crazy year. Hoping that there’s air to breathe and water to drink in 2021 and that Cali gets a break from …

Borrowed Time #poetry #perspective

“Just living,” she frowned at the wrinkles etching her face.

“There’s no time left,” he drew a circle in the sand.

Both had seen so many sunsets they seemed to watch this one as if it were their last.

“You have to put in the numbers,” a little boy ran up with a stick.

The elderly couple watched as the boy made the circle into a clock.

“We still have a few more hours to play.” A little girl tried to sound very grown up through her lisp.

“Let’s build a castle with a moat.” Another grandchild had her shovel and bucket in tow.

“What a beautiful way to watch the sunset.” The grandmother’s face lit up like the dawn as the weight of time disappeared.

“Yes – together…” He lovingly grabbed her hand.

We live in times of uncertainty. Are we alone in this? No! We are not the only generation or time period that has more questions than answers. We must face challenges with strength not fear. Happy New Year.

O Little Town #MerryChristmas

The days were dark

and frightful cold.

A harsh regime

or so I’m told

They feared the worst

hoped for the best

how so like now

no time to rest

but they forged on

with hearts so true

O Bethlehem

what do we do?

For these are times

unsure at best

we pray we beg

yes, give us rest

disease and hate

rule in our day

how so like centuries

so far away

This hope we trust

is there for all

an animal’s trough

a dirty stall

a savior for

each, every, ALL

O little town of Bethlehem
How still we see thee lie
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by
Yet in thy dark streets shineth
The everlasting Light
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee tonight

For Christ is born of Mary
And gathered all above
While mortals sleep, the angels keep
Their watch of wondering love
O morning stars together
Proclaim the holy birth
And praises sing to God the King
And Peace to men on earth

How silently, how silently
The wondrous gift is given!
So God imparts to human hearts
The blessings of His heaven.
No ear may his His coming,
But in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive him still,
The dear Christ enters in.

O holy Child of Bethlehem
Descend to us, we pray
Cast out our sin and enter in
Be born to us today
We hear the Christmas angels
The great glad tidings tell
O come to us, abide with us
Our Lord Emmanuel.

Dragon Mask #raisingadragon #Covid — Dragon Tails and Scales

“Em when are we going to be able to take our masks off?” “Drag I don’t know they are a bother aren’t they?” “YES. There is no opening for pizza and you know how much I love pizza.” “Silly dragon. You can take your mask off when you eat.” “I can?” “Yes and when you […]
Dragon Mask #raisingadragon #Covid — Dragon Tails and Scales

Just One Cookie #Christmas #Joy

He really wasn’t a Scrooge he just didn’t like giving gifts.

He wasn’t a mean guy he just didn’t like people.

Then there came a day when a little boy maybe 2 or 3 rushed up to this man who had seen the underside of war and needed a bottle to sober him.

“Mister, mister please come look at the tree with me. I love lights.” Before the man could object the little boy grabbed the man and pulled him down the hallway toward the Christmas tree.

Many of the vets who lived at the hospital were sharing eggnog and cookies.

“I love Christmas cookies.” The little’s boy’s eyes lit up.

“Well let us have some then my friend.” The man’s face was less pinched.

I watched as my little boy sat on the lap of this man. He couldnt stop talkign and the man didnt seem to mind the chatter.

When we finally had to go, My boy said “same time next week?”

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

What would the world be without the joy, wonder and kindness of children?

***

” For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”

Isaiah 9:6

Wishing a Merry Christmas to Family and Friends near and far!!!!

Narrow #photography #challenge

walk these halls

resonant voices of the past

empty now

I found this one day when I was operating the elevator in the Smithsonian. I wanted to explore but I had to let my camera do what I could not.

Thanks City Sonnet for the month long challenge. Today’s prompt “narrow”

The Day She Wore Red #microfiction

It promised to be a beautiful day full of white lace and champagne toasts. The dress swished as she walked. Like a princess she smiled at her entourage of hope. Handsome men were clad in grey and they waved to the bridemaids across the corridor. The chords of beautiful music floated from the chapel as the doors were opened … waiting.

“Here’s you bouquet.” The bride inhaled the beauty of the day.

“This is your course unless…” a family member looked more solemn than she should.

“What can go wrong?” the bride wanted to fling her bouquet toward happy tomorrows.

The day and everything about it was perfect.

****

She opened her gift as he went to get champagne for a toast. In it was a cold gray blade that mirrored the flicker of candlelight. A note was caressing it.

Slit your throat and make an easy end or your life. Or choose that each day will be torment and hell. ~ A

“Who would slit their throat?” she gasped back tears that were supposed to be relishing future happiness.

“There is one other option.” She heard a whisper in the crackles of the fire. “His instead of yours.”

With her head in her hands, she reached a resolution.

“What groom would want his bride to take her life?” She looked at the knife and slipped the note in her corset.

He came in rather unsteady with a bottle in hand. A look of surprise that she wasn’t lying dead on the floor; instead she was clothed in black leather.

“You have decided then.” He laughed a nepharious cackle.

“Yes” she slid the sharp blade silently against a bulging jugular.

“Here dear this belongs to you.” She deftly place the knife in his right hand and tucked a note into his pocket. It explained that he could not continue a life where he was trapped with a woman he did not love.

“Can’t get this soiled.” White lace was folded and carefully put in a pillow case. She slipped into her red travelling dress glad that he had told her he liked red headed lovers. The wig presented an excellent disguise.

“I’m glad you insisted on red.” she whispered to her husband as she slid into 4 inch red stilettos.

She left the black riding whip on the bed stand. “For another time perhaps…”

Cream Meeting Place #photography #Uganda

It’s noon

sun radiates on cars and people

place to meet

swamp flower

radiant beauty like the sun

lovely Uganda

I marvel at the beauty of Uganda. Her people are also very industrious. The cars (top picture) are used for meeting places out of the sun. Children also get out of the heat and pretend they are driving even when the cars are stacked on top of each other – think of the view.

Thank you Cee Neuner for a community where photographers share beauty and life… This week’s prompt is cream or white colour.

Defaced #poetry

I stand awaiting your approval

a fresh finished canvas

anticipating the final touch

but you the artist are unsatisfied

rather than a final wash of color

a knife rips through the center

displacing form and hope

dangling from the frame

I hear the sound of

drip drip drip

paint leaves its mark

indelible is bold crimson

on the floor where I once stood

a blot that can never be removed

but really what does all this ruin matter

for all that I was is done

dreams slashed

the palette dries

ugly hue the color of mud

and I can neither look up or down

I am a flailing bit of ruined possibilities

Do you ever look at something you’ve archived? Whether a drawing, a painting, or a poem some are worth excavating. This is such a poem that has possibilities.

Monochrome Beauty #photography #flower

Many thanks to City Sonnet for the photo challenge for November. Today is a shot in Monochrome