It never failed. I was never surprised anymore. I walk out here with my fleece throw, my cup of coffee in hand, and sit on the bench overlooking the lake. Then, without question, there he is, always soaring high above the lake fog. I swear I can see the wink of his eye as he turns that white head in our morning meetings. Sometimes, although I'm wrapped in a throw and enjoying my hot wake-up juice, I can feel myself soarin...

Megan sat cross-legged on her bed, the math book for her master's program open in her lap, when she heard the gunshot and Freeman's yelp. He had no time to protect or react. Not even the slightest growl. She sprang up from her position and shook uncontrollably, unable to move, knowing he was in the house. Her room door was closed, but not locked. She needed to lock it, but the shakes had a hold of her. Megan knew it was o...

Every night, I lay in my cardboard box and listen to the train whistle in the distance. It was a train that I used to ride all the time, but now I am all by myself in a little square area that I call my own. I guess I should not say alone. There are several more around me. Just like me. Homeless. These are my friends now. Francine, she's to my left. Hector, that old hole-ridden wool hat on his head, is on my right. Past t...

Hannah looked out the window of her high rise New York apartment over to Liberty Island. The Statue of Liberty was delicately lit as it stood gracefully in place, protecting citizens. The haze of the cool night drifted around the grand lady giving her a hue that only suited her. But her flame shone brightly and could be seen for miles. Hannah just loved how the view gave her a sense of security. Somewhat. Hannah was fresh...

Janie turned onto the old gravel road and stopped. The old cruel memories she left thirty years ago came flooding back and made her almost turn around and head back to New York to beg for her job she had just quit a week ago. At that time, she felt it was the right thing to do. Now, she was not so sure. She had not seen her mother since she left that dreadful day. Now she was getting ready to travel down the long gravel r...

The morning pond fog wrapped around the dock as it jutted out into it with peaceful serenity. Alicia Faye stood on the end of the dock and felt the pond fog's mist slowly drift around her bare ankles, stinging them with little needle prick droplets. She stood in the cool morning air, draped only in her robe, drinking her black coffee as she watched the sun rise over the top of the loblolly pines surrounding the private po...

The old cars all pass by in minute intervals as I stare out the bay window of what is now my Momma's old country store. Red ones, blue ones, gray ones, and white ones all motor by at almost a snails pace. It makes me smile to watch them with a hopeful feeling.Granddaddy, now that he retired from The Country Hearth, the store he founded and just six months ago turned over to Momma to run, sits in his rocking chair out fron...

The warmth of my bare bodySmothers yoursAs you lay there tenderlyUntil the fairySprinkles sleepIn your eyes. My fingers intertwineWith yoursAs our hearts beatThe only spoken wordsWe hearAs we lay in a peaceful heap. The rhythmic poundingFrom the sweet musicOur blood pumpers makeResonate a soundThat reverberatesFeelings that onlyWe understand. As you sleep,I watch your chestRise and fall slowly.Each breath you take, then s...

She likes to run with the horses in the pasture. As the wind blows through their manes, She feels it blow gently through hers. She can feel the ground vibrate From their hooves trampling the land Where they roam and graze As freely as they can. She loves to hear the horses neighing As they sing their nature song. She joins with her own call of the wild That makes her one of them Running gracefully in the breeze Bowing and...

They had the kind of love everybody wished to have. It was the kind where words unspoken between them told on their faces. One look and they knew what each other was thinking.Acelynn met Jagger when she was twenty-one. Jagger was twenty-eight. They dated for two years before getting married. During those two years, they fell madly in love. It was a time when they grew close and learned each other’s ways. All their friends...

"I knew I'd find you here. Taylor, you've got to learn to let go. It doesn't matter how many times you visit, she's not coming back.""Don't you know I know that, Kaley! God, you don't have to keep reminding me!" Taylor answered in an angered voice."Taylor, I am only trying to help.""Kaley, the only way you can help me is by digging her up, putting me in the casket with her, and burying me alive with her until I join her t...

Vacations were far and few between for this family, so when Daddy had a chance to take one, he jumped at it. I cannot remember the last time we took one. But then again, I am only eleven.I was sitting in the back seat of our old beat up jet black Volvo Station Wagon with my little brother. He was licking his cherry lollipop and his lips were red because he played with it more than sucked it. I just wanted to grab it and t...

The ocean's wavesCall out your nameEach time They crash to the shore.The beating voiceFrom nature's ployReverberates softly Filling my lost soul.The rushing soundKeeps hammering downMemories put away Long ago.The receding wakeNever gives and only takesAway again what's already gone That I won't ever get back.Yet it's peaceful here,'Cause I still feel you nearAll around me With each rolling slap.Your spirit slowly driftsAl...

White,Full of life on a dewy morningThe blossom heavy with the droplets of crisp air.Peaceful,The velvety petal glistens gracefullyIn the slow cool of the sunrise.Swaying,The slender stem moves gentlyAs the breeze blows quietly around it.Alone,Surrounded by the sounds of natureIts leaves spread to take in the moment.Beauty,In all its glory he watches carefullyEvery day that it opens and blooms.Dusk,Settles quietly closing...

I The silos were all so visible as I traveled the road taking me to the Ketler’s farm. Like giant missiles, they rose into the air like tin gods ruling the very ground that grew the grain they were meant to hold. Not only were they the only edifices on the landscape, but there were also many barns and plantation houses, three-quarters of which were enclosed by white picket fences. It was a picture perfect moment as I drov...