Journey from Paradise Part I - Island Holiday The view that she’d get when the passenger jet made a bank for its final approach was a fine sight to see even though it would be through a small plastic portal in coach. The isle – but a strand, was surrounded by sand and encased in a halo of green that feathered to blue with the translucent-hue of an ocean so clear and pristine. She held on to Kent as they made their descent...

A desolate land with its rivers of sand that would burn ‘neath Arabian sun was the crown for a jewel that was needed for fuel – made the cars and the factories run. But the tribes didn’t brood for the oceans of crude that would lie in the pockets below – since they harbored no need, they were quick to concede when the West brought their mountains of dough. Plans would be laid and agreements were made, while the land becam...

Homeland He greeted the dawn with a stretch and a yawn, then he crawled from his canvas abode – a roof for some thatch that was heavily patched, so the rain wasn’t stopped – only slowed. His johns were still wet from the soaking they’d get as he slept on the irriguous ground – though he harbored desire for the warmth of a fire, any smoke would ensure they were found. The get-up-and-go from a hot cup of joe, was the way he...

Dead Horse Creek Based on a story by Rich Eskew In nineteen and ten, five adventurous men headed out to the treacherous cold – and propelled by their hope, would engage the North Slope in pursuit of their fortunes in gold. So ‘Big Bill’ was there with his buddy ‘Sinclair’ and a guy they referred to as ‘Slick’ – there was ‘Roger McCoy’ and another old boy that his buddies would call ‘Yukon Dick’. But none of the five were...

Amber Rae Amber Rae was born that way, with eyes so big and blue, with golden hair and skin so fair – as soft as morning dew. Painted toes of scarlet-rose her sandals couldn’t hide – behind would sail the ponytail her older sister tied. Amber liked to ride her bike the mile or so to school when traffic flow was fairly slow – on mornings dry and cool. Before her trip, she’d stop to clip some blooms for Mrs. Berne, the smal...

Discovery Back in my youth, while pursuing the truth – I enrolled in a program designed to remove life’s mystique through a formal critique of the body, the soul and the mind. Attendees would dwell at a local hotel, in a function of fifty or more comprised of a blend of both women and men who were seeking a path to explore. The place of affair was constructed with care, not a detail was left unaddressed – the chairs were...

The Call It comes as a shock – when you glance at the clock, it’s an hour that no one should call, but the name on display gives the caller away – so you answer the phone after all. The voice you detect isn’t who you expect and your slumberous brain starts to clear as the desperate tone that you hear on the phone sends a message no parent should hear. That message, though short, is a tragic report that’s so thunderous, vi...

Lover’s Leap Annabelle had cast a spell on the one she’d grown so fond – her feelings clear since their junior year, as seniors – and beyond. Little Joe, as friends would know, had found his love for life and soon he’d tell his Annabelle – she’d make the perfect wife. He took her to their favorite view – a place called Lover’s Leap, where legend told – a shattered soul had sought eternal sleep. Was not the first she’d bee...

The Cottage I took a strand of mountain land where no one’s built before – on earth that’s piled a quarter mile above the valley floor. A patch of ground beyond the sound of busy humans’ tread – where breeze’s sway and birds of prey are sounds you’ll hear instead. A place to be where I can see, amongst the falls and streams – a cottage hewn from wood and stone, and shored with timber-beams. A roof of shake with ample rake...

The Pair He sat in the shade at the start of fourth grade, with a head that was polished and bare – watching us boys making laughter and noise but unwilling to join the affair. I wasn’t sure why he would capture my eye, why he stood out from all who were there – perhaps looking down at his smooth shiny crown, I was moved by his absence of hair. The vibes he would send said he needed a friend, but his feelings, he’d never...

Hillbilly R.I.F. The monthly report said their bookings were short and their backlog was starting to suck, it was easy to glean why the orders were lean in an industry down on its luck. Their financial guy said their costs were too high, that they’d need an alternative course – but they could be redeemed if the management team would commence a Reduction-In-Force. No one could know the direction they’d go or a panic was bo...

Collar Foul-weather suits and utility boots, heavy denim and stiff leather gloves, hot summer sweat, maybe freezing or wet – the conditions that no worker loves. Solid and fit since there’s no time to sit, tough as nails from laborious toil, permanent stains from the days when it rains and it mixes with clay-laden soil. You work ten a day for a week’s worth of pay and you seldom come down from the top – you keep up the pa...

The Boss Worn-out shoes, rejection-blues – she’d felt her share of pain, her time in grade and dues she’d paid – it seemed were all in vain. And then she learned her luck had turned – an offer came her way, a late reply – an HR-guy had read her resumé. The long commute and crowded route had put her way-behind, to run astray her maiden-day was not the way to shine. Like hell on wheels – in hose and heels, she crossed the p...

Social Media I’ve often been told it’s a risk to enroll in the sites that so many attend – where you create a page as a way to engage any members you choose to befriend. With a list that contains over two billion names, it’s a good bet there’s someone you know, you’re bound to get bites if you cast some invites – your connections are certain to grow. They’re media tools where there aren’t many rules, where the residents c...

The Business Traveler I set my alarm like I work on a farm – I just can’t afford to be late to embark on my tour to the airport de jour and the gauntlet from here to my gate. On arrival, I find – the security-line would take me an hour or more if my premium-clout didn’t shorten my route with a special executive-door. It’s one subtle perk for people who work, – where flying is part of the game, where the passenger-scene is...