The Darker the Smoke

The pine tree over the back fence whispered, “I told you so”. Jean had once again fooled her brother into doing her weeding for her. “If you help me we can get this done then we will have more time to play.” Terrance heard an unspoken “together” after the word play. He had no idea …

Freedom Rings

Since early in my junior high school career I noticed a struggle that has continued to grow to the present day. The formal education process of all of the schools that I have attened since then has been one that has tormented me. It's not that I don't like learning but more that I struggle …

The Naming

Out of the past a memory crept as my focus blurred with the present and shifted to forgotten times. My son, married and with a wife and child on the way faded to a much younger blonde headed boy full of wonderment. This was my inventor, out trying to make a name for himself at …

Choices

“Do you regret anything?” It was one of those interview questions that had the gift to be able flash your life before your eyes in a matter of seconds. Everything I thought that I had ever done wrong was there. Everything others thought that I had done wrong made an entrance as well bubbling up …

Playing with Fire

I Feelthe fire scorching walls withinthe hammer of my soul forging the elements of myexperiencethe tempering of the water that washes awayunbound impuritiesI Knowthere is purpose to my creationthere is strength to be gathered through thisexperiencethere is forgiveness to be given and forgiveness tobe receivedI Amnot the anger I feelnot the hurt I feelnot the …

Return to Self

The adrenaline was pumping so hard that ear drums could be heard beating a steady, throbbing and loud warriors call. A small boy and his father stood before the manager of the store at the front end of the checkout counter. Father, sweating embarrassment and frustration, explained the disheartening tale to him. “My son took …

Dreams

I use to dream of standing in a river, a liquid breeze caressing my bare legs, the sound of the river rolling by as it dampened the sound of a nearby highway. Eyes focused upon the end of my line much like a wading heron would, waiting for some hint that fish were here before …

Newly Wed

Mid-day, mid-week. A polished cement floor. Stationary cart like a stationary skater of ice. A window from one life to another provides a glimpse of understanding. Much too old to be required to be in school. Far too young to no longer have a need to be at work. A list held like an instruction …

The Gathering Tree

Some stories don’t come easily. This is one of those.  North of here, beyond the five points, beyond the storms end, a solitary tree once grew in a wayside field. It sprouted long before the first settlers wagon blazed nearby and lived for more than the lifetime of a man.  Time slipped on countless rings as …