Memories in the Shadows

When I was young my mother would sing to me. she sang sweet and tender melodies, the same that play in my head even now. And every night she would kiss my forehead, wish me all the joy in the world, and turn me over to the night.

And as I laid there restlessly, dreaming of the perfect joy, I could hear my heart beating, pulsing for her love.Nothing in the world, could ever compare to the happiness and compassion my mother showed towards me.

From a very young age I had no father, just a mother and a little sister. Their love was all I needed to get me through.

Each day I would go to school, and each day I would return. And even though the days got worse and worse,I knew that somewhere was my mother and her love waiting for me back home.

There was a small wooden path behind our yard, and every day I would take a walk through the woods to find a quiet place to rest and think. I came upon this wide river one day, beautiful, bright green grass shadowed by brilliant enormous trees. (I realize today that the trees weren't so big, but back then they appeared monstrous compared to my small, young body)There was a long path of rocks creating a bridge across this small river, leading off to a place I have never seen before. It seems as if this bridge was made by man, yet so beautiful and elegant it almost seemed impossible that such a chaotic creature could create such splendor and beauty in nature's depths.

The water ran through the river like my thoughts through my head, always pushing forward, engulfing and over running the many rocks and hollow walls that bar the path ahead. I sit near the rocks, dipping my feet carefully in the cold, clear, water. I sit and dream, thinking of all the world I have ahead of me… all the fun times, the bad times, the lovers, the friends… all the things life brings you, from the beginning to the end.

I wonder if I'll ever have, a lover like my mother, and I wonder even more curiously, how could my father ever leave her behind?

She is so warm and caring, so beautiful and elegant, she never caused a fuss, and never ever yelled or cussed.And as I sit here now, thinking about my life back then- all the opportunities, that had come and gone all the dreams I had but lost… all the world was my oyster, and the pearl was taken from me.

For as I sat upon those rocks, dipping my feet in the cool spring waters, I heard a rustling of the leaves behind me. Itwas my little sister, carrying a small white letter and a frown upon her face. As she moved closer, I could see a small tear in her eyes… "I don’t know why I'm sad" she said, handing me the letter- "I cannot read as of yet, but something is the matter"And as I read it swiftly, my head clear of all those dreams… I saw the pale black letters, spelling out the words: " I regret to inform you, my good friend Denim, but it appears the tests came back positive, glaucoma at its worst, and I also regret to inform you Sir, that you will be completely blind within the year. My sincerest apologies, Dr. Bill Terezakis "
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Its been five years since that day, and I sit alone now, my mother gone. My sister met a man, and has moved to another state. She calls once in a while, to see how things have been. But there's not much that I remember, as my memory grows weary.

The only memory I will never forget, the only thing I can see as clear as that clear blue day, is that river, the rocky bridge, and the brilliant green flora that surrounded it… the cool feel of my feet against the water, and the warm soft breeze against my face.

Once in awhile, an old friend of mine leads me down to the river, where we just sit and talk; our feet dangling in the water.

That is the only time, where I can feel at peace, since losing my sight, everything has been taken from me, all the beauty in the world is hidden in the shadows, but, once I step foot in that river, the world comes flowing back to me, all the vibrant colors and the perfectly laid rock bridge, it all comes back to me, and for a brief few hours, I can almost see again.

WOOF Contest – Top Picks

6 Way 2nd Place TIE!

Poetry

Zorlone – “Passionate Blogger” - A tribute to the bloggers who have influenced my writing endeavors.

Alex McGaughan - “Late Fall; She Retorts” - A short free-verse poem about a young man and woman who are driven apart by one's romanticism and the other's inability to share it.

Jennifer M Scott – “Primordial Passion” - Written in a series of three cinquains about spring and the renewing of love or starting new love.

Romeo – “Another Rainy Day” - Short Poem for the one I've lost.

Dragon Blogger – “Aftershock” - Poem crafted from random words, inspired by the earthquake in Italy.

About Writing

Izzy Daniels - “Maximizing your writing Time: Start with the Outline” - I gave a brief description on how to write a short outline for ones writing.

Brought to you by PlotDog Press with the Writing Software: "Save the Cat Software and Book Review"

Presenting the finest of the writer’s blogs by the bloggers who write them. Highlighting the top posts as chosen by the April 10, 2009 WOOF Contest participants. Want in to join the next WOOF? The next contest ends April 17. Submit a link to your best writing post of the last 3 weeks using the form on this page. Participants, repost the winning link list within a week and you’re all set.

Other WOOF Contestants for 04/10/09

Poetry

Roy – “Seemingly An Ordinary Night” - A poem about finding a quick solution to one's burden...

Zorlone – “Summer Rain” - An attempt to capture the essence of one of nature's wonders using poetry as an instrument.

Oyen – “Death's POV” - If Death were a person he probably wouldn't be eager to end anyone's life.

Jennifer M Scott – “Cloudy Intuition” - The day starts nice but there is this feeling of something bad will happen which ruins the day.

Jennifer M Scott - “The Midnight Club” - Dedicated to everyone who works strange shifts especially the ones that crawl into the night and beyond about how it is nice out but better days are coming.

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Dragon Blogger – “The Box” - A metaphor for someones life being contained inside a box.

Dragon Blogger – “Racing Home To You” - Poem about being stuck in traffic, eager to arrive home to the one you love.

Non-Fiction / Rant

Roy – “Blogging to live... even as I rant” - A rant about experiences (and frustrations) in trying to make a living by blogging...

Another Rainy Day

My eyes are calling out for a new love
One to come and take the pain away
My heart is searching for a a new love
To save me from this reocurring rainy day.

Water splashes as we run through puddles
Hand in hand, we glide along, through it all
Across the grass and through the mud
A quick step, a light slip, and we fall.

Rolling around in the mud, lauging at passing cars-
Water running down your cheeks, I cant help but stare
And feel complete; within your eyes so pure-
They hold my heart so high, if only for a moment,
I begin to wonder why, why do you love me
Why are you here? What is it about me,
That keeps you staying near?

And then I remember, the way the curtain fell
And how you left me here all alone, living in this hell
And each and every morning, I awoke but felt alone-
I am cold and lonely, broken, pain streaming through my bones.

My eyes are weak, my stare is strong, together they fight,
To keep me moving on, but as I see you standing there
As I watch him playing with what was once My hair-
I realize that I've lost it all, though I may never know why,
And so all I can do now, is sit alone and stare,
Out that pale white window, that hides me from the rain.

WOOF CONTEST 2-6-09

WOOF Contest – Top Picks

Poetry

Margaret Norkett - “A treatise on friendship” - A poem about a special friendships.

Dragon Blogger - “Winter Childs Play” - Poem based on Children Playing in Winter Playground, crafted from 13 random words.

Romeo - “A Mirror's Dream” - i am the numbness in your fingers

Web-Betty - “The fey little man” - Another poem crafted using uncommon words.

Fiction

Jennifer M Scott - “Human Footprints” - The story takes place in the future where humans are inferior to cyborgs. A cyborg is sent to kill a human woman who runs an agency made to connect humans.

Brought to you by PlotDog Press with the Serial Suspense Screenplay "Intevention"

(WOOF participants should re-post all the links above by next Monday. The following links may be excluded as long as you include all the above links.)

Presenting the finest of the writer’s blogs by the bloggers who write them. Highlighting the top 5 posts as chosen by the February 6, 2009 WOOF Contest participants. Want in to join the next WOOF? The next contest ends February 13. Submit a link to your best writing post of the last 3 weeks using the form at the bottom of this page. Participants, repost the winning link list within a week and you’re all set.

Other WOOF Contestants for 02/06/09

Fiction

Clayrn Darrow - “What Florence told me That Night” - This is a portion of a short story I started on my blog.

Poetry

Dragon Blogger - “Heart Of A Hero” - Poem about someone having the heart of a hero and coming to a girl's rescue.

Kayla - “Behind Her Eyes” - A poem about regret and despair.

Jennifer M Scott - “Spring Refreshment” - The desire for new love.

Jennifer M Scott - “Velvet Apprehension” - I don't know why I write poems I don't what its about maybe you can figure it out.

Jennifer M Scott  - “To My Valentine” - A love poem written in acrostic using the word valentine.

A Mirror's Dream

i am the numbness in your fingers
that helps you hide your heart-
and every second lingers
and burns when were apart.

take a look in the mirror
and let me know what you see
is it anything,
like you expected it to be?
is it like all your hopes?
your dreams? your memories?
locked eyes with a stranger
every move is the same.

self mutilation
chronic inebriation
what a combination
to suffocate in a dream
that once was full of love
we fit together,
like a hand inside a glove-
but when push comes to shove
will i still be the one
that you so devoutly love?

to save myself from hell,
this lovely wishing well-
throw a penny, a dime, a dollar
it doesnt matter
What the price is,
you will pay it with your life
but your dreams will come true
in that morning hue you hold
staring in the mirror
At the stranger staring
Right back at you.

Woof Contest Top 5 Picks 10/2008

WOOF Contest – Top 5 Picks:

Poetry

Romeo - “The Natural World” - A short poem about nature and its beauty.

Jennifer M Scott - “Seeking Sun” - An avant garde poem about fall.

About Words / Writing

Kimota (Jonathan Crossfield) - “Time, Productivity and the Writer” - A look at how writing isn't necessarily as quick to produce as many outsiders believe. Taking three hours to produce 100 words might seem odd, but is perfectly legitimate to produce quality copy.

Fiction

Ferox - “Is that a Dragon?” - Things must be observed to exist. Otherwise, they can be anything.

~willow~ - “it's all a matter of perspective...” - ...where a young girl knocks a new perspective into an otherwise downcast boy on a bright autumn day...

Brought to you by PlotDog Press with the Serial Suspense "Intervention"

(WOOF participants should re-post all the links above by next Monday. The following links may be excluded as long as you include all the above links.)

Presenting the finest of the writer’s blogs by the bloggers who write them. Highlighting the top 5 posts as chosen by the October 24, 2008 WOOF Contest participants. Want in to join the next WOOF? The next contest ends October 31. Submit a link to your best writing post of the last 2 weeks using the form at the bottom of this page. Participants, repost the winning link list within a week and you’re all set.

Other WOOF Contestants for 10/24/08

Poetry

Chungyen Chang - “last night” - Memories from a survivor.

Mary Graziano - “Our Little Game” - My post is about child abuse that I went through growing up.

Penelope Anne Bartotto - “Equality” - An Acrostic poem on equality in the world today.

Dragon Blogger - “Cherish” - Appreciate the ones you love.

Dragon Blogger - “Breaking the Mold” - About a woman so perfect.

Dragon Blogger - “The Fork” - Playful poem about a simple dining fork.

Dragon Blogger - “The Chef - Part 1” - Poem written for my wife while she was in Culinary School.

exquisite corpse - “Halloween Magick” - A collabrative poem about Halloween.

About Words / Writing

Amritbir Kaur - “Brevity is the Soul of Wit” - This post is about the origin of the phrase 'Brevity is the soul of wit', the change in its meaning over the years and its implication. Read and enjoy!

Writing Nag - “Why I'll Continue to Journal” - How journaling can benefit your daily writing habit. Includes a "found" poem on journaling.

Non-Fiction /Philosophy / Essay

Harneet Singh - “Have We Changed?” - We, as human beings are losing our humane qualities and moving backwards to being animals again. Let us analyse the situation a bit.

Justin Germino - “Why Does Life Have To Be So Hard” - Thoughts, Insights and Belief in Friendship.

Jennifer M Scott - “Edge of Equality” - A 100 word essay written for the 100 word challenge about equality and the need for war

Rough Draft - Colorblind Crayons

A twisted web of loneliness
Broken from old poems-
A little boy sits alone:
Drawing with his crayons-

He draws with black,
Red and dark, mysterious
Looking paintings of dead men-
All covered in strange clothing
A reflection of self loathing-
Their eyes are bright and wonderous
A brilliant aura of their souls,
With each and every crawling figure
Each boy loses and begins to fall.

The crayon snaps, mid stroke
And in the wax the boy finds hope
To see the smearing red and black
Praying for the patience
That his parents fully lack-
He sits and ponders to himself
Waiting for the hour,
When his parents lonely calling
Will take him for his shower.

Whipping off his sins
With the colors of the rainbow
They sit and dazzle in the light
And cover sorrow 'morrows-

Its time for bed,
They rub his head-
But beneath his pillow lies,
A new notepad
With colour crayons
To keep his flow alive.

All night dreaming
Drawing, seeing-
visions flying
through his head,
burning, aching,
Upon his bed-

He lay there in
his violent slumber;
fighting off the painful hunger
"draw until you draw no more
and you shall seal the final score."