Fourteen
Under the plum tree I gorged on pomegranate seeds that stained my lips. The alleyway was forbidden, so I pressed my ear against my grandparents’ pine fence and listened to the clamor of teenage boys and peeked as they sweated under basketball hoops. I tingled and ate kumquats.
published by Vine Leaves Press in their 50 Give or Take series
Love this, Maria!
I looked up from my book and watched my boy run after the dog. As they ran, he tripped and scraped his knee. He got back up and chased the dog. No crying, not bothered.
“Are you okay?”
“Yes, I’m okay!”
He ran fast and far. Then his wings spread and he flew back home. He likes to spend time with me even if he’s not here.
And there he was, so fragile yet so strong. He had little reserves left in his pure soul, so they took him to suffuse his body with nutrients. Now his numbers jump from highs to lows, falling victim to yet another complication. His eyes widened, the tubes entangled, we pray.
A Tuba crackles thru the air. The crowd’s screams fill the hall. I glaze to my right and lock eyes with her. I deliberately approach her. Extending my hand I ask her to dance, she accepts. As I pull her in close to me we moved as one. Soul mates
The sun shined in my face, as a bird like creature rapidly flying behind me scratched my check. Noticeably starring were a pair of glowing eyes that peaked in distance. I stepped back as a gesture of peace. I woke up from my dream right after falling down the cliff.
Savoring her favorite fruit, she is quiet, calm, sitting on the bench and enjoying a delicious, juicy slide of watermelon. The Alzheimer blocked the name of the fruit, the time, where she is, but not the love of her eyes when she looks at us, those are my mom’s eyes.
A solitary seed was stuck on a burning cliff, its shell scorched and peeled. A bird swooped down to eat the seed but the seed fell from the rock face due to the powerful wind. The seed found refuge in the humid soil and said “I am alive.”
She broke one morning and a piece fell on top of a head. Little hands start grasping these pieces and super gluing them together. These pieces were sloppy but in shape.
The head looks up and smiles. Those little hands pasted with dried-up glue shed and say, “You’re welcome mommy”.
The Lost Women
The sun gleaming in the tall man’s eyes as he walks down the dirt path. He spots a small lost dog in the corner of his eye and goes to approach it.
The dog runs off into the distance and the man decides to chase after him at a dead end.
“Is this your dog?” He asks the women
Awakening
Across the room an alarm sounds breaking up the silence. It drags life into a new day; one we once thought was lost. Nurses swarm in as he gasps for breath. Eyes open, machines hum, anxious electricity blankets the growing crowd. His mother held at bay, uncertainty weighs her soul.
The man and his son sit at a seat in a coffee shop. The father has some news to tell his son, but he is too distracted by his phone. Then the father gasps for air and collapses to the ground. The son frantically tries to wake his father, all while thinking of what the news could have been.
An Angel in my Dreams
She stretches her hand and says “This might be selfish but I live in a peaceful pain-free place, you’re welcome here if you need to rest.” Four tears roll down my cheek and splash on my blue hospital wristband. Will it remain, or will my name begin to fade away?
I have never been much of a gambler, a scratcher or lottery ticket now and again. Purchasing houses to switching multiple jobs and vehicles. Experiencing heartbreak, success, and love. I’m a poker player in life’s casino and I’m playing against the house. The house always wins, I nervously yell all-in!
Lockdown. Again.
I’ve disinfected everything, painted the whole house even the baseboards, and the garden looks stunning. I’ve watched so much Netflix, read a book a week, and taken long walks. I’ve been schoolwork monitor and playmate for my kids. Working from home has been challenging. This new way of life has been an adjustment in every aspect of life.
Lost
She ran off not being able to look back to see what happened. It was dark and no one was around, she did not know where she was. Finally she found a place where she can catch her breath. And then suddenly she heard a noise coming from behind her.
The man and his friend sit on the porch. Screams across the street unsettle them. Running sounds awake them, and they are not relaxed anymore. Looming up and seeing a family playing baseball. The man says, “I sure love baseball.” The other man agrees, “So do I.” They get their families out for a game of baseball.
Tittle: Success or Failure
With time going at a fast rate it seemed as there wasn’t enough. Could we get to our destination in time? We need to make it if we don’t ,more disasters will occur. We’ve been betrayed and lost so many already. Without their help we are hopeless, what to do.
Time
I spend my days looking at blurry photos and thinking of the moments from when we were together. Even though I got to see you for a short time before you left, I still miss your presence. Now, I sit here wondering when is the next time we’ll meet again.
Title: Mom
“Oh how you’ve grown.”
That’s all I can think as I watch you walk away from me.
I raised you and watched you slowly leave me.
My sun rises and falls every day for you,
But you’ll soon leave me.
Soon, all I’ll have is a number in my phone.
-TM
My Mom Eyes
Savoring her favorite fruit, she is quiet, calm, sitting on the bench and enjoying a delicious, juicy slide of watermelon. The Alzheimer blocked the name of the fruit, the time, where she is, but not the love of her eyes when she looks at us, those are my mom’s eyes.
Self Discovery
I wished for you every single time the clock hit 11:11. One hundred and fifty six days later and the pain is only getting bigger & you’re only slipping farther away. As I begged for you to those same four numbers, I realized the only great love I can receive was one I did not have to wish for, one made for me by me.
-MA
Two Homes & One Family
There I saw my mother fake laughs and smiles for my brother and I, while she weeped so loud at night over a man who promised her a lifetime of love and protection. A man who – in the end, inspired my mother to piece herself together and find a lifetime of love and protection through betrayal.
Heart’s desire
She was in love for the first time in her life. The magic was there, he was the one she had waited for so long. Blood rushed through her cheeks as he finally pressed his lips against hers. Then she woke up and realized it was yet another beautiful dream.
Sunday Afternoon
The clock struck 12 in the afternoon.
An hour passed.
My friend messaged me. “Are you able to make it today?”
I had work to do so I was unable to go out.
Little did I know in a few months time that would’ve become a luxury.
Breaking Free
Planning his escape, he gradually rose from the mat. He realized things were not to his advantage. He loathed being held like that, as the charge against him was not particularly strong. He weighed up his options. The lock that held him was strong, but maybe he could break it.
This flash story can be interpreted differently depending on whether we identify the character as a prisoner, a wrestler or even a trapped animal.
Beautiful Love story
My heart full love, can’t explain the feeling. Always there for me, I feel safe and protected. We have fun together, many years together and forever to go. We glow and grow together. When together, it’s like no one or nothing else matters. Ups and downs like all relationships have, but wouldn’t change it for the world. Many years together and forever to go.
“I was not looking for a relationship when I met you that night”, and on their fourth date that all changed. She asked “what made you fall for me?” He responded, “you are a rare soul that shines so bright, that I know you and I can shine even brighter”
Shhhh… Listen to the ocean waves crashing down. The fresh ocean air blowing through your hair. You hear nothing but the ocean. Nothing but the air. Nothing but the beat of your heart. You rub your toes in the sand. You feel the fresh ocean water reach your ankles. Wonderful isn’t it?
Fly Away
I breathe slowly on a cold night, the troubles fall like the rain. In myself, I ask “ Where to travel?”. My dreams can’t take me outside the universe. Look! a white bird goes to the sky with wonderful wings to ride. I touch stars, smile, and close my eyes. wake!
The cold winter night was dangerous and unbearable. The two children walked for miles, while their bodies grew increasingly numb for moments at a time. Hope diminished by the second. They prayed for strength and guidance. Then a light began to shine brighter than the north star; a sign, life.
The Jump
“Are you ready?” he asked.
“Yes!” She yelled.
14,000 feet in the air as they get ready to jump while adjusting themselves before they fall.
He turns around to look at her one last time and in one split second…
GONE!
Falling at a rate of over 100 Miles per hour (mph). They hopped in the car and their adventure continued.
Hidden
The world is filled with forgotten places; rivers hidden by forests and alleys lost in cities. There are communities that thrive in these exciting, enchanting, dangerous environments. Those from gentle lives, blinded by the romance of adventure will not last a week and will return to their luxuries. Some we devour, few become one of us.
Man’s Best Friend
I suddenly awake to a cold and quiet morning.
Remembering the memories we once shared.
Times have changed, and so have I.
Days are short, and nights are long.
After a sleepless night, I am awoken by barks.
A furry friend is here to fill the void in my heart.
I take another breath as my face is pressed down the glass. My breath fogs up the window and my mind fog up with thoughts of sorrow. The thought of time speeding up as I grow older with pain. May I have enough time to cross off every single plan.
Angel in DIsguise
I stare at her big brown eyes she stares at me back with her heart full of love I never imagined my dog loved me so much but here we are 14 years later and when her eyes stare at me i realize shes not just my dog shes my angel
Quiet Mornings
My eyes open to the beautiful glow of the early morning sun that shone softly across town. Next to me, I hear his tender breathing, a beautiful love reminder. A gentle haze painted the buildings in pastel-colored hues and the silent murmur of early risers brought the streets to life.
After long days and nights of reading and studying, she finally closed the last chapter of her book. She smiled, took a deep breath, and stood up. She walked towards her cap and gown and proudly said “it was worth it, now is time for a new chapter in my life.”
With the strong will to proceed through life successfully, dreams of success maybe characterized as profound. Others may argue that this still does not make a goal complete, and while in the beginning this is true, it is only just the beginning. It is a preset of what is to occur. With a priceless end goal, the characteristics learned throughout the journey of ambition, become priceless as well. By overcoming obstacles throughout the journey, the character can proceed to climb higher and persevere even further because while it may seem easy to dream, there is nothing harder or more rewarding than living. There is no-one other than yourself that can truly appreciate the efforts and sacrifices that have been made. However, it is with profound ambition that lessons are learned as well as taught. By removing the heart from materialism, other hearts can be changed as well.
My Little Boy
July 1st, 2016. The day I held your little hand for the first time. So fragile yet so peaceful. My little bundle of joy. Hearing you laugh for the first was so heartwarming. You were terrified of letting go of my hand when you were learning to walk. Now your running everywhere. But you’ll always be my little boy.
Night Drives
City lights mirror against the car’s shiny coat. The music plays and the sun goes down, setting the mood for contemplation. As we laugh and talk about our lives, the city lights fade away into fields of grass. The mountain’s silhouette compliments the stars. The moon shines and chases cars.