"So, I uh... I told my mom about my feelings..."
"And what did she say?"
"She said I should talk to you, since... you know... it involves you."
"And how are you feeling?"
"I was, uhm, actually wanting to ask you that..."
"Well, I don't know how anything could work. I mean, your grandfather is basically my father which, technically, would make me your uncle."
"But we're not related at all and we're not that different in age."
"I know, but that's how it would look."
"So... You don't feel any way toward me then... I understand..."
"I never said that. I said it would look inappropriate."
"So how do you feel?"
He leaned forward, ge
"...I know what you're going to say," she mumbled as she looked at the packet of worksheets before her. "You're going to tell me these feelings are wholly inappropriate..." She could feel him drawing nearer as she spoke but didn't dare raise her eyes. She didn't think she could handle the level of rejection she was sure she'd see reflected in his steely gaze.
"Actually," he murmured as the distance continued to close between them, "they're only," and he was closer still, "inappropriate," and even closer, "if we," he was bending down now, "act," she could see him even though she refused to look directly at him, her heart hammering in her e
I'm Sorry
======
I never realized you hated me so much.
I never realized you felt like you do.
I never asked you to give up on yourself for me.
I only ever wanted you to listen.
I thought I was doing the same...
Clearly not.
I never wanted to be that person to you.
================================
But... Do I really have anything to apologize for?
I'm not the one that attacked
while the other had no way to defend,
using that time between work shifts
to destroy something that took
so many years to build.
I'm not the one that stabbed me in the back and
took something important away from me.
Something you had no right to take.
Some
Where did it go?
The spark has dwindled,
hiding somewhere
between us.
Little gestures have died.
Love-making has become
routine; just sex.
Enjoyable but predictable.
The adventure has dulled,
excitement bored.
A blade too long used,
in desperate need
of sharpening.
Xhosa was off on her own again. The other women were off gathering food, but Xhosa wanted to explore. She was looking for new things to make her paint.
She'd found half a dozen beetles to use, and a few plants, but she wasn't done yet. Stumbling upon a small cave she didn't remember being there before, she decided to investigate. It was just in her nature and it was one of the many things her husband loved about her.
The cave wasn't very big. It was more like a natural alcove. Within it was a small shrine. The ceiling and walls were covered in drawings. Most were quite primitive in design but some were more elaborate. All seemed to
I heard you speak
from a great distance.
"Parents, I love you"
was your insistence.
"I love you, I miss you"
quietly said I.
"We want to see you"
we began to cry.
"Don't fret and be happy"
you said with a smile.
"You'll see me again,
after a while."
What is it to be a mother?
I own the title but
none
of the tears and joys it brings.
No pitter-patter of small feet.
No 'Mommy, help me' when in need.
My baby is forever gone;
taken to earth and sky too soon.
Mother's day is a stark reminder
that the honored title is not
mine to bear in truth.
Simply in name.
5/10/15
A dream is a wish your heart makes.
Tears are the price you pay.
Unrequited, unreturned, unannounced.
Unknown, unwanted, gone away.
In the land of slumber they return.
Love is fresh, the relationship new.
Not a day has passed,
They've never tired of you.
Your heart swells to bursting
And then daylight burns them away.
Waking breaks your fragile heart;
You dread the dawning day.
The chief and his family didn't just live in a larger hut than everyone else. They lived in their own compound hollowed
out of the side of the mountain. The whole village had come together to create this cave compound for him, his wife, and
his children. It was their form of thanks for the protection and guidance he gave them. The cave's mouth had been
altered to only allow for one person at a time to enter, turning it into its own mini fortress that could be easily
defended if the need arose. A large bear pelt, that he constantly boasted he had killed single-handedly, had been
suspended over the opening keeping the heat from the na