Cold and ancient elements melded to form the stone
That rests atop a lonely mountain peak, a jutted steep incline
Impossible to cross on foot without a climber's rope
Winds sheer the rock face sculpting a jutted edge then a line
An evolving work of art stands on the mountain high on display
With my heart trapped deep inside that ancient rock.
I cry out to the universe to set my spirit free from this place.
To the gods I pray chisel my heart free from the stone.

My eyes grow weary and to sleep, I succumb
From me, the faded thoughts relent
The scent of Astoria still fresh in my mind
Though in the field I lay down, body spent 
Lobelia flowers cast their magic spell on my limbs
Sleep falls swiftly as I drift within the mist of dreams. 
The scent of Wisteria intoxicates  my senses
As the Mist moistens my chilling flesh.
Velvety blankets of Kilarney moss embrace me
As I rouse slowly from my herbal slumber.

The sunlight is filtered through the tall oak trees
Giants that rival the trees of Scarborough's Shire
At the meadows edge the tall shadowy figure lurks
Bent on knees against the moss laden ground.
Mused and startled both at the same time
My breath rises in cloudy vapors, my heart aligns
Restoring balance to my shivering scant clad frame.
  

   
   

My thoughts turn to you these days more often than I care to say. I remember all the good times that are mere faded memories now. I long for the laughter that we all shared back then as one big happy family. The days are long gone, the memories are fading and some of you have moved on to an eternal place that I only visit in dreams. Even knowing this, the longing does not lessen in my aching heart. I miss you Mom and Dad, Grandpap, Grandma, and all my Aunts and Uncles who were the center and heartbeat of my family in those years long ago. I reach for you and those memories when I need the strength of family bonds. The distance between now and those memories and eternity grows further with each passing year, so I reach higher and further until I find you. And there you all remain in the bosom of my heart, right where you left your love indelibly inscribed upon my heart.

The Midnight Writer

Sonya's silk stockings were torn from the ankle up. She got caught on some old wire fencing as she was running through the field. When she fell, Sonya barely felt any pain even though her knee hit a small rock. The blood was scant so she wiped it away and kept running. The night air was moist and quiet except for the sound of her hard panting breath. Sonya could feel them closing in on her so she sped up her pace, and her breathing.

The night was young so the moon was not yet risen. It's light filtered through the mist across the field creating eerie shadows that chilled Sonya's spine. She expected them to jump out from these ghostly specters at any second. Half way across the field, Sonya's knee began to throb. Needles shot up her leg into her lower spine that almost sent her reeling to the ground again. Knowing that they were closing in, Sonya did not succumb to either the pain or the fright of shadows.

  At night when the sun sets a new world appears. Magical spirits unveil their forms in faded moon or sunlight. They are shy and only show themselves to those who are daring enough to flirt with night’s portal, the doorway to other worlds. Walk to a vantage point safe enough from crashing waves to watch and wait. I like to choose a high point on a cliff so I can look down and far out onto the water but still see the sun, moon and stars in all their glory. As soon as the sun drops below the horizon the moon gives its farewell kiss as they pass each other in the heavens. It’s at this moment the doorway opens and all the magical spirits enter earth time and space to frolic in the shadows of night.

Summer Breeze flirting with the mysterious night spirits at the ocean’s edge. This is one of my secret places where I go to commune with God’s creation and to receive spiritual inspiration. There is only one other person who knows where this secret place is located, and that is my life and travel partner Cephas.

The Midnight Writer