Warm and hot

Bold and mysterious

Seduce my soul

Tease my tongue

Make me arise

Oh elixir of the bean

So, we’ve been briefed about it and have read some articles on it and can now say it is Friday. It's not fake news, people. It’s Friday. And we’d be doing Prose a very, very big disservice if we didn’t bring you the very, very good thing that is Friday Feature. People love it. Everybody says so. They like to read about the very, very nice people of Prose...

OK, enough of that crazy talk, let’s dive in to meet the entirely lovely @starryEyes

P: What is your given name and your Proser username?

S: My name is Kim, but you can find me as starryEyes on Prose.

P: Where do you live?

S: I live in the northeast United States, out in the country on top of a hill with a fantastic view. My grandfather built the house in the 1970s and I absolutely love living here with my husband. Watching the birds, animals, wild weather, and changing seasons makes me happy.

We get our Internet by antenna from a local provider who beams it over from a tower that’s 4 miles away (no cable service out here). It’s better than satellite, except when wind, rain, and foliage conspire to eat data packets!

P: What is your occupation?

S: Hmmm… I’m probably most occupied with taking care of myself. So maybe my occupation is being alive? Or surviving. But I’d prefer “thriving.” That can be my occupation: thriving.

I went to school for electrical engineering and worked for five years designing and testing radar electronics. I absolutely loved it. But chronic Lyme disease made that impossible. I’m principally afflicted by profound fatigue and brain fog, but generally have a few good hours a day.

Right now I am content. There is so much more I’d like to do in life, but I’m pleased that I’m not getting any worse right now and have a sort of rhythm of productivity, fulfillment, and rest.

P: What is your relationship with writing and how has it evolved?

S: Growing up, I wrote for school. I enjoyed all my writing assignments but rarely wrote of my own initiative. Late in high school and college, I kept a “prayer” journal that helped me untangle my thoughts and feelings while writing to God.

As I progressed in my engineering studies and career, I wrote a lot of technical documents. It turns out I really enjoy writing lab reports, test procedures, and documenting my designs. And who doesn’t love a good table or expressive graph? *happy sigh*

The first poem I ever wrote of my own free will flowed from my illness. My choppy, foggy, scattered, and desperate thoughts needed adequate expression. I now write poetry like it’s a puzzle to be solved - conveying meaning and depth by sound & structure & few words – an artistic efficiency. It must be the engineer in me.

I started writing short stories a year ago for fun. I really haven’t written many because I’m a slow writer and I don’t often feel well. But it makes me feel human and “normal” to compose something that I’m proud of. I attend a writing group at the library and find it immensely helpful and encouraging.

P: What value does reading add to both your personal and professional life?

S: I’ve always been a voracious reader of fiction. It makes me happy, stirs my imagination, fills me with stories, and teaches me about life. I love gleaning bits of wisdom from book characters and pondering their thoughts and actions. It’s an easy, gentle way to learn.

P: Can you describe your current literary ventures and what can we look forward to in future posts?

I don’t have specific posting plans, but I often respond to writing challenges. Apparently I like to write from the perspective of non-humans such as an animal, plant, or park bench, so you may see more of that. I might sometimes write about my illness or my faith in Jesus, because both deeply define who I am. My loftiest dream is to write a historical choose-your-own-adventure book for kids.

P: What do you love about Prose?

S: Challenges, challenges, challenges! I’m way more motivated when someone challenges me than when I make up my own goals. That’s probably a character flaw. But I’m getting lots of practice and inspiration from the Prose community challenges and having fun! I also like the opportunity to share what I write and interact with other writers.

P: Is there one book that you would recommend everybody should read before they die?

S: There are oodles of good books, so how could I choose? But limited to one, I’d have to say the Bible. I believe that how we respond to Jesus is the single most important decision in this life. To make an informed choice, we have to read his words.

P: Do you have an unsung hero who got you into reading and/or writing?

S: If so, they are extremely unsung because I can’t think of who they might be! My parents and teachers were obvious influences, but no one person or event stands out in my mind.

P: Describe yourself in three words!

S: Contemplative. Sincere. Empathetic.

P: Is there one quote, from a writer or otherwise, that sums you up?

S: “In Christ alone my hope is found. He is my light, my strength, my song… And as He stands in victory, sin’s curse has lost its grip on me! For I am His, and He is mine, bought with the precious blood of Christ.”

And the entire rest of the lyrics to “In Christ Alone” written by Stuart Townsend & Keith Getty

P: What is your favourite music, and do you write or read to it?

S: I like pop / rock / metal. My favorite artists are Britt Nicole, Fireflight (similar to Evanescence), and Tourniquet (similar to Metallica). I also really like a cappella and folk music. I can do anything to music except read and write. For those, silence is more conducive to concentration.

P: You climb out of a time machine into a dystopian future with no books. What do you tell them?

S: “You know, books. B-O-O-K-S. Like writing. On paper. That you read. There must be some. This isn’t possible. Where did you go to school? Where’s the library?” After asking the same questions twenty times but getting the same answer, I think I’d become unresponsive and curl up, rocking back and forth.

P: Do you have a favourite place to read and write?

S: Curled up in a recliner with a blanket and a cat. Preferably my own recliner and my own cat. Any blanket will do.

P: Is there anything else you’d like us to know about you/your work/social media accounts?

S: Nothing left to tell!

Thanks so much to Kim, it was marvellous to meet her, I'm sure you'll all agree. You know what to do now. Read her! Interact with her! Follow her! 

And again, we want more Prosers for this feature, so if you like it, then suggest people, even volunteer yourselves. Prose wants you to feature in future Friday Features. Get busy.

I didn’t think,

I didn’t think this would,

I didn’t think this would happen.

There was the salt we tasted,

The land that gave us,

The cobblestones

And the loose rocks that chased us.

But nothing felt like the fingerprints

in that pillow.

The hand I traced

After you fell asleep.

I moved my head from edge to edge

Feeling the parts that could of bled

That should of-

That I secretly wanted to.

Instead, I saw nothing but

blurry and forgotten Christmas lights.

Fixated on pixels

I tried to forget;

the screams,

the porcelain hugs,

the lost luggage,

the concrete kisses.

Why?

The questions about my wrist.

A heavy watch I’d say.

I never thought I would be that woman.

My bones were guilty.

My blood felt the same.

But WHY?

I thought.

On thoughts.

And

On thoughts.

Wrists begone

And pillow fingerprints beside

But heavy eyes let you touch me.

Even after the war.

You made me hold your crown and comfort your pride.

You needed it.

You had to hold your pawn.

And there I was

textured breath

And cold tiled cries.

You could scare me.

You could touch me.

But nothing will compare

To the spoon you made me eat.

Black and blue breath.

And the bowl that made me weep.

#findingmyvoiceagain #dontbethatgirl #freeverse

My seduction tastes like chocolate

And smells like tequila.

And my veins have turned to liquid fire.

Yet, you are regarding me with trepidation,

Hovering at the fringes,

Uncertain of my endgame.

I would tell you, my love, that I'm not your periphery,

But I am all rough edges and lace tonight.

Bittersweet.

Coffee black and saccharine.

So tell me, do you not find my angles enticing?

Your smile splays, seamlessly and genuine,

Regardless of my extremes.

And your whispered words resound,

"You will always be the woman of my dreams."

You know dear readers? I'm telling myself right now, when you want to say something to someone or two or whole lot of them but you knew that it's not going to make any dam sense, Then don't say it! For example; I have A lot of things to say about some of people's behavior on this wonderful website but like I said, I knew it's not going to make any sense, so why even bother?! Then why I'm writing this boring nonsense post? Because we are here to write! Right? But some stuff I just keep for myself, because it won't make...

sense! 

Happy reading and writing, and learning and supporting, and lots more...  :)

I wish that i could water you down

like the Jameson i drink

to benumb

how strong and

painful

you are

1.)  8% of our DNA is derived from viruses that infected our ancestors.  So 8% of you is a virus...

2.)If the human eye's resolution was converted to megapixels it would equate to 576 megapixels.  Makes your 20-megapixel camera seem weak in comparison eh?

3.)  Zombies are not a new idea.  They are mentioned in the Epic of Gilgamesh which dates back to 2100 BC.  Ishtar claims she will bring back the dead to outnumber the living and devour them(the living).

4.)  Missouri is also known as the cave state.  It has over 6,300 documented caves across the state.  Caves maintain the same temperature all year round (fluctuate maybe a few degrees), but that temperature is largely dictated by region.  So in Missouri, average cave temperature is around 55-58 degrees all year round.  In winter a cave is going to be warmer, and the summer it will be much cooler, like a natural thermostat for your house haha (well if you liked your house to be a nice chilly 60 degrees all year).

5.)  Less than 1% of all water on Earth is available as fresh water.  

They fought again. He forgot their anniversary. She spent too much on food and presents.

He emphasised how important his job is, she emphasised how little time she gets to spend with him.

He yells, she cries.

They walk grudgingly on the streets in painful silence.

Wind blows and the skies roar of thunder. Droplets of rain fall all over. They still keep walking further.

Now the rain gets heavier and they look around for shelter.

Nothing in sight, they stand in the rain, getting drenched.

That’s when they notice a red telephone booth right in front of them. Confused but desperate they get in and watch the rain drop splash harder on the ground.

She shivers and rubs her hands. He stares at her with guilt and a mounting desire.

He takes off his coat and wraps it around her shoulders. She bows her head in silence, toying with the coat.

He cups her chin in his hand and lifts her head so that their eyes meet.

His eyes plead forgiveness, her eyes plead need and longing for love.

They keep staring at each other for few seconds, their breathing getting heavier by each passing second.

He whispers, “I am so sorry baby. Let me make it better “and she nods and whispers back “Please!”

He wastes no time and touches her lips with his. Their kiss deepens with a raging passion as the thunder silences the sounds of their moans.

The rains stop and they come out of the booth.

They are fighting again for some new reason but they keep holding their hands in a tight grasp.

(Do check the original version on lettrs,

By the pen name sweedy pie pobox#606507 -photo challenge#43)

It's nice to meat you.

My name is Rei. Online at least.

I have over a hundred self harm scars.

I have lost twelve people to suicide. Online and off over the span of eight years.

I've been in to many fights to count since my 7th grade year.

I have attempted suicide a total of four times.

I have been depressed and lived with anxiety for eight years now.

I've been bullied for my sexuality.

I've had two past abusive relationships..

Yet, despite all that, I'm loved by a few fantastic friends and a girl that I wouldn't trade for the world. And I am happy.

I'm about to go to college and move out of my parents house after saving for a year now from my full time job.

I only say this as a point. because you're past can't hold you back as long as you put one foot in front of the next. There's always hope no matter how bad it gets. You can move on. Just be brave.

Trust me. I'm no soldier ,but I've seen a war. And, after 8 years, I'm now coming home.

Finally.