don't.

there's a strange expression on your face. a shadow. a collection of thoughts, turned into paint.

don't.

i know what you're considering. something that was sleeping for a long time is now awake.

don't.

one decision, that's all it seems to be. it might not matter.

don't.

you've been waiting for too long. the silence is killing you. the missed calls, the empty house.

don't.

it'll be okay. take a deep breath. it'll all be over soon.

don't

become like me.

Four years ago, I

made a promise to myself

not to say the pledge.

Until justice was

achieved, I would stay silent.

Now, I can speak up.

The era of hate

is finally done, so let's

move on from this pain.

Let's create a world

where our future is welcomed

and celebrated.

Say the pledge again,

say it loud and clear for all.

Inauguration

How does it feel?

To be the only one to cherish her and to hold

a love that no one else has ever been shown.

Now, that you've made the big proposal it’s official. Not a single person on planet Earth will ever have her like you do, she is only yours to keep forever.

Dear me,

I didn’t want this.

Common now...my dears,

You can’t really believe this was all your fault?

All the war...

Screams...

Death.

It was your wish,

But common...

impossible.

I know you try to understand me.

You know I try to understand you.

We don’t seem like we belong here.

We don’t.

Me and you...

We wanna be two different things...

Two different people.

Yet- we search for the same opportunity:

Just a chance to live again.

To feel again...

Just a moment where we can feel like something.

Like-

Like maybe we’re not just one little star,

In a sky so large.

We both dream...

To be more.

Yet-

This is just us.

You and I,

We’re nothing.

Maybe it won’t stay that way...

But for now,

Look at us,

We are alone...

Lost...

Sacred...

And we have no idea who we are,

And where we’re going.

Maybe with time we will find our answers...

We might find our...

...purpose...

But,

We stand upon a floor that has collapsed years before we came along.

Must we try to rebuild?

Must we?

You saved me.

I saved you.

We need each other.

Maybe once we know one another better,

We might actually start to understand,

Why we’re here.

We know nothing more than pain now.

Let me believe one more lie-

Let me fall once more...

Because if anything they told me was true,

Then if we keep moving,

And fighting,

And pushing,

If we keep climbing,

Then we will do so much more than just survive.

Yet I see no progress.

I see no life...

I see no hope,

I see no one in my future...

I see nothing at the end of this road...

For the fog is too thick,

And the road is too long...

So let them carry me a little farther.

Keep running through this rain...

Cause even if they were lying to me,

By heart I know that if I stay behind,

I will be:

Forgotten.

So let me run.

-Your mind

Love is not a feeling

Love is an act of selflessness

Love is not an anecdote

Love is an act of selflessness

Love is not something measurable

Love is an act of selflessness

Love is not consumable

Love is an act of selflessness

Love is not unattainable for anyone

Love is an act of selflessness

Love is available through introspection

Love is an act of selflessness

like bleached sunlight-

resting in the silt

that gathers at the bottom

of a cracked vase-

blossoms drowning-

cancelling each other out-

the stem is rough

against my callused palms

as i pick the petals-

she loves me

she loves me not-

trying to figure out

if any of it

is real

anymore

You sit by the window

spread caramel on toast

not honey, not jelly

not even butter like most

I peer from my perch

watch you sit there in peace

no cares, no worries

just a caramel spread piece

A member of our Prose community has been published! He did not take it upon himself to self promote. I came across the link to his long short story in the comments section. Once I started reading Lookout Mountain, I was blown away, tears streaming down my face at the conclusion. So as a proud prose Mamma bear, I would like to share the who, what and where with you all, since I know you will join me in celebrating his success!

Author, M. F. Robinson @Mfrobs

Link, https://thewritelaunch.com/2020/07/lookout-mountain/

The story takes place in Tennessee during the civil war. I am a fan of historical fiction, but I tend to avoid reading military subject matter. After reading Lookout Mountain, I've drawn a conclusion that my bias was foolish. The story draws the reader into the perils of war with an opening scene about amputation that sets up a tone of empathy for a Union Private, Ephraim Prometheus Boone, a Confederate soldier called Asher, and a bullmastiff named Abe. The imagery in the scene was so powerful it made me feel as if I could have been subjected to having the chloroform-soaked rag placed over my face. At the end of the chaotic scene, he writes,

"Asher and Boone came out of drowsiness and opened their eyes and their vision was blurred, and they departed and they would meet again."

As I read on, I could only conclude that no matter the conflict, no matter the side, the life of a soldier and even the innocence surrounding them will be faced with the hardships of the terrain, inclement weather, hunger, poor clothing, even boredom between battles and ultimately the threat of injury and possibly death. M. F. Robinson paints this story masterfully.

Allow me to share a couple of passages:

"They opened the flap of the tent and Samuel was sitting Indian style in his undershirt and in no light. In the dark he seemed demented. His head had been shaved by his own hands and knitted in spots were strands where he could not see or scissor. A thin mustache cast against speckled whiskers and red cuts on his cheek, holding always a strayed stare brushed by the strokes of a Reubens painting. Almost unable to blink, sight and soul paralyzed and damned."

"Then the moon passed through the shadow of earth and glowed red as a possessed deity risen in the night watching over all and passed over beyond its shadow revealing slowly the slender constellation of a snake beckoning the tongue of God."

Bravo @MFrobs!!!

This year, the winter was freezing for the inhabitants of Bleecker Street. The severe snowfall dumped the white sheets everywhere; rooftops, on and by the streets, vehicles, everything was engulfed by the thick snow. But as hard as the circumstances were, a smile did not fade in their features, because, snow, she was always a beauty. A beauty that made their childhoods remarkable, their memories sweeter, but at times, she also left sorrowful memories.

Jamie drew her jacket closer to escape the howling winds and the freezing snow. She embraced herself tighter like she always did; not just in winter, not only in the coldness but the way she did it, from the day her family left her all alone in this novel world. Her father, her mother, they were all she ever had; A single child, raised with all the love, all the care, only to lose it all to an accident. And it was her, the snow, that took them away from her. But Jamie continued to love the snow; the snowmen they built, the Christmases they spent together, those were all the memories she had left with her. And she was afraid of losing those memories too; they were all she had.

It had been four years; everyone says that’s enough to move on. It might be enough to move on, but for someone who had felt nothing else in their entire life, it was losing the world they cherished. They had to rebuild a new one; one that might be happier, or, but Jamie had never thought of it. She stuck to her daily routine; office, home, and striving to sleep. The stillness of the nights always brought the memories back, and to find herself alone when she opened her eyes, it haunted her. Today was just another one of those sleepless nights, that was when Jamie decided to go on a stroll late that night.

The snow froze the entire town; there was not a single soul in the streets. It was what Jamie loved now, being alone. She walked through the pavement, observing the gorgeous decorations families have done together. She also loved Christmas; when she could decorate everything and her mother would help her arrange, but not anymore. Her house now had no decoration, no fancy lights, no happiness.

Jamie was feeling better now; the void in her heart filled with the coldness of the snow. It was better than the sadness; fighting the cold helped her fight the memories. When she approached the corner of the street under the lamppost, she paused. She gazed up at the sky. She could see the picture of a beautiful woman carved by Athena into the stars; Andromeda.

“And Athena carved her image among the stars so that the world would remember her.” The mother looked Jamie in her gorgeous green eyes, her arms enveloping the little child in her warmth. But, the girl was frightened by the story she told her. “What is it, my little angel?” her fingers stroked through Jamie’s brown hair. “Will you ever let me go?” the little child asked, her voice cracking as she spoke. The mother sighed, “I will never leave your side. Even when I am gone, I will always, always be right here for you.” she laid her palm on Jamie’s little chest. She kissed her on the forehead and held her tighter, “Always.”

Jamie returned to the present on the sight of something unusual. When she helped herself focus, Jamie discovered who intervened her thoughts; a shooting star. Never in her life had Jamie contracted with a shooting star. Soon enough, the popular myth took possession of her mind; tell your hidden desires to the shooting star, and she will help you achieve them. The notion was childish enough, but no superstition has ever managed to survive a curious mind; no matter whether it belonged to an atheist or a religious preacher, they always prevailed. And Jamie herself fell prey to this juvenile joke, but her desire was nothing more than what she yearned for every moment of her life; if only I could get them back.

It was the howling winds that brought her back to reality, from a longing so implausible. Jamie bent down her head at the thought; I will never get them back, how many times do I have to convince myself that? She pulled down her purple winter cap, blanketing her ears, and walked back to her house; no, it wasn’t her home. She locked herself inside, and drew the thick blanket over her head, shrunk in, her thighs close to her chest, to escape the cold. Jamie revived their faces for one last time and settled into the shade of the sleep.

The next morning, Jamie woke up to a strange set of noises. She pulled the blanket off and strolled downstairs, neglecting the need for more sleep to recover. The noises grew clearer as Jamie was getting closer; someone was inside her home. But the noises did not terrify her; it drew her closer and closer until finally, she reached the living room to collide into someone. The lady turned around letting out a short scream, not born of fear, surprise or pain, but rather a pleasant one.

Jamie nearly collapsed backwards in shock. She did lose her balance, but two arms clasped her tighter than any fall could pull her; the strength of a mother. Jamie could not help but stare into the blue eyes of this blonde woman; she had craved to see those eyes so long. Jamie embraced her with all her strength, squishing her inside her arms. The mother, with tears in her eyes, said something very faint for the world to hear, ”My little angel.”

*****

A few blocks away, Chris Jordan, a young man in his late twenties, sped through the streets. He was in search of his associate, who was supposed to meet him by then. Chris was in a light brown hoodie to be more secretive while in the streets; they always maintained their distance from the regular world. When Chris turned into the nearest alley, he spotted the person he was seeking. A tall, lean man was leaning on the wall, facing the opposite side, stationary as if pondering something. When Chris approached the tall gentleman; he found what the blue eyes were watching; the sight of a joyous reunion.

“Does she know about the contract yet?” Jordan enquired in his hoarse voice, pulling his friend off his delusion. Oscar lowered his head, not knowing what to say, “No, she doesn’t. Not yet.” Chris now stared away from him; Setting his eyes somewhere distant, Jordan continued concealing his sentiments, “We might want to tell her soon.” Oscar just nodded; he could not even perceive the pain of giving someone hope, only to take it away. “Well, we cannot stay here. At least, not in these streets.” Jordan continued. They held their hands together, Oscar’s head still drooped, and all of a sudden, the alley was empty.

#####

Well, I would like to start by thanking @TheDreamer for helping me notice this challenge. I was brainstorming for ideas for quite some time. And now, somehow, everything came together. Thank you so much for this prompt, buddy. I truly enjoyed working on this. Thank you so very much. I hope everyone likes this. Thank you so much for the support, guys! You guys mean a lot to me ^-^

#fiction