Spun cerulean ribbons

woven in seaweed

aloneness of ocean

in sapphire heart

filled aqueous spaces

floated her gently

through sea storms.

<center>* * *<br>In the moment just before<br>* n then again just beyond *<br>what Science will never find<br>* * *<br>Finds itself! Between lips and<br>fingertips, and nips at heel<br>* it'll turn * a note * if you will *<br>In deafness you'd know it still<br>* * *<br>Say what shall we Call<br>* all * of * this * this  *<br>*N o t h i n g n e s s*<br>* * we somehow * *<br>* scent * taste * see *<br>* * hear * n * feel * *<br>

</center>

#Magic #Challenge #FreeVerse

It goes beyond the city lights...

...The bills that are engraved

Into this hemmed in

Edifice...

...The chaos still

Remains

In the declarations of

Plantlife,

And the spectral

Powers that be!...

There is a pulse...

...A trembling sound,

As the brook slips

To the sea...

...And the black arts

Of the nights

Long spell

Have glazed, and

Juiced us

Very well...

It goes beyond the neon

Dream!...

...The concrete,

And the bluff...

...The promise of machinery

Has got me wondering when's

Enough,

As the stranglehold of

Civility

Has me hawking up

My roots...

...And then an escaped feather

Floats

Untethered,

Past every excuse...

Magic comes

At the strangest times!...

...I love how I'm always

Fooled

Into losing sleep,

Pondering the depths...

...And then as swift

As the Bang

Of a tool

I'm sprawled out

On my back,

In a whole other way...

...Wrecked amongst all

The shells, and cold

Fish

On display.

It goes beyond limits,

And it knows where

To hit!...

...I am gathered in

Swiftly

By your smile,

Or your wit...

...You are so precious

To me,

Yet I don't

Know your name!...

...Magic tears through

My life...

...This dis-

charged hurricane!...

©

2018

Bunny Villaire

“You want to see a magic card trick?” I tell my friend. I only know one card trick and I don’t get to demonstrate it very often because I’ve shown it to just about everybody I know already.

“Sure. Ok” my friend responds half hearted. I can tell he doesn’t really want to see it because he has a look on his face that says ‘Let’s just get this over with.’

I take out a deck of cards and hold them like a fan.

“Select one card, any card.” I tell him. He reaches for a card and picks one out.

“Ok, now put the card back anywhere you like in the deck.” He now places the card back in the deck. I close the ‘fan’ of cards without shuffling so that they resemble a pile and place the deck on the table.

“Ok, now I’m going to make your card float to the top of the deck.” I tell him, “Just tap on the top of the deck three times and your card will float to the top.” He gives me this look like this is the lamest card trick he has ever had to participate in but he taps the top of the deck three times anyway.

“Okay, turn over the top card.” I tell him confidently.

He turns the card over and is astonished to see that it is actually the card he choose. “No way! How did you do that!?” He exclamed.

“Sorry. Even a lame magician like myself never reveals his secrets.” I told him.

"Good bye," I heard a little voice behind me and whirled around. Sammy, a four year old boy smiled up at me.

"Bye," I pulled him into a hug and squatted down so I'm on his level. "I'll come back and visit you, ok?"

"Ok," he nodded excitedly. I turned and jumped into the side seat of the moving truck, waving out the window at my friends.

Nine hours later

I popped my head out the small window and look around. It was mid afternoon so the sun was streaming through the trees at just the perfect angle and the breeze was playing with my hair, throwing it ever direction. I open the door and jump out, realizing with a start the ground was farther away than I thought it was.

“Hey,” I turned around, wriggling my legs, trying to get some feeling back into them. There was a boy standing there, maybe a little taller than me. He had brown colored hair with brown eyes and freckles. He smiled.

“Hey,” I nodded. He stuck his hand out and I shook it. “I’m Nora.”

“I’m Ajax,” He ran his fingers through his hair. “I’m your next door neighbor, so if you ever want to hang out….”

“Sure,” I’d cut him off. “I’ve gotta help Dad unload the truck.”

“I’ll help,” he said.

“Fine,” I sighed. “Dad! I need the keys.” Dad threw me the keys and I caught them. I walked around to the back and unlocked the doors. I grabbed a box and handed it to Ajax.

“There ya go,” I grabbed another one and headed for the door.

“Do you have a Mom?” Ajax broke the silence as I unlocked the door.

“No,” I answered. “She died when I was seven.” I pushed the door open and sat my box down in the living room.

“Oh, I’m sorry,” he apologized. “Do you have any siblings?”

“Nope,” I headed back to the truck for another box. “Just me.” I grabbed my box and headed back for the house.

“Ok,” he sat his box down and looked at me. “I’m an only child too.”

“Huh,” I wasn’t trying to be rude or anything, it was just hard. I had just moved, leaving everything I had every known or cared about behind, maybe to never be seen again.

“Oh,” Dad looked at me smiling. “You already have a new friend.”

“Yeah,” I smile back.

“I think I can handle it from here,” he nodded at me. “Go have some fun.”

“Yes, sir,” I handed him the keys and looked around our yard. “What’s that?” I pointed to a tree over on the hill above our house.

“Oh,” Ajax squinted. “That tree has been here for as long as I can remember.”

“Let’s check it out,” I looked at Dad and he nodded. I headed over to the tree.

“What type is it?” I asked.

“I don’t know,” He answered. “I never really thought to look it up.”

As I got closer to the tree I realized something was wrong. The grass didn’t touch within a five foot radius of the tree. But, when I looked closer, I realized that nothing did. There were no leaves on the tree, no buds, no flowers, nothing.

“What is this?” I looked at Ajax.

“Magic,” he answered. “Just magic.”

He stepped across the line.

“Don’t,” It whispered.

And then he reached for the tree.

Last night we went on an adventure.

We ran through downtown without any worries. Ignoring the fact that only last week you told me you didnt want to live anymore, that you are not strong enough to roll with the punches or make lemonade.

The fact that I traced the fresh scars on your arm as you slept hoping they would heal with my touch and my love. All that disappeared last night when we explored the back alleys and empty school playgrounds.

The only thing lighting up the night were the street lamps and your laughter.

There were days I thought I'd never hear it again.

But last night was different, last night, time stood still as we laid in a ditch counting stars and naming contellations.

When you whispered "I love you" under the moonlight and for the fiest time in forever I heard your beautiful laugh just once more.

Last night..... there was magic in the air.

Sarah is exploring the circus that's in town with her close friend Joe. Buzzing around the town are rumors of real magic, promising an experience of a lifetime. Today is costume day. Sarah and her friend are costumed as jesters in purple and blue stripes.

A man caught Sarah's attention saying, "Hello! Step right up for a better life!"

"Hopeful words catch my attention. Is it true? Can what he has really end my strife?" she looked at Joe for reassurance. Who nodded okay.

"Hello darlin'" said the man tipping his hat "so you're interested in a better life?"

"Well yes. What do you got?" she replied.

Pulling open a drawer to reveal several pill bottles the man recited, "Cure for boredom, fat, dumbness, sadness, wrinkles, and poorness. All in this bottle!"

"Does it really work?"

"Absolutely. Between you and me..." the man said taking her under his arm, "I've given these to my wife on the down-low. Look at her now." He points to the young, slender woman. "She's perfect".

"Well I guess it's worth a try."

They exhange the magic pills and cash. After, Sarah goes on with her day and forgets.

A week later Joe called Sarah, "Hey did those pills ever end up working?"

"Um I kinda forgot about them. I'll start using them and let you know if anything is better."

"Okay well see you!"

Hanging up, Sarah then digs through her bag to find the pills. "Fix anything huh?" she laughed to herself. Swallowing the bitter pills after she looked in the mirror. Astonished she tried the scale next. Not only did she look younger but she lost weight too! "How is this possible?" she wondered. She looked at the instructions of the bottle, "Do not skip days dosing. Doing so could be deadly". "Well thats morbid" she thought to herself.

She took the magic pills every day. Addicted to the compliments and encouragment. Slowly, she became sick. Hours of spending time in the mirror or rechecking the scale to "double check" that she didn't reverse. Sarah lost her appetite for food, fun, or even friendship. Consumed by her image, she couldn't seem to think of anything else.

Joe realized her fall and went to intervene. Hopeing she would notice her faults, Joe brought a beer and some chocolates for celebration after. But when he arrived he found her lying on the floor with a mirror in her hand. She was weeping. She had run out of the magic pills. Joe took her, "Hey it's okay. What's wrong?"

Sobbing she answered, "I- im out of the pills. I'll go back to who I was - average"

"It's okay try to calm down. You don't need those anyway" she said brushing Sarah's hair.

"But I have never been so happy. Finally achieving perfection; that was my dream"

"Calm down. Nobodies perfect but you are good enough for me"

Sarah nodded with tears running down her cheeks. She heard Joe but she didn't listen. Her life continued, but not without her rapid decline of health. Forgetting to eat. Forgetting to sleep. She fell into a trance like state. Hypnotized by her image. Drowning in perfection. Eventually the obsession brought her to an end. Sarah was forgotten by friends and abandoned by family. All because she couldn't see past the reflection and into her heart.

#fantasy

#storytelling

After years of training and watchful eye of Mrs. Sundathrou and our father. We became the most "Noble" man and woman. Mrs. Sundathrou kept telling us that we had to break our personaltiy that made us... us. She even said dancing isn't lady-like. Mark and I disliked her from the start. The moment we could get away from her, we took and tried to hide from her. We successfully hid from her only 10 times throughout the years of training. I am not ready for it. I don't want to be a queen. Mark doesn't want to King if he has to be this proper. We walked to father and Mark bowed while I curtsied to show respect to him.

"No need to bow to me, kids." My father said.

Mark and I stood up. We nodded and I my belly tightened. I couldn't say anything. I didn't want to hurt my father's feelings but it had to be done. I could tell Mark was having a hard time with trying to talk also.

"What are you guys doing here?" Father asked us.

"We don't like Mrs. Sundathrou, Father. She is too hard on us." I finally piped up.

Father looked at us confused and then looked at Mark.

"It's true father. We don't like Mrs. Sundathrou. She is way to hard on us. If we have to be this proper to be King and Queen, then we won't have any part of it." Mark added to my statement.

"Why didn't you say something earlier? I would've stopped her from doing this to you two." Father said as he stood up.

"We were afraid you would be mad at us if we said something about her." I said as I looked at him.

"There you two are. It is time to get dressed formally." Mrs. Sundathrou said as she saw them in the throne room with their father.

"Mrs. Sundathrou, you are no longer welcome in my castle. Now, leave." Father said as he looked at her.

She glared at him and he didn't back down. She stuck her nose in the air and left the castle. Mark and I cheered as we watched her leave the castle.

"Now, you two must get ready for the ball tonight. Nothing too fancy but not casual either." Father said with a smile.

Mark and I ran out of the throne room and some how ended at my door faster than Mark did. I looked at Mark as he ran up the stairs past him. He looked at me like I was different. I saw there was rainbow glitter everywhere. I was thinking, 'Magic? No way, I never had Magic before.'

"How can that be?" Mark asked me, astonished.

"Maybe, mother had magic before she passed. No, mother didn't pass on, she's trapped within a dimension of dispair. We have to get her out by dancing." I said as I saw strange markings on the wall next to my door.

"We cannot do it tonight." Mark said as he opened his bedroom door.

"You are correct, sir. We shant make waste of time with childish deeds. Shall we get dressed for the Ball tonight?" I said mimicking the lesson Mrs. Sundathrou gave them that morning.

Mark cleared his throat and replied with, "Ah, yes. We shant waste time. We need to get dressed for the Ball tonight, Princess Normamoon."

We couldn't hold our laughter back anymore. So, we laughed and laughed until our stomachs hurt. Mark motioned me into his room and I followed him in.

"Stand on that X right there in the center of the room." Mark said calmly as he pointed to the duct tape X on the ground.

I went and stood on the X as he went into the closet to grab something. He pulled out a dress and looked at me. It was beautiful. It was a white dress with Red roses. I loved it.

"Who's that for?" I asked him with a curious look.

"I made it for you." Mark said with a smile.

I smiled and he gave it to me to try it on. I ran to my room and put it on. It fit me so well, I asked him if I could where it tonight. He nodded his head yes and I screeched so loud. Mark started laughing and then I joined in on the laughter. He got his nice white suit on and we started dancing in his room. He smiled for once since Mrs. Sundathrou came and was "teaching" us how to be formal. We got done dancing and he hugged me. I hugged him back.

"Mark!! Normamoon!! Time to arrive for the Ball!!" Father yelled from the bottom of the stairs.

Mark and I walked out of his room and down the stairs. Father was in awe of the dress. He asked who made it and I pointed at Mark. Mark blushed and Father shook his hand.

"All hail King Mortasun!" The Crier said as Father walked in.

"All hail Prince Mark and Princess Normamoon!!" The Crier said as we entered and everyone stared.

We walked past them and headed to our place on the throne. Mark sat me down at my throne next to the Queen's chair, then he sat down in his chair next to mine.

"Thank you all for coming here tonight. I am giving my crown up tonight to the next one in line. My queen has been gone and I know she would be happy if I gave her crown to the next one in line." Father said as he looked around the room.

"Who is he talking about the next in line for King and Queen?" Mark asked me.

I shrugged and I really didn't know. All we knew is that Father is giving up his crown tonight.

"The two that are next in line is Prince Mark and Princess Normamoon." Father yelled.

Mark and I looked at each other surprised.

A messy headed boy with bronze-plated goggles and bluish black hair was sitting between four thin pipelines, at least 20 stories above the city. One pipe ran snuggly behind his knees, one along his back, and one at his butt - his utility satchel hung loosely away, held only by a single button at his belt. The final pipe was in front of him and he fiddled around with it using the wrench he had forced me to steal a few hours ago.

These pipes were paralleled between two old apartment buildings. There was no ground beneath this boy and yet a playful smirk was sprawled across his face.

I was crouching next to him on an untrustworthy grated floor, hanging on to a nearby ladder for dear life. Strangled under my right elbow was the head of my polar bear plushy and covering my entire body were pajamas unfit for daredevil theatrics such as... whatever this was.

Every clang and creaking twist of the pipeline knobs that he whacked and spun shook the entire structure, including the one I was latched to.

"Can you stop that!? Aren't you scared? What are you even doing?" I screamed over the draft wind and the pipes that screamed back.

"Chill bro, listen to the pipes, you'll see the results soon enough."

"PIPES DON'T TALK YOU PSYCHOPATH!" Steam from the pipe he was playing around with spurted hot mist into his face. It blew up his already nappy hair.

"Shhh~ He didn't mean that."

I reached boiling point. "GIVE ME MY LIFE BACK!"

All of a sudden the boy slammed his wrench against the same pipe he was working on and swung up to a one-legged stand on the same pipe he was sitting on. He grabbed a rusty line from above and it bent forward under his weight. He leaned down where I was ducking. Did I go too far? What was he going to do to me all the way up here in this unmonitored location?

"Ironic, that you would say that." The playful, problem-free tone left his voice. I missed it the moment it was gone. Replacing this was a void-like silence that rumbled between us. Wait, silence? I looked around. Where did the wind go? The screaming of barrelling steam through twisting ducts? The whistling from the constant furnace symphony emanating from every household? The angry pedestrians shouting from the city below? Their collective noise-foundry had just... vanished.

"What. In earth. Did you do!?" I questioned. A smile returned to his face.

"I cranked off the real world. A. K. A. your old life."

"You what?!"

"You heard me, Brussel-sprout." He kicked a pipeline that was close to my face. I blinked up at him, and watched a reflection of bubbling lights bloom through his goggle lenses. The pipe he kicked had turned into a luminescent psychedelia of colours. The lights spread with lightning-fast speed down every pipeline in the city. It was like watching blood pump through highlighted veins. I witnessed the city transform from something I never knew was dead to a new sight that oozed with life.

"But... how did-... h-how could-"

"Its magic, Brussel-sprout. Just magic."