Smoke rose in pillars from the field
Fires blasted the soldiers with heat
Sweat dripped down their brows already
Gunfire was heard in the distance
as were the pained screams of dying men
The smell of copper field the air
before the stench of burning flesh joined it
Time dragged for the victims of battle
Commanding shouts led men to fight
Swords clashed and dirks appeared
hoping to kill before another shot fired
The mix of sounds left the young boy horrified
He gagged as he struggled to find his commander
The faces of friend and foe both fierce and unwelcoming
Clutching the dagger to his heart
his feet stuck in the bog
He fell, left to crawl amongst the bodies
and pray not to be trampled
His eyes met the fear filled gaze of an enemy warrior
A gunshot echoed above them and he screamed
sinking the black blade into the other man’s heart
His hands shook, leaving it embedded
And he rose
The commander found him as the others retreated
Paralyzed, he was lifted onto the steed
He’d never felt so tired
It clung to his limbs like wet clothing,
pulling, pulling, pulling
until he sunk beneath its surface
The panted breaths of the horse were all he heard.
September 26th
He sits across from his therapist as she checks off #boxes in her mind. She scribbles notes down from his answers and he bites his lip from asking. He’s new to this. His leg bounces, up and down, anxious for answers. Anxious to be told it’s not in his head.
September 27th
The wind kisses the leaves with a playful breeze and dances with fading flowers. Insects buzz in swirls around his ears. Rough bark reaches for skin through thick sweaters but he welcomes its affirming touch. He #listens to nature, sat upon its packed dirt.
September 28th
She talked to herself through every task. Rambled and raved. No audience required for the #insane mutterings she came across. She told stories in whispers and shouts. She told stories of the sad and mad. It kept her amused. They called her crazy, but she knew where her marbles were.
September 29th
She held the leash loosely in her right hand as her dog marched forward, nose to the ground. Their feet and paws crunched on the #crisp leaves felled by Autumn’s breeze. Her eyes were vigilant for any threats to her dog and thankfully her dog listened when needed.
September 30th
The #epoch of her life had been the four years in university. She sat in the back, hiding her mind from classmates and professors. She toyed around on her laptop, unable to focus. Anxiety thrummed in her heartbeat, coaxing her into depressive and manic episodes.
October 1st
She stands out like a sore thumb covered in scars, tattoos, and piercings. Surrounded by girls in booty shorts and crop tops, she flashes her middle finger at the cookie cutters. She’s #contrarian and bucks the social norm. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
October 2nd
She was without an #anchor in the storm. The ropes that tied her to the docks had long since frayed, rubbed repeatedly between boat and wood. She nose dived under a large wave, its waters threatening to fill her. Alone in the harbour, she wondered how long she’d last.
I missed the weekend prompts for my posts this week so there a bit short. Hope you don’t mind!
September 24th
#Fire licked across the stacked logs, surrounded by placed brick. It grew until it crackled and sparked and its flames reached for the starry night sky. She sat with her husband on folding lawn chairs. No words passed between them as the heat warmed them.
September 25th
She wrapped the #sinew around the willow twigs that formed a circle. It required a soft touch and yet force was needed too. She continued until the web was formed, decorated with beads the colour of rainbows. As she kissed her son’s head that night, she hung the dream catcher
September 26th
Night #consumes the day and she readies herself. Dressed in black, she lifts herself onto the window sill. Its tracks bite into her palms and she drops when it’s time. The two-storey fall is quick and she lands with a thud, rolling for cover. She draws in a deep breath.
September 27th
Stars twinkle in distant #universes, lighting skies above alien life. Through telescopes, gazes meet but remain unaware. Life continues its circling dance. She dreams of unknown planets and longs to walk on foreign soil. Her imagination is a playground of planets.
September 28th
September 29th
September 30th
His bare feet were numb on the cold, wet road. The ragged clothes on his body were no shelter from the howling wind. There was no frown on this boy’s face. He wore a stubborn scowl like a shield and pressed forward. It was #inevitable in his mind that he’d find shelter.
Kember's Journey 