Clandestine Visitor

Light patter of feet
upon bare floor
spring rain gently tapping on glass

Little person unable to sleep
attempts stealthy reprieve from night time ritual
creeps toward lamplight

Open book lies on blanketed lap
words on yellowed pages invisible
disinterest feigned in clandestine visitor
silently daring next move

The child darts from shadow to shadow
a staccato movement
stops and starts

Her position freezes
as I clear my throat
fetching a giggle

she anticipates discovery

With the willpower of Hercules
I do not look her way

Waiting
Waiting
Waiting

Until just the right moment to
FLING
my arms out
to grab her

Squeals of delight elicited
as we tumble
into a laughing heap

My Secret Weapon

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
(image credit: Njuguna)

The world is my oyster
waiting
pacing in nervous anticipation

All is ready
to burst in glorious colors
raucous symphony

Seams are taut
stretching in excitement
doors bulging with opportunity
Creativity has arrived

Smile is broad
wide
grin is captivating
twinkle in eye
cannot be denied

This is my reality
my excitement
my joyful ammunition

A Dream

I dreamt I was
walking a path
full of mazes and illusions
twists and turns forking in alternate directions
temptations to wander and explore

I met a wizard
a small man with white hair
a wizened face full of wrinkles
that gave witness to the passage of time
yet his dark eyes still held
a boyish look, an impish playful twinkle

He seemed to be holding a secret
he was bursting to tell
I could not continue
along this strange path
without having to go around
this little man

He spoke
voice level gentle soft but earnest
No one comes to me unless called

I thought it was an illusion
I had heard no call
but as I attempted to pass
one hand went up
fingers pointing to the sky

A beautiful book appeared
filigreed cover glowing
with swirls of blue and green and gold
moving like flowing water
Next the cover looked
like a glorious peacock feather
with the eye of the feather staring directly at me

The timeless druid
asked me to write
I had no pen
but my thoughts went to the parchment
as the book unfolded before me
words leapt from my mind
to the waiting page
they danced and twirled and spun
beautiful pirouettes
a ballet of ideas and fantasy

I giggled as I orchestrated
this lovely performance of words
not sure how it was happening
but grateful for the wizard’s magic
his guiding slight of hand
allowing me a glimpse of creativity at play
with reverence I gently closed the magical book

The wizard had been watching
this sublime act
so his words upon acceptance of the book
were completely unexpected
Don’t eat crackers

When this comment was met by my stunned silence
he continued saying
the meaning of the words would be clear to those
needing to hear them

It was a strange dream

Breakthrough

“And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.” -Anais Nin

It feels good
silence allows
stream of steady ideas to flow overlap
disappear

It feels good
to anticipate
put energy into goals and renewal
a new start
a continuation
put to rest past demons that try to rise and smother Now

It feels good
knowing
that closure can be given to an event long overdue
it’s been knocking at the door unanswered
today
uninvited
it burst through
not willing to be denied
demanding attention
flaunting flailing expecting recognition

Despite my surprise
despite my trepidation
despite my lack of understanding

It feels good

A Gnome

gnome
(image credit: inplacesdeep.blogspot.com)

We came upon a gnome
blowing up balloons
seated at the corner of a house
Discovery of his presence delighted us
piqued our curiosity
We approached slowly

He appeared to be equally curious about us
remaining seated on a wool blanket
black boots tucked under his body
straw hat at an impossible angle on his head
round lenses of his wire glasses magnifying his dark eyes

The gnome spoke rapidly
in rhyme
he told a silly story
that blended with questions
he didn’t bother to hear answered
We laughed
amused by his silly demeanor

While all this took place
a young elf
paced side to side to the left of our seated friend
The older gnome ignored the movement
remained focused on us
Between giggles we tried to speak
but he had a tale to spin

He handed a balloon sceptre
pronouncing a new queen
investing with authority a new royal
custodian of the inflated rod
And was gone

We blinked with mirth
not quite understanding
what had just taken place
a bit of magic added to our day