snapping turtle
snap dragon
snapping fly trap
misunderstanding
lack of sleep
snap snap snap
snarky remarks
unkind words
snap of a snare trap
take a deep breath
regain balance
snap out of it
time to snap back
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
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
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
“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

(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
Morning blush peeks through
fog cloud like a timid child
frost heaves in relief