It is the LEAST of my concerns – focusing ABOVE anything else on how I will get through the day. A decision about what I will (should?) wear – the MAUVE dress or the black suit – definitely feels like a trivial thing that I can WAIVE. The thought both releases me and tortures me: am I being NAIVE? Will the whole project collapse because I made a sartorial error?

Georg’ann

magenta LIGHT cast upward
Clothes the tree’s shapely trunk and lace like branches
Womanly form, statue of wood
Darkness in the immediate surround,
twinkling lights in the distance.
This one commands center stage sensual and dramatic

She invites me to dance, my own solid form responds
as SPINE undulates slightly

From here comes memory
Father making lunch
Daughter surreptitiously takes the KNIFE,
retreats to her room

Dichotomies of emotion
No option to be NAIVE
All present all the time
A universe within
Every element distinct
Nothing goes to the background, rapt attention
to too much

Heather

TOUGH days ahead, my friend. We may be feeling PEAKY, but we are WIRED to plow on despite our pain. The path is ICIER, perhaps even dicier. I find it harder to open up my INNER compass. Therefore, be careful what you INFER from my actions. I may be simply lost.

Georg’ann

The PAINT was NICER after the INKER applied the outlines that made the piece come to life. Before these markings were applied one could only INFER the artist’s intention.

Heather

“I am desperate for a HAVEN – do you think we COULD find one?” Sara spoke, lifting her head up. She had been bent over, morosely stirring her SOUPY mashed potatoes. I sighed. Sara folded over her plate again like a crumpled leaf. I decide to make another attempt at shifting her mood. “Sorry about that mess, Sara. I just couldn’t focus in the kitchen tonight. But come, sinking deeper into this melancholy won’t help. Let’s ROUST ourselves out of this torpor, put on our thinking caps and see what we can figure out.” Sara lifted her head, then her spoon, a tired and slightly twisted smile beginning to appear. “Okay… If I agree to JOUST with my demons,” taking a stab with her spoon as if it were a lance aimed at her opponent’s heart, “will you order a pizza? I am starving and these potatoes are really pathetic.”

Georg’ann

“To start each round the facilitator will sound the CHIME. At that time you must put down your QUART, whether or not you have finished your ale, pick up your lance and stand alert until the second chime, at which point you begin in earnest.
We look forward to watching you FLOUT your skills, the flourishes you add to your JOUST will be noted to enhance your score.
Let the games begin.”

Heather

A QUEST!
I LEAVE behind
AMORE, patria.
I search for new Love,
A new homeland.
Under dark skies
An AMBER moon,
My search begins.
I pray that my gains
Will temper my losses.

Georg’ann

Sitting in the well known place at the table, window to the left
Daylight pale coming through
Holding my coffee cup,
mine
only used by me
Only once a day
Only for creamy froth and bitter dark roast coffee

STEAM rises into the chilly kitchen air,
old house with drafts and microclimates throughout.
Not yet the heat from furnace, cooking, breath in conversation

Outside the last kale stock reminds me of a palm tree.
Tall, few leaves just at the top, crinkled deep purple green
All summer put into soups,
Nourish MAKER no longer
she is dying in the season
I most need her

Sunlight has risen higher now
Greeting the stained glass, casting AMBER and indigo
onto the warm brown cabinet.
Ambient sounds of the Tuesday trash trucks, voices in the alley.
Morning prayer comes to a close

Heather

TREAD carefully. You risk EXILE if stir up the enmity of the Queen. She strikes with deadly aim, her VENOM is powerful. Her anger must not be WOKEN – you are needed at court

Georg’ann

GUARD your heart lest it turn to STONE. Sweeten your cup with amber HONEY. Be in the company of WOMEN, those that cradle all of you, swaddled in care. Sleep deeply, no worries WOKEN.

Heather

We FEAST
You pass the APPLE
Is it of love?
Is it of discord?
I do not know.
Only one certain thing:
I AWOKE under your spell
I ADORE only you

Georg’ann

whispered question moves through dark QUIET
“Are you awake?”

The SHAPE of your tender
voice moved toward me
This is how I AWOKE

Join me here, wrapped in the warmth of covers and cuddles
You are the one I ADORE

Heather

Years of harvesting the WHEAT had deformed her SHAPE. Her hands showed evidence of endless CHAFE from the rough stalks.

Georg’ann

A SQUAT man with a full BEARD looked back and raised his hand in a final farewell as he boarded the PLANE. Something in his eyes and the quality of his gesture stayed with me, an IMAGE I couldn’t let go. It soothed the CHAFE of isolation I felt in the midst of all the comings and goings around me.

Heather

Taking her LEAST favorite hat down from the shelf, Lady Mary turned to her maid. “Do you think you can salvage this with some EGRET feathers? I have an EVENT tonight. I don’t suppose they will EJECT me for wearing last season’s style, especially if you can disguise somehow.”

Georg’ann

Sheep GRAZE, dotted
along the hillside
that OPENS to the sea
CHECK the box
ubiquitous scene seen
I wait to EJECT the image
Not yet certain whether
or not it belongs

Heather

She was PROUD of the FEAST before them. It had been hard to get everything down to the CABIN. It would have been so much harder without the help of her LANKY son: those long arms and legs made fast work of the task. Taking a last look around the space, she decided to accept the somewhat old-fashioned and MANLY air of the decor. The families and children would arrive soon enough, create the sweet chaos that she loved. Maybe some of the kids would like to hang paper chains on the antlers and noses of the assorted beastly heads on the wall? Shaking her head at such silly representations of masculinity, she pulled out the chair at her beloved desk, thinking to take a last look at some papers before the arguments began.

Georg’ann

There was a certain CHARM to the dark pub, a warmth among the regulars and extended to anyone just passing through. The sort of place where people called each other MATEY and at least one MANGY dog waiting outside. In almost every respect this was a MANLY sort of atmosphere in appearance though not in anyway inhospitable. Nothing crude or aggressive in the air. The Black Dog was for camaraderie, not picking fights or seeking sex.

Heather

I am looking for a certain PLACE by the SHORE, QUITE near my current home. A spot that entices, that will allow me to soak up the water and salt, where I can EXUDE peace and serenity without UNDUE effort.

Georg’ann

The COUNT and the QUEEN entered the small structure. It smelled of wood smoke and URINE but neither gave UNDUE notice as they sat down for tea.

Heather

“Move the FRAME a little bit to the right, would you?” Walking forward, Tina tilted her head this way and that, trying to assess the newest acquisition in her over-the-top art collection. “I want everyone who comes in this room to COVET, to positively swoon with desire, to… Oh I don’t know. Be eaten up with it I guess.” I snorted in response. “C’mon, T, that attitude will just make them run for the EXITS, slide on the TILED floor, spilling TEPID expensive coffee on their Valentinos and Jimmy Choos. Is that really what you want?”

Georg’ann

Before dawn, air crisp
Crows are up early, so loud
in the tree behind our neighbor’s garage
they caw and flap
unsettled and unsettling
too numerous to COUNT
Heading for the TRAIL
I choose a circuitous route
avoiding the inevitable
white droppings of black birds
Today’s trek is long, will birds wait for my return
Greet me on my way back, claiming the reward
lingering in a bath while hot water slowly grows TEPID

Heather

Such a peculiar dream I had! A pirate GHOST (to be known HENCE as “Cap’n HAIRY Harry”) threatening to make me walk the plank! Very HAPPY to be woken up by the sound of the newspaper delivery hitting the door.

Georg’ann

It was ROUGH going with pouring rain and gusty wind. Finally decided to pull over and get a CHEAP hotel. Better to wait it out safely. The room was actually not bad, and I was HAPPY to have a cup of tea in the bath.

Heather

I HOARD the THING that brings me joy, struggling to find the right PITCH that satisfies my childish anger and my commitment to the daily ritual. Feeling ITCHY and fidgety about it all, I yield and write.

Georg’ann

Just off the path, overlooking the lake, I HEARD an unusual sound coming from the THICK wilds of weeds, scraggly new trees, woodland shrubbery. It had an odd PITCH that set me searching for its source. Leaning in, as slow and still as possible but could find nothing. Kept moving ever so softly, pushing vines and branches to the side. It was only later, when my arms became intensely ITCHY, that I regretted not paying closer attention to the flora in my quest for the fauna.

Heather

I LEARN how at a young age, to not fear the dark, SEAMY side of meal prep. I am fearless as I reach into the carcass, pull out the offal, take on the tasks that are hidden but necessary. We will rejoice at the FEAST, and I am grateful to have a role to play, however much it is disdainful to others.

Georg’ann

A day to THANK
Despite its origin and
the over consumption
at best honors harvest,
making use of STALE bread
coming together to FEAST

Heather

“Grandpa always said, ‘You cannot achieve your DREAM without DRIVE.’ So let’s do this!” Flinging her backpack into the rear, Lucy slid in next to her honey. “C’mon. No one will realize the car is gone until we are way far away.”

Georg’ann

Preparation for a sacred FEAST,
pleasure or CHORE can be
PRIZE the texture
Our broken bread
Pulled apart
With loving fingers
Spread out to wait
Redemption without DRIVE

Heather

While she was a PLAIN Jane, she took the PRIZE at the county fair. Full of PRIDE, she pranced away waving her ribbon. That’ll teach ’em, she exclaimed, I am a PRIME beauty, not to be ignored!

Georg’ann

“What is that NOISE?” remarked Sam as he walked into the kitchen.
“Exiled Muskrats. Aren’t they fab?” Replied his exuberant youngest daughter.
“A band of trained muskrats? They ought to be exiled! They won’t win any PRIZE from me, my love.” He couldn’t help smiling at her with PRIDE as she laughed and tossed a cheese nip in his direction, feeling this was the PRIME of life.

Heather

If I PLEAD hard enough, will you reach up ABOVE and grab that jar from the top shelf? I am not feeling very BRAVE since I saw the spider in the cabinet.

Georg’ann

On a blustery late November night, it’s nice to get cozy and watch a MOVIE or read a good book. Seasonal SALVE for a certain kind of disquiet. Hard to BRAVE the cold, dark wind to meet with friends. Unless they are close ones that let you arrive in pajamas and offer you a blanket and cup of hot cocoa.

Heather

“Darling, you are PALER than I thought anyone could be! What has happened?” “Oh, I just woke up abruptly from a DREAM. I was in an ARENA, and I was helpless to AVERT the bomb headed for all the people. How about you? Did you sleep ok?”

Georg’ann

When Xavier fell against his SWORD, out poured what seemed like a QUART of blood. He called out an ALERT and managed to AVERT death.

Heather

I will SHARE this CHORE in hopes that we will get THERE faster!

Georg’ann

ARISE and face the day
BROKE ain’t gonna stop
WHERE you gonna go
ain’t gonna matter
Just gotta get yourself THERE

Heather

With a GLEAM starting to appear her still TEARY eyes, Amber RAKED through the pantry. “Here,” she said, shoving a box of pastry from the neighborhood BAKER at me.

Georg’ann

When little Esmerelda ate the WHOLE pie, her mother was quite STERN. The severe look and tone of voice was more crushing than the actual punishment they proclaimed.
Without pie, improvisation was necessary. Luckily mother had DRIED figs that she could serve with a drizzle of honey and a bit of soft cheese with just a hint of twang.
The GAMER in me, imagined the dinner guest comments and laughed inside to think how an impulse to devour pie elevated a simple, comforting supper among friends to one of unintended sophistication.
Leaning into thoughts of us all around the table, I wondered who among us would become the conversation PACER this evening? And would anyone lament out loud the absence of the promised pie? My mother was known to be quite a BAKER, and some disappointment was certain.

Heather

On the TRAIL, ALONE, I look up to the the shape of the branches. Above me like a GABLE on a roof end, the shape of a MAPLE tree carries my gaze ever upward.

Georg’ann

POEMS have that way, they TEMPT one to overwrite; IMPEL vivid language and deep sentiment that when done exquisitely allows the reader to AMBLE, having AMPLE space between words for thoughts to gently fall like leaves from that large MAPLE out back.

Heather

I just signed the LEASE. And here I am, standing in the door FRAME, wondering if this house will hold up in a QUAKE. Surely there is an EXACT ADAGE to fit this situation? Something not too INANE?

Georg’ann

The HOURS spent with that FLAKE, such a DIANE, made my head spin. Such INANE blather. Cheerful but unceasing.

Heather

You can PLEAD with an ANGEL, but there is no one who can protect you from seeming LAMER in public than your VALET.

Georg’ann

Out on the deck, overlooking the lake, STEAM rose from the hot tub. I ventured out to Bathe in that contradiction of temperatures. To hell with all other obligations. I TAPED a note on the door asking my VALET to take the day off, locked the door, and headed naked to a personal retreat.

Heather

At the very LEAST she could now RELAX. The PEDAL needed repair, and there was no way she would receive a MEDAL in the race.

Georg’ann

SHADE my eyes
DREAM truths blind
MEDAL has no valor

Heather

And one, two, three: I RAISE my arm gracefully, stepping toward the other dancers. I GLIDE forward, feeling as out of place as a single CHIVE in an omelette. “No, no. It’s all wrong.” Heads shaking, voices tumbling over each other… “Again!” comes the direction. “C’mon people. It’s QUITE past time for this. You should have figured out how to UNITE this piece before now.”

Georg’ann

HOUND at her side, the aging QUEEN greeted the workers. It was her task to UNITE, though she’d rather have been walking alone in the Highlands

Heather

“Stop! Don’t REACH across the table like that!” A RAPID tap on my knuckles, and I shrink back. “Okaaaayyyy” I say in my best whine ever. “Please pass the RAITA then.” We sound and act like two bratty kids, instead of the adults we are. “Look, Jiya, I know you didn’t want to go by train, but it will be so much nicer. Think how we can be lulled to sleep by the sound of the RAILS.” Saanvi sighed. “I know. You are right. But why did Nani and Dadi insist that we come now in the RAINY season?” “Now who is whining??” I should know better than to prod Jiya this way.

Georg’ann

Miss Juniper arrived early, light slowly coming on with a pinkish twinge silhouetting the trees. Given that she was well prepared to TEACH, she allowed herself a pause to watch the daylight brighten, the misty edge between night and day dissolve. DAISY was the first student to arrive, a little FAIRY dancing through the school yard. Miss Juniper wisely tucked this vision into her the special chamber of her heart where she’d learn to keep sunshine for RAINY days.

Heather

The BOATS sat still as the water below them. Adrian stepped into his own, “i Calamari,” named in honor of his SQUID fishing ancestors. He was reluctant to shake off the quiet of the world, the peaceful feeling of SLEEP lingering in his own mind. Indeed, a SPELL seemed cast over the whole bay, not even broken by the birds.

Georg’ann

The Entire GROUP had come to their limit, they simply could not take another step or look at one more iconic structure. “We want to sit for a moment, then take a rest before dinner.” Having effectively PLEAD their case, they were spared further walking. They sat for quite a SPELL, passively enjoying the city.

Heather

Dear Diary, today I realized that they can not SMEAR me any further. I am going into EXILE. They have FINED me, taking almost everything I have. It is time to let it all go and BEGIN anew.

Georg’ann

In the SHADE waiting,
a BEING fears to BEGIN

Heather

Having the MEANS to SHAPE the new loaf does not protect against STALE bread.

Georg’ann

If you don’t want to SPOIL the bread, don’t be a SLACK. Always put it in a sack so it doesn’t become STALE

Heather

SPINE stretches long
Little kittens in a heap
Sharing a DREAM
Of butterflies and cream

Georg’ann

“you SWING in the DREAM of my heart”

Heather’s niece, Ry

“Let me SHINE a light…” he said. She points ahead excitedly, “There!” Then with great disappointment, he sighs, “No, it was just a WHARF rat. This alley is full of them.” Wiping her hair out of her eyes, and drawing her coat a little closer around her, she shudders. “Ugh, I would rather meet a GHOUL than one of those nasty buggers.” “Agreed. But this alley by the bar where it happened is CHOCK full of vermin.” He turns to her in some exasperation, “Look how important is it to get this PHOTO? Don’t the police already have everything they need to press charges?”

Georg’ann

To QUEST is to seek
directions not fully known,
clues intuited suggest
the TRAIL to follow
even coffee & pancakes
hold potential paths
the corner BOOTH
has tales to tell
images along the wall
which PHOTO asks
you to notice
the way forward

Heather

“I detest the FEAST of All Souls” James shoved his feet, one after the other into his best boots. He kept up a muttering, just low enough that no one but the dog heard (and she merely stretched and rolled over). “I ABHOR going to the mausoleum,” his panic rising at the thought of how difficult it is to AVOID the mud, the spiders, and the rats that call that foul place home. ALOUD, he merely said, “Yes, mother, I am almost ready.”

Georg’ann

Katherine hadn’t meant to SPOIL the surprise, hadn’t given thought to how her CLOVE scented perfume always permeated the air around her, lingered in any space she moved through.
With her thick BLOND hair neatly tucked into a dark knitted cap she’d felt invisible.
While she might not be seen she was everywhere in the room.
Margaret entered the room and immediately felt a FLOOD of emotion as the telltale aroma put all her senses on alert. Without conscious awareness she gasped ALOUD.

Heather