Facing what had to be the WORST moment in the ceremony, Angela felt as well as heard the entire congregation become very QUIET. Uncertain of how to retrieve the situation – after all, what can a bride do? Make a FEINT of a left hook at the INEPT priest? She opted to gracefully swoon, a billowy cloud of tulle and lace in a heap on the floor, lilies and roses scattering about her

Georg’ann

They tried to FRAME the other GUEST, even using a TWEET to call him a CHEET. Despite the efforts they were INEPT. No one uses CHEET anymore to denigrate another’s sexual proclivities. 

Heather

Gather the GHOST
Close to you,
As if you are part
Of the same TRIBE
Put on your NATTY suit,
Your bespoke attire —
APTLY white and pale

Georg’ann

Keeping up with her former QUOTA was proving harder, running out of STEAM with each lap around the TRACK. She’d gotten out of the running HABIT, as one day off became a series that ran, pun intended, into months of inactivity. The pace was APTLY more leaden than brisk and bright.

Heather

I’m on a QUEST to build some CLOUT that I can FLOUT

Georg’ann

I AROSE, eager to CHOMP on something, anything with crunch and texture, before leaving donning my new red shoes and heading out the door. Soon aware something was amiss. A tree had been BLOWN over and in the back yard a little FLOOD. All yearnings to FLOUT deflated and instead I want to pout.

Heather

“Am I FATED to fail? Doomed to dredge cutlets through FLOUR for the rest of my life?” “Oh, man, quit complaining, or else I am kicking you out of the kitchen into the FOGGY night to fend for yourself!”

Georg’ann

“RAISE your lantern lest you miss a low hanging BOUGH, it shall be hard to see this FOGGY morning.”

Heather

I watch — The wren PLAYS at the edges of my yard, alert to signs of food, mate, or threat. I watch — marveling at its tiny movements, how the insects must view its clawed approach like the great TALON of a hawk. If I could only lock away this moment in the VAULT of my memory, there to ease moments of stress, of finding FAULT in my every move.

Georg’ann

A quick glance, the IMAGE has
No need to ADORN, the face appears HAPPY. Closer examination shows a furrowing, room enough for CAULK in the FAULT lines of sorrow

Heather

I POINT – my FEARS realized: a MUMMY!

Georg’ann

In the HOUSE there was no QUALM about the use of CUMIN. DUMMY, I cooked and played gin RUMMY. Lost track of time and the rice got GUMMY

Heather

I STARE at the moon. I see the shapes of Maiden, Mother, and CRONE emerge from shifting shadows and mist. My energies shift and my everyday façade begins to ERODE. Let the dance begin in the sacred GROVE.

Georg’ann

We rarely SPEAK
Conversation a CHORE
Not even a TROPE can fill
Vast expanse of silence
across the table
Where once words used to DRONE, buzzing like big flies
On the rotting fruit of a neglected GROVE

Heather

The TEARS BEGIN as Jackie realizes there is no way she can fit into that DENIM miniskirt ever again.

Georg’ann

Despite the frequent SNIDE comments about them I PINED for my 70s patchwork DENIM jeans long after they finally disintegrated

Heather

“I suppose we COULD,” his frown conveyed in tone as well as expression. I watch as he HEATS the water, selects his tea. “That needs to STEEP for only 3 minutes,” I say in my most bossy voice, hoping to jar him out of doubt and into certainty. His chuckle tells me he sees right through my strategy: “Oh how did I ever EXIST without you, let alone make a cup of tea?”

Georg’ann

Long before the event, Megan revealed her plan. It was a heavy burden to carry after the fact. Decades later she contacted me, said she hadn’t meant to FOIST it on me, thanked me for not adding GRIST to the media frenzy. She was never connected to the HEIST and in her escape ceased to EXIST until now.

Heather

“I must be CLEAR-eyed about this,” she muttered to herself. “No more fantasies of joining the élite ranks of POETS. I am just going to drink this damn beer and be done with it.” She lifted her STEIN to take a drink, feeling relief at having come to a decision.

Georg’ann

Draped over her collar bone, a delicate gold CHAIN reminder of some time past. Applying RESIN to the strings, the beginning of her performance ritual. This opening scene, in stark contrast to the ending that would come. Heavy boots and dark stout served in a large STEIN. Only the gold filigree remained, truly the one thing that held her together.

Heather

Considering what this MEANT, a PLACE in the most remote part of the woods with freshly dug dirt, Detective Fowler pondered the SHAPE of the mound. “I think you should grab the SPADE and start digging here,” he said to Sargent Thompson, pointing at one edge of the dirt. “Looks like we may have found what we were looking for.”

Georg’ann

You took a few words and made a WHOLE passage. Ingenious. As I STARE out the window, thoughts turn to bulb planting. Time to get out the SPADE for the fall ritual investment in hope.

Heather

Jackie was an odd GUEST. She seemed followed by FOLLY. So when she had FLOWN in to see me and FLORA, we were not surprised to see her spin across the FLOOR, wearing a clown suit and waving a magic wand!!

Georg’ann

GREAT day for cleaning, getting down on hands and knees to SCRUB. Major deep cleaning, not MINOR. From ceiling corner webs to the FLOOR beneath the rugs.

Heather

We have our favorite MUSIC playing. We are en ROUTE, certain to make it to the flight on time. I find myself GLUED to the map, tracking our progress the old fashioned way, my finger moving along the map. I watch the landmarks go by, little icons marking their places on the paper. I am, in EQUAL parts, relieved and saddened to have the next part of the journey begin. This part has been oh so very nice.

Georg’ann

Though on a tight budget, Margot was never CHEAP. REGAL in all manners, truly no one could be her EQUAL.

Heather

Let’s spread out the FEAST. I think it WOULD be nice on the PORCH. And if it doesn’t seem too COCKY, I could tell you about my travels to Greece and show you the photos I took of the IONIC columns.

Georg’ann

Inside the lab a genius at work. To his assistants he could sometimes be a BEAST, yet they sang his praises like a Southern Baptist CHOIR, vigorous swells of excitement for every development with FOLIC acid. Tedious precision, each MONIC measurement significant.
Outside a bustling campus, with little notice for the limestone chemistry building, its IONIC columns and etched periodic table of the significance of the research conducted inside.

Heather

COULD the OBOES serve to
Correct the ERROR?
The cacophony, the chaos of life?
They can be our ENVOY
Of serenity, to transport us,
For us to ENJOY, to lighten
Our burdens.

Georg’ann

I AROSE in a MOTEL, clearly from another EPOCH. What would it cost to ENDOW this structure with the creature comforts necessary for an extended stay. Could I dispatch a suitable ENVOY that I might ENJOY a longer sojourn in this place away from time known?

Heather

She tossed a PLATE in my direction. I caught it with a wink and said, “You’ve gone a bit off the RAILS, ma chérie!” She shrugged, a most casual of shrugs, giving her a very French air, saying, “Eh, perhaps not the most VALID and effective strategy, but you get my point, no??”

Georg’ann

ROUND the bend they marched
The interim leader assured, having been appointed by the former to go in her STEAD.
All wore their PLAID kilts with pride, it
didn’t matter the origin, clan, or fact of gender.
For this musical walk all was deemed VALID

Heather

Let me strut, let me purr:
For I am a woman of MEANS,
Out on the town with
My LANKY, FANCY DANDY

Georg’ann

To the STORE, to the store.
A PLAIN bag is HANDY
It holds all the CANDY.
Life is DANDY.

Heather

His PLEAS fell on deaf ears. “You are so dang SLICK,” she tartly replied, “You remind me of a SLOTH, covered in slimy green moss.”

Georg’ann

THINK hazardous to BATHE
in waters dotted with FROTH.
Chemicals to clean CLOTH dirty
In heavy air, people move like SLOTH.

Heather

I DREAM of flying. And in my dream, I have FLOWN past the woods and above the meadow. I count the fence POSTS, like a trail of breadcrumbs. I am now near the water, trying not to land in the BOGGY wetlands at the edge. I reach for the BOUGH of an oak tree, mid-way up the tree. Pulling myself up into the tree, I climb until I can turn my face to the stars. Peaceful, I sit and await the dawn.

Georg’ann

In for a penny, in for a POUND. Jumped right in, disregarding how TOUGH it might actually be. Floating fast, hit an intense ROUGH patch, the rapids tossing me to and fro. Almost got knocked out by a low hanging BOUGH.

Heather

The PLANE flies to
MOUNT Blanc
In a TWINK, in a blink
We will be there
No STING, no pain
On this trip!

Georg’ann

Fall festivals, a time for FRESH, hot popcorn nice and SALTY. Served with apple cider slow cooked with spices in a large STOCK pot. As seasons change once again and winter comes, popcorn becomes a treat for the birds when threaded on a STRING with cranberries.

Heather

Her last visit to the beauty shop left her QUITE SHORN. She left feeling SASSY and ready to sizzle and SCALD the world

Georg’ann

When I first WROTE her, I had no QUALM. Now that the missive has been sent I wonder if I SHALL find myself in water so hot it will SCALD.

Heather

MOUSE, mouse where do you run?
To the DOWNS, to the downs, away from the towns.
Are you SOOTY?
Aye, for my fur is grey
Are you SOGGY?
Nay, for my house is dry!

Georg’ann

As the curtain fell the audience sat in the dark, a moment of QUIET before the first BRAVO was exclaimed from one of the upper boxes. SPOOK and SONNY’s tale played well on the large stage. The set design and costumes exquisitely detailed. I wrapped my own pashmina more closely around my shoulders for warmth as I watched the boys on stage struggle in their SOGGY scenes.

Heather

“‘Tis me ma’s STAWS for the fair,” said the Scotsman as he POSED as if for a picture, his cow-LICKS catching the sunlight, on this BRISK fall day in the Highlands.

Georg’ann

Oh dear, such a SHAME about the potted posies. We hadn’t expected a FROST. Though baking some apple CRISP will comfort followed by a BRISK walk under the vivid blue sky.

Heather

I ADMIT it:
I am a BEAST!

Georg’ann

The WHOLE document was put together STRIP by shredded strip. By handing over the pieces, the secretary gave TACIT agreement related to the AUDIT, though she’d never ADMIT it explicitly.

Heather

I pulled the CAMEO off the dresser, memories of my DEARS.
Who will be BRAVE this time?
The GRAPE cluster hangs by the window GRATE.

Georg’ann

A CRAFT made of TRASH might include using a rusted furnace GRATE as a garden trellis

Heather

Like a MOVIE, my dream seems to FLOAT as the wind BLOWS. Alas, the CLOCK tells me it is time to face the world. What GLORY there is in the day? None… Can I not go back to dreams?

Georg’ann

A DAISY makes a gloomy day more MERRY.
It’s a simple blossom, not much GLORY.

Heather

Down the street they went,
Seven children in all with
The LEAST SPRAT
Bringing up the rear
Seven pairs of SABOT shoes,
Mama a SAINT and Papa
Full of good news

Georg’ann

Gliding, almost as if hovering, above the dance floor. She moved with GRACE, as always. Once back in the dressing room she fell FAINT. The hour was late, breakfast had been long ago and the PAINT fumes of the recently redone theater were strong. Martha, a SAINT of an assistant, caught her and then guided her to the light meal waiting.

Heather

She WEARS her boots
To climb to the AERIE
Where eagles nest
And falcons soar
“Let me REMAP my way down,”
She declares from on high
“I seek new ways,
New paths.
No mere RECAP for me.”

Georg’ann

We all feared he would SPOIL the PRANK with his darting eyes and fidgety hands. But he kept it together, the CAPER was successfully executed. The RECAP brought amusement for years to come.

Heather

The little MOUSE
Began to GLARE
And stamp his tiny feet
“We are not ALIKE,”
He fumed at the big rat.

Georg’ann

While the green of the beans changed hue in the STEAM, softening the taste, she began a slow DANCE inspired by the softly falling snow, wondered on the structure of each FLAKE. Were any two ALIKE struck her as an odd notion to ponder in the presence of such delight.

Heather

I will take my LUMPS
And keep trying to extend my REACH.
For it takes more than a TRICE
To make the world nice

Georg’ann

Look how big it’s GROWN, why I expect the PRICE to be TRICE.
So nice to be eaten with rice.

Heather

I wish to help her heal, but Her LARGE eyes were MOIST with tears.
Her heart shattered into too many pieces to COUNT,
How can we begin to mend, to set aside any DOUBT?

Georg’ann

ARISE! The HOUNDS are ready.
We will find the suspect, there is no DOUBT

Heather

My brow was MOIST with effort,
As I finally TAMED the garden.
Pleased, I bent down to take a refreshing sniff of the THYME

Georg’ann

With POISE & humility, she accepted the GRADE, hers had been heads above the rest.No one else had imagined a culinary THEME, incorporating THYME into an articulation of social class.

Heather