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

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