Hour Twelve: The Gathering “Only one rule: Don’t wear black.” After an absence of eight years (despite all of the promises, the excuses, the maybe-about-next -years?) we will gather this time not to reunion (a desperate attempt to relive those younger carefree hopeful days) but…

Deep in the woods with the moon at its peak The goblins come out to creep Along the river on paths of moss Tiptoeing past where naiads sleep They clamber over long dead ents And flee the wolf-men’s tents To gather at the Coyote’s Fang…

Before the virus we gathered at my home orphan islanders making our own family. Humpday board game nights quarterly whiskey tastings hurricane all nighters playing cards by candlelight, Cameron bedded down under the kitchen table, our feet all around him, keeping him safe, and feeling…

The juice of a ripe plum rolls down my chin while the citrus scent of geraniums perfume the air Our laugher, like fireworks, paints the sky gold; the fading fingers of the sun tangle our hair A chorus of crickets underscores stories shared over peach…

let the sands of time turning as I relive each moment the day it all began I was only holding your hand on an evening over icecream fears, insecurities and doubts that nagged our paths melted with your touch this day when it all comes…

“No one reads hardback anymore,” he said, sunflower glasses perched on a perfect nose. “Beats knitting,” I replied, his beach bag brimming with yarn and cheddar cheese crackers. “Clearing my mother’s space,” sadness. A splash of mud. “Just finishing.” Wine glasses. A mile of thick…

A family holiday— surrounded by the people meant to most love and support each other, I never felt that love. I’m not what you would call a black sheep. I wasn’t rebellious, I wasn’t outspoken, I was just the middle child surrounded by kids more…

2022 prompt/hour 11: “In memory of Helen”   I walk there, to see her – taking a folding chair I cannot go in  – between covid and cancer treatment it isn’t safe I sit beneath her verandah – she on her own chair, well above…

How to keep a room warm without fire or electricity? When the people closest to you gather in one place – Warmth comes naturally!

Hour- 11 The eternal lamp of your expression has lit The world has become illumined are you leaving the aroma from your lips Fragrant all-around fizz The voice of birds sitting silent echoed are you chuckling Many pearls fall from the clouds In between your…