note #194

the walls shivered with the intensity of the nearby blast. she ran along the corridor, trying not to stumble in the dark as another blast caused the floor to tremble menacingly. a door opened and a man stepped out, looking around with bleary eyes.

run! she yelled at him, the city is under attack!

he stared at her a moment while another explosion sounded in the distance. where? he asked in a steady voice. there is nowhere to go. we could shelter in the basement, but then we would be trapped if the building fell.
she shook her head and continued past him, heading for the stairs and any way out.

note #193

prepare the bells to peal,
the drums to beat,
set out your mourning weeds.
stand the guard,
set the candles,
prepare the end to meet.
steep memories
like flower blooming tea
to soothe the ache of loss.
set the table,
stop the clocks,
cover all the mirrors.
remember the dead
for the life they lived,
the person they were,
and the love they give.

note #192

those dark secrets
that seep out of the cracks
and turn your thoughts black
with the decay of a lifetime.

note #191

they came. in the night they moved, silent as shadows. by day we saw the remains of their passage. death and destruction. feast and famine. the end of life as it was. the beginning of the fall of man.

note #190

as the year turned over and the world stepped forward into the new dawn, i had so many wishes, but only one at the fore: love.

note #189

it was orange juice, right? i asked as i came out of the doors behind him.
he straightened and looked at me in surprise. yes.
here! i smiled bigger and handed him the carton.
thank you! he said as i opened my umbrella and headed back into the storm.
--
could you buy me some orange juice? he asked as i rushed up to the grocery doors, closing my umbrella and moving quickly out of the downpour.
no, no i'm sorry, i responded. sorry.
he returned to his position, leaning against the wall, looking out at the rain, prepared to ask again when another person came along.
his request was so specific, so odd a thing to ask for - not change, not a sandwich, not some food in general. before i had even gone a few steps into the store i had decided. i was only going in for milk and the orange juice was right across from it, it wasn't that much money or even an inconvenience.
did he want one with or without pulp? would it matter?
i stared at the orange juice for a few moments, and grabbed one that was more substance than filler and gimmicks

this is a truth.

note #188

whither wander winsome wight?