Wishful Thinking

On a heath sitting beneath a toadstool, his head’s in his hands; his wings’re folded; his fairy tail swishes, and like a fool he’s wishing that Prince Charming’s blindfolded state won’t continue. It’s all that twit Cinder’s doing; the belle of the ball cast a spell. That glass slipper’s its trigger; it hinders all rational thought; the Prince’s not well, not since she banished Pink. Without invite, he can’t go; there’s no one to  break the spell. A beloved voice booms out and he takes flight. Cinder’s gone; fairy dust falls, breaks the spell. “I thought I’d lost you, my friend,” the Prince … Continue reading Wishful Thinking

The Power of Touch

The Power of Touch Sarn stared at the ceiling thinking adult thoughts that vexed. His son watched hoping his bright gaze would burn a hole. It didn’t. Ran consults his rocks, licks each one ’til a shape takes sight. “Star,” Ran says, hands it to Papa. Mind still turned within, Papa takes the rock turning it over in his hands; a green glow builds, wills the rock to bend, stretch, reveal its yearning and just when Ran can take no more suspense– a matte black star now floats ‘tween papa’s hands. Ran reaches into that warm tingle, dense with magic; Papa returns from dreamland. He stares,  clutched in son’s … Continue reading The Power of Touch

Peacock Spy & Peacock to the Rescue

The Peacock Spy The white peacock strutted about the yard; through its eyes he peered and counted sentries, saw a cage where a boy huddled; ten yards to the gate and three guards at the entry. “Did you see him?” inquired his brother, elbowing Flair, his connection broke–damn. “I can rescue him without help, brother.” Phaedron laughed at the thought. Flair sought that damn bird’s mind again, connected, drew himself across the link, felt feathers ‘stead of flesh. He strutted to the cage; it sat on a shelf. The boy uncurled, blinked, “you’re here in the flesh?” Flair shook his head; his young sib … Continue reading Peacock Spy & Peacock to the Rescue

Captive Dragon – Writing 101 # 14 & Friday Fiction with Ronovan Writes

Captive Dragon Stars shone, thousands of candles in the sky, their light outlines a chocolate dragon tied up. Too weak to struggle, her scales too dry, no helpful wave nearby, her wounded guide, her captain, draws near. Rescue’s in his mind. In night’s blanket he hides; his mind’s open to her–connection made–their pain’s entwined. “The earring,” she says mind-to-mind, “it opens the lock on the collar. Steal it, you must…” “I know,” he replies, he’s worked his way ’round camp, leaning on his sword; her captors trust her bonds to hold, but a weakness she’s found. He stumbles, grips the wound … Continue reading Captive Dragon – Writing 101 # 14 & Friday Fiction with Ronovan Writes

Pic and a Word Challenge – Gateway: Hero’s Bane

Hero’s Bane* At Hero’s Bane the blood runs cold and stone walls rise on either side of the defile. At Hero’s Bane, blood soaks the ground. Forgone the lives that enter that mountain pass while an army encamps in the vale below. Narrow is the way so a few can hold an army off if courage overflows. Defend Shayari like heroes of old. Let none who intend to harm her trespass upon her emerald mountains or her enchanted forests, so kill them en mass. At Hero’s Bane stop the evildoer. No freedom won without a life riven, at Hero’s Bane, … Continue reading Pic and a Word Challenge – Gateway: Hero’s Bane

POETRY 101 REHAB: MISSING

Missing “Head injury…might have amnesia…” The healer’s words still echoed scaring Ran, where he lay curled, fearing amnesia would take Papa away, like the bad man had tried to do. Holding his stuffed bear tight, he listened to Papa’s quiet breathing, willing him to wake, smile at the sight of his son. But unconsciousness’ plaything, Papa remained. Ran’s tears rolled off his nose. Then a pale glimmer broke through the darkness. Papa blinked and glowing green eyes focused. “Papa?” Ran asked. Blankness became fondness. “Ran,” Papa said, against his heart, he held his son. Ran’s fears and tears were at last quelled. ~ ~ ~ Follow … Continue reading POETRY 101 REHAB: MISSING

Beast of Cloud and Claw – One Word Photo Challenge

Beast of Cloud and Claw On cloud-stacked feet it steals across the sky ready to stomp the sleeping mountain town. Its wings kick up a gale force wind to cry its coming on the morn. It’s swooping down from on high, its ridged back blots out the sun. Its shadow falls and blankets the valley. The temperature drops as it exhales cold, ice sheathes its talons, winter’s friend rallies, unhinges its jaw, breathes white fire so cold it burns; it freezes everything in place. ‘Cept the slayer striding towards the ice-drake. Magic builds ‘tween her upraised hands; her faces’s grim. She slings the … Continue reading Beast of Cloud and Claw – One Word Photo Challenge

Spy Bubble – Photo-Fiction #12

Spy Bubble She formed it in her palm, a translucent sphere, caressed by a rainbow sheen. It floated, carried by the breeze with her full consent. Higher it flew; it accelerated, heading towards the army’s lines. Eyes closed, she concentrated; her bubble bobbed o’er the mages’ camp. Through it she spies. Her lips move as she counts her foes. Trouble wears a blue robe; his kolh-lined eyes follow her bubble. He spins dervish-fast, chases her spell-wrought spy past armed men who wallow in the respite. In the air he traces a quick pattern, a counter to her spell. Her bubble pops but she’s got her intel. ~ … Continue reading Spy Bubble – Photo-Fiction #12

RSVP: Keysta at the Ball – A Daily Post Sonnet

RSVP: Keysta at the Ball She watched the dancers twirl in their bright gowns. Plain she felt, a girl playing dress up, all ruffled, beribboned in a borrowed pink gown. Dancers wheeled past, all unknown; she stood tall, wondering which of the flouncing follies had the ear of her enemy. Whose spies floated on the strains of sweet melodies? They moved like pale reflections–washed out lies in petticoats. She alone was solid, real, she had some dimension the guests lacked. She needed air, fled the ballroom; valid excuse or no, she had to go; with tact she withdrew to the balcony and smiled, the fellow she’d … Continue reading RSVP: Keysta at the Ball – A Daily Post Sonnet

Frontiers – A Pic and a Word Challenge

Frontier Mountains frame my home. They ripple across the dark horizon unable to cage the enchanted forest which spills across its flanks, spreads o’er the land. Magic wages its own war within that dark wood; explore it at your own peril. Misted mountains’ vista shows a hundred valleys and more melting into that last frontier. Explain why that blue haze lays o’er all obscuring your edges sweet Shayari? Your border hides itself; its secrets are alluring. What lies beyond on that vast continent? If I leave you will I find contentment? prompt courtesy of Pic and a Word Challenge #10: Frontiers Continue reading Frontiers – A Pic and a Word Challenge

Eavesdropping – Writing 101 #10

Eavesdropping Ran pretended to sleep. Often adults ignored small children, so his feigned repose went unnoticed and he heard the results. “–traumatic brain injury but he shows some improvement. He’s young. Recovery is possible but it’ll take time, how much I can’t say ’til he wakes.” Recovery sounded good. Papa’d be okay; Ran clutched his stuffed bear as the healer’s voice faded. Uncle Miren’s question cut the quiet, “When’ll he wake up?” Lying still, Ran waited; the reply was eaten by the quiet settling o’er the infirmary. He cried ’til a weak embrace, him, from his fears, pried. ~ ~ ~ A scene … Continue reading Eavesdropping – Writing 101 #10

Friendship

Friendship Saveen regarded Ran in that open, trusting way of his; slow-witted they said; stupid, they called him, those orphan children, the Foundlings that mama had raised and led. Ran understood him even though Saveen was big like his uncle. His mind was small, which made him the perfect friend for one green eyed boy who didn’t want to be watched at all. They played knights and dragons. Creeping about from shadowed nook to pile of clothes, they slunk, stalking imaginary prey. Lookout! A monster’s rising–they pounce using spunk to defend ’cause no weapons are allowed, their foe fades to shadow and they stand proud. ~ ~ ~ Scene from … Continue reading Friendship

Odd Trio, Cat’s Paw, Cat’s Vision and Cat’s Prophesy – A Four Sonnet Cycle

Pool (c) in medias res by Melinda Kucsera

An Odd Trio

An odd trio they made, a cat, a bowl
of soup, a beach towel, thought Moon Runner.
Maybe that was the norm on this atoll.
This scrap of rocky beach was no stunner.
All volcanic glass that cut at his feet,
White-caps slamming aground with enough force
to shatter a boat if he’d had one to beat.
Made him wonder why he’d chosen this course.
The cat nudged the bowl of soup with its head.
Not a golden drop spilled on the towel.
An intelligent gleam from its eyes led
him to join the cat on the soft towel.
He lifted the proffered bowl, sipped the soup.
‘Round the island appeared a golden hoop.

Continue reading “Odd Trio, Cat’s Paw, Cat’s Vision and Cat’s Prophesy – A Four Sonnet Cycle”

Secret Admirer – A Daily Post Sonnet

Secret Admirer She fingered the course cloth of his green cloak. Her savior–a man with green eyes that burned with magical fire. Course fabric she strokes, feeling arms carrying her, unconcerned by the enemies still fighting. Three shafts bloomed in her attacker’s neck, her savior’s work, before he’d rescued her. Danger still loomed as he ran through forest where shadows lurk. Sudden impact–she’s falling; one raider’s accosted them. She’d hit her head, missed the fight; vile unconsciousness betrayed her. She has his cloak, his presence it insists. Her savoir’s face in good lighting she yearns to see, to give her thanks and his name learn. ~ … Continue reading Secret Admirer – A Daily Post Sonnet

Photo-Fiction Challenge #5 – Evasion

Evasion She sat reading and fading where she sat. First her feet slipped into nothing, a toe at a time. Her legs went next, but she sat still and continued reading even though her body shifted out of time part by part. Her torso next phased out following her legs. Not some invisibility trick or try to fool the eye, she’s going now, her arms are vanishing, soon her head will go and all that will be left standing is her clothes and the grimoire that she read. For the invisibility spell cast had helped her to evade her past at last. Prompt … Continue reading Photo-Fiction Challenge #5 – Evasion