Category: Light-Years In The Dark
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Light
Through a field of wavering grass came a procession of men and women. Colors flowed from their bodies shimmering like wings of a butterfly skimming over gold and emerald water. They smiled as they passed me on their way none would say to where. Mirrors flashing in their hands like dangerous jewels in the sun…
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Dominion
The creatures of this foreign land were descendants of god, or so they claimed, and roamed restless the fertile earth by concocting mountains of steel and glass, valleys of cement, and clouds of dust. From prison towers guarding their spoils attained from privilege and sacred blood they perched, vigilant of the thieves who conspired to…
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Rehearsal
A woman with whom I once shared a bed asked me if I was prepared for death. I laughed, then realized she was serious. She kissed my mouth to silence me and held me down gently against the sheets. Her long hair was as soft as feathers and covered my face. My eyes closing only…
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Symphony
He was a complex boy. Losing himself in the woods as a child wandering alone. Marveling at the ingenuity of spiders as they secreted tenuous threads from their bodies to orchestrate a symphonic maze. He watched the silk strands pulled taut like strings plucked by virtuoso harpists experimenting for pitch, tone, and tempo. He felt…
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Presence
She was known for her collection of unusual things. Wherever she traveled she brought back objects of art to her home. Wood carvings, polished stones, intricate weavings, blown glass, sculpted metals. People said she had an eye for beauty, a gift for finding the truly unique. But she was not interested in what others thought.…
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Warmth
It was love at first sight for him. For her she had to get used to his face. He looked like her Yorkshire Terrier. It was his red shaggy beard and eyebrows. What she was attracted to was his eyes – dark and gentle, with a sparkle to them – again, like her dog’s. He…
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Spirits
Chrysalis was the name she bequeathed upon herself, a talented and troubled woman haunted by spirits. She feared their presence and hoped her entourage might provide some security. They accompanied her in limousines, opening doors, carrying bags, and living in her estate. They sat at her long table and dined with her as she ate,…
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Angels
Angels are with us, said a woman seated beside me on a plane. I smiled politely and went back to my reading. People often claim not to believe in angels, she went on. What do you think is keeping us from falling from the sky? I shrugged, less of a smile this time, wondering if…
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Stars
He fought to climb the ice walls into darkness and touch the stars. He fell back, hands burned, eyes blinded, and cried —Why? The crowd rejoiced at his success. No, a failure, he insisted, but was denied. Excerpt from Light-Years in the Dark: StoryPoems (see more) photo-art design by todd crawshaw
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Danced
There was a woman who danced herself to death and no one knew why. A crowd gathered to witness her collapse. They stared at her lifeless body until a man dressed in black took it upon himself to bury her. People stood at her grave site confused by the void in their lives left by…