The Spheres descended from the clouds and hovered silently for weeks. Mute and motionless, they tuned into our senseless human pandemonium. They shut down our media, stopped the frantic online chatter, and disappeared as quietly as they had come, erasing forever our vast internet. We worship a new god now.
snow melt spring rain accumulated abandoned fox hole pond. I descend as pond scum, Pollywog fodder. Alone, I am an amphibian tad pole acceding , evolutionary expectations. I am alone left with my thoughts and soliloquies. No one listens to me. .
I felt this one deeply in a way I wasn’t expecting, Rich. Your poetry can be read time and time again, and something new emerges with each pass. Beautiful work! 👏
I suspect we humans have the most highly sophisticated defense systems within the animal realm. Unfortunately, that means we fear pretty much every unknown. I know "fairies" would have two legs if they appeared but would probably draw rock projectiles if they did. Those humans are a paranoid lot!
The event is about to start. Six months of waiting are over; I'm ready with my camera to snap the writer as she enters. But the dogs, I think. They're alone. They'll be fine. Unless I left the door open and they run out, looking for me on the road.
I love how this is told through a deer's perspective. (at least I imagine it would be a deer). Some humans try to approach them just to get closer to their beauty, and some hunt them. No wonder they are wary of us.
Nice, Justin! Painting a different perspective. I like that the word ‘descent’ offers SO many possibilities. I need to scoot out to pick up a rental car. I’ll have a go later.
Actually… I think we’ve made a truce. My seed feeders now hang from windows. This seems to have foiled them. 🤞🏻
But every morning I set out peanuts in the shell. They collect, then hide them while I sit on the patio. They will now come with in inches of me… because I’m so friendly. 😂
THE SPHERES, fiction
The Spheres descended from the clouds and hovered silently for weeks. Mute and motionless, they tuned into our senseless human pandemonium. They shut down our media, stopped the frantic online chatter, and disappeared as quietly as they had come, erasing forever our vast internet. We worship a new god now.
Loved this, Sharron! We could use a little reset sooner or later.
You think? 🙄
Good one, Sharron. The post office would like that.
ha ha ha - a return to the good old days...
Descent--Fiction
She didn’t need grounding—simple grounding exercises had never worked.
Her rage was too intense.
The pain, the abandonment, the grief, those emotions that swirled and combined to feed her rage, they ran too deep. They were roots.
To get to the roots, she had to descend *below* the ground.
I love the intensity of your story, Cassandra! It packs a punch. Great final line, too! Thanks for sharing with us!
Thank you. I knew I couldn't match the humor in yours, so I went in the opposite direction!
I always love seeing the wide variety of responses. It makes it fun! 😃
Descent--Poem
____________
The bird need not
Fear descent.
He can swoop, then
Reset his wings,
Ascending as desired.
*
Not so for
You and I.
Too far down,
Too quickly may
Takes us to depths
From which we cannot
Recover.
*
Envy the bird
But do not mimic him.
If only Icarus had known.
What a great final stanza! I like the tie in with Icarus, too.
Silence. 50 word poem
I feel I am algae stagnating in a stand still
snow melt spring rain accumulated abandoned fox hole pond. I descend as pond scum, Pollywog fodder. Alone, I am an amphibian tad pole acceding , evolutionary expectations. I am alone left with my thoughts and soliloquies. No one listens to me. .
I felt this one deeply in a way I wasn’t expecting, Rich. Your poetry can be read time and time again, and something new emerges with each pass. Beautiful work! 👏
Thanks Justin. Out of the cosmic swirl long ago watching tadpoles grow. Few available now. R where did childhood go?
Trouble poetry
The trouble with mountains
As they stand there so Vain
Is that they invite a hike
And I am no tyke
Going up is fun
Then I wish I was done
But the descent awaits
I have no skates
Another walk has to be
Down is awaiting me
Oh, knees !
Thank you, Justin !
Got the book , thanks !
You’re very welcome, Theresa. “Oh knees” is such an accurate representation given the circumstances. Great poem!
Thank you, Bill !
Thank you, Cassandra !
Picacho Peak - CNF
The ascent was easy.
Well, easier than one would imagine with no handrails or a guide.
The descent, however, scared me to death.
My knees creaked and groaned, wobbling as I looked for anything to assist me on the way down.
Thank God for David’s hand.
What a touching story, Kim. I love how you ended it, holding your husband’s hand.
Descent of apes. Origin of species. Swing from trees . What’s changed Tarzan? Kreegah! Speech.
Oh, man, they got THAT right. Humans! Beautifully unexpected last line Justin. Exactly right, my friend.
Thanks so much, Sharron. I sometimes wonder what animals think of us, ha!
They DEFINITELY have opinions. I read it very clearly in old Raymond’s fuzzy face. Adoration, distrust, suspicion, gratitude…
I suspect we humans have the most highly sophisticated defense systems within the animal realm. Unfortunately, that means we fear pretty much every unknown. I know "fairies" would have two legs if they appeared but would probably draw rock projectiles if they did. Those humans are a paranoid lot!
So very true regarding fear and paranoia, Mark. We sure do possess those qualities! Thanks a bunch for reading.
Descent - Fiction.
The event is about to start. Six months of waiting are over; I'm ready with my camera to snap the writer as she enters. But the dogs, I think. They're alone. They'll be fine. Unless I left the door open and they run out, looking for me on the road.
As a dog owner, I feel this one in my soul! Thanks for sharing, Jason.
I love how this is told through a deer's perspective. (at least I imagine it would be a deer). Some humans try to approach them just to get closer to their beauty, and some hunt them. No wonder they are wary of us.
Descent
The stairs may have been golden but to Tommie’s eyes the dirt and grime shone through, clogging up windows and disturbing framing floors.
Voices wailed in the distance as his family uttered threats of contempt and disgrace.
Tommie began his descent to a life that long at last was his.
Nice, Justin! Painting a different perspective. I like that the word ‘descent’ offers SO many possibilities. I need to scoot out to pick up a rental car. I’ll have a go later.
Thanks, Barrie! You’re right, there are a ton of possibilities with that word. Sounds great!
The last line… 😂
Ha! Grumpy old squirrel? 🐿️
I bought a squirt gun a few weeks ago and took aim at chipmunks on the bird feeders. They seemed to enjoy the gentle shower. 🤷🏻♀️
Haha! Squirrels have been ravaging our feeders for years. Squirt away, I say! 🤣
Actually… I think we’ve made a truce. My seed feeders now hang from windows. This seems to have foiled them. 🤞🏻
But every morning I set out peanuts in the shell. They collect, then hide them while I sit on the patio. They will now come with in inches of me… because I’m so friendly. 😂
This seems to be the best path forward. If only they knew most of us are halfway decent! We really aren’t so bad after all. 😂
And honestly this sounds like a wonderful way to start the day. I hope you have a great weekend!😀
You, too Justin!