Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Description: Faery

Here is a purely descriptive short piece about one of the settings (Faery) of my work-in-progress. Enjoy! (And comment if you have a minute.)


Faery

A shiver ran down my spine as my body passed through the portal into the magical realm of Faery. Fantastical scenery surrounded me. If I had been colorblind, it wouldn’t have been half as startling. Many things had familiar shapes: grass, trees, flowers, streams; though with vastly different colors.


Everything shone like it was lit from within. Every few steps I wanted to stop and inspect something. A bunch of garnet-colored flowers swayed even though there was no wind, as though slow-dancing to some melody that I just couldn’t hear. Bright, white light streamed from two suns, one low and one hanging high in a soft pink, cloudless sky.


The air was heavy with a wild mixture of strange, fruity aromas and almost no breeze. My mouth watered as I imagined a plump, burgundy fruit, so full of sweet juice that it dripped from my chin with every bite. A gurgle drew my attention to a small brook flowing with water the deep orange color of sunset back home.


A long line of tiny birds, the size and color of golf balls, marched like ants, high among the feathery, lavender leaves of a tree. When the small leader opened its beak, the tinkling sound of bells erupted and every single bird in line stopped frozen. If I hadn’t just seen them moving with my own eyes, I would have sworn they were concrete statues.


A little farther along, I came to an odd looking tree. The stiff, navy branches seemed to be slotted. As I stood bewildered, a light wind blew through the slots. Suddenly, strange music filled the air and small, furry animals the same cerulean blue as the grass darted around beneath the branches, snatching falling seeds as soon as they touched the ground.


I spun around with my arms outspread, surrounded by wildflowers in every color of the rainbow, trying to take it all in at once. There was such a feeling of peace as I took a deep breath and a smile stretched across my face.








I appreciate any and all feedback, even (especially) if you think it sucks, but only if you tell me why you think it sucks. Let me know!! I can't wait to hear from you guys. Interaction is what this life is all about!! 




Thanks to StoryDam for the prompt.

Sunday, March 25, 2012

Forbidden

Princess Esmeralda was walking in the woods, far beyond the borders of her kingdom, the first time she saw him. He sat in a rainbow field of wildflowers, scribbling in a journal. His tawny skin told her that he was an animal fairy from the Kingdom of Fauna, sworn enemy to her Kingdom of Flora. She had spent all day in battle meetings, biding her time, listening while her father consulted with heads of the Floran military. She waited patiently for her escape from their barbaric discussions of how to force the Faunans into submission. She wanted no part of that silly war. She had never even seen a Faunan before that day. She watched through the navy branches of a singing tree while he wrote. He was clearly unarmed, and seemingly unaware of her presence. As she spied, he closed his book and fell back in the cerulean blades of grass and closed his eyes.
A few minutes passed, and Esmeralda gathered the courage to approach, after checking for a third time that no one would see. Even as she came within a few feet, he continued to bathe in the white sunlight pouring down from the soft pink sky.
“Hello.” The music of his voice floated in the air although his eyes remained closed.
“What are you doing?” She reinforced her words with a steely resolve to cover her genuine curiosity. She looked around nervously, not wanting to be seen with a Faunan.
His long, black lashes fluttered open, revealing the lightest green eyes she had ever seen. Blocking the suns with one hand, he smiled up at her. Esmeralda’s heart took off like a rocket, and, simultaneously, her breath stopped.
“I’m resting in a field,” he replied rather obviously, propped up on one elbow. “Has it offended you, Princess?”
“Don’t be ridiculous. I was referring to what you were writing.” His use of her title reinforced her confidence.
“Well, you are welcome to sit and have a look.” He pulled the brown leather-bound book from the tall grass as he drew himself up to sitting, looking at her expectantly.
She glanced around one last time, making sure no one would see her, before folding her long legs beneath her on the ground and reaching for the book. His poetry captivated her instantly. She had never been a fan of art, any of the arts, really. Her father had always laughed at such nonsense, with a stern reminder that expanding the kingdom was all that was important.
“This is really beautiful,” the words sprung from her lips without permission. “For poetry, of course.” She covered her awe with a casual shrug. A smirk flitted across his face so quickly that she wasn't entirely sure it had been there at all.
“Thank you,” his low whisper hummed through her. She could feel its vibration deep in her gut giving birth to waves of tingles that shot out to her fingers and toes. She glanced at him and saw a faint blush fade from his dark cheeks. “I get a little caught up in the beauty of nature. The wildflower’s sway, the jingling song of the rock birds. Even the the crisp blades of grass can be endlessly inspiring.”
“The grass?” Esmeralda laughed at the thought.
“Yes!” His enthusiasm bubbled over. “Watch how each blade seems to darken as it bends toward you, but then lightens as it bends away.” His rough hands caressed the grass with such tenderness, she couldn't help but imitate. “See?”
A laugh slipped from her throat before she could stop it, but she was glad. She felt at ease here, surrounded by nature. She needn't put on airs of callousness to show her capability to lead her kingdom. She relaxed as she petted the grass and felt truly at ease for the first time in years. Hours passed as they spoke of the wonders of the wilderness. Esmeralda was reluctant to let it end, but as the suns began to set, they stood to depart.
“Will you return?” she asked hesitantly, ashamed to let hope shade her words.
“Everyday, Princess,” he bent and kissed her hand, his touch lingering. She felt the heat of the blush on her cheeks and her lips spread into a smile. “And you?”
She repeated, “Everyday.” He slipped his hand from hers and turned to walk away. “Wait, I don’t even know your name.”
“Neither do I know yours, Princess, but if you require one, you may call me Jay. Until tomorrow…” The fading twilight swallowed his figure and Esmeralda turned and rushed home, his kiss still tingling on her knuckles.








I appreciate any and all feedback, even (especially) if you think it sucks, but only if you tell me why you think it sucks. Let me know!! I can't wait to hear from you guys. Interaction is what this life is all about!! 


Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Inspiration, a Poem: Springtime Morning Song


Springtime Morning Song

I listen from my front porch as nature greets the coming day:

Roosters announce the impending sunrise
Turkeys bicker in the distance
The songbirds' chorus infinitely repeats
Crows discuss the night's road kill
Dogs argue with the birds
Cows protest the theft of their milk
Doves chatter while pecking at seeds
Woodpeckers provide a drumroll for an unknown punchline.

And the humans drive by, with their windows up, on their way to work, completely oblivious to the musical beauty around them.

This is the view from my front porch.





I don't usually (or ever) write poetry, so I don't know if I've broken any fundamental rules or anything. Or if there even are any?!? I was sitting on my front porch this morning, enjoying my coffee in the hour or so of peace I get between Hubby leaving for work and babies getting up for the day, and inspiration struck. This just happened to be the way the words poured out.

I appreciate any and all feedback, even (especially) if you think it sucks, but only if you tell me why you think it sucks. When did inspiration last strike you? Where were you? What did you see? hear? smell?  How did it make you feel? Let me know!! I can't wait to hear from you guys. Interaction is what this life is all about!!