Connected below the vessels

Drowning in the present world

Infinite dances came before

So many more to come

Growth leading to acceptance

What’s yours may not be claimed

Not this go around, at least

Not like the times before

Accept their current presence

Or don’t; the choice is yours

Step back and celebrate this life

You'll dance together soon

A tune playing that only the two of them could hear. Their life together; their story, coming to an end. The rhythm they shared in silence playing through Mark’s mind. Taking form through pictures and videos of memories that had once comprised his world. Reliving each behind closed eyes, the reel didn’t shake as he and Annabelle spun and glided next to the lake.

#Join

Novel to be done by the end of the year, publication to come.

One day I woke up, tired. Tired of living a constant facade with slivers of the real me shining through at times. Tired of living my life for those around me. Tired of putting on a face every day that I did not recognize in the mirror.

My wellbeing needed to be considered.

Thrive.

Tackle.

Accept the life I wanted and was soulfully screaming for.

One day I woke up, ready. Ready for the six-hour drive south after six months of planning. Ready for the apartment lined up for my four-legged companions and me. Ready to follow my passion.

Hearing I was brave although; that was not my word of choice.

Restored.

Reposeful.

The life I wanted summoning me forward.

One day I woke up, determined. Determined to keep a roof over my head and utilities turned on. Determined to have a better life. Determined not to fail myself.

Opportunity knocked to put myself in a better place.

Driven.

Dependable.

Nailed it.

One day I woke up, anxious. Anxious that time frames were being pushed. Anxious with my previous disregard for the now present me. Anxious over inevitable discussions.

I had set myself up.

Affirmation.

Advancement.

Make myself a priority again.

Today I woke up, hopeful. Hopeful that the smile will stay on my face.

Hopeful of the visions and paths I have as options in my future. Hopeful I will use lessons learned for future decisions.

I am who I have always been, yet a completely different person.

Honest.

Humble.

Knowing I will never be done.

I am tired, appreciatively, after a day of working towards my dreams.

I am ready, anticipatingly, for the obstacles that I have yet to overcome.

I am determined, achievably, to be the best version of myself.

I’m anxious, appropriately, to see where present decisions lead me.

I am hopeful, assuredly, I will continue to grow every day I wake up.

One would think that by this point the sirens would be blaring and there would be people screaming. People looked panicked, but why weren’t they screaming? Mouths opened, but nothing could be heard expressed from their lips.

The ships crashed down at 10:47 am, at least that was what they had scanning across any television that was turned on. Hundreds, from what we could tell, there was not a single continent untouched.

People wondered around and hid from the unknown, deaf-mutes, the whole lot. Sight, touch, smell, and taste, the last senses to hold on to.

Watching every movement caught from my peripheral’s. The beings emerged moving slowly but determined, they began to usher bystanders towards their ships. Making my way forward, I had already made up my mind. Something was going on, so many questions that didn’t appear to have answers here.

As I approached, one reached out, and I instantly felt relaxed. The soft and smooth touch was a complete surprise and contradiction to what appeared to be a scaly slimy exterior. Not a word was spoken, yet somehow the message was delivered. Get onboard. Now.

Through the doors, the bitterness crawled up my nose and down into my throat. Causing my gag to involuntarily react and causing me to hope it would soon go away.

I took the last seat available. Five of us in total. The beings then came aboard and appeared to be preparing for takeoff. We soared high into the sky, followed by other ships. Looking down at the earth, I thought to the people who had stayed in fear. Then without warning, the entire thing exploded.

Ahead on the screen, words began to appear. ‘We’re sorry we could not save more, notice of the impending explosion only came minutes before we dropped down.’

Connected below the vessels

Stuck in a shallow world

Infinite dances having been danced

So many more to come

Growth leading to acceptance

What’s yours may not be claimed

Not this go around at least

Not like the dances before

Accept their current presence

Or don’t, the choice is yours

Step back and let them conquer this world

You’ll dance together soon

1s2b

Believing in everything you told me.

Led to a cut so deep I felt every part of me tear open.

I didn’t know all the words and actions put forth could be so empty.

Time heals all, at least it makes it hurt less.

Now you’re happy again.

It is everything it appears to be, maybe I just know too much.

There is no pleasure in knowing that you are intertangled with karma.

That you will ultimately be brought at least a sliver of pain that you brought me.

Here for your pleasure

For you to look at

With drooling eyes

Bear your children

That’s what makes me

A real women

If I can’t, if I don’t want to?

Does that make me any less of a woman?

Is my worth gone?

Your answer is yes.

I’m down for a minute

Worthless

Insignificant

So says the mouth attached to eyes that can’t see

But you’re wrong

Worth: is what you offer

The answer is clear from where I’m sitting

I offer more than you

I have a mind of my own

I do what I want with my body

You have no right

You have no say

In who I am; that is my worth

Taking a step back, I try to rationalize what is happening. I can’t go through this again; people say what doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger.

I’m still trying to figure out how I made it through the last 24 years without turning incredibly bitter towards this world.

I can’t trust again I can’t let anyone else in.

Our meeting was inevitable; souls that are meant to connect will also find a way.

I’ve never felt that before, I’m not quite sure what to do with it.

Slowly breaking down my walls, providing unrequested reassurance that someone is going to be there by my side.

I’ve had people there for me before; lies always coming to the surface, truth breaking free.

It’s different with you, I believe you, honesty between us by a fault.

You extinguish the fires burning around my walls — one lit for each hole in a story coming from another’s mouth.

Slowly in the essence of time but so quickly when you look at the snapshot, I got attached.

I believed too much.

It’s different with you, still to this day. I rationalize, this world has made you cold.

You are the person you told me you are, no matter how far from that you act.

The energy and passion are still in there, peaking through the darkness every so often.

Fully prepared for you to stay like this

Nothing would change, you’re still my best friend.

But what if?

What if you wake up one day as you did before and change again into the person you know you are.