Just a Little Bit of Truth
"Do you think the stars talk to the moon?" her voice was soft and I rolled my eyes. I swear I had heard her utter the same sentence a dozen times before.
"Maybe." I leaned on my hands. Gravel dug into my palms but I tired to ignore it. Her huff of frustration barely gave me a distraction. I started to pick the little stones from underneath my nails.
"Don't you ever wonder about anything?" The scrap of her shoes echoed in my ears as she stood. I closed my eyes before I could see her stand over me with her hands on her hips.
"No darling. Do you ever wonder about different things?" My voice rumbled. I wondered if she could feel the vibrations of it in her chest.
"Is it truly so bad to want answers to the questions you have?" She landed beside me with all the grace of a disgruntled cat. I could feel her dress brush my calf and I looked at her. The pout on her face was spectacular to say the least.
"Darling. Your questions never change. Even when you have the answer." I paused. Tapped my fingers against my thigh and shook my head, "They say it's the mark of insanity." I smiled at her delighted laughter.
"You know I relish in insanity." She giggled. I could imagine if we had chosen a cliff top as our perch she would be swinging her legs and my heart would be in my throat. I was immensely glad we were sitting on the side of the road.
We fell into a silence that laid itself like a blanket on our shoulders. I shivered a little under it's embrace. Goosebumps covered my skin and I wondered how she never moved as she watched the stars.
"Can truth lie?" For all that she was quiet and soft spoken, her question sent shivers down my spine.
"What do you mean darling?" I tried to smile, shake off her serious expression. She turned her eyes to me and tilted her head. There was no expression on her face.
"If I tell a truth can I still lie?" She asked.
"Maybe if you one of the Fae." I replied. The corner of her lips quirked in a half smile.
"I'm always truthful." She fell onto her back and spread out so her fingers reached for the sky, "But. I'm never honest."
"Oh? What do you mean?" This was something new, or at least something she hadn't touched upon in a long time.
"Uttering the truth means you're never telling a lie. But who's to stop me from speaking in truths that only apply at certain times. Is it a lie, even though it is still something true?" She paused, let the silence stretch and snap back into place while she chewed her lip, "Who knows when that truth may be true. I could say the stars talk to the moon. Watch her in absolute reverence and follow her existence as if they'll die without her influence. But, they are their own light when the moon only reflects the sun." She shrugged a bare shoulder. "But who knows. Maybe the moon was the one to give the light out and the stars stole her light to keep themselves afloat." She hummed under her breath with a giggle.
"You've an interesting perspective darling." I muttered as I drew her into my arms. She brushed the top of her head against my chin and spread her fingers against my collarbone.
"I don't see how. It is what it is." Her lips turned downwards and I kissed her forehead.
"It is my truth." I watched her bob her head.
"But it's also mine." she said before she smiled with a brilliance that never failed to steal my breath away.
"Shall we stay here until the sun decides to grace this desolate place with his overbearing shininess?" She asked and I laughed.
"Of course darling. Anything you want."
Numb
Clustered in a corner,
Teeth barred
Little wolf pup
Whimpers in the night
Fierce protector
To who?
Pack has run away
Turned their noses up
Cackled as you fell
Bloodied paws carry
Wounded pride
Watch the stars fall
See them nestled
Against fur
Shine brightly
Little wolf run
Pause at the mountains
Sing to the sky
Catch the sprites
That dart through trees
Hear them serenade
Remember your name
The way it curls
Around your ears
To settle within
Warmth to blaze
Believe in something more
Grandma
I was 10 years old staring out the window of my bedroom with a blanket wrapped around my scraggly shoulders. The moon hid beneath a veil of clouds and I was entrapped by the light. Clouds curled around the moon, caressed her with a reverence I only understood when I was older. I swore I could hear them whispering. I hummed under my breath and tilted my head.
"Mom! Mom!" I yelled, "Irene's in the moon with Grandma!" I could hear my mother run up the stairs and taste her confusion. I looked at her when she came up the stairs with wide eyes. Shame drew a frown on my face, a faint feeling of "I shouldn't have said that" coursed through my little body. My mother later told me I looked like a little angel who told a secret she shouldn't have.
My mother drew me away from the window but the moon caught my eyes. It shined brighter before being covered by clouds. I was tucked into bed and told to sleep. The only light was my glow in the dark stars and a faint whisper that twirled my hair. I fell asleep with a smile on my face content in the knowledge Grandma kept watch over me.
The next day we found out that our family friend's mother had passed away a week ago. Her name was Irene. Our family friend had sent us a card informing us and our entire family was devastated. I was confused because she had just been in the moon with my Grandma. I felt the ghost of hands rest on my head when we were told. I leaned into them and drew the comfort of frozen hands.
I dare
Beautiful.
So?
What does that mean?
Sexy.
Stunning.
Naughty.
What do you desire?
A pretty little piece
To swing on your hip
An ass to grab hold of
Because it fits in your palms?
Tiny breasts to kiss.
Darling,
I'm more.
See the colours
That explode behind my eyes
The webs I can show you
Dare to touch my mind
See the world tilted
Sideways and twisted
Brightly lit with sound
Cascade into an avalanche
Watch as the world shakes
Crumbles to dust
I know what I am
But darling
Do you?
Give me Change
My feet hit the dirt path
The wind catches my hair
I can hear laughter
Soft chimes ring in my ears
I twirl on the path
Raise my eyes to the sky
The clouds are darkened
Sun sets beneath the horizon
Orange paints the sky
It reminds me of my wall
Splattered colours
Across a white expanse
Dares the world to say
It cannot belong
Screams I exist
I dance on this path
Run through the leaves
Past people as they stare
See their smiles, wonder
Leaves crunch under foot
I'll fall on a slope
Watch the sun set
Maybe, the stars
Will come out to play
Do you dream?
I long to sing. Stand up in front of an audience and stun them with a beautiful voice. Alas, it is a dream. Instead I swept my parents house that is tucked into the back of an apple farm. Singing lessons were beyond us. So I hummed under my breath as I worked.
I dive under the water. Hear the dull thud of waves crashing over head. I grip my surfboard tightly as the current pushes me above the surface and I take a sweet breath of air. I turn to face the shore and prepare myself to stand. The next set of waves are coming.
The streets are made of cobblestone poorly put together. If I don't watch my feet I'll fall. The cops chasing me would love that. I slip between the crowds of Amsterdam and disappear from their sight. I'm tucked in my thief hole by the time they give up the chase. My peers congratulate me for an escape.
I sweep my hand across a marble coffee table. See the reflection of brown eyes stare back before I look away. A waitress brings my coffee to me and I flash her a smile. Her cheeks redden. Embarrassed I think, but she runs away before I could say anything. My hands flutter over my book on the table before I stand to leave. My exit is quiet but I still feel her eyes following me.
I dance in the middle of thunderstorm. I can hear my partner calling my name but I ignore him. I can hear the world laughing as the clouds rumble. The sky lights up in a show I swear is meant for me. My partners hands are digging into my arms and I smile at him. I can hear him swear and mumble his words, but they are nothing compared to the storm. What is an asylum darling?
I'm climbing the Rockies. Feel the stone rumble to me as I climb. Hear the trees whisper and know that there has always been something more. I'm by myself, but I've a pack of supplies tightly strapped to my back. A can of bear spray attached to my hip and a lifetime of adventure awaits me.
The Northern Lights flash overhead in a emerald green and I wonder if I'm truly on Earth. I can hear a pack of wolves celebrating the hunt far away and I fall asleep to their soothing sounds. When I wake up, it's to the sight of a polar bear five feet away. We stare at each other, and I wish for something I don't remember. The bear wanders away and I breath a sigh of relief. My village will be glad I am alive.
I'm sitting on a plane, tucked up against the window. My eyes are glued to the countless tiny dots I can see us flying over. My gaze never looks away even when we're surrounded by clouds or the ocean rises up to meet the planes belly. I briefly wonder why the world isn't covered in ice before an attendant pulls my thoughts away.
Orange use to be one of my favourite colours. But being surrounded day in and day out is slowly killing the joy the colour would bring me. My hands are glued to a keyboard and I wonder if my fingers really would bleed if I used a different method to share my thoughts. Perhaps those three wise men I knew were right and only my heart would bleed.
Burn
What would you burn the world down for?
I had thought it would be because someone had hurt my family. Little ones that were so precious that the angels would sing for them. I would cradle them in my arms and they would be safe. Not even the Gods would hurt my babies.
You denied me that.
Crooked smiles and tousled hair drew me in. An irresistible personality that tickled my insides kept me close. You challenged me, pushed me to succeed. So I did.
My career started off slow, but I rose. I was the best CEO candidate they could ever ask for. I made a lot of enemies. One girl in particular hated my guts. I never truly understood why, until I saw you two meet.
Your smile was soft, and hers was bright. I figured out quickly you were ex-lovers. You denied feelings for her and swept me into your arms. I believed you.
I wish I hadn't.
You gave me a ring. A tiny thing of twisted gold that held a diamond. Classic white. We were to wed and be happy. She never took it well. I could feel her eyes glaring at me whenever I stepped into work. You assured me things would work out.
I never knew what you slipped into my drink. What concoction that burned my insides. I was numb and in shock. That crooked smile gleamed at me as I fell.
So here I am. Transparent and powerless. Until I struck a deal. Perhaps my spirit will survive a demon's wrath, but yours won't. I can see you hold her close, nose pressed into her hair. A self satisfied smirk graces her face, the remains of her wedding dress tossed to the side. The shadow of horned creature falls over the two of you, and for once I smile.
The screams that wake the neighborhood were never human. Police came but there was nothing left. Fortunately I could wave goodbye as you were dragged beneath the earth. I'd burn the whole world just to see your horrified eyes again as you realized I had my vengeance.