Sunlit skies caress

Lavender; amythest gems

Kissing blossom’s breath

****

Blissful moment of blushing beauty

There’s two cats and a dog

And a body besides

I try not to wake them

But they’ve taken all sides

The bed’s a Cal King

Bigger than most

But they still crowd inwards

Like potatoes in a roast

Which is how I feel

On this hot summer eve

The fans hum softly

But there’s little reprieve

From the extra bodies

And extra fur

But if I move an inch

They’ll moan, chuff, or purr

So instead I lay twisted

A pretzel of sorts

Too happy to whine

In my t-shirt and shorts

I lay breathing slow

Through allergen gills

Loving this moment

When time itself stills

And I can almost imagine

Eternity here

But I know one day

We’ll each disappear

We’re just vessels at dock

In a sea of no cares

Afloat in the comfort

Of the bond we all share

When it's our time

Our ships will set sail

But for now in this bed

We all tuck, paw and tail

I met @JD4 here on the prose almost two years ago. He has made me a better writer because he has taken the time to edit my work, and has taught me how to take risks and try new genres.

He is a wonderful writer, teacher and gives me his honest opinion

via my work.

This makes me happy. I appreciate JD4, prose and all the creative people here.

Creative people think differently and 'finally' I have a place where I am understood.

I am very grateful for that.

Thank you.

By: Benz

I think that my dog Sherman is a ”crack” head.

We wander out into the misting mornings to see what limbs are down, or what havoc the raccoons and possums have played the night before. Sherman immediately loses his mind. He races across the yard, zipping this way and that, his muscles bunched tight with anticipation... it’s no different really than the junkie on the corner looking for his fix, except that Sherman’s “fix” is much, much more horrid, and odious than any found in the bottom corner of a clear sandwich baggie.

I know immediately when he has found it. He scratches the ground furiously, with brief intervals as he bellows to the hound-dog gods. He then plunges his face into the hole, his tail swatting the air in great, swirling loops of joy at his good luck! When the face emerges again, it carries a great and unmistakable doggie smile, with peeled gums and crazy, tilted eyes.

I shake my head and smile at the happy fellow.

”Pooky-bear! Come quick? “Your” dog has been skunked again!

Do you ever lie on your back

in the damp grass

of August,

Stare into the universe,

the particles of debris

skipping across the ozone.

Once I saw three stars

in a perfect line

and for one, fine, splintered second, I could feel

the extraordinary intelligence-

every crooked twig,

each patch

of cow-chomped dandelion.

I fidgeted in my oversized yellow robe and looked down the lines of people in identical garb. I couldn't see the end. All of a sudden, we were finally walking after what seemed like hours. I spotted my friend in another line and waved wildly. She smiled back shyly.

Our lines stopped again, and I fidgeted with the plastic candle I was holding. I picked at and pulled off the silicon around the plastic flame. I turned it on and off.

After a while, we started walking again. They stopped us once more before we entered Disneyland. Then we started up again.

We walked through a hall of lights, and when we exited, we were walking through the park. There were Christmas lights everywhere. As we walked, we sang the carols we had so tediously practiced. Hundreds of choirs, thousands of singers. All of us joining together, singing different parts. Somehow, our voices came together to make one beautiful song. We continued through the park, and I smiled at the people watching on the sidewalks every chance that I got. We walked around the giant Christmas tree and to the stage. I was on the right side from the audience's point of view. I was in the second row, and right next to Chris Pratt when he was doing commentary!

We sang, and I felt my heart burst after the first note. Our voices lifted and I felt the joy coursing through my veins. It was amazing to sing in Disney Candlelight.

I fell asleep in the arms of a strange man.

It was my first time living away from home,

I had a room to myself, a bed to myself,

personal space, autonomy, freedom at last,

and I had a surprise visitor.

I fell asleep in the arms of a strange man.

It was threatening, it was burning,

it was new, against the rules, and it was

my fault that the blinds were drawn

and the window was hermetically sealed shut.

I fell asleep in the arms of a strange man

whose heavy black jacket wraps me from my chin

to nearly my knees, and whose cologne I can clearly

describe as a rather floral, gentle, and slightly astringent

but tastefully aggressive in its placement along his shirt collar.

I danced in the dark in the arms of a strange man.

Soulful sounds and stifled voices,

sniffling, shifting, and quiet night noises.

The blanket stayed neatly folded,

maybe a pillow was used.

No one else alive in the world but us two.

I fell asleep in the arms of a strange man.

I gave and received soft sighs, thinking about time.

It felt nice just to lie, maybe it was his size, or my pride

or simply the fact of being like that at night.

I was never confused, in need, or worried, and I-

I fell in love with the eyes of a strange man.

The soft smile, sparkling brown eyes, and warmth.

I hugged him until I wept with happiness,

asphyxiated him in my sleep until I was breathless,

and I burned until time slipped away and so he had to as well.

I remember the night I had excellent sleep, the soul to love, and a tree to hug.

Good night, sir. You'll only get Stranger and stranger from here.

A glimpse of nature

Still, serene and selfless

Speaking the silent language of happiness

Happiness in the tiny extravagance of creation

Happiness in the humbleness of its reflections

Happiness in the blissful moment

Where words, thoughts and deeds

Are aligned in perfect harmony

The day draws to a close.

Head pounding, feet aching

Tired body drags itself to the front door.

Once inside, I bend down with cracking knees

Open my arms wide

Young feet run towards me

Grinning from ear so ear

Eyes sparkle with excitement

Little hands clasp around my neck

His mommy is home.

The best part of my day begins.