Turbine

Today's muse: One Word.

Today's word:  Turbine.

* * *

Turbine

The constant rotation of our water wheel relationship is both comforting and terrifying. I embrace the reassuring reliability of its monotony, but moments fighting for breath leave me trembling. The inevitable plunges into ice-cold water circle around like a menstrual cycle.

I find myself gulping for air when I surface, praying it all ends before the next turn of the wheel.

Surprise

Today's muse:   One Word

Today's word: clue

* * *

Surprise!

She is pleasant, doting, loving. And every night, he slices with words. Or—worse—silence. He pushes her away; pushes her down.

So, each night, she pleasures herself and dreams of a new home, a new condo, a new life. Alone. All hers.

And he has no clue that she plans to leave.

Console

Today's muse: I went a little nuts today and used three of my favourite muses (musi?).

Three Word Wednesday.
Today's words: brandish, forbid, manage.

Carry on Tuesday.
This week's prompt: The opening lines from Phillida and Coridon.

One Word, So Little Time.
Today's (actually, yesterday's) word: console. And given the title role, so to speak.

* * *

Console

Tangled in immoral haze,
Flesh and soul, lustful ways.
Wakeful nights and dreamy days;
To console, she bows and prays.

The mind and heart, each one vies,
Lusts for yon forbidden prize.
Spirit withers, passion dies;
Once the queen, no longer wise.

Brandished to the stormy skies,
Blackened soul weaves web of lies.
Releasing all that she denies,
Begs the gods to hear her cries.

In the merry month of May,
In a morn by break of day,
Water streams as body sways,
Manages to halt decay.

The Bench

Today's muse: One Word

Today's word: Bench


* * *

The Bench

Near the water fountain, in the west end of the park, children laughed and frolicked while puppies gambolled and yipped.

The young couple resting on the park bench didn’t move.

Stretched out across the wooden seat, she lay with her head on his lap, her eyes staring up at him, a mischievous smile on her lips. Though slack, his left arm lay across her shoulders in a protective hold; his right arm extended across the back rest.

“A shame,” said Bill. “They look happy.”

Frank nodded. “Damn shame.”

As he wandered over to the bench, unwrapping a new roll of yellow tape, Bill called over his shoulder.

“Better call the coroner.”

Reports

Today's muse: One Word, So Little Time

Today's word: Reports

* * *

Reports

His last letter was so joyful, filled with anticipation, sheer excitement to hold the child he’d yet to meet; but the paper she held in her hand—that trembled in her grief—confirmed he never would.

The Basement

Today's muse: One Word, So Little Time

Today's word: basement.

* * *

Basement

The closet is where most people keep theirs, but Andrea hides hers in the basement; problem is, it's getting pretty rancid down there.

Help

Today's muse: One Word
Today's word: Help

* * *


Help

“Hepp,” he says as he taps his left foot on the floor, his arms spread out like a giant T for balance. I look down and see Matthew’s undone shoelace laying limp on his tiny sneaker.

“Hepp!” he says again, this time with much more authority, impatient to get on with whatever important two-year-old task he has abandoned. I bite my lip to hide my smile and bend down to tie up the rogue lace.

“We need to work on your pronunciation,” I say, as he places a hand on each side of my head to steady himself.

When I finish tying his shoe, he presses a firm kiss on my cheek and whispers “yub yoo” then dashes off, no longer worried about tripping.

Whiskey

Today's muse: One Word. Today's word: Whiskey.

* * *

Whiskey

The pain is all-consuming, obliterating all else. The knives don’t just stab, they plunge deep—twist and dig—leaving holes the size of moon craters. Of course, she had imagined what it would feel like should this day come, but she never thought it would; not really. After all, this kind of loss happens to other people, to strangers.

“That’s not the answer,” says a voice, barely audible through the drunken fog.

“Fuck off,” she replies, and tilts the bottle, letting the amber liquid soothe her aching heart.

Lease

Today's muse: One Word. Today's word: Lease

* * *

Lease

“Sign here, here, here and here, and initial here and here,” he said, punctuating each ‘here’ by poking at the parchment with a gnarled finger. I signed and initialled and handed the Mont Blanc back to him, shivering when his cold hand brushed mine. “The contract says you will give me wealth beyond my imagination,” I said, putting out my hand, palm up. “The contract also says you will give me your soul,” he replied. I threw my head back and laughed until tears streamed down my face and he stared at me, surprised I had the audacity to mock him. “There’s nothing left,” I said, when I could catch my breath, “that bitch I married already sucked it out of me.”

Carve

Today's muse: One Word. Today's word: Carve

* * *


Carve

He ran his hands down her bare back, closed his eyes as his fingers travelled back up the line. His hand trembled as he caressed the silkiness. Who knew he could ever possess such beauty? A sculpture created by the gods, delivered on a whisper by angels.

“I will always protect you,” he whispered, as he pressed a kiss to her forehead.

Her tiny hand gripped his finger with surprising strength. Her bright blue eyes stared into his and she cooed. Though she spoke no words—at least, none he recognized—he understood what she said.

“I believe you, daddy.”

Yoga

Today's muse: One Word. Today's word: Yoga

* * *


Yoga

Legs crossed, back straight, eyes closed, she rested her hands on her knees, palms open to the universe. A silent call to the elements. A plea for calm.

Breath in. Breath out. Gently. Slowly.

The instructor’s voice swirled around her, carried her off to the white space, as she called it. White walls, white floor, white ceiling. Not unlike the padded room she longed to lie in. At least she’d be alone, with no one insisting she pay attention to them. And no one would mind if she screamed. There’s something quite cathartic about screaming, she decided.

Right. Focus.

Breath in. Breath out. Clear your mind.

She filled her lungs, a deep cleansing breath. Then a slow exhale to eliminate the toxins. She made a mental note to stop by the Municipal Office to pick up another green bin. After that, slip by the drycleaners to pick up John’s suit. Then swing by the daycare and pick up Cody.

Focus, girl.

Breath in. Breath out. Seek serenity.

The hypnotic voice carried her as she floated through her white landscape, weightless. Shit. Did I take the chicken out of the freezer? Maybe some mashed potatoes. And carrots. Yes. Carrots. With brown sugar.

Dammit! Focus.

Breath in. Breath out. Embrace tranquility.

The tension began to release in her shoulders, washed away as though she stood beneath a waterfall. She reminded herself to call the maintenance crew to come open the pool for the season. And sign up Cody for swimming lessons.

Breath in. Breath out. Absorb the peace.

Nothing like a yoga class to relieve the stress. Clear your mind, ease the tension.

Breath. Breath.

I’m breathing. I’m breathing. Alright, she conceded, I’m suffocating.