Punching In

He was the new guy at work

She had been there for years

He didn’t even seen to notice her

She was smitten with his sense of humor

At the time clock he would make her laugh

But he was so out of her reach

He was handsome funny and smart

She was none of those

Then one day when life had her down

He went out of his way

And asked what was wrong

He freed her of the burden she held

It made her care for him even more

By then though he was busy with the new girl

She was beautiful, smart and

She made him laugh at the time clock

Written for Fandango’s One-Word Challenge (FOWC) – smitten

Her and Him

Photo by Valeria Boltneva on Pexels.com

The sanguine dress lay on the floor in a pile.  Music played softly on the stereo.  And candles lit the empty room.  It looked like the perfect setting for a romance novel without the people in it.  But this was not a romantic scene.

The adjoined bathroom held three people.  The officer called to the scene and the coroner.  And a woman lay slumped in the bathtub covered in the same sanguine only this really was blood red and not a low cut dress.  The detectives had yet to arrive on the scene, but foul play was suggested by the knife wounds on the body.

The woman was a thirty-year-old single woman who was missing from work the last two days and her boss called for a welfare check as the woman had no family in the area.  The detectives would have their work cut out for them as she had few friends and acquaintances close to her for them to interview.  She largely worked alone in a graphic design business and was the quiet house in the neighborhood.  She was a very private person.

The detectives arrived and began a search of the house, with techs bagging evidence and taking pictures.  They confiscated a laptop and her cell phone.  Just as they were bagging the cell phone it rang.  This may be their first clue.  The detective raised an eyebrow when he saw the caller ID; it simply said “Him.”

Written for Fandango’s One-Word Challenge (FOWC) – sanguine

Mumbles … Moratorium

To put a moratorium on something is basically to ban something…. this week it is a few Dr. Suess books.  I have mixed emotions about this.  Dr. Suess books have been a staple for kids for years, and often controversial.  He has dealt with touchy subject matter and taught valuable lessons.  I still think of the Lorax every time I see or hear about another wooded area being brought down… “I speak for the trees, for the trees have no tongues.”

I am sure over the years I have read the books, or some of them, that they have stopped publication on.  I understand how some things that were acceptable years ago are no longer viewed right.  It all revolves back to the subject of censorship.

There is the argument of freedom of speech and the accuracy of the time period when the books were written.  It all has to balance out with what is right and what is offensive.  Ultimately this decision was made by the people who have the rights to the book, and I feel that is the closest thing to the actual author withdrawing the publication of their own book; that is different than some group standing up and saying a book should be banned from a library or a classroom reading list.

I have read banned books and will continue to do so.  Are there some I find offensive, yes, definitely.  But that is history… it is not a reflection of the current day and age.  What do you think?  Are you more offended by the book or the ban?

Written for Fandango’s One-Word Challenge (FOWC) – moratorium

(photo created at Canva)

Built Solid

Photo by Ralph W. lambrecht on Pexels.com

They came up the stairs and opened the door to the storm cellar.  Looking around they saw debris everywhere.  Trees were down or at least damaged, one laid on top of their car.  As they continued to survey the land, they saw the staunch walls of the old brick farmhouse looked untouched.  As a testament to his grandparents who built the home almost 90 years ago it stood like a beacon in the remains of the storm.  A tornado had just blown through and was now headed towards the next town.  They would have damaged crops and the barn was in pieces, but they had not lost their home.  More important than that was the fact all four of them had ridden out the storm safely and would be together to repair what was left after the storm.

Written for Fandango’s One-Word Challenge (FOWC) – staunch

After The Blast

Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko on Pexels.com

Day 27

I think this is the middle of April at least that is how I remember things today.  I am still in the basement and hear absolutely nothing through the door and windows.  I am not sure if everyone is still inside to avoid the radioactive fallout or there was only a handful of us who made it.  Now that it has been almost a month’s time I am sure my husband and daughter are gone.  That was all the family I had left, now I am certain they didn’t make it past the initial blast.  I have not yet mourned, there is too much else to worry about now to take that luxury.  I have counted and recounted the food down here and it will be hard, but I can make it at least another month before I need to worry about hunting down more food.  Maybe I will be rescued by then?  Maybe the enemy will capture me before I have to worry.  But then I don’t even no for sure who the enemy was… the airwaves have all been silent.  What if I am all alone forever?  I don’t want to think about it.  I think maybe by day 45 I can venture upstairs and see a little more of the world.  I would practically kill to listen to some music, it is so quiet.

It is time to scan the windows for signs of life.  I have to do that now as I can see the light fading already.  I have to hold out hope there is someone good still left out there.  Until tomorrow…

Written for Fandango’s One-Word Challenge (FOWC) – fallout

The Front Lines

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Battle lines are drawn

And you are in an offensive stance

While I cower in defense

You hurl your attacks my way

And I plead with you to stop

Then one makes contact

Instead of crying in pain

I scream out in unhinged anger

How dare you!

Only thinking of yourself

Never considering my side

At first I think I should retreat

Then I decide it’s not my place to back down

I come back on the offensive

Hurling all I have in the moment

You seem shocked and stop

In the silence it seems we are in a cease fire

At least for the end of this day

You go off your way

And I go mine

Written for Fandango’s One-Word Challenge (FOWC) – retreat

Embrace The Dark

The only light in the room

Is the glow of one lone candle

Sitting on the dresser

It flickers and dances

Making shadows move on the wall

It should set a romantic mood

But where my mind is tonight

It is an ominous warning

There are demons in the shadows

Thoughts creep in of pain and abandonment

Memories of lost love and unfinished battles

Hopelessness and despair slowly take me over

And in one quick breath I extinguish the flame

More familiar with the darkness than the light

Written for Fandango’s One-Word Challenge (FOWC) – glow

Island Breezes

Instantly I knew what I had to do for this post. I saw the word particular and instantly thought of the island sounds from Jimmy Buffett. He has such fun songs and I would love to take in one of his concerts, they seem to have a real party atmosphere. So I share with you One Particular Harbor.

For Fandango’s One-Word Challenge (FOWC) – particular

Forever Together

(image from Word online photos)

The bark was rough and scratchy, but her hands found the spot.  Carved into the side of the tree was her true love.  Both their initials and a heart; she remembered the day it happened like it was yesterday.

He pulled out his knife and started chipping away at the bark.  She was shocked and asked, “what are you doing to that tree?”

“Just locking our future into the history books.  Our love will last as long as this carving will.”

“You can’t do that in a public park.”

“Watch me, besides it’s not like there are many people here besides us.  It is eighteen degrees outside.”

“You are such a romantic at heart.  I love you.”

“I love you too, now let me carve.”

Her hand still rested on the carving.  It had been six months now since he died.  She let a tear fall from her eyes and said, “I still love you, honey.”

Written for Fandango’s One-Word Challenge (FOWC) – bark