On the Threshold

The image shows an old bearded man standing on a stone staircase that is leading to a tower. In the background you can see mountains enshrouded in clouds.

Each time he asks:
life well-lived or just a bystander?

Young soul or old,
are you still curious?

Will you go round again?
do more, or better this time?

The wheel of life: 
treadmill or merry-go-round?

Will you go round again?
learn more, and see more this time?

Turning on and endlessly on
the wheel of life

Will you go round again
or leave at the terminus?

Your choice.
Will you go round again?

 


Written in response to SadjeWhat Do You See #38 photo prompt.
Image credit: Stefan Keller on Pixabay

The Atonement

For visually challenged reader, the image shows a woman holding her hands in supplication. In front of her a hummingbird is hovering in air. There are flowers in the background.

Meditating in the moment
watching silent wings beat softly
in bright iridescence
inhaling the essence
of fragrant flowers
before being laid to rest
on their beautiful bower.

She, who today, has been chosen
to atone for all our sins
the balm to soothe the breast
of our broken mother, Gaia.

 


Written in response to SadjeWhat Do You See #37 photo prompt.
Image credit: Stefan Keller on Pixabay

Nostalgia

The image shows a camera capturing the image of a woman in colour, while the rest of the image is in black and white. There are lots of tools on the wall behind the camera.

Sunshine and sandcastles,
warm hugs and gap-toothed grins.

Short skirts and high heeled shoes,
deep kisses and long-lashed smiles.

Memories colour a drab existence,
a façade over a pretty face.

Worn, wrinkled and age-faded,
behold the deceitful mask of time.

 


Written in response to SadjeWhat Do You See #36 photo prompt.
Image credit: Ariadne-a-mazed on Pixabay

Night time lover

For visually challenged reader, the image shows a castle at night, it’s turrets and towers reflecting moonlight. A cloudy sky can be seen in the background.

Dressed in alabaster skin, I wait
beneath the unctuous black blanket of night.

Moonlight casts lascivious shadows
as I slide inside your cloak.

Moonlight illuminates your lurid lips
as I yield to dark desire.

Come morning, sunlight snatches you away
yet still you slide over my skin.

Until the next time
when darkness comes again.

 


Written in response to SadjeWhat Do You See #35 photo prompt.
Image credit: Pixabay

 

Forest enchantment

For visually challenged reader, the image shows a woodland scene, where blue butterflies are sitting on the forest floor among tiny mushrooms. Tall trees are visible in the background.

fern fronds caress the moonlight’s cobalt rays

opening night blooms to scent bright butterfly wings

ringing bluebells dancing over dead leaves and distant hearts

ever beating, glowing in the heart of darkness

sending saffron sunbeams sliding over silky loams

tempting new life to rise from the ink-dark dead of night

 


Written in response to SadjeWhat Do You See #34 photo prompt.
Image credit: Pixabay

‘Make-it-up-Charlie’

The image shows a boy standing next to a Stegosaurus dinosaur in a park.

Charlie
was apt
to make up
stories.
It got

to a point
when no-one
believed anything
he said.
Until one day

we followed him.
Who would have thought it?

Charlie really had
a pet dinosaur.


Written in response to SadjeWhat Do You See #33 photo prompt.
Image credit: DianaZG on Pixabay

Memories

The image shows an old-fashioned camera resting on a faded map. There are three photos in sepia print next to the camera

there is something

about a portrait in sepia

the delicate hue and the softly faded smile

not standardized or digitized or posted somewhere in the cloud

save it – print it – don’t lose it – you’ll regret it

and always keep your memories

stored safely in

your heart


Written in response to SadjeWhat Do You See #32 photo prompt.
Image credit: DariuszSankowski on Pixabay

A new business opportunity

a picture of a chocolate cake

Sparky was sitting on the table reading the latest edition of Magical Creatures Monthly. He was studying a tempting-looking chocolate cake recipe by a dragon from Wisconsin, when with a loud pop and a puff of pink smoke, a small rectangular object landed on the doormat.

‘What was that, Sparky?’ called Alys from where she was busy cleaning her cauldron.

The diminutive dragon flew down to inspect the recent arrival. ‘It’s a Magical Messaging Machine. How exciting!’ He poked it gently with a small purple claw. ‘Oooh,’ he exclaimed through a shower of excited sparks as the screen sprang into life.

Alys hurried over. The Magical Message Machine pinged loudly and the large friendly face of George the Dragon filled the screen.

Alys and Sparky exchanged glances. Even though George had made a huge mess of Alys’s herb garden when he’d visited, and hadn’t actually turned out to be one of Sparky’s relatives as he’d claimed, they’d felt rather sorry for him when he had to be returned to the Home for Delusional Dragons. It was good to see him.

‘Listen both of you,’ George said, leaning even closer to his side of the screen. ‘I want to make it up to you for barging in on you like that.’

Alys smiled. ‘No harm done, George.’

‘Nothing which Alys couldn’t put right with a wave of her wand,’ added Sparky.

George held up a big blue paw. ‘I have a gift for you. It should be arriving about now.’

There was a gentle thud on the doormat accompanied by a cloud of dust. The retired cauldron sneezed, clearing the dust to reveal a tray containing six silver seedlings in little green pots.

‘Dragon Snaps,’ George explained. ‘Pop them out in your garden. They’ll be ready to harvest in ninety-nine minutes. I’ll call you back then, toodle-pip!’ The screen went blank.

‘Come on, Alys,’ excited steam issued from Sparky’s nostrils. ‘Let’s plant them.’

Soon the little Dragon Snaps were sitting comfortably in the soil. ‘All we need to do now is wait,’ said Alys. ‘What shall we do?’

‘We could make a cake.’ Sparky flew over to the table and brought back the recipe he’d been reading. ‘Looks good, doesn’t it?’

Alys grinned. ‘Let’s do it!’

‘Without magic?’

‘Of course,’ replied Alys. ‘I can cook conventionally.’

Sparky raised a purple eyebrow but said nothing.

The time flew by as they measured and mixed and finally popped the cake in the oven. Sparky glanced out of the window. ‘Look!’ he pointed with a chocolate-covered paw.

The silver seedlings had grown into tiny trees. Hanging from their branches were dozens of strange-looking objects.

Just then the Magical Messaging Machine pinged. It vibrated agitatedly on the table until Alys picked it up. George’s face appeared. ‘Are they ripe yet?’

Sparky took off through the kitchen door and returned clutching a rectangular-shaped pod. ‘Go on, open it,’ said George excitedly.

Alys took the pod and carefully split it open. Inside was a playing card with a picture of a dragon on the front and some numbers and symbols beneath it. Alys turned the card over. The words Dragon Snap Collectibles™ shimmered in silver.

‘There are lots of different dragons to collect and it’s a game too!’ George grinned toothily.

‘Awesome!’ said Sparky through a shower of excited silvery sparks. ‘How many cards are there, George?’

‘It’s impossible to say. They just grow…’ George paused, noticing Alys’s expression. ‘They’re perfectly legitimate. I have a wizard contact who cultivates them in Seattle. He’s given me a license to import the seeds. All I need is somewhere to grow them. There’s no garden here at the Dragon’s Home.’

‘Collectible cards that grow on trees, Alys,’ said Sparky. ‘You were talking about growing the business, weren’t you?’

Alys grinned. ‘Why not, we’ve nothing to lose. They might attract a new set of customers.’ Sniffing the air, she whirled around and snatched open the oven door. Alys sighed and picked up her wand.

George continued. ‘I can supply you with the seedlings, you can to the rest…’

‘…and we can split the profits!’ Excited amber smoke issued from Sparky’s snout.

‘That looks tempting,’ said George, eyeing the cake with its glistening chocolate frosting from the screen. ‘You’re obviously a very accomplished cook.

Alys smiled at the compliment. ‘I’ll send you a piece, George.’

Sparky glanced at George’s beaming face and winked at Alys. ‘He may not be my uncle, but he can be our business partner, can’t he?’



Written in response to a prompt from Susan T. Braithwaite

Genre Scribes Friday Fiction Writing Challenge #45

The challenge this week was partner. Photo credit: clipart-library.com
Sparky apologises for busting the word limit but he didn’t want to leave out the cake

A small cute purple dragon
Read more Alys and Sparky adventures here

Thriller, chiller!

For visually challenged reader, the image shows a road leading towards a dwelling in the forest. It is hidden in fog and surrounded by tall trees. A light is shining brightly out of the window of the house.

Dark trees, darkened house,
sense of dread inside your head.

Go on, step softly, lest he hear you
What goes on inside that house?

Light spills out, a shadow moves
Hold your breath, keep still, keep calm!

The light grows stronger, pulls you near.
Sense of dread inside your head.

You look up, the figure beckons.
Sense of dread inside your head.

Gripped by his gaze he draws you in.
Sense of dread inside your head.

You venture onward, up the stairs.
Sense of dread inside your head.

Dark trees, darkened house,
no longer have that sense of dread?

Come closer now, you’re almost there
Welcome to the vampire’s lair!


Written in response to SadjeWhat Do You See #31 photo prompt.
Image credit: Art Tower on Pixabay

Beneath these branches

The image shows a young girl standing next to an old sprawling tree in a park. There is an empty bench in front of her.

Little girl tiptoes round the tree
Once I was a girl, just like she
All tousled hair and sun-kissed limbs
I wonder, what became of me?

A life well-lived, a love fulfilled
Time ticked away, my heart was stilled.
But watch, my love, and wait for me
to tiptoe round that self-same tree.


Written in response to SadjeWhat Do You See #30 photo prompt.
Image credit: Majaranda on Pixabay