Don’t tell me
you don’t remember,
that you had no choice.
I can see it in your eyes,
hear it in your voice.
You wanted this,
you wanted him.
Wanted to be connected
in a way that no words
can describe.
And now
you have lost
me.
Copyright © 2016 Heidi Barnes
COMING SOON
I stare into the mirror
my face bare to the world.
My eyes tired,
my lips neutral,
my expression blank,
uncaring.
The façade that I wear everyday
washed away so easily with water,
revealing a woman
I barely recognize.
A woman who hides her pain
behind a well rehearsed smile
cheerful banter
well placed make-up.
There are times I wish
someone would see
the pain that I hide
so maybe I won’t be alone,
that maybe I can finally
be free to be me.
Copyright 2016 Heidi Barnes
“You’re an idiot.”
“What do you mean? I did everything I was suppose to do. Why is that wrong?”
“Because you don’t agree with the procedure. You think it’s wrong, so why do it that way? Why not do it the way you know is right?”
“Just because I disagree with what I’m being told to do, doesn’t mean it’s the wrong way. It just means I don’t necessarily my way.”
“It’s not right.”
“Why do you say that?”
“We should be free to do things the way we want to do them.”
“Who says we can’t?”
…..
“Look. Right now, this project is not mine. It’s the company’s. My boss told me he wanted it done in a certain way. Do I think there is a better way? Sure! Is what I am doing morally wrong or going to hurt someone? No. So we do it my boss’s way. Maybe it will work, maybe it won’t. If it doesn’t then the higher-ups will be more acceptable to trying my idea. Either way, it has to be done.”
“If you ask me it’s a waste of time.”
“Maybe. We’ll see. I have to get back to work. Let’s just agree to degree and leave it at that. Okay?”
*sigh* Okay. But mark my words. Your way is better.
Go!
I’m going, I’m going.
Copyright 2016 Heidi Barnes
When I thought of the word ‘disagree’ this is the conversation that came to my head. It’s one we’ve probably all had at one time or another.
“Well that was a mistake.”
“Ya think?”
Pinching the bridge of my nose and closing my eyes, I prayed for patience. I really did not need help in reminding me that my brilliant plan wasn’t so brilliant.
“Don’t you have something else to do?” I sighed.
“Not anymore since you blew that up,” Sid snarled. “It took me three weeks to put together what took you two seconds to blow up. What were you thinking?” The exasperation in Sid’s voice had it higher than normal, not to mention louder. We were starting to draw a crowd.
“Apparently I wasn’t,” I grumbled.
“Apparently not,” Sid spat glaring at the wreckage in front of us. Then she sighed. A deep from your toes sigh, and from someone that was only five foot two that was a feat. In a much calmer voice that spoke of how much our relationship that had spanned a lifetime meant to her, she said, “Well. There’s nothing to do about it now except clean up the mess and start over again.” Turning towards me, she put a finger in my face and growled with narrow eyes, “No more bright ideas without my consent. Understand!”
“Yes ma’am,” I intoned quickly.
“Good. Now get your ass in there and help me,” she barked. Turning to the crowd she waved her hands in a shooing motion and yelled, “Nothing to see here folks. Just a young kid with more browns than brains. Move along.”
Groaning in embarrassment I whined, “Sid!” The only answer I got from the old bat was a cheeky grin as she waded into the pile of rubble that was once a speeder. Shoulders slumped, arms hanging at my side, the best five-year-old pout a twenty-one-year-old could muster, I shuffled in behind her.
Copyright 2016 Heidi Barnes
The rocking horse flew through the air, buzzing, neighing, doing loop-de-loops. Not a care in the world. The summer day was hazy with heat, showing the pollen that flew into the air as the rocking horse zoomed in and out of the flowers that filled the meadow. What a glorious day to be free! it thought. Free to fly among nature and all her glory. For the rocking horse had never been free before. At least he did not think so. All he remembered was the golden cage that surrounded him from his very first memory. It had been a large cage, filled with toys, a miniature barn with bedding his master called fluff, whatever that was. Plenty of food and water, and he was treated like a prize possession. All and all not a bad place to be, but it wasn’t…free.
With a long whinny that was its laugh, the rocking horse took off into the sky like it had been shot out of a cannon, leaving a trail of vapor behind it. Once it got to the highest point it stopped. Its small wings fluttered furiously to keep him suspended as he surveyed the beauty around him. Green rolling hills butted up against majestic mountains, the tallest peek raising up into the sky like a silent sentinel, watching over all below. Farms dotted the landscape with a village centered in the middle, a gathering place for the humans to sell their wares, catch up on gossip and celebrate their holidays and special occasions. Today was one of those days. A wedding was taking place and everyone one was there, decked out in their finery to help the happy couple begin their new life together. Which was why the rocking horse was free.
Sighing in contentment, the rocking horse looked down at the forest below it. Surely there were more like him. Maybe he should go down and start….
A shadow fell over him and then was gone.
What the…?
Glancing around, the rocking horse could not see anything. Shrugging his shoulders, he once again surveyed below him, trying to figure out the best spot to begin his search. This time he saw the shape of the shadow floating across the tree tops. Large and silent, it drifted lazily around him. Taking a closer look, the rocking horse realized that the appendages that were out to the side of the body were wings and the large fan like thing in the back were…TAIL FEATHERS!
As soon as the rocking horse began his dive, a shrill shriek filled the summer air. Not daring to look back, the rocking horse streaked towards the safety of the woods.Dodging in and out of trees, he could hear the bird crashing and shrieking behind him. Must…find…shelter! There was a loud crash, then a crack of wood, then silence.
The rocking horse dared not slow to see if the bird had crashed into that large tree it had just flown through. No, it knew now where it must go if it was to remain safe. This outside world was a scary place, with things far to large that wanted to eat it for a morning snack. There was only one place it would be safe.
Sometime later, the front door opened to a small cottage near the woods and a young woman danced in, humming a lilting tune.
“What a wonderful day,” she sighed. “Full of laughter, good food and good friends. They really should have weddings more often, they are so much fun.” Putting her basket on the wooden table in the kitchen, she danced over to the small living area where there was a large golden cage and her childhood friend. “Hello, my little one. How was your day today? Uneventful, I suppose. Let me tell you about mine and we can relive it together, shall we?”
The miniature rocking horse neighed in response, rising up into the air and doing a somersault telling her it was happy to see her. With a small smile the woman did not see, it hung in the air, happily listening to his master’s voice as she regaled him with the days events. Happy to be safe and sound and alive in his home.
Copyright 2016 Heidi Barnes
Have a wonderful song filled summer day. 🙂
Love’s sacrifice,
never forgotten
always in my heart.
My promise,
my vow
to you I recite.
I will find what was lost
defeat endless night.
Darkness will retreat
to the light.
All I ask
through eternities might
is that you fight for life,
that you hold on to hope
with both hands tight.
*Laughter
maniacal
chilling.
Accepting the challenge
so boldly declared.
Confident in victory
Darkness waits, unaware
the strength in love
as pure as light,
will conquer
even the darkest
of night.
If you only
hold on tight*
Copyright 2016 Heidi Barnes
This is the end of out story. I hope you have enjoyed it. I may, in a time not today (okay, been rhyming to much!) flesh these poems out into a full fledged story. We will see.
If you have missed the beginning click here: Part 1
I walk into darkness
away from the light.
The memory of you
once beautiful and bright,
fades with every step
taken into the night.
I am no longer
my own,
my master I must
obey.
The God’s have
forsaken me,
Hell is my home,
my debt to pay.
There is no one to
save me.
I am
alone.
Copyright 2016 Heidi Barnes
This is a poem/story that came to me while driving and listening to Phil Collin’s, In the Air Tonight. Where it has seemed to take on a mind of it’s own, as with all stories, that first initial push to write furiously has slowed down. So I will post as soon as my stewing and listening to the song repeatedly give me inspiration. If you have just found this story, here is the link to Part 1. I hope you enjoy.
Paper thin
tattered around the edges.
The straight and true
float in the breeze
unaware of dangers,
the mighty are pleased.
Misty sails
break free of the night.
The dawn brings peril,
we fight at twilight.
Bring home our sailors,
the far away plead.
Don’t leave us stranded
we beg of thee.
Days turn into nights,
the gulls take flight.
Lost and despair
What shall we do?
How will be stay alive?
Pick and choose,
who lives
who dies.
Fate wins out.
Help has arrived.
Copyright 2016 Heidi Barnes
This is from a writing prompt on Writing Outside the Lines. I wasn’t sure about this poem, but it is what came to me when I saw the feather and began to write. Hope you enjoy.
Foolish child
you play a game
you have no hope
of winning.
I will own you.
Your mind,
your body,
your soul.
You have given me
everything,
and received
nothing.
And for what?
Love perceived
from demon spawned?
How pathetic.
How splendidly
naive.
As for you
my faithless pawn,
freedom is yours.
Though earned it
you have not.
Do not waste
what you once discarded
so carelessly.
Take one more look
at the price
that was paid,
for true love
will never again
come your way.
Copyright 2016 Heidi Barnes
This is a poem/story that came to me while driving and listening to Phil Collin’s, In the Air Tonight. Where it has seemed to take on a mind of it’s own, as with all stories, that first initial push to write furiously has slowed down. So I will post as soon as my stewing and listening to the song repeatedly give me inspiration. If you have just found this story, here is the link to Part 1. I hope you enjoy.
I do not care
his sins.
They have no hold
over me,
nor will they
have any hold
over him.
I choose him.
To hold him,
love him,
free him.
Take your token,
keep your promise.
I chose to embrace darkness
so he can see the light
within.
Copyright 2016 Heidi Barnes
This is a poem/story that came to me while driving and listening to Phil Collin’s, In the Air Tonight. Where it has seemed to take on a mind of it’s own, as with all stories, that firs initial push to write furiously has slowed down. So I will post as soon as my stewing and listening to the song repeatedly give me inspiration. If you have just found this story, here is the link to Part 1. I hope you enjoy.
Currently Researching the Disaster of Pompeii in 79 A.D.
An Empyrean Cycle
Fiction, Nonfiction, and Poetry Journal
Mindfulness, Philosophy, Spirituality, Meditation, Awareness, Religion, Nature Photography
Layers Of Life
Novelist, Poet, Wordsmith
Excerpts from book writings :)
To See What I See 