Looking Back

“What can I say that you don’t already know? You were there. You saw what happened. I’m not sure what help I can be at this point.” Teresa threw up her hands in exasperation, turned and paced away.

“Ever little bit helps,” Tom said gently. He knew he had to tread carefully or he would lose her, and he desperately needed her help if he wanted to do this. Taking a step towards Teresa he tried again. “It was early morning. You heard a noise and went outside to investigate….” He waited patiently for her to finish the story.

Sighing as if her bones were weary, Teresa dropped her hands to her side. “I didn’t see anything at first and was about to go back inside when the sun broke over the mountains and…,” she hesitated. It was so unbelievable that after all this time and God only knew how many tellings she still could not believe what she had seen. Looking up into Tom’s eyes, letting the desperation and awe she was feeling fill them, she whispered, “Could it be true? Could they really exist?”

“I want to believe they do,” Tom said quietly, taking another step towards her. When he was close enough that she had to look up at him, he gently cupped her face. “What we witnessed…. It was a miracle.”

“Or a curse,” Teresa muttered placing her forehead on his chest. “Everyone thinks we are crazy.”

Tom smiled. “Not more so than usual.”

Teresa could not stop the laughter that broke through her tears. Once she gained control, she looked up at Tom, the awe returning to her face.

“They really do exist, don’t they,” she breathed.

“Yes, they do,” Tom whispered solemnly.

Love’s Sacrifice – part 9

On August 20, 2016August 24, 2016 By HeidiIn Creative Writing, Uncategorized4 Comments

fantastic winter forest shadows at night — Desktop Nexus: Fantastic winter forest shadows at night

The choices we make,
chances we take.
Right or wrong
is the cost worth
the price?
Some wait in the wings,
watching,
judging.
Never taking that first step.
The fear of the unknown,
of being alone,
to great.
Waiting for someone else
to give them direction,
strength.
All the while hating,
despising,
those with courage,
a will of their own,
perceived freedom
to be alone.
Not understanding
while fearless outside,
the same doubt,
fear
dwells within.
The choice is,
will always be,
give into those fears,
remain in the darkness,
allow others
to own your soul,
or break free.
Live
Love
Make those choices
on your own.

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. 🙂

Part 8 <—> Part 10

Love’s Sacrifice – part 8

On August 19, 2016August 20, 2016 By HeidiIn Uncategorized3 Comments

Sephiroth's Fury — Desktop Nexus: Sephiroth’s Fury

Lies!
Words meant to deceive,
trick.
Do not fall prey
to her serpent’s tongue.
She will ensnare you
bind you
until you can only breathe
think
at her whim.
It is not your life
she craves,
for she cares not
if you live or die.
No,
what she craves most
lives for,
will kill for,
is a pure
soul.
If you freely sacrifice
the very essence of who you are
to one such as she
eternal damnation
is all you will receive.

And you?
What was your sacrifice?
What as you crime?
Why are you bound
to a creature
evil incarnate sublime?

*Rage complete
fills his eyes,
his body,
the very air.
His gaze penetrating
the source unimpressed.
Her only answer
to hatred so fine,
a low
evil
chuckle.*

This is something that came to me while driving. I was listening to Phil Collin’s In The Air Tonight. I let it simmer overnight and began writing in the morning with that song playing in the background. The poem seems to have taken on a life of its own. What will her answer be?

This is where the fast and furious writing ended. There will be more, just not posted as quickly as the first seven parts were. Bear with me. There will be an ending. 🙂 If you have just joined this story, click here to start at the beginning. Part 1

Part 7 <—> Part 9

Love’s Sacrifice – part 2

On August 18, 2016August 18, 2016 By HeidiIn Creative Writing, Flash Fiction, Uncategorized8 Comments

Stunning Eyes and Face

Desktop Nexus: Stunning Eyes and Face

You think you know me,
what I am,
what I can do.
Do not judge me
by my actions.
You do not know my story,
who owns my soul.
I am a puppet
with an unforgiving master
who know my weakness.
Who knows about
You.
I frighten you?
Good.
Your fear will keep you safe,
protected
from creatures made of darkness.
From me.

Part 1 <—> Part 3

This is something that came to me yesterday while driving. I was listening to Phil Collin’s In The Air Tonight. I let it simmer overnight and began writing this morning with that song playing in the background. The poem seems to have taken on a life of its own. There is more.
Much more.

Writing Outside the Lines – Writing Prompt #51

On July 30, 2016July 26, 2016 By HeidiIn Uncategorized10 Comments

I’ve been asked by a good friend to come up with a writing prompt for her website Writing Outside the Lines. Annie has helped me when I have been stuck, when I needed a second opinion and with editing. She first introduced me to writing prompts… well years ago. Time flies so fast anymore I’m not sure how long it’s been. LOL I know I have been lax when it comes to writing to prompts – well with writing in general, but I’m working on it – so when she asked me to come up with a prompt for her site I jumped at the chance.

Here is what I decided. I LOVE word banks. Give me five or six words and I will try to weave story or poem out of them. Some are short and sweet, some have taken on a mind of their own, as Annie can attest to.

Here they are….

phone, past, storm, twig, light, green

The rules are pretty simple. You don’t have to use all of words. One, two all six. It is up to you. Be it a story, poem, blog, haiku… whatever other writing style tickles your fancy. You decide. All you have to do is figure out how these words inspire you and write until there is no more left to say.

I’ll leave you to your muse. Have a wonderful day. 🙂

2016 Heidi Barnes

Summer Vacation

On June 17, 2016 By HeidiIn Uncategorized2 Comments

I’M FREE!!!!

Just wanted to get that out of the way. LOL Today if the first official day of my summer vacation! Yeah!!! Does this mean I get to lay around in the sun, tan, drinking mai-tai’s and reading? I wish! One, it needs to be warm enough and actually sunny to do that. Living in the Pacific Northwest usually means June is wet and chilly and the summer weather doesn’t officially start until July 5th. (Heaven forbid we have a dry warm Fourth. :P) Yes, our weather has been screwy like the rest of the county. We’ve already hit 90F a couple of times. But La Nina is lurking on our shores and so far it seems as if we are having a normal-ish wet June. As of the moment the sky is blue and the sun is out, but we will see how long that last.

Two, I have a TON of yardwork to do. Now that I am feeling better, pretty much healed up from a fall I took (it’s been a baaad month), and have some time, I can finally go out and try to catch up on the yardwork. Some areas are not so bad. Just some small pruning, deadheading and a few weeds. Others are a disaster area. Right now I’m looking out my window at a couple of firs that have dead branches in them that need to be removed. Some of those should be interesting since they are way above my head.

Three is the house itself. We are still in the process of updating. Trim, painting, new doors, painting ceilings, flooring, painting, bathrooms. Did I mention painting? I don’t like painting. Especially the ceiling part. All of this is a slow and tedious process that we started last summer. Aside from the painting, we will probably finish the downstairs before the 3rd when we have a party. We’ll see. I am getting old and the energy I had in my 30’s is not what it used to be.

Today I will start in the yard. I think I know which part, but that remains to be seen if when I do get out there it actually happens. I am going back to work to help one of the teachers finish packing up her room this afternoon so the custodians can clean. At least my mornings can once again be dedicated to writing. Whether it is editing, poetry, a new story or this blog it will be good to have the time to really concentrate on it. Maybe I will finally feel whole again, because writing lately has been scarce. And any artist knows, if you are not doing your particular brand of art, something inside, a part of you, slowly begins to fade away, and that is never good.

Have a beautiful day! I’m going to have another cup of coffee and get caught up on here before I go play in the dirt. Bye for now. 😀

Places to See – FW prompt 37

On April 24, 2016April 24, 2016 By HeidiIn Free Write, Poetry, Uncategorized1 Comment

So many places
So many people
So many things to see
And so little time
How
When
Where
Why
Decisions to make
No time to take
Stop
Breathe
Take in what is around you
See what is behind
The mystery
Misty eyes
Filled with joy
Filled with tragedy
Make new friends
See old enemies
Tell the stories
Held within memories
Time is long
As it is short
Take what you have
and live

This is a free write in response to Annie’s website Writing Outside the Lines.

To See What I See

Category: Uncategorized