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
The winter had been long and I was tired of it. Tired of it all. The bitter cold, the sleeping outside, the loneliness, and never knowing if I was going to live one day to the next let alone through the night. This war seemed to have gone on forever. The killing, the fighting, the disease, the death. If something didn’t change soon I couldn’t promise that I wouldn’t walk away from it all. I didn’t even know what we were fighting for anymore. The reason seemed to have gotten lost over the years. Now…well now I was tired.
We were walking through the woods on our way to a small town that was rumored to have a safe house for those who wish for a warm bed and good food without fear of being shot. It did not matter what side you were on, everyone was welcomed. The one condition was no fighting. When you stepped through the threshold you left the war outside. A little piece of heaven in my world of hell.
Neither of us talked. My buddy was just as tired as I was. So it was with a profound silence that we trudged through the damp woods, each of us praying that we had enough strength to make it to our destination. I was about to call for a break when we broke through the treeline into a clearing. What we saw sitting in the middle stopped us in our tracks.
The deep rich mahogany was a stark contrast to the dead vegetation around it. At first glance the instrument look pristine, but as I squinted at it, still not sure I was seeing what I was seeing, I began to see scratches and dings. The big question that I knew was also running through my buddies mind was, what the hell was a piano doing out in the middle of nowhere?
Looking at my friend, I raised my eyebrows in question. He answered with a shrug of his shoulders. He had no clue either. Being we were in enemy territory, silence was the key to survival. This could also be a trap, but it had been so long since I had heard the sound of something as beautiful as music I could not resist the temptation the piano. Pulling my gun from my shoulder, I motioned my friend to follow. Grimacing he did as I asked.
Step by step we slowly made our way to the piano, each of us scanning the ground and treeline for any sign of danger, our rifle butts tightly against our shoulders, our fingers ready to squeeze the trigger at the moment danger reared it’s ugly head. When we reached the piano, my friend kept his rifle at the ready as I lowered mine and studied the piano for boobytraps. When nothing seemed amiss I motioned for him to that is was clear. Still vigilant, he moved closer to, glancing down as I slowly opened the lid to reveal the ivory keys. Unlike the rest of the piano that, on closer inspection, obviously had been sitting out in the elements for some time, the keys were pristine, the white and black shining in the waning light. I reached out to push one of the keys. His hand shot out stopping me. Pursing his lips he shook his head, clearly not wanting me to touch them. I saw his reasoning. On the outside it looked innocent enough, but on the inside…. Motioning him to stand back, I moved to the side and put my hand on the top of the piano. Taking a deep breath for courage, I slowly lifted the lid. When nothing exploded in our faces we both heaved a sigh of relief. Looking inside I did not see anything wrong. Quietly closing the lid I smiled that everything was fine.
Frowning, my friend once again moved to my side. We still had no clue as to why this piano was sitting in the middle of a clearing in the middle of the woods in the middle of nowhere. Again I reached out and touched one of the keys. To my surprise, the soft sound was in key. Moving so I was centered, I placed both hands on the keys and ran a sequence of chords. Every one of them were in key. I looked at my friend in surprise and again all he did was shrug. Unable to help myself I played a little tune my mother had taught me at a young age. One that always brought back memories of apple pie and milk. Of sitting around the table with family and friends laughing and eating. Memories I thought long buried under death and destruction. Suddenly the world did not seem like such a dark and dismal place. Suddenly I realized that one day I will have that warm safe feeling again. I would make sure of it.
My friend tapped me on the shoulder. Glancing at him, he pointed with his chin across the clearing, his rifle once again in his hands. Looking where he pointed, a small child stood at the edge of the clearing watching us. With a motion of his hand to follow, he disappeared into the trees. Curious as to why there was a child alone in these dangerous woods, we cautiously followed. Maybe he was the trap. Even so, leaving a small child alone and unprotected did not sit well with either of us.
What we found shocked us. The piano was not a trap, but a test. If we just passed it by without touching it we would be allowed to pass unharmed. If we destroyed it then we too would have been destroyed. By playing it, we showed those who were watching that we might be able to be trusted with the biggest secret of this unending war. That we could be brought home.
Copyright 2016 Heidi Barnes
This is to a response to Kellie Elmore’s FWF prompt on her website Magic in the Backyard.
Pick a door. Any door, as long as you realize the consequences of that choice. For once you step inside, there is no turning back.
How brave are you? How will you survive? The worlds beyond are nothing like the mortal world. The creatures within do not obey our rules, follow our laws. They have their own rules and laws that will seem strange and harsh to our delicate sensibilities. Kill or be killed, a delicacy to be savored or discarded as they see fit. Fantastical beasts who guard their realms and treasures with zealous glee.
Pick a door, but I caution you to pick wisely because there is a catch. What ever realm you choose is what you will become now and forever more. Go ahead. Reach out, wrap your fingers around the ancient orb, give it a twist and step into a realm where mischief and mayhem reign supreme, and your life will never be the same.
Straight lines
point A to point B
Never deviating,
never detouring from your chosen path.
But what if you put a curve
in that path so straight and true?
Will you stumble and fall,
the world imploding around you?
Will you still be able to
breathe?
Black and white
Truth or lie
There is no other way,
no gray between the lines.
But what if we put some color
in your monochromic world?
Will you stumble and fall,
the world imploding around you?
Will you still be able to
breathe?
We live in a wonderfully diverse world.
To put blinders on
to all the different colors,
all the curves and angles around you,
is an empty
sad
place to live.
Open your eyes to all the possibilities
one step can make,
and dream an impossible dream
that just may come true
if only you let yourself
breathe.
Out there, somewhere, was my freedom. I didn’t know how it would come, or when, just that it would. How many years had I been trapped here, trying to escape a destiny I did not want. Too many. I wanted to leave in the worst way, but they would find me if I did. That was the last thing any of us wanted, because if they found me they would find them and then all the years of fighting, of searching for the answer that would free us would have been wasted. I had to wait here and be patient like I was asked me to.
So I sat here, night after night staring out into the dark sky that held my freedom and waited.
A voice whispered in the night at the edge of my conscious, begging me to listen. The harder I strained the more the words slipped away. A sudden foreboding consumed me. Something was not right. I stood, the blanket that I had wrapped around me to ward off the early spring chill pooled in the dirt at my feet. They had found me! How I had no idea because this planet was well protected with a strange anomaly that was part of the middle of the universe. A left over of the beginning of time, this planet was hidden from view from every known technology and from those that created it. A rare find in such a vast space.
Finally the words became clear, the voice so familiar, so much a part of me, that it made my knees week with longing. There was only one word and I heeded it without question.
“Run!”
Copyright 2016 Heidi Barnes
This is for a Free Write I participate in called Writing Outside the Lines. Go have a look and see if any strike your fancy and give it a try. It’s a lot of fun and helps clear your mind of the words that are bouncing around your head so you maybe can focus a little better. 🙂
Can I help you?
I’m not sure. I don’t think anyone can help me.
Why do you say that?
Because, I am beyond help.
No one is beyond help.
I am…. The silence deepens. Why don’t you tell me what is wrong.
You would not believe me.
Try me. Sighing, I comply. I have done something terrible. Something no decent person would ever do.
And that is?
I have lost faith.
In what?
Everything. Again there is silence. I don’t understand. I have lost faith in the world, the universe, especially in mankind. There is so much pain, so much suffering, killing, and for what? Because we are different. We act, we believe, we see things differently therefore we should be exterminated. It does not make sense to me. Why? Why do others think they are better than me? Aren’t we all made the same? Are we not all made of flesh and blood and bones? So what if our skin is a different color, or our eyes or hair. So what if we believe in a different god or a way of living. Why does that mean I must be punished? What makes you better than me? This time the silence drags on longer until I fear there is no answer. Fear.
What?
It is fear that pushes people to do those things. Fear of the unknown, of the unexplainable. Fear of something different than what we are. That fear leads to anger of the fact they cannot change what is. So since they cannot change, they destroy. There is still good in people. Not everyone feels this need. It is the few that make it difficult for the many. Do not lose hope or faith. In the end justice will prevail.
And until then?
That is your choice. Live how you feel is right and love those who love you in return for they are who truly matter.
Do I turn the other cheek when someone hurts me and mine?
That is up to you. Only you can determine when it is time to retaliate. When the wrong done to you is enough that you must answer the call to avenge your loved ones, your beliefs, yourself. Just remember that it is you who will look in the mirror and judge the harshest. Make sure what ever it is you decide that, in the end, you can live with that decision. Until then, be safe, be strong, and above all, be happy.
Copyright 2015 Heidi Barnes
A lot of the times it starts with one sentence and blooms into many words. I don’t always know where they come from. All I know is they must be written. I have not lost faith, but there are times I do wonder, why?
Colors, colors, colors. So many pretty colors, and each one has a specific meaning. The question is… which one would you choose?
Blue you can fly. Being afraid of heights that might pose a problem. Although I do fly in my dreams and that is pretty cool. Orange you can run at the speed of sound. Think of all the wonderful things you would miss. Yellow is the one everyone thinks about but is not too sure if it’s a good idea. The ability to read minds. Do you really want to know what others are thinking? I wouldn’t want you to know where my mind wanders. It can be a very scary place at times. Even for me. Pink gives the ability to heal. That would be cool. But think about it. If you could heal any non-fatal wound, and you were careful, couldn’t you live forever? Grey. The ability to move objects with your mind. Now that would be cool. Especially on those nights when I’m exhausted, I just settle myself down on the couch under my favorite fluffy blankie to watch my favorite show and realize the remote is out of reach. Whaalaa! It’s suddenly in my hot little hands. *sigh* Heaven! Purple. The ability to walk through walls. Well, you’d have to be careful with that one. What if you were ten stories up and you didn’t realize it was the outside wall and…. well, you get where this is going. Clean up on aisle 4! Green allows you to shapeshift. That could be cool if not a little painful. I can see it now. I shift into a great big snake and sneak up on my husband who is afraid of snakes and tap him on the shoulder with my tail. When he turns around I say, “Hellosssss.” He he he. That might get me the $10,000 on Funniest Home Videos! (Yes, I have been told I am evil. Muuaahhhaa! 😉 )
Last but not least, Red. The ability to turn invisible. Think of all you could hear, all you could do and no one would be the wiser. You would be the most sought after secret agent ever!
But which one to pick? Better yet…. why?
I guess for me it would Indigo, the ability to jump into a story and live it. Granted, some of them are pretty scary and the heroine or hero don’t have it very easy mentally or physically. But think of the ability to escape, to really escape. Isn’t that why we read? To escape into someone else life if only for a moment in time?
Did I just cheat the question? Probably. And maybe one of the colors above suits you better. Then again, I tend to escape into my own mind quite a bit and play with my imaginary friends, and the thought of actually doing that has always been a dream of mine.
So, which color would you choose?
Copyright 2015 Heidi Barnes
This is a free write prompt #21 from Writing Outside the Lines. Go give a look. Maybe you’ll find one to inspire you to write something.
When I saw this picture I wondered why more people don’t have these qualities. The ability to love, have patience and understanding. See the beauty around us instead of all the ugliness. To be kind to others even though kindness may not be given. I realize that not everyone can have face every circumstance life throws at us with courage, and strength in any of those qualities can run out rather quickly. Lord knows my patience on some days is very thin, and there are times when forgiveness either takes a very long time or is non-existence.
Faith has many meanings and can be a fickle thing. I have faith that the human race can pretty much screw up anything. However, I also have faith that they can fix it. It may take a while, longer than most people would like, and we will fall on our collective faces numerous times on the way, but we will eventually get there. That is where the patience comes in. As far as Faith in whichever religion you may believe in, you know, it’s okay. As long as you don’t use it as an excuse to annihilate another because they don’t believe exactly the way you do, who am I to tell you how to believe? We should all have the freedom to choose, and to take that freedom away because they don’t see eye to eye with you, in my opinion, is wrong. (There is a can of worms I probably shouldn’t have open. *sigh* Oh well.)
I do want to say thank you to all those who serve in our military forces. Because of you, we have the freedom to live the way we want to, feel the way we want to, say the things we want to say without fear. Thank you for all you sacrifice to keep us safe.
I know I have left a few pieces out of this write. Maybe you can answer for yourself what you are passionate about and motivate yourself to follow that passion. I love to write. Have since I was 14. It’s helped me heal in a lot of ways. But it took a long time before I had the courage to allow others to read that writing. I guess the message here is never give up on your dream. It may take awhile, but eventually you’ll get there. (Huh. Guess I didn’t leave them out. 🙂 )
“I know what you are thinking,” whispers through the air.
“No you don’t,” I say unsure.
“I know how you feel,” the silky voice breathes.
“You can’t!” I yell spinning around, peering into the murky mist.
“Can you live with your choice knowing the cost? The people you will hurt?”
My silence is greeted with a flash of light, a reflective surface, an image I know too well.
“Will you be able to look upon yourself with pride when others see you with disdain?”
I turn away from those eyes filled with anger, arrogance, and, to my disconcert shame.
“I have done no wrong!” I growl defiantly.
“I see your mind and it is deceiving,” the voice slithers in the inky blackness.
“You lie!”
“Do I?”
Tense silence fills the air.
“Who are you?” I whispered fearfully.
“I am the one who will condemn without reservation, who will haunt your waking dreams!” the voice booms. “I am judge, jury. Executioner!”
Wind whips around me, past sins screaming for absolution, beating at my already battered soul. Covering my ears I try to run, but it is no use for the voices follow, unrelenting.
“You can run, but you can never hide, for we will follow through the edges of time! Speak now and right the wrong or pay the price for a deed black as it is cold.”
“Never!” I scream. Fist clenched, feet apart, I stand my ground, the wind of past sins suddenly silent. Conviction strong, I raise my eyes and voice to the heavens. “If I must pay for returning that which was given freely, then so be it. My conscious is clear.”
“So be it. The choice is made, No turning back. What once was whole is now undone. What once was love now hate is strong. May the Gods have mercy, for the light within is now gone.”
To See What I See 