Writer's Island #18 - Crossroad

Today's Writer's Island prompt is "Fork in the Road" and/or "Crossroad". A moment in time when a decision has been made which shaped your destiny. Immediately upon reading this prompt I thought of Robert Frost's "The Road Not Taken", one of my favorite poems of all time. So, before I get to my own writing today, I give you his:

The Road Not Taken - Robert Frost

TWO roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

Of course, now that I have posted his, I feel anything I could write would pale, so we'll keep it short and simple, it's Haiku time once again:

Crossroads

Before me it lies
A decision to be made
Which path shall I take

Copyright 2007 - Karina

Sunday Scribblings #8 - Fellow Travelers

The Sunday Scribblings Prompt this week is "Fellow Travelers". We are being asked to think about the people we find ourselves traveling beside in life. Whether on a bus or on a plane, or simply as we move through our days, who are our seatmates? For some reason, when focusing in on this topic, my heart shifted inward. I focus on my one constant companion as I travel through my days. We all have our own, this one's mine:

Thank You

I awake with your kiss on my brow

and I inwardly thank you again

I rise, ready to face the world once again

with you by my side.

Stepping outside my door

you paint a picture for me

snow covered, sunlight streaming through

the trees

Just for me, you say

And I inwardly thank you again

Hours later, you sing to me

my mother calls to say hello

my brother asks me for advice

my father tells me he loves me

your song is beautiful

And I inwardly thank you again

You put your chef's hat on

and together we create a satisfying meal

I eat to my heart's content,

You let me take the credit for how it tastes

And inwardly, I thank you again

You tuck me in, sweet kisses as the lights go out

I feel your presence as I snuggle in my warm covers

Another day we've spent together

My favorite travel companion

For this, I thank you.

Copyright 2007 - Karina

Pensieve's Poetic License #3 - Terza Rima

What is Pensieve's Poetic License? A monthly meme designed to encourage EVERYONE to exercise their poetry gene. Everyone is born with one; sometimes you just need "permission" (or a kick in the behind) to use it.

Please click the button above for more information. This month we were given two themes: "Beginnings" in honor of the new year and "Favorite Snack Food" in honor of the upcoming Superbowl Sunday, the form: Terza Rima. For more information on what exactly this means you'll just have to head over to Pensieve's and check it out yourself, she explains it much better than I ever could.

Okay, so now that we've got all that business out of the way, let's get on with the poetry.

Snacktime

It comes in many shapes and sizes
and in unlimited varieties too
it can be plain or wear disguises
we're talking cream, cheddar or bleu
you eat it solid or melted, yum
oh the many things you can do
but wait, don't stop there's more to come
eat it alone, spread it on toast
and over a salad, just sprinkle some
Oooh, I am becoming quite engrossed
You really can do as you please
Certainly a snack I love the most
And you know I don't mean to tease
Of course you know I'm speaking of cheese.

Writer's Island #17 - Treasure

The Writer's Island prompt this week is "Treasure".

I've been feeling short stories recently, not sure why. I did another one earlier this week for Sunday Scribblings too. For this, here's:

LIVING

There are days when just rising out of bed is a challenge for him. He struggles with the aches and pains his old body has yet to grow accustomed to. Will it ever? Still, he rises, ready to meet the challenges of a new day. He hasn't spent his 94 years on this earth complaining about a few aches and pains, and he's not about to do so now. There is still so much to see, so much to do, so much life to experience. He dresses as quickly as his hands allow him to, and gathers his hat, his coat, his cane. It is time for his morning walk.

The early morning is his favorite time of day. Before the alarms in the houses next door begin their symphony. Before the hustle and bustle of traffic overtakes the streets. Before the rest of the world awakens to go about their business, there is a serenity he appreciates. He stops to admire a squirrel on his hunt for winter food beneath the snow. Catches a bird here and there and wonders when they stopped moving south for the winter. He can hear, in the distance, tree branches give way beneath the white blanket that covers the world this time of year. God speaks to you in those moments, he thinks. If you listen, you can hear Him tell you stories of the magic in nature.

Reaching the diner on the corner, he steps through the door and takes a seat at his table. Always the first to arrive, his spot reserved in an unspoken agreement with all who frequent the place. "Good morning Charlie", the waitress smiles as she brings him his tea "and how are you today?"

"These legs still walk, these eyes still see," he smiles "everything is as it should be".

She giggles at this, which he tells her each morning. "So it is, Charlie, so it is".

Never ask him if he aches, if he's weary, if he's sad. She has learned, for Charlie knows, it is life, the greatest treasure that he's found.

Sunday Scribblings #7 - The Date

The theme for Sunday Scribblings this week is "The Date". Oh, the timing of this theme. I wish I could tell you, but for now, I give you this (and yes, it is fiction):

First Date

She stands at the mirror and meticulously applies her make-up. Not a hair out of place, dressed to the nines, she is ready. Nervous anticipation builds within her, and she takes a deep breath. It's been a while since she's done this and she's not quite sure if she's ready, but it's time. It's time to face it head on and move on with the rest of her life.

Grabbing her jacket and purse, she heads out the door. It is a casual meeting this time, coffee, chit chat, in a public place. Everything planned just so, but with an air of non-challance. She arrives a bit early and chooses the perfect table. By the window, so she can have a bit of distraction, something to talk about should the conversation go stale, and yet private enough in the corner should the conversation lend itself to more intimate topics. Ordering an espresso, she pulls out her book and begins to read. She's never been good at waiting, so she will immerse herself in her novel and hope in this way, he'll arrive before she even realizes it.

Her coffee arrives, and she surveys the room as she sips it. A group of college kids sits in a corner booth, working on a term paper hovering over each other, shooting off ideas and typing vigourously on their laptops. An elderly couple sit quietly, looking at each other with tenderness earned from decades of a love affair youngsters would never comprehend. A mother juggles a baby with a bottle and a toddler with chocolate chip residue all over his hands. The door opens and she looks up. Not him.

She settles back into her chair and reopens her book. Instantly she becomes immersed in the story again, and before long, she's lost track of time, of her surroundings, of the reason she is here. It is only a while later, much later, that she realizes she's read quite a few chapters now, and her coffee is long gone, and she still sits alone. The elderly couple has gone. So has the mother and her children. The college kids are still immersed in their studies, but a whole new crop of customers has filled the seats around her. And he? He's nowhere to be seen.

She looks at her watch. He's not just late, he's obviously not going to show. Checking her phone for messages, she finds none. So there it is, she's been stood up.

She signals the waitress and requests her bill. Gathering her things, she sighs. And this one seemed so promissing. She remembers again why she stopped dating so long ago. The games people play seem so childish to her. "We should know better at this age", she thinks. She smiles, pays for her coffee, leaves a generous tip, and leaves.

Writer's Island #16 - Over the Horizon

The Writer's Island Prompt this week is "Over the Horizon". I drifted away from the island for a bit, but am back on the beaches again. This prompt comes at a good time for me, and I'm actually feeling inspired about new beginnings that are just over that horizon.

Over there

Over there
on the other side of day
is a promisse
a surprise
a new adventure
waiting
anticipating

Over there
just over the horizon
it sits
beconning
calling
challenging

Over there
seconds away from discovery
it sings
it teases
it whispers sweet nothings

I walk slowly
with some trepidation
but bathed in excitement
ready, yet hesitant
over there.

Copyright 2008 - Karina

Sunday Scribblings #6 - New/Year

Well, it's a new year, so I'm giving "Sunday Scribblings" another go at Creative Karina.

This week's prompt is "New" or "New Year", whichever we choose to use.

A few haikus:

A New Beginning
The Dawn of a fresh today
yesterday is gone

we rise with new goals
determined to make a change
resolutions plenty

clean slate, wide open road
the future to be molded
the past memories

A Happy New Year
May your blessings be many
Raise your glass and cheer

See more Sunday Scribblings here.