Author: Gypsie-Ami Offenbacher-Ferris

The jump was miscalculated and I missed. I skittered to an abrupt halt, trapped in the thick fabric of the woman’s hem. Lifting my face a tiny minuscule, I squinted out and over the tattered fabric to see another woman nearby drag herself out of her chair.

This distraught lady dabbed repeatedly at her skirt, chattering incessantly about a bug being on her person. Now I was distraught. A bug? I hate bugs.

Her face scrunched into cruel delight when she saw me, a picture of outrage. Her skin flecked with red and white blotches set a mottled frame around her mouth; now emitting an ear-shattering cacophony of sound that scalded my own delicate eardrums.

Understanding my life was in peril, I launched myself from the pant leg of my host onto the shoulder of the screaming human, rubbed my legs together and played her my most harmonious cricket song. Just before her big, beefy hand came down on herself in an effort to squash me, I high-jumped from her shaking body and high-tailed it back into the grass where I belonged.

Dreams come true when woven carefully and correctly
Fantasy

Life happens when a knot
becomes tangled untwined
Reality

Let me enjoy the now,
allow me to live in the present
Summer has scarce begun
yet you peddle your back-to-school wares and Halloween ideas
– Incessantly

Bombarded with advertising
campaigns enticing me to
purchase my Fall flower bulbs
now before it’s too late
though Autumn is still two months
– Away

Pondering the need to peddle
the pagan holiday at summer’s
first emergence from spring storms
bells tinkle across the big aisle
where Santa is raising his head
– Inflating

Grills are moved to back aisles
massive rakes and yard bags appear to replace summer chairs and bright colored beach umbrellas
with pumpkin adorned predisposed
– Paraphernalia

Before fall begins to break
while leaves are still vibrant green
up on the advertising screens
of major city and country stores
New Years Eve glitter and sparklers
– Invade

I’ve lost my Summer and now
my Fall and did not get to enjoy them not at all so obsessed with what is going to be just come and enjoy the now with me
– Present

In response to The Skeptic’s Kaddish W3 Prompt #64 POWER
chosen by Sylvia

You hold the power
to bring me to my knees
You hold the power
to fly me to the stars

You have the power
to stay by my side
You have the power
to walk away for good

I own the power
to bend my knees for you
I own the power
to circle the universe for you

I give you the power
to stay with me always
I give you the power
to walk away from me

and bring me to my knees …

In response to Eugi’s post, Moonwashed Weekly Prompt July 18, 2023 – SLUMBER

Where are you slumber
you hint and tease me nightly
You offer yourself to me
then forbid me to partake

Why do you torture me
when it is what we both desire
By day I need my eyes open
and must keep my mind sharp

Who has made you so very evil
to be a master of sleepiness
Ultimate portentous of Narcolepsy
except during the dark midnight hour

What pleasure you must derive
night after night as I walk hallways
March through bedrooms empty
of all but dogs and ghosts

How do I slay you slumber stealer
that I may lay my head down to rest
Relinquish your mighty hold tonight
so I might wake refreshed with the sun

In response to Sammi Cox’s Weekend Writing Prompt #320: This weekend your
challenge is to write a poem or a piece of prose in exactly 70 words using the word “Dejected”.

Dejection settled in his heart. It was Saturday and the people traipsed by, not sparing him a glance. He never bothered to lift his head any more, only opening dark amber eyes to track shoes shuffling across the concrete floor.

Rejection seared a pain in his chest as they filed out. All except one. The little girl stood in front of his cage and proclaimed, “That one! He is mine!”

Response to Photo Challenge #28 / Dazzling
JULY 15, 2023 / Hosted by OFMARIAANTONIA

Crafty was he
trapped was she
Lips dipped low
to drain her life blood

He swallowed her cry of pain
shifting her to settle against him
The brilliant shine of his dark eyes
devoured her slim form

Never stray from me again
his voice hypnotic compelled
She knew she was not brave enough to stay and would run again

He – knew – it – too …

A specter came in the night

Very quickly I turned on the light

And set everything right!

Another margarita again
alone in my window booth
Watching couples come and go
Another margarita again
missing him

The server asks if I’d like another
another margarita again
I sit and sip the pale green brew slowly licking the salted rim
missing him

Cherry sinks to the bottom
another margarita again
Lime absorbs the salt
orange makes it sweet again
missing him

Hot sauce is finished
chips are all gone
Another margarita again
empty plate last bite taken
missing him

Lights are dimming
sun has gone away
Another margarita again
maybe this time I’ll add tequila
still – missing him