Blue Skies (short story) by Leanne Dyck

photo by ldyck

A hand like a vise around my wrist. I'm sinking. Down, down, down I go—into his pit. Bones. Rot. Decay. There he keeps me for days, months, years. 

What is time without sunlight? 

How I hunger for something more.

"Show me the world," I beg.

"This is it. This is all. The world is dirty, dark, sad." 

But I remember... Blue skies. Bird songs. Fragrant flowers. The smell of rain. Buds on trees. Soft green grass. The warmth of the sun. Or was that all a dream?

From up above... The sweet singing of birds... Up above... Past the bones, past the rot, past the decay, to something...something blue. 

Reaching, stretching, jumping, I wrap a hand around a root and pull. I reach even higher and wrap my other hand around a branch and pull. Up, up, up. Soon I'll be free. 

"Hey, what are you doing?" I feel a hand around my ankle. "You can't leave me." He drags me down, back into his pit. "It isn't safe up there." He cuts off one of my arms. "This is where you belong." He cuts off the other. "This is all."

Now I'm trapped. Though I try, I can't get away. This pit is my only world.

But...but blue skies, green grass, flowers, sunshine, rain... My dreams fill with them. I live in my imagination. And I am free.

photo by ldyck

Next post:  Sunday, May 13 at approximately 5 PM PST
A New Reality (short story)
What's it like to be the mother of a child with dyslexia?
I don't know. I've never been a mother. But I have imagined the feeling in this short story.

photo by ldyck

Sharing my author journey...

My Magic Meadow by Gail Woodward

i envision a meadow where i can find calm and peace

where i can experience inclusion of all 

where forgiveness and understanding prevail

where the earth creates a sanctuary of healing

where i hear  the wisdom of fairies when i listen from my heart

i hear a whisper

Magic is inner power

and as i listen i follow the fairy with delight

she leads me to a labyrinth in the middle of the meadow

where she continues with

Magic comes from the heart

And creates a Lighthearted Life

Be Lighthearted

Live from perfection 

And enjoy your Mistakes!

Photo by Leanne Dyck

as i willingly follow the fairy

 she teaches me to begin walking the labyrinth with a pace of LOVE 

and to become aware that the labyrinth is offering the gift of LIGHT

Photo by Crystal Favel

i hear a whisper

Magic reflects on others

And creates a Responsible Life

Take responsibility

Let your Light shine through your heart 

And feel the glow

 a flow of Light is created 

from the earth

and i somehow become aware that the purpose of walking this labyrinth

is to mend the wounded human through their feet 

as transformation is the magic in each step

i hear a whisper

Magic is in each movement

And creates a Wisdom so simple

Breathe with Spirit

Dance

Hum

Sway 

Sing

and Twirl in Circles!

Photo by Crystal Favel

as we are walking  into the centre of the labyrinth

it feels like i am walking into the magic of self transformation

walking into the centre of interconnection

with self

with each other

with community

with the world

with the universe

i hear a whisper

Magic is present in all

And creates an Interconnection of Awe...

Honour and Nurture Yourself and Others

Smile

Hug

Laugh and Cry

Listen and Connect

Just BE you

Photo by Crystal Favel

i feel the flow of LIGHT that is unseen

with human eyes

seep up through the earth

with each step i am creating LOVE to share as i return to my life

in this moment i realize that each step in life can become our strength

and with each step we can expand this healing LIGHT

walking upon the earth in a New Way

i hear a whisper

Magic flows in the beauty of GAIA

And creates a playground of learning

Share in the beauty of others

SEE the beauty of GAIA

Enjoy your experiences!

now i KNOW that those who walk in these lighted footsteps

 are healed

and forever changed within their very soul

together we expand this healing light by sharing our footsteps with the earth

and thus with others who walk upon our footprints

Joey (short story) by Leanne Dyck

Joey purred her way into my life just when I needed her the most.

photos by Leanne Dyck

I was exhausted from pouring energy into my career, my volunteering, my studies, my... All of that coupled with the death of my mom left me a mere shadow of my former self. 

Did Joey sense how much I needed her soothing presence?

The search for a place to heal brought me to Mayne Island--to a house on Wood Dale Drive. My husband was working on the mainland and so I alone meet with Barb--my potential landlady. The house was spacious and well-constructed. Tour over, Barb led me back into the living room. She offered me a seat on the chesterfield. 

"Your house is... is..." Searching for the prefect word but not finding it, I settled for, "We'd love to live here."

A voice plummeted down the stairs. "Where's my...? I can't find my...? Ugh!"

"Just a sec." Barb climbed the stairs.  

"But Mom..."

Mom--that name conquered memories and... I felt so alone. 

A fluffy grey cat pranced into the living room.

"Oh, hello. Aren't you beautiful," I told her.

She looked at me as if to say, Why yes I am beautiful. How nice of you to notice.

"Here, kitty. Come here," I softly called.

With regal flare, the cat claimed my lap and curled up into a clump of purring grey fur. I was no longer alone.

Barb came back and sat down beside me. "Joey is usually very shy around strangers, but she chose you."

Sam and Joey on our porch

First Joey and then her brother, Sam, joined my husband and me in that house on Wood Dale Drive. They were adults and so they taught us how to live with cats. 

A skilled hunter, Joey introduced us to an array of Mayne Island wildlife--mice and birds, even a hummingbird. Most of them became additions to her diet. 

A patient sister, Joey attempted to teach her brother to hunt. She'd bring him a half-dead mouse. She served it like a mother cutting her child's meat. Sam toyed with the poor little creature, but he just didn't have it in him to kill. The mouse limped away. And the look Joey sent me, Honestly, males! I just can't teach him anything. 

A devoted companion, Joey helped me heal. I folded her into my arms and wet her grey fur with tears. She never seemed to mind; she never left my side; she was always there.

On August 21st, Joey slipped out of my life as gracefully as she had slipped in. 

"She has lived such a long life," I told the vet. "If she were a human we would celebrate her."

Sharing my author journey...

My Ritual

 The negative emotions written on the pieces of paper are 'low self-esteem' and 'jealousy'.

As the paper burnt I chanted and reflected on positive transformation.
Jealousy will be transformed into...
Appreciation of the gifts I have. I will share them with the understanding that when I do there will be more for all.
Low self-esteem will be transformed into...
Valuing the unique qualities I possess--such as a sense of humour, creativity, determination, wisdom and compassion.
This is my intent...
These are the stitches I will cast on.
***
Next post:  NaNoWriMo (this time for sure. :) )