Lisa Barker

(100 word challenge)

She often sat in her room in a rocking chair that she’d cuddled each baby in. The window revealed an expanse of meadow that contained a rainbow of flowers. Neighboring horses reached for the tender grass over the fence that enclosed their pasture.

“Mom, come have dinner,” her daughter said from the door.

“Will you save it for me?” She often felt hungrier after the sun set, after a day of having eaten nothing since breakfast. She’d lost sixty pounds.

“I’m worried about you.”

She didn’t hear. Beyond the meadow was a road. She awaited his return.

(100 word challenge)

At sunset, pink cotton clouds stick to the fading blue sky and float toward an orange sun that gradually melts them into memories: her smile, her infectious laugh, those dancing blue eyes.

Rose takes her husband’s hand and they glance at the clock. Eleven past seven. He squeezes her hand.

Yesterday, in the pages of years gone by where their youngest daughter lives, there is the moment she died, when the sea slammed the shore and tore husband and wife apart.

Splintered wreckage floated uselessly, unable to rescue their broken hearts.

Now?  They float on a raft they made together.

(100 word challenge)

Rain. Dark night presses on windowpanes. There is the soft glow of moon through dispersing clouds.

“Are you coming to bed?”

“Soon,” she tells him. “My thoughts are restless and I am enjoying the beauty outside.”

“Don’t be long. The cats won’t settle down if you don’t come to bed.”

Five slow, deep breaths and there is peace again. Leftover rain drops dot the window. Beyond, the wind begins to lull the neighborhood to sleep.

Beauty without. Beauty within. Come what may, she will not yield to ugliness and pain. She likes the person that she is.

White Flag

Dido

I know you think that I shouldn’t still love you,
Or tell you that.
But if I didn’t say it, well I’d still have felt it
Where’s the sense in that?

I promise I’m not trying to make your life harder
Or return to where we were

But I will go down with this ship
And I won’t put my hands up and surrender
There will be no white flag above my door
I’m in love and always will be

I know I left too much mess and destruction
To come back again
And I caused nothing but trouble
I understand if you can’t talk to me again

And if you live by the rules of “it’s over”
Then I’m sure that that makes sense

I will go down with this ship
And I won’t put my hands up and surrender
There will be no white flag above my door
I’m in love and always will be

And when we meet
Which I’m sure we will
All that was there
Will be there still
I’ll let it pass
And hold my tongue
And you will think
That I’ve moved on….

I will go down with this ship
And I won’t put my hands up and surrender
There will be no white flag above my door
I’m in love and always will be

(100 word challenge)

“I don’t like giving presents. I never know what to get anyone.”

“I’m happy with whatever you get me.”

He stared daggers at the computer.

“You gave me dish towels one year. I loved them!” She could feel the relief in his demeanor. She didn’t want big and fancy love.

Later, he said, “I know something you don’t know,” with a smirk on his face.

“Hey! I thought I wasn’t allowed to say that about gifts.”

Very seriously, he said, “You’re not.” Then, he smiled and resumed interest in his online game.

The moment was priceless.