Chapter One: The Corner Jayden Reed hated standing still. At sixteen, his mind buzzed like the traffic outside his block of flats — restless, loud, impossible to switch off. School felt like a cage. Teachers droned about exams and futures, but all Jayden could see was the present: cracked pavements, graffiti-tagged walls, and the crew of older boys always holding court at the corner shop. Everyone in the neighborhood knew...

They signed up for dancing class at an arts center. Once a week. They volunteered for the tech crews at a theater. When time allowed.  They wrote poetry to read at open mic nights. Every so often. They hiked the pathways of the earth. In life's time. They thought upon that life and it was good. What they had created was pleasing and meaningful. It was good.  They loved as they should. They had forgotten how young they wer...

Uncle Jeff called them bear berries. That hadn't sounded right to Terrance. Now, so many years later, he recalled that long ago moment and curiosity finally lead him to search online. It didn't take long to find a picture of them. They were salmon berries. That was the succulent fruits he had found growing thickly and profusely on the briars out in the woods so long ago. He couldn't even remember the taste of them. Just t...

As a young man, oh yes I remember. I was so full of vigor. I was fit tall and slender. Life before me seemed so much bigger.   As an old man, I sometimes live inside my past. I look back on that I dreamed. Time has slipped by far to fast. Life is more predetermined than it seemed.  

Before there was we there was youAnd when you were young all was new.Do you think about that. I still do.Before there was we there was you.***Before there was we there was meAnd when I was young I was free.But I dreamed about you on my knee.Before there was we there was me.***Before I brought tears to your eyesThey had visions of stars in the skiesAnd they traveled in books and grew wiseBefore I brought tears to your eyes...

I wandered Golden Gate Park, On one of the most perfect days. The air was clear, With my mind in a haze. The park was almost empty. Few people walked, Kids played games. I stopped to listen, a young man talked. He bored me, so I continued on. I saw another man singing a song. I stopped and watched him. I sat and sang along. A small breeze blew. It lifted his notes into the air. His voice carried with them. It made a tale...

At first she knows only of those, That young and selfish, always try To be the best, turn up their nose. She cares not for them but gets by. Yet next she meets the bitter child That smiles politely in your face And then your talent is reviled And jealousy takes friendship’s place. An angel graces troubled times A human kind and so divine She wonders at her sins and crimes And thinks more of the fate’s design. But lost aga...

4:30 in the morning. Up BEFORE the crack of dawn. It's pitch black out. There isn't a sound. Up before the birds. I am half asleep. No, scratch that. I am more than half asleep. More like 3/4 asleep! Sweat-shirt, jeans...I stumble around the room, getting dressed. I feel like a sleep-walker. My sister groans and turns over in bed. Lucky! I think. I try to be considerate, though. I don't want to wake her up. So why am I do...

I was just sitting there,  Thinking of all the things  I have not experienced,  Watching the sun drift through the sky lights  Of a short ceiling— As it laid  Stunningly bright rays  Across the golden glow of your skin,  While dancing across those deep,  Sea green eyes  That are suddenly staring completely through me.God should never have created such eyes,  Such temptation. They are like the fleshy part  At the end of yo...

Beautiful child Bright as the sun Mischievous rascal Looking for fun She comes to class bringing her attitude A false bravado that hides the real girl inside A mouthy young soul that keeps herself hidden Throwing up walls and burning bridges. If you are fortunate enough to be allowed in You will see the treasure that is her She is intuitive and incredibly bright The sweetness of her heart rarely revealed. Those on the out...

Yes, it sucks to sleep alone.Wouldn't we all like a warm body beside us?To cuddle, to kissthe affection we missCould I give it to youtonight?Oh, how I want toand if drunk I just might.But during this episode of sobrietyI'll pass.Next time you ask(if you ask) I promise to reconsider.Just be sure it's notthe beer talking.

An old alpha peers at a winter moon.For lady wolf, his heart does swoon. Longing for days when they pranced.Stalking like shadows they advanced. Their kits safely snuggled in the den. A time nearly lost, way back when. Now having to prowl the forest alone. No longer this alpha sits on his throne. Not having a mate or pack to call his own.Frail and weak, just hair, skin and bone. Reliving days when he was a young pup.Memor...

An intro to a story I am working on...  They buried me today. Everyone always told me that this was how it would end for me. I never believed that it would. I was more than just street-smart; I was smart. I was young and vibrant. Charmed and charming. Untouchable. I remember mum saying, “Your thoughts and actions are what define you, Stanley.” I called it bullshit to her face. How could I have been so wrong?

The thought that plays inside my mind tonightIs have I aged and reached my use by date?Will meeting young and lovely folks delight,Or have I left the search until too late? We meet, and kindred spirits may become,But am I much too old to share such fun?These youths are always free to beat a drum,And spread their joy beneath the shining sun. My years of learning taught me how to live.My years of living left me love to spar...

A Warrior Born, Part Two as the young warrior grew into a man on the plains of Africa people in our times call his tribe the Maasai well know cattle herders and ferocious warriors on the full moon the elders sing and tell their history around the fire all will sit listening and the youth dream of a far off time long ago first one will tell of the tribe settling the Rift Valley as its called now as the evening moon marches...