Clouds

The sheer force of the wind gust knocked him to the ground.  Shaking off the disorientation, Austin uneasily rose to kneel over the pond again.  Was she still there – yes, he could see Charlotte in the water’s reflection.

Instinctively he reached for her – brushing the rippling image of the tops of her hands with his fingers – something he had done many times before, when she was in his arms – “It’ll be alright” his sighed.  He saw her familiar smile start to form – he could feel Charlotte beginning to return to her former self.

He noticed the branch in her hand – his only connection to her now – he hoped it would be enough to reunite them.

He came to their pond every day since she disappeared – he had repeated the pebble ritual each day with hopes that she would answer.

And now, there she was – not quite real, but he saw her and she was responding to his words.  These moments were magical for him – she really might be here. He reached for her again.

He felt the chill run through his body … her image slowly faded away – replaced by a curtain of clouds reflecting on the surface of the pond.  He tried to clear the image of the clouds with his hands – “Charlotte!” he called out as he pushed his right hand through the water to feel for her.

The branch seemed to appear in his hand out of nowhere – and with it, he heard that same  unnatural voice he’d heard just before Charlotte disappeared – “You need more time” it growled.

Artist: Elena Madden; Author: Mike Evans

Whisper Tree

She walks towards the whisper tree
Feels a whimsical breeze at play
A rhythmic dance of leaves

She hears the whispers…

They are barely audible at first
She frees her mind to hear
Fleeting in nature

She hears the whispers…

She slows as she approaches the tree
Scoops the breeze with her hands
She reaches for a waiting leaf

She hears the whispers…

What draws her to this whisper tree?
It pulls her, even in her dreams
She feels much better when

She hears the whispers…

Artist: Arthur Hughes; Poet: Mike Evans

Missing Her

He absently struggles with the front door
Reluctantly, it yields to his key
He calls out to her
Silence

Missing her…

He walks through the crowded hotel lobby
Awash in a cacophony of sound
Voices echo in waves
Loneliness

Missing her…

He aimlessly wanders along the path
Fingers dance with the breeze
Expecting her touch
Emptiness

Missing her…

Artist: Andrew Atroshenko; Poet: Mike Evans

That’s When He Knew

As they enter the trail, he yields – she glides ahead
He watches with wonder as her skirt dances
in time with each step she takes

That’s when he knew…

They walk in comfortable silence for a while
He absently sits down on their bench
As if pulled by magnetic force,
She slides in beside him and
playfully traces his ear
with her finger

That’s when he knew…

They sit folded into each other on their bench,
a sudden breath of wind tussles her hair
A few locks fall and cover her face
He quickly reaches over to
gently brush them free
He has to see her
impossible
beauty

That’s when she knew…

Artist: Marc Chagall; Poet: Mike Evans

Dream Essence

She strolls through the woods
with no direction
in mind

She follows a wispy breeze
as it slowly dances
with the leaves

She feels its languid breath
wash against her skin
in rhythmic waves

She draws near a peculiar shrub
with ribbon-like flowers
wavering about

She tentatively extends her hand
to feel its silky texture
with her fingers

Entranced, she picks a flower
and a sweet aroma
escapes to air

Overwhelmed, she lies down
with the flower in hand
senses immersed

She forms a serene smile
as the scent permeates
Nature’s gift…

Artist: Edward Hughes; Poet: Mike Evans