Artist: Garmash

Nature’s Breath

Perfect Pebble

Sara reclined against the sloping shore of the beach with her palms flat on the sand behind her. She felt the cool wet softness of the sand on her skin. She casually extended her right foot forward.  A small wave washed over her leg – refreshing. She exhaled the worries of the previous days while extending her other leg.

A few moments passed … perhaps many as she drifted into quiet contemplation. With each soothing wave that washed over her legs she drifted further. Looking out at the horizon, she let her mind wander.  Yet, she felt something vying for her attention. She puzzled, what was teasing the edges of her mind? After all, she just saw clouds flowing along the surface of the water on the horizon. Yet, she felt there was something more…

She continued to concentrate on the horizon.  What was it?  There was a steady movement of clouds, a certain rhythm, almost like breaths, and another wave. Strange, the clouds seemed to move in rhythm with the waves. Was she imagining things? She felt almost lulled by the movement – in step with her breaths…

“Sara, Sara, look at this peeble.  It is perfect.” Alex squealed.

Sara snapped back to her surroundings.  She had to gather herself for a moment before asking “Peeble?”  “Oh, you mean pebble.” “That’s nice, Lexu” she floated out. “No! No! Really look, Sara” Alex pleaded. “See how smooth and flat the surface is. It’s almost perfectly round” Alex beamed. “I can get 5 skips across the water for sure. Tato said 5 skips would wake the lady of the lake.”

Her thoughts momentarily diverted, Sara inspected the pebble more thoroughly this time. She gave her younger brother an approving smile. He grinned ear to ear.

“Now watch me skip it. I bet we see the lady of the lake for sure.” Alex ran a finger around the pebble’s circular edge. He flashed Sara another satisfied grin and with the suddenness of youth, he flipped the pebble in his hand and darted further down the shore to his special pebble skipping spot.

Alex came to an abrupt stop – just out of the reach of the breaking waves on the shore – he turned and looked at Sara. Once sure he had her attention, he faced the lake and carefully took one step forward with his right foot.

He pulled his right arm back parallel to the ground – elbow bent at his waist.  He used his right foot to launch his left side forward – his arm pulled further back behind his body. Sara watched his practiced fluid forward motion with a bit of amazement. He seemed to release the pebble at the last possible moment.

Alex never took his eyes off the pebble as his fingers reluctantly released it – spinning and gliding perfectly parallel to the horizon. The first brush with the lake was ten feet out.  He could see ripples in the water as the pebble returned to flight. The pebble glided a little to the left and brushed against the water another ten feet out. The skipping movement transfixed Alex.

As the pebble continued with its third and fourth dance with the surface, the lake seemed to calm – as if waiting – anticipating. Alex kept his focus on counting the skips, but Sara began to feel that strange something surface within her again. The fifth skip was almost an embrace with the water. With a final kiss on the surface, the lake accepted her gift as the pebble slowly receded from sight.

Sara felt the breath on her skin before it happened …

Whisper

…Whoosh!

The wave caught Sara by surprised as the water rushed over her legs. Alex, wide-eyed, rushed to his sister. “Is that her Sara?” he asked. “It must be. What did you hear? What did you hear?”

Sara looked up at her little brother’s expectant expression. She knew what he wanted to hear. What would Tato say to him now?  He could weave a magical world together with the natural skill of a master storyteller. Sara swallowed his absence within her.

“I think … I think I heard her whisper your name” Sara said at last – not quite sure why she hesitated. “See, I told you!” Alex beamed.  “I’ll find us the perfect pebble and then she’ll stay longer.” With renewed belief, he was off to search for the perfect pebble…

Sara smiled at the energy of her little brother. For herself however, she decided to lie back to rest again.

…

Whoosh…

The sensation of water and foam startled her awake. How long had she drifted off? Had she fallen asleep? No, she had been awake – she was almost certain. She was just thinking of something.  What was it? She was certain it was important.  But now, the thought teased her – just out of reach…

The water seemed to permeate her skin and her sight blurred with a growing mist about her. Her breathing deepened and slowed a bit. She found herself focusing on her breaths. There was a sense of rhythm to it … another wave washed over her… this time it didn’t surprise her.

The mist around her glistened with light in all directions.  Something about it was vaguely familiar – relaxing.  She felt a moving sensation… a rhythm to it.  She slowly breathed in…

The soft whisper, “Sara” surprised her …

Michael

Artist: Garmash

Nature’s Breath

Sara reclined against the sloping shore of the beach with her palms flat on the sand behind her. She felt the cool wet softness of the sand on her skin. She casually extended her right foot forward. A small wave washed over her leg – refreshing. She exhaled the worries of the previous days as she extended her other leg.

A few moments passed, perhaps many as she drifted into quiet contemplation. With each soothing wave that washed over her legs she drifted further. Looking out at the horizon, she let her mind wander – yet, she felt something vying for her attention. She puzzled, what was it that teased the edges of her mind? Just clouds flowing along the surface of the water on the horizon – yet there was something…

She felt herself concentrating on the horizon – what was it? There was a steady movement of clouds, a certain rhythm, almost a breath, and another wave. Strange, the clouds seemed to move in rhythm with the waves. Was she imagining things? She felt almost lulled by the movement – in step with her breaths…

“Sara, Sara, look at this peeble. It is perfect.” Alex squealed.

Sara snapped back and had to gather herself for a moment before asking “Peeble?” “Oh, you mean pebble.” “That’s nice, Lexu” she floated out. “No! No! really look” Alex pleaded. “See how smooth and flat the surface is. It’s almost perfectly round” Alex beamed. “I can get 5 skips across the water for sure. Tati said 5 skips would wake the lady of the lake” Alex smiled.

Her thoughts momentarily diverted, Sara inspected the pebble more thoroughly this time. She gave her younger brother an approving smile. He grinned ear to ear.

“Now watch me skip it. I bet we see the lady of the lake for sure.” Alex ran a finger around the pebble’s circular edge – and with the suddenness of youth, he flipped the pebble in his hand and darted further down the shore to his special skipping spot.

Alex came to an abrupt stop – just out of the reach of the breaking waves on the shore – he turned and smiled at Sara. Once sure he had her attention, he faced the lake and carefully took one step forward with his right foot.

He pulled his right arm back parallel to the ground – elbow bent at his waist. He used his right foot to launch his left side forward – his arm pulled further back behind his body. Sara watched his practiced fluid forward motion with a bit of amazement. He seemed to release the pebble at the last possible moment.

Alex never took his eyes off the pebble as his fingers reluctantly released it – spinning and gliding perfectly parallel to the horizon. The first brush with the lake was ten feet out – he could see ripples in the water as the pebble returned to flight. The pebble glided a little to the left and brushed against the water another ten feet out. Alex was transfixed.

As the pebble continued with its third and fourth dance with the surface, the lake seemed to calm – almost as if waiting. Alex kept his focus on counting the skips, but Sara began to feel that strange something surface again. The fifth skip was almost an embrace with the water. With a final kiss on the surface, the lake accepted her gift as the pebble slowly receded from sight.

Sara recognized the breath on her skin before she saw her …

Michael

Artist: Garmash

Nature’s Breath

She reclines on the edge of the beach
Feels the smooth softness of the sand

She extends her right foot forward
Feels the waves wash over her leg

She extends her left foot forward
Feels nature’s soothing rhythm

She watches the clouds in the horizon
Feels mischievousness in their movement

She watches them tease the water’s surface
Feels a connection to nature’s playful moment

She smiles as memories of him surface
Feels the sensation of his breath on her skin

She wonders if he is thinking of her now
Feels his answer with each soothing wave

Michael

Artist: Garmash

Nature’s Breath

hypnotic rhythm
clouds, sky, water beat as one
she feels nature’s breath

Michael

Artist: Garmash

Impossible Beauty

with a single glance
her impossible beauty
takes his breath away

Michael

Artist: Garmash

Movement of Words

She sits … she waits… she wonders
Her hands nervously folded in her lap

She feels the movement of his words at play
They swirl around her … tease her senses

She thinks of the smile in his eyes
His thoughts previously unspoken

Her body resonates with the memory
His simple touch … tingles her skin

She waits … with breathless anticipation …
The sound of footsteps … ‘His’, she smiles

Michael

Artist: Garmash

Along The Edges

Pausing along the top of the ridge, Anna embraces the warm salty ocean breeze that engulfs her. With the view spectacular as usual, she would normally soak up the beauty around her – but not today. Instead, her mind battles to protect her from thoughts of Kyle. She concentrates – reinforces her walls – sensing his presence flowing along her edges. Still, she wonders … why do thoughts of him continue to persist? After all, he has been away for so long.

Anna sighs and starts her descent to the beach – her safe place – a place of cleansing. Reaching the bottom of the ridge, she automatically removes her sandals. Her toes dig into the soft grainy texture of the sand – she always loves this feeling. She hears the waves crashing against the shore – they seem to call out to her.

She wanders slowly towards the shore’s edge – fighting with each step to keep thoughts of Kyle from penetrating her defenses. She finds herself focusing on the sound of the waves washing against the shore … a repeating – loud seductive swooshing sound – getting louder as she nears the shore’s edge.

Finally reaching the shore’s edge, waves wash over her feet … the ocean spray tickles her skin. At first, she thinks she might be hearing things … the seductive swooshing sound that precedes each wave sounds like “Kyle”. Her mind is playing tricks – has to be, she reasons.

She considers retreating … taking a few steps back – just out of reach. But the next wave pulls her forward … inviting her in … she begins to enjoy the soothing rhythmic flow around her body. She continues to hear “Kyle”coming from the swooshing sound of the waves against the beach again – she definitely hears it – “doesn’t she?” she wonders.

With each wave, the ocean mist dances along her skin – evokes a familiar sensation … she sighs, thinking of his touch. She slowly smiles at the memory … thoughts of him flood through her defenses. “How could he feel so close?” she wonders…

A group of seagulls sitting idly by the water’s edge further north suddenly cry out … fly towards her with seeming purpose … she looks in their direction … spots the outline of a man walking along the beach’s edge – oddly familiar … coming her way…

Michael

Artist: Garmash

Lake’s Breath

She lies back on the bank of the lake
Feels the smooth softness of the sand

She extends her right foot forward
Feels the waves wash over her leg

She extends her left foot forward
Feels a soothing rhythm – a flow

She focuses on the clouds above
Feels the sensation of movement

She senses nature’s connection in play
Feels waves and clouds move in synch

She smiles at the memory that surfaces
Feels the sensation of his sensual touch

She knows he is thinking of her now
Feels his whisper on the lake’s breath

Michael

Artist: Garmash

Lake’s Breath

clouds, sky, water – merge
as she lies back on the shore
lake’s breath flows through her

Michael

Artist: Garmash

Nature’s Kiss

She walks along the shore…
Feels him as the waves wash over her bare feet
Feels him as the breeze tickles her soft skin
Feels him in the smell of the ocean air
Misses his touch with every step

She walks along the shore…
Picks up a shell on the beach – thinks of him
With shell pressed to ear – she feels his kiss
From the emptiness – he ripples through her
Holds tight her magic shell – no longer alone

She walks along the shore…
Smiles within at nature’s kiss

Michael