Fallen Flag

“You shouldn’t have abandoned the flag,” Mikael said, his voice an angry growl in the blood-soaked twilight. Raen looked from their celebrating opponents, who remained unaware of their presence within the trees, to his friend who nursed injuries that could have been so much worse. “It was either lose the flag or lose you,” he … More Fallen Flag

Unexpected Consequences

Unexpected Consequences Adrugian gazed wearily over the arid landscape, the insistent beat of the sun sapping energy he could ill afford to lose. He knew the villagers below didn’t understand why he traipsed so often to the heights. He’d seen the looks they exchanged. He’d heard their snide comments. Unfortunately, the truth was something they … More Unexpected Consequences

Sparks

For a time they’d shone brightly, the sparks flying between them igniting passions that burned with fierce abandon. But such a blaze could never last. Now, from the ashes, they had to build a new life – though whether together or separate had yet to be decided… This post is for Sonya’s Three Line Tales. … More Sparks

December 2016

During December I again photographed the meadow, wooded area and stream in my village for Cardinal Guzman’s Monthly Changing Seasons challenge. With the busyness of Christmas preparations, along with an unseasonably warm but drearily overcast month, I only managed a handful of visits to my favourite place, but luckily those few walks gave me plenty of pictures! … More December 2016

Anticipation

Anticipation clings to the air as the engine, wreathed in puthering smoke and steam, pulls steadily closer to the station. The gathered crowd jostles for position, each individual determined to find the best position available. Voices chatter excitedly, a thrum of excitement carrying along the packed platform. You strain your ears to hear the familiar huff and … More Anticipation

Light and Dark

Light and Dark Tammy hummed a tune as she walked, contentment a pleasing weight on her shoulders. Home’s warmth drew her onwards. Until light shattered the darkness. She stumbled back, shielding watering eyes. Her throat tightened with sorrow. She’d known the summons would arrive someday – but, so soon? How could she leave everything behind? She wasn’t ready… … More Light and Dark

Silent Guardian

embodied in resolute metal, he watches from the rocky heights, forever awaiting his call to arms, a silent guardian poised in enigmatic grandeur, the once and future mingling of legend and history This post is for Cee’s Black and White Challenge. This week’s theme is things made by human beings.  The pictures were taken at Tintagel Castle … More Silent Guardian

Picture-Perfect

He’d wanted a picture-perfect life: a happy family and well paid job with all the perks. Instead, young voices argued yet again while bills piled high. He sighed as gentle hands massaged the stress away, accepting reality – his life might not be picture perfect, but he wouldn’t change a thing. This post is for Sonya’s Three Line Tales … More Picture-Perfect

Preservation

Preservation Loreli scratched at her temples where the threads made contact. After nearly twenty years of treatment she should be used to the sensation by now, but they still made her skin crawl. After all, while she knew she’d visited the clinic for years, it wasn’t as if she could really remember it… “How much longer?” she murmured. The doctor would hear, no … More Preservation

November 2016

During November, despite spending the majority of my time working on my NaNoWriMo novel, I still managed a few walks down the the wooded area, stream and meadow to take some photographs for Cardinal Guzman’s Changing Seasons monthly photo challenge. Don’t forget to click on the galleries for better views of the pictures. Come on in. Walk … More November 2016

Late Bloomer

willful late bloomer shrouded by chill apathy awaiting sun’s touch I had intended to share my November Changing Seasons post today, but, as it’s getting late here and it’s still not ready to go, I thought I’d share one of the pictures I took during November instead. The haiku was written in my notepad with somewhat frozen fingers while I was … More Late Bloomer

Paths of Memory

tread softly along paths gentled by hazy memory, strolling amidst recollections of yesteryear’s cares where lost loves and old pains fade into ephemeral touches, phantom fingers brushing against present preoccupations This post is for Cee’s Which Way challenge. The photos were both taken on a misty November morning on the lanes around the village. Here are a … More Paths of Memory

Something Sweet

It had been a long week – a long year, even – and she needed something sweet to brighten her day. The stacks of colourful confections were enticing. So too was the man behind the counter who served them with a smile and a wink: yes, something sweet, indeed. This post in for Sonya’s Three Line … More Something Sweet

Time to Reconnect

Time to Reconnect She hadn’t written to them in far too long. Back in the early days, Felena had penned letters weekly, though each one had simply been added to the stack in her drawer. Eventually she’d forced herself to stop. She’d needed to move on. It was now over a decade since anything had actually been delivered to the … More Time to Reconnect

Web of Light

shadows retreat as hope’s golden glow illuminates the pervasive web of negativity and joy shines through I was going to post this picture as yesterday’s Wordless Wednesday, but then the words came into my head and insisted on being included, so I thought I’d save it for today instead. As most of you probably know by now, I’m currently in the … More Web of Light

Walls

His memories crowded close: an impenetrable barrier denying access whilst holding him back from the world. But he was sick of being imprisoned by the past. Caed knew it was time to tear down the walls – from their rubble he could build a marvelous palace in which to celebrate a bright future. This post in for … More Walls

Moonage Daydream

“Freak out in a moonage daydream, oh yeah…” – David Bowie, ‘Moonage Daydream’ Like so many others across the world I waited eagerly for the supermoon to rise a few nights ago. Unfortunately I found myself to be disappointed as the overcast sky hid it from view. Luckily for me the sky did clear a few hours later, but … More Moonage Daydream

Sign

here, amidst the overgrown tranquility, let’s hope to see no discarded packets or rusting cans: the only litter allowed is nature’s own This post is for Cee’s Black and White Challenge. This week’s theme is signs of any kind. The picture, in case anyone is curious, was taken on the lane near to the meadow I … More Sign

Dolls’ House

There were times when Sylvina felt like merely a figure in a dolls’ house, her whole life dictated by the whims of others. But enough was enough. She refused to be merely a decorative toy any longer – it was time for her to take control of the game. This post is for Sonya’s Three … More Dolls’ House

Dionysus Smiles

lord of wild spaces revelling in vibrant shades before frosts return I thought I’d take a little break from my NaNoWriMo writing to share a couple of photos and a haiku with you. These pictures were both taken in my sister’s garden – a fascinating area that’s full of little moss covered statues and odd … More Dionysus Smiles

Breathe You In

Sometimes he could feel her lips upon his, a caress so familiar he expected to see her when he opened his eyes. They used to joke that they needed each other more than air. As he gasped for breath, feeling closer to her than to his mortal flesh, he wondered if they’d been right. This post is for Sonya’s Three Line Tales. … More Breathe You In

October 2016

During October I’ve again been photographing around the local meadow, wooded area and stream, taking pictures for Cardinal Guzman’s Changing Seasons photography challenge. For those of you who don’t know, local to me is a little village in the east of England, near the border between Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire. The meadow is my favourite place in … More October 2016

All About Nature

In amongst the minutiae, the everyday, the hither and thither of life rushing by, there’s no time to talk, no time to rest, no time… Stop. Breathe deep. Tilt your face to the sun; feel the warmth on your skin. The world will wait. Listen to the harmonies of nature’s music as wind strummed trees join in chorus with buzzing … More All About Nature

Guiding Light

I’m re-posting this because for some bizarre reason half of the post vanished. It’s now back with the full three lines it was meant to have! She’d thought he was her beacon, her guiding light through the treacherous shoals. Too late she’d discovered he was merely a will-o’-the-wisp leading her into dangerous waters. Now she stands … More Guiding Light

A Walk in the Park

A Walk in the Park Jake stumbled along the familiar route, drawn to the warm light shining through his window. Home. He was nearly home. The chill air bit into his exposed arms, the thin shirt doing little to warm him, and he shivered. His thoughts skittered as his gaze caught on the trees lining the path. This … More A Walk in the Park

Local

Gentle light caresses fields shorn of their summer abundance as the newly awoken sun peeks above the horizon, tinting the wide sky in pastel shades. A lonely blackbird breaks the lingering hush of the pre-dawn hours. Soon it is joined by its fellows, and their voices rise in joyous chorus. Peace settles upon me as I breathe in … More Local

Squash Bug

Visions of darkness bar the pathway ahead,  fear, anger and hatred tangling ankles in tendrils of flame, binding feet into immobility. Hold tight. Breathe deep. Specters woven of inconstant sorrow will not remain triumphant. Joy yet lies beyond. This post is for Musin’ with Susan’s Macro Moments challenge. This week’s photo was taken in the meadow at the … More Squash Bug

Second Thoughts

Second Thoughts Anxiety set her thoughts asway, her certainty vacillating as she gazed over the garden: this was insane… she wasn’t ready for such a change… but… but… She drew a deep breath. But she loved him, she couldn’t deny that he completed her, and tomorrow… tomorrow she would say, ‘I do.’ This post is for Sonya’s Three … More Second Thoughts