Vigilance

 Sarah was poised, motionless, on a large tree branch near the point where the trail looped back around the perimeter towards the footbridge by the clearing. Her eyes were closed and her brow furrowed in focus as she listened. Above the rustle of the faint breeze she could hear the faint sound of the water moving down the riverbed. Birds called and the occasional squirrel darted about.

This is where she belonged, out in the world, losing herself in the flow of time. Her body was like a metronome set to the rhythm of nature. She did not miss a thing. Today she was perfectly in tune. She needed to be. The gang really needed this.

The sun was sifting through the trees, the air warm and calm. She smiled as she watched the birds 

That’s when she heard the scream.  

©️ 2024, Accountec, LLC

Meanwhile...

 “I don’t know vhat you see in this stuff.” Vlad said as he sipped a fresh glass of gnat juice.

Dat bat. Nebber before had ennyone gotten so far under Spidey’s carapace. He was worse den a can ob Ortho Home Defense. Now he had di nerb to insult Spidey’s specialty beverage. 

“I tell you vhat is truly delightful, a nice bottle of A negative with extra platelets. Last time I flew by DI/LO they were having a sale… 4 pint barrels, 2 for a forearm. Vhy, there were undead lining up past the rusted gates. I saw one ripping off an arm near the entrance. It was to live for!”

All dis talk about di dead. And nebber enough about DI/LO. Vlad’s eyes just light up when he talks about blood. On and on, di types and di qualities ob di stuff. Drive an arachnid just plain webby. Worse, now der were udders around, the bat tells me. Humans! 

“Quite dull around this wooden castle. Reminds me of my uncle Boromir. We used to call him Bor. He never figured out why. You know what hits the spot? A vell chilled glass of A negative. I vonder if they still have that sale…”

Spidey almost got him out the window when he thought to stay to see if the humans returned. 

Vlad set his glass down and flew to the rafters again. “It’s getting late in the day.”

He had dat look agin. Good thing Spidey doesn’t bleed.

“I vonder vhen those humans will return.” He said, gazing wistfully out di window.

Spidey crawled to the corner and started spinning thread. Too many guests! Spidey channel his frustration into his labor. Maybe start a whole new cobweb. 

©️ 2024, Accountec, LLC

Hunter and Hunted

 What I wouldn’t give to be more like Sarah. Don’t get me wrong, being invisible has its perks, but it’s not much use if you’re uncoordinated and trying to track someone through the wilderness. Sarah was so graceful that stealth came naturally to her. She could sneak up on people easily, even pick pockets, all while being perfectly visible. It was hard not to be jealous.

I had stopped by every flower on the way here, even picking a few. Flowers, bright colors, and strays were some of my favorite things. 

After many broken branches and falls, I was nearing the reservoir on the North side of the preserve. I stopped to take a breath.

Sarah had become like a big sister to me. She had such poise and presence, could fly under the radar or command attention as she pleased. Yet she never seemed to need attention, somehow social and independent at the same time. She could easily laugh or be serious on the spot. She had a calm confidence, good intuition, and good instincts. Honestly, she almost sparkles. 

She’s out there somewhere…

I caught the scent the moment they arrived, just like I always did after I was bitten by that animal. Three. Distinctly human. The loud one had an aura almost like flowers mixed with fear. One slunk along in near silence, but this nose is not so easily deceived. She had a more natural odor, earthy with a hint of sweat. The third had a most interesting scent of dying embers. A more foolish nose would take it for that of cigarettes, but it lacked the reek of tobacco. 

The sounds and scents were quite exquisite and were notably absent of the contaminations that were so common in settled areas… soaps, perfumes, bug spray, sunscreen, etc. Intriguing. I had to know more, and so I slipped through the brush, circling until I was behind the loudness, creeping ever closer to its source…

©️ 2024, Accountec, LLC

Reprieve

 Ocean waves press the sand as wisps of cloud skirt the edge of the skies.

The bluest waters caress the land as sunlight shines bright in my weary eyes

I built a strongpoint upon a crag, to keep myself true and rest my mind

Watchers, walls and towers with flags, to protect what’s left of my ability to be kind

I strive to release the slights of the past, for wisdom builds what a fool destroys

Night creeps in and the cold wind blasts, yet the flame of faith, the darkness avoids

When someday my strength falters and at last gives way

I’ll rise to the altar, thanking God, I pray.

©️ 2024, Accountec, LLC

Safe Harbor

 The skies were dark the other day

My compass had lost true North

I turned to face the wind away

Searched the horizon and set my course

 

A lighthouse blinks off in the distance

As blasts of wind break the waters anew

And doubt creeps into my weary conscience

Yet will and word with faith stay true.

 

And so my ship cuts through the ocean

With gusts and swell it shudders and rolls

My soul, it bursts with relief and emotion

As I pass the shadows and beyond the shoals.

 

At last some sunlight breaks through the shroud

With the calming waters of the harbor in view

I sail past the breakers and the sun through the clouds

As the dark skies and waters turn bright and blue.

 

The storm is behind me and fading fast

Tears rise up as strife fades into the past

The docks draw closer with help standing ready

With Joy, I realize my ship sailed steady.

©️ 2024, Accountec, LLC

Monument

It casts a long shadow (and really it should)

You spent a long time perfecting the story

Controlling every detail you possibly could

In an epic indulgence in pride and glory.

 

Block by block you built the pedestal

Your pride mounting with every stone

Until it became truly monumental

And even surrounded, it stands alone.

 

Many labored to erect these stones

Yet there is only name this monument saves

The other names remain lost and unknown

This statue marks their struggles like a grave

 

With such careful chiseling, the narrative is well defined

The unmoving stone standing cold and lifeless

Just like its inspiration became in time

And yet this stone will always know best.

 

Yet a crack is spreading through the foundation

Belying the rage behind that cold visage

A symptom of the wrongs and rationalizations

That allowed you to maintain your mental mirage.

 

Even the stars seem to surround this prize

Making it the center of its own universe.

Yet this glory leads it to its own demise

Pride is a blessing that becomes a curse.

©️ 2024, Accountec, LLC

Attraction

A glance, a word, a smile…

Laughter in the dark.

A whisper, a nod, a wink…

A match, a flame, a spark!

 

Take my hand, let’s make our plans

Of what we will be together

For a day, an hour, or just one moment

Or perhaps even forever!

 

Like lightning flash & thunder crash

You electrify and excite me

Like magnetic wave as emotions rage

You capture and energize me

 

The sparkle in your eye is what tells me why

You make my world so bright

Words soon fail, I’m flushed then pale

The moment you come into sight.

 

With Siren’s call you assail my walls.

How long can I resist?

My heart beats faster, I fear a disaster

From rushing into this tryst.

 

The touch of your hand, I can’t withstand

The burning flames of joy and desire.

With our words like a dance, so begins romance.

The intensity couldn’t be higher!

 

Night fades to day and we laugh our passions away

And cherish the time that we spent.

As we say goodbye, I see the look in your eye

And within it each precious moment

 

©️ 2024, Accountec, LLC

Pieces of Us

With a gentle, heartfelt, goodbye kiss

I smile and take my leave of you

Yet a piece of me shall stay to reminisce

Because you’re a part of me now too.

Now is not the time to grieve nor tarry

Fly free, love, and find something new

Yet cherish these memories we both carry

And know I’m always here with you.

Always remember that the sun will rise again

And embrace me as we prepare to part

Please smile for me as you and I end

And always and forever keep an open heart

I know I cannot lean hard on your shoulder

With all we’ve been through it wouldn’t be fair

With each moment that passes our love grows older

Can we simply smile on the memories we share?

I cherish the life that we had together

Even after it’s done and through

Look to the horizon beyond this stormy weather

The light shines down to something new

Love is like a kaleidoscope

The swirling colors bring me hope

In life, like the colors, we dance as one

All just shards of the light of the sun.

Goodbye, my love, we’ll meet once more

We’ll tear down the walls and forget our wars

I’ll be a better man for this sorrow

If I can find the serenity to get to tomorrow.

Parting is hell, but loving is bliss.

Take my hand, let’s end with a kiss.

©️ 2024, Accountec, LLC