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

The Echo Chamber

 Empty space surrounds me

Stretching out into the shadows

The echoes are loud here.

My head splitting with the sound.

A yell comes back again and again to assail me.

A whisper never fails to revisit me.

A cry of anguish! a laugh! a lie!

NOTHING dies in the echo chamber!

Not even a thought.

CAN YOU HEAR ME???

My voice is lost in the echoes of what you say…

Long before it reaches you.

As loud as I shout, you never hear my voice

You say you miss me

But who do you miss?

You’re so fixed on your own words

That I think you miss a ghost of your imagination.

I am not a pawn and this is not a game to play.

I scratch these words upon the walls…

Even as your echoes call.

Perhaps you’ll see them at last someday

Long after we’re done and I’m gone away.

©️ 2024, Accountec, LLC

Flutter

It rests alone in overcast fields

A wisp of cloth upon the grass

A breeze picks up and the cloth it steals

Slipping it away like a cherished time passed

 

I’m wondering what the lettering might say

As the wind persists to blast and blow

Lifting it higher and on its way

The fabric flutters, flutters, and flows

 

The sun’s kind rays will kiss the threads

Its blessing warm and bright

On cloth upon which no foot treads

Just a square of red and white

 

The breeze must not spoil its face

As it flutters so bright and gay

I’m wondering where it will find its place

As it flutters and flows away.

©️ 2024, Accountec, LLC