Once was an elf
Long ago
Where earth was young
And moon was smooth
She wandered over hill
Beneath wood and star
She had fair skin
Her hair light brown
Her eyes a deep brown
She wandered long
She wandered alone
An Elven Maid
All alone
She spoke little
She sang less
An Elven Maid
Who walked upon the world
When the time had just begun
Now she hides deep in the wood
Though it is said
If one could speak with her
She would tell you the history
Of the world before man arrived
Yet she harbors a secret
A hidden shame
Though what tale she holds
None could tell
And she would never tell
Nightly Thoughts
Late at night
My mind runs
Late at night
And my mind wanders
I should be in bed
But I cannot sleep yet
So much to write
So many thoughts to process
The day is done
Yet my mind is awake
Despite the late night
I type my thoughts
The morning broke
Foggy and clear
My heart was glad
At the sight
Then the day passed
And my heart grew heavy
Though the day was clear
And the sun shined
Late at night
I wonder why
Why does my heart change
Why is my heart sad
Late at night
I lie awake
Staring at star and moon
Wondering why things are
Monday Stories: The House – Chapter 02
The three teens slowly walk down the street. Chloe and Dani lead while Anthony follows behind with his own camera recording. The redhead glances over. Dani is nervous but not outright panicking. The teen decides it is a good thing.
“Hold up.”
“What now?” Chloe asks.
“I need to give you two your own cameras.”
“Seriously?”
“Seriously.” He smiles, “My dad said that when he did his tradition they had to keep a journal.”
The girls exchange surprised looks.
“What? You two really thought we were making it up when we said everyone in town had done this? The house has been built here before the town even got out here.”
“Well, we just thought Mike was pulling our leg. Being a jerk.”
“Oh he may be arrogant and little too in love with himself but he loves traditions and learning about them. I think it has something to do with his dad.”
“His dad?”
“Yeah, long time history professor.” He digs around in his bag, “Come on. I know I packed them.”
Again the two teens exchange surprised looks.
“I know, I know.” Anthony laughs, “The guy who goes to the football games in body paint and football jerseys holds a doctorate in history. I had asked him why he is so different when it comes to sport games and he said because of interests. He wants Mike to be interested in history. But he also wants to show Mike that he is interested in his life as well.”
“Interesting approach.”
Anthony shrugs as he hands them two small cameras. Although equipped similarly to his own camcorder, the devices are smaller and not as powerful.
“Thanks.”
“Your welcome. Let’s get this over with. We got a little over ten hours to watch mice scurry across floorboards.”
“What?”
“You don’t like mice?”
“Not particularly.”
“Well. We shouldn’t see too many.”
“How do you know?” Dani mutters as they get closer to the house.
“I’ve done some research. Talked to the adults that have done this as kids. Most of them say that they just sat around drinking pop.” He laughs, “I actually know a couple who did their homework.”
“Oh great. This is exciting.”
“It’s tradition!”
The three teens reach the end of the driveway. They stop at the same time without planning it.
To Chloe, the house looks old and broken down. Several windows are broken and the grass has not been cut in a very long time. The black windows give the house an empty, forlong feel and look to it.
To Anthony, the house is full of opportunity. Photographing an abandoned building is one of the things he always wanted to do. The age of the house can be seen in the worn steps and damaged siding. But it also holds a lot of history.
To Dani the house is familiar. A sad little building that fell from grace a long time ago.
“Well. Ladies first.”
Chloe glares at him.
“Joking.” He steps onto the small footpath. The two girls follow him.
A cold feeling flows over them. Chloe shivers and looks around. To her, it seems like the shadows have somehow deepened. The redhead glances back at the street. She rubs her eyes and looks again.
“Chloe? What’s wrong?” Dani calls.
She hadn’t realized she stopped walking.
“Chloe?”
“I… Just. For a moment it looked like the lamp post was further away.”
Anthony and Dani glance down the street. The small dim light source looks as it always has. Across the street, they can see Mike sitting in his car. He waves at them.
Chloe frowns and turns her attention back towards the house.
“Something wrong?”
“Your friend annoys me.”
“Oh. He’ll grow on you.”
“I doubt it.”
“Anyways. Shall we?”
“Right.”
The three teens stand on the porch. Anthony kneels and looks at the key. Dani looks around the front of the house. Chloe watches Anthony as he draws out a lock picking kit.
He glances up then smiles as he returns to picking the lot.
“You don’t seem to be surprised.”
“Should we be?”
“Well. Most people question why I am able to pick locks.”
She shrugs, “We can pick locks too.”
“Oh? YouTube?”
“Trial and practice.” She replies, “Dani? Where are you going?”
Anthony looks over and he sees the girl walking towards the edge of the porch. She is facing the woods. Her body stiffens and her hands balled into a fist.
“Dani?”
She takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly. Dani turns back to them with a smile on her face.
“Sorry. My mind drifted. How are we? Can we even get in?”
“Almost…” Anthony murmurs. The lock clicks, “Got it.”
“Let the fun times roll tonight.” Chloe says as she pushes the door open.
It creaks. The teens flip on flashlights and walk into the house itself. The girls step into what appears to be an old hall. Off to the right is an empty room. To the left appears to be a dining hall. A wood table stands at the center, covered in dust.
“Cozy. A real fixer upper.”
Chloe scoffs, “Oh please.”
“Now what?”
“I don’t know. Just pick a room and chill for the night.”
“Great.”
The three teens walk further into the room. Anthony turns and shuts the door. It closes with a loud bang. Both girls jump at the show. They stare at him. He shrugs.
“Sorry. Didn’t mean to do that.”
“Well, a lot of the kids like the living room.”
“Why is that?”
“Fireplace.”
“Oh. But it’s warm out.”
“True but at least that place will have a place where we can light and fire and save our batteries.”
“Don’t really care.” Chloe turns to her sister, “What do you think?”
Dani shrugs.
“Alright, Anthony. Lead us to the living room.”
The teen nods his head and walks down the hall. The floors creak and groan beneath their footsteps. Paint peels in long curls. The wall and ceiling are stained yellow with age. Here and there, a forgotten painting or photo hangs on the wall. Thick dust covers the images.
“How old is this place?” Chloe says quietly.
“I don’t know. Maybe fifty or a hundred years ago? I am not really sure.”
“Feels old.” Chloe takes a deep breath. The air is thick and musty smelling. A silence seems to weigh on the house, “Feels very old.”
“I don’t know about that.” Anthony replies as he turns a corner, “I do know that this is the living room. I’d avoid the kitchen though. Mice tend to go there.”
“What do we do about the bathroom?”
“Outhouse out back or the public restroom in the park. There is a path that leads from the backyard to the park.”
“How do you know so much?”
“I like to do my research before I get into things.”
“I see. That would explain the good grades.”
He grins, “Can’t help it. I am a book dragon.”
“Or a nerd.”
The teens laugh and a low creak echoes through the house. Their laughter dies as they listen to the house groan.
“Odd.”
“Yeah.” Chloe notices Anthony’s voice has lost its mirth.
“What is it?”
“Well. A few years ago something happened. No one really knows what went on. Just the mayor, the chief of police at the time, and the kids involved. I do know that it was the only time the police showed up to stop the tradition. The kids never talked about what happened. Neither did the parents. All we know is that two of the kids died and the house was covered in graffiti. Ever since the house has been strange.”
“Strange? How?” Dani asks quietly.
“Odd noises. Odd lights. Kids say that the house has a lot of noises.”
“How would they know?”
“Well. After everything went down, older kids wanted to go with their siblings. To make sure they stay safe through the tradition.”
“Oh, lovely.”
Anthony chuckles weakly, “I’m sure it was just bad luck and bad rumors. Sorry for bringing it up.”
“No worries.” Chloe pulls out a deck of Uno Cards, “Anyone up for a game?”
Dani and Anthony smile as they settle down on the floor.
Master Smith
Strike the anvil
Hammer the metal
Feed the fire
Day and night
Strike turn strike turn
Turn strike turn strike
Strike turn strike turn
Turn strike turn strike
Soak in water
Repeat again
Day and night
Hour after hour
Hammer the metal
Form and bend
The metal obeys
As the smithy commands
Year after year
The hammer falls again again
Raising sparks
Bellowing smoke
Forging and making
Day after day
Month after month
The same stroke again again
There the novice passes
And the master is born
Monday Short Stories: The House – Chapter 01
What if buildings had souls? What if they could tell us their stories? What then? It would be great? Wouldn’t it? To go to England and hear the tales of bygone ages. Or to hear the war stories of forts and camps. To hear how King George III plotted to rule the greatest empire. Or listen to one who witnessed Einstein genius at work?
But what if those souls witnessed terrible acts? Whose very walls were coated the blood of innocent? What if the acts we make, both innocent and evil, could change the way the building behaves? What then?
How would the buildings behave?
Would they be things of evil?
X
Two small girls slip out of a small bedroom window. The brick house is mostly dark save the living room. The flicker of white light is the hint of a television. A door opens and closes. The two girls freeze in place. After a moment, they continue to slip down the roof. They drop to the ground soundlessly. The girls keep to the shadows of a hedge until they reach the sidewalk.
They step into the light of a street lamp.
Both girls share identical small faces, slender bodies, and waist long hair. One has red hair while the other has light brown hair. Although both wear tank tops, the redhead wears a skirt. The other wears short shorts. The brunette climbs up a tree then drops two backpacks down to the second girl. Once they shoulder their packs, they begin to walk down the street.
The redhead girl glances back at the house.
“Dani? What’s wrong? Are you worried? Do you want to go back?”
“No.” She answers softly, “Let’s go.”
“Are you sure?”
She takes a deep breath, “No, Chloe. I need to do this. If I don’t do this, I am never going to be willing to venture back out.”
“Okay. Then let’s do this.”
The two girls quickly and quietly walk down the street. The air is thick with humidity and the sound of insects. The either side of the street is lined with small houses. Warm, friendly light shines out of the windows. Some are made of bricks. Others are made of siding. Street lamps stand at regular points. Young trees provide a warm, homey atmosphere.
Ten minutes later, the two girls step around the corner on Fifth and South West. Without saying a word, the children come to a stop.
There is only one lamp on this street. Its weak orange light is barely enough to shine at its base. The trees that line the street are much older and wilder than the other trees. A few houses can be seen through the thick brush. However, at the end of the street is a single house.
Three stories tall with large windows. Its front porch is lined with ornate pillars. A wide path stretches from the porch to the street. Once it was beautiful and stood with dignity. But now the paint is peeling and parts of the porch are sagging in places.
The two girls come to a stop underneath the lamp.
A few moments later, they are joined by three other teens. The biggest and largest teen flashes a smile at them. The second teen is a boy that is getting some recording gear. The second is a tall girl. All three wear letterman jackets. The weak orange light casts deep shadows.
“Hello, all of you!” The tall boy says, “Welcome to your challenge.”
“Mike.” The tall girl says, “Do we have to do this?”
“Everyone at the school has gone through it. Regardless if they are born her or not.”
“What are we doing.” Chloe says as she folds her arms, “What are we doing?”
“Fine. Anthony. You ready?”
“Almost.”
“Hurry up.”
“Hey, you are asking me to do the job of three people. Give me a second.” He lifts a camcorder fitted with an external mic and light source. “And we are ready to record.”
“Good evening! It is just past ten o’clock.” Mike says, “We are here to witness the night of terror! Where Chloe and Dani must stay the night at the old Miller’s House. Eight hours. Recording this adventure is Anthony. Who also has yet to do this.” He looks at the girls, “Are you ready?”
“Yeah.” Chloe squares her shoulders.
Dani shrugs.
“The rules are simple. One. You cannot leave the house until you can hear the town square clock. Two. You cannot call for help. Four. You can only use what you have in your bags. And lastly, you must be recording at all times.”
“Got it.” Chloe says, “We’re ready.”
“Okay then. Good luck.”
“Wait!” Chloe says, “How do we get in?”
“That is what you three need to figure out.”
The two girls look at each other and roll their eyes. The three teens head towards the house. Mike laughs while his friend glares at him.
“What?”
“This is such a stupid tradition.”
“Hey, our parents did this. Even the mayor did this.”
“Yeah…” She looks at the house, “but… something feels different now.”
“Oh, you have just been watching too many horror movies.” He grins at her, “Come on. Sonic is still open. I’ll buy you a lime aid.”
“Fine.”
To be continued…
X
Friday Thoughts: Tolkien and War
Good morning! We made it to another weekend! Unless you work on the weekend then I wish you much strength and courage.
On my commute, I have been reading Lord of the Rings. I am happy to say that in six hours worth of riding the train, I have finished The Fellowship of the Ring.
It has been many years since I last read these three books and I am disappointed in myself for this. However, the long wait is over and I am much better for it. I once again walked through the Shire, saw the beauty of Elrond’s home, and felt the terror of the Nine Riders. In the recent news of attacks in England, disappearances of children from around the city, and the poor representation of “heroes” in the world, it is good to have some wholesome things to read.
I have noticed that in the movies, no one quite puts enough weight on the numbers killed. Regardless whether the hero slew them or the villain. In DC’s Man of Steel, an entire city was destroyed but no one mentioned it. Going further back, every single Transformer movie. No one notes it. More recently, in Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy: Volume 2, Yondu is seen killing an entire crew of a ship and enjoying it.
And the audience laughed.
It was disturbing to hear people enjoying one man and a garbage panda kill hundreds of men. Without warning. Without mercy. Perhaps it was justice because they killed his entire crew. Perhaps it is because Yondu has a black soul*. But was it necessary? Was it needed?
In Tolkien’s story, either the characters note the number of dead. Or the narrator does. From the number of men killed in the defense of Gondor to the number of Urak-Hai slain for control of Helm’s Deep, you can see the cost of war. You can also see why the war was fought. Or why the hero had to fight.
I think that is something we are in danger of losing. That we forget just how horrible war is because of the gory movies we watch or how easy the “hero” takes to killing the enemy. Or why some battles must be fought or why some battles are not worth the fight.
But that is just me. Maybe I am a strange individual who believes in fighting but at the same time wishes to avoid it. Maybe I am strange for wanting to be like Faramir: a warrior and a scholar. But then again, these are my thoughts.
In light of this, I will leave you with this question:
If you fight all the time, are you able to know when you must fight?
*Disclaimer: when I use the word “black” I mean in relations to evil deeds.
The Lies We Hear
Lies are strange
Lies are weird
They are sweet to hear
And wholesome to our ears
Yet they are poison to our soul
Poison to our lives
Yet we will drink them all
We accept without fail
All around we wade through
Hearing lie after lie
Yet we do nothing to challenge
We do nothing to find the truth
For we are told the truth is a lie
And we are fools for falling for a lie
While all the while
Their silver tongues
Whisper lies to our ears
