Buccaneer – dVerse Poetics

November 30, 2013November 30, 2013freyathewriter 33 Comments

This week’s dVerse Poetics is asking us to write about shoes.

I am a bit of a shoe-fetishist. Unfortunately, I don’t have those delicate, lady-like feet that suit any kind of shoe. Nor do I possess calves that will just disappear into this season’s knee high winter boots with ease. Much like my little-girl desire to be a prima ballerina (before I saw the light and realised that writing was the only way!), my dreams do not match the reality of muscly legs, and ankles that tend to puff up a little as soon as I get out of bed in the morning.

So, here’s my take on footwear. And dreams. Enjoy!

Please visit dVerse to read the other thoughts of my fellow poets!

– Buccaneer –

In my dreams
I stride across continents,
buckling swash
with a smile and a wink
for the ladies (and gents)
who I save from destruction,
and fates that paper
and pen cannot bear.
I take a moment
to polish my boots,
inhaling the leather
encasing my calves
like a second skin.
They are battle-scarred,
and the laces that
bind me from ankle to knee
are soiled with years
of pounding the lands.
They may be scuffed
and worn bare,
but when I ease them
over my stockinged feet,
one by one, slowly,
achingly, sensuously,
I adorn myself
with bravery, confidence,
and a suit of armour
that no metal may match.
They are my badge of honour.
They are me.

Protocol – Sunday Photo Fiction

November 17, 2013freyathewriter 21 Comments

Here is my offering for Sunday Photo Fiction this week, inspired by the photo below. Why not take part? And why not visit Alastair’s photography and writing blog to take a look at his other photos…?

Copyright – Kattermonran

– Protocol –

“Your father’s honours, my lady.”

My hands reached out for the crown, orb and sceptre as if controlled by another mind not my own. Every fibre of my being wanted to turn away, or throw the hateful object on the floor. But protocol won. As always.

Winning the kingdom had cost father his life and had made orphans of us all.

Now the ‘honours’ were to be laid in the hands of my little brother, whilst I, as the eldest female, would be forced to physically pass them to him in a public ceremony.

I would be signing his death warrant, if recent events were to be our compass to the future.

A servant burst into the room, panting, sweating, distraught. Could it be…?

“The young sire has gone missing, my lady! He is nowhere in the palace!”

I placed a hand over my mouth, in apparent shock.

“Oh! How… Terrible!”

We wouldn’t try too hard to find him.

Ready, Or Not – NaNo 3VisD 1

November 9, 2013November 9, 2013freyathewriter 4 Comments

Here’s my latest offering for Anonymous Legacy‘s photo-inspired prompt, VisDare. This week, and for the rest of NaNoWriMo, she’s ringing the changes, so the rules are a little different…

Use whichever photo you like for your VisDare.

OR

Use TWO of the photos of your choosing as a combined prompt.

OR

Use ALL THREE of the photos as a combined prompt.

Hmmm…. And we have 300 words to play with, rather than 150! Never one to avoid snatching at a laid down gauntlet, I’m going for all three photos!

(see Lillie McFerrin for image source references)

– Ready, Or Not –

The clearing had barely changed since last year and a momentary element of surprise rippled his skin. Logic reminded him that the chances of another lost soul landing here were non-existent. This place was his, and his alone.

This time, he had brought the tools of modern orienteering. A sat-phone, a GPS and solar-powered batteries all added weight to his backpack, providing a comfort to his anxious mind.

His luminous watch told him that the time was nearly here. Soon, they would appear. In the dark, he checked the settings of his camera, made sure it was ready to fire off shot after shot in rapid succession. All he needed to do was press the button.

He was ready.

***

“Hey! Brad! We’ve found it! The clearing is over there, look!”

“Hallelujah! Boy, I’m gonna give Donny a piece of my mind after this. This place is hotter than Hades!”

“D’you think he had an accident, or something?”

“If he hasn’t, I’ll make sure he has one after this –“

“Holy heck! Oh my, – oh God, Brad, no, quick!”

***

“Today, we remember the soul of Donald Aitken, an explorer and investigator of the Dark Times beyond our time and realm. He pushed the boundaries in an effort to reveal the secrets of this world, and beyond. Sadly, as we know, he chased hard and fast, and this time, met his end. Donald, we salute you.”