A Simple Leaf - Kara Trombley
I am a simple leaf,
Encrusted with the jewel of winter,
I shrivel with each bellow, of frost bitten winds,
And whimper in the face of fear.
I live to bring beauty to my master,
Who's spidery limbs are now exposed,
I am the only one who stands in the center of those who have fallen.
I dream of warmth,
to melt away the Autumn Plague.
I dream of sunlight,
Whose wishes are granted,
Releasing young blossoms from their confines.
I hope for the sun,
To bring translucent life to my crippled veins.
I witness the play of the children,
who dance over and upon my master's roots.
There was a time when these simple pleasures,
Became the simple day,
Of a simple leaf.
So I let go of my past life,
And flew with the breeze to meet the earthen master.
Here I lie today,
Surrounded by cheer,
And warmth,
I have fulfilled the life,
And lived up to the purpose,
Of a simple leaf.
I am a simple leaf,
Encrusted with the jewel of winter,
I shrivel with each bellow, of frost bitten winds,
And whimper in the face of fear.
I live to bring beauty to my master,
Who's spidery limbs are now exposed,
I am the only one who stands in the center of those who have fallen.
I dream of warmth,
to melt away the Autumn Plague.
I dream of sunlight,
Whose wishes are granted,
Releasing young blossoms from their confines.
I hope for the sun,
To bring translucent life to my crippled veins.
I witness the play of the children,
who dance over and upon my master's roots.
There was a time when these simple pleasures,
Became the simple day,
Of a simple leaf.
So I let go of my past life,
And flew with the breeze to meet the earthen master.
Here I lie today,
Surrounded by cheer,
And warmth,
I have fulfilled the life,
And lived up to the purpose,
Of a simple leaf.
Running From Oblivion - Tyler Crop
Nothing can be seen through the swelling darkness behind the beam of my light. Stalagmites, bats, rough, dank, uneven walls, and fungi surround every echoing step in the closing walls. Trickles of water slide down my face as I plunge deeper into the Earth. Boots, jacket, leather pants, a flash light, keys to my car, and a little food are all I have. I should leave. This place is not safe. My heart pounds, head throbs, breath warms, and feet tremble. I notice giant smears of mud across the wall as I sniff a vile smell. Broken rocks, scattered leaves, and low grumbles testify of life ahead in a pool of shadows. Beside the barbaric sounds concealed in the darkness beyond the beam, the cave is silent. I hear a rustling far off, and the flashlight makes me feel exposed.
Stupidly, I turn off my flashlight and wait while fear runs me wild as I listen to those low grumbles and squeals of bats. I feel their panic flutters brush past my coat, but I am still. A large droplet of water collects on the ceiling, and I watch it accelerate to a puddle. A loud plop snaps in my ears as the grumbles abruptly cease. Everything is eerily silent, like all of life is waiting. I can’t help but gulp, clearing a glob of mucus from my throat. My muscles stiffen and joints lock. I cringe in fear. Nothing happens. It is time to turn around. Step by step, I begin to rotate forgetting to breathe.
I crush a few stones under my boot, making an unavoidable crunch. Immediately, a barbarous roar, the sound scratching with intensity, follows.
After it rattles through every bone in my body I hear the quick thumping sound accompanied by violent puffs and snarls. I wipe the sweat off my face, only to paint my cheeks with black grime from the cave walls, stuck in crevasses of my fingernails. I turn my flashlight on. Before me is a hideous monster. It runs like an enraged gorilla, three times my size, its hardened head and sharp horns blasting the thick rock walls. Muscular arms pulse with every stride, stubby legs fly behind. Brown, mangled fur, smeared with bones and blood reek along with a pink, bare chest. A lion like mane spits up its back like fire. It hollers with a human-like glare as it flings a boulder, coming to a stop before my knees.
Picking up to a sprint I turn my body and scurry up a slope of boulders, the filth on my hands seeping into my numerous cuts. I dash across a straight away with my head glued to the horror. A string of drool flies behind the frothing monster. I leap up and pull myself through a tight space, my shoulders lined with bleeding bruises as I burst through the opening. The monster surges through the barrier like it is dirt, turns its head to spot me, and continues charging. Another slope. Another opening. Another straightaway. Another slope. Another opening. Another straightaway…
My clothes are tattered with holes and my hair is soaked thoroughly with sweat. My joints ache. My body is covered in scratches. The bindings of my boots are wearing, and blisters dot my foot, burning the soles of my feet. But I am still alive; and I have evaded the grasp of that beast. It roars behind me. I dash across a straightaway, walls slowly opening wider and wider. The creature’s spittle flies on my back. The stinky breath warms the hairs on my neck. I can tell the gorilla is only an arm’s length away. A dull light, shrouded by thick clouds, is ahead of us. The cave walls began to close in.
I’m almost out.
Another deafening roar.
I’m almost out.
Adrenaline pumps through my blood. I can ignore my pain and keep my legs moving. I see the light not far off now.
The cave seems to shake with the monstrosities pace.
I shoot out, feeling faster than a bullet, and come into the open storm. Rain pounds my stinging wounds while crackling thunder and lightning streak the air, but I have to continue. I don’t want to die. So I slide down slope, rocks and dirt tumbling from my stride as an avalanche, caused by the gorilla’s weight, follows me. With unstable footing I stumble several times and roll, but continue to make forward progress down the mountain. My jeep is visible now. Once I make it there I can drive away. I feel the keys jingling in my pocket.
A flash of light, a shriek, and a static shock reverberating through me turns my panicked gaze around. I see the gorilla’s hair fried, black charcoal polluting the rain and streaming over the rocks. A fire smolders below him, the rain destroying the flames. My breath slows as I lean over, ready to vomit. My muscles ache, wounds throb, stomach gurgles, and skin wrinkles under the rain. Water slides down my hair, like a faucet, as I turn back to my jeep. I pull open the door and hear the car shudder to life as I turn the keys. Mud covers the leather cushions and water is pooling around me. But I could care less as I smash the muck to my seat.
It is dead. I am alive.
Nothing can be seen through the swelling darkness behind the beam of my light. Stalagmites, bats, rough, dank, uneven walls, and fungi surround every echoing step in the closing walls. Trickles of water slide down my face as I plunge deeper into the Earth. Boots, jacket, leather pants, a flash light, keys to my car, and a little food are all I have. I should leave. This place is not safe. My heart pounds, head throbs, breath warms, and feet tremble. I notice giant smears of mud across the wall as I sniff a vile smell. Broken rocks, scattered leaves, and low grumbles testify of life ahead in a pool of shadows. Beside the barbaric sounds concealed in the darkness beyond the beam, the cave is silent. I hear a rustling far off, and the flashlight makes me feel exposed.
Stupidly, I turn off my flashlight and wait while fear runs me wild as I listen to those low grumbles and squeals of bats. I feel their panic flutters brush past my coat, but I am still. A large droplet of water collects on the ceiling, and I watch it accelerate to a puddle. A loud plop snaps in my ears as the grumbles abruptly cease. Everything is eerily silent, like all of life is waiting. I can’t help but gulp, clearing a glob of mucus from my throat. My muscles stiffen and joints lock. I cringe in fear. Nothing happens. It is time to turn around. Step by step, I begin to rotate forgetting to breathe.
I crush a few stones under my boot, making an unavoidable crunch. Immediately, a barbarous roar, the sound scratching with intensity, follows.
After it rattles through every bone in my body I hear the quick thumping sound accompanied by violent puffs and snarls. I wipe the sweat off my face, only to paint my cheeks with black grime from the cave walls, stuck in crevasses of my fingernails. I turn my flashlight on. Before me is a hideous monster. It runs like an enraged gorilla, three times my size, its hardened head and sharp horns blasting the thick rock walls. Muscular arms pulse with every stride, stubby legs fly behind. Brown, mangled fur, smeared with bones and blood reek along with a pink, bare chest. A lion like mane spits up its back like fire. It hollers with a human-like glare as it flings a boulder, coming to a stop before my knees.
Picking up to a sprint I turn my body and scurry up a slope of boulders, the filth on my hands seeping into my numerous cuts. I dash across a straight away with my head glued to the horror. A string of drool flies behind the frothing monster. I leap up and pull myself through a tight space, my shoulders lined with bleeding bruises as I burst through the opening. The monster surges through the barrier like it is dirt, turns its head to spot me, and continues charging. Another slope. Another opening. Another straightaway. Another slope. Another opening. Another straightaway…
My clothes are tattered with holes and my hair is soaked thoroughly with sweat. My joints ache. My body is covered in scratches. The bindings of my boots are wearing, and blisters dot my foot, burning the soles of my feet. But I am still alive; and I have evaded the grasp of that beast. It roars behind me. I dash across a straightaway, walls slowly opening wider and wider. The creature’s spittle flies on my back. The stinky breath warms the hairs on my neck. I can tell the gorilla is only an arm’s length away. A dull light, shrouded by thick clouds, is ahead of us. The cave walls began to close in.
I’m almost out.
Another deafening roar.
I’m almost out.
Adrenaline pumps through my blood. I can ignore my pain and keep my legs moving. I see the light not far off now.
The cave seems to shake with the monstrosities pace.
I shoot out, feeling faster than a bullet, and come into the open storm. Rain pounds my stinging wounds while crackling thunder and lightning streak the air, but I have to continue. I don’t want to die. So I slide down slope, rocks and dirt tumbling from my stride as an avalanche, caused by the gorilla’s weight, follows me. With unstable footing I stumble several times and roll, but continue to make forward progress down the mountain. My jeep is visible now. Once I make it there I can drive away. I feel the keys jingling in my pocket.
A flash of light, a shriek, and a static shock reverberating through me turns my panicked gaze around. I see the gorilla’s hair fried, black charcoal polluting the rain and streaming over the rocks. A fire smolders below him, the rain destroying the flames. My breath slows as I lean over, ready to vomit. My muscles ache, wounds throb, stomach gurgles, and skin wrinkles under the rain. Water slides down my hair, like a faucet, as I turn back to my jeep. I pull open the door and hear the car shudder to life as I turn the keys. Mud covers the leather cushions and water is pooling around me. But I could care less as I smash the muck to my seat.
It is dead. I am alive.