The girl sauntered onto the beach very early. There was a tranquility which was only interrupted by the soothing sound of the tide . It swelled gently up, and then with a gentle ‘shhh’sound fell quickly back into foam. Her personal life had not passed without some problems lately,and she welcomed the solitude. As she walked along barefooted, the cool sand was almost sensually embracing to her toes. The moon was a vague ball in the sky as the sun blushedT from behind the horizon.

There was very little sign of life that is the hustle and bustle of human existence. However, different echelons were busy. Tiny crabs scuttled nervously along the shoreline searching for food. Or maybe they were trying to elude the occasional gull which circled above. Too, there were the universal flies alighting on anything that looked like it was decomposing or
agarbage. This beach was relatively clean compared to any others she had seen. The odd piece of litter seemed incongruous with the usual busy life cycle.

The light breeze gently pushed back her flowing hair, and the warmth from the rising sun lightly touched her skin. How she wished it was her man's touch. She closed her eyes momentarily and felt good to be alive. As she opened her eyes again, she caught sight of one of the beach bar owners in the distance. He was preparing for the day by putting up colorful umbrellas which would provide relief from the sun's probing fingers later on. The breeze fanned a briny scent across the beach. She inhaled deeply, and headed toward the bar.

The ships on the horizon looked like ducks in a shooting gallery - a clever trick of vision, she thought. The sun, like a paper orange, was pressed against a light blue sky. There were a few cotton puff clouds floating harmlessly across it. As she walked along, it occurred to her that the fascinating part of the beach was the mystery of it ,and the ocean. No one knew what secrets the engulfing ocean kept. Pieces of sentimental and monetary value from decades past could be held by the seemingly benign sand.

When she reached the bar, she entered and ordered a cup of coffee. The owner looked at her approvingly as he handed back her change with the cup. She took a place outside, and while enjoying the frothy Cappuccino, she perused the beach. She savored everything that her sensory system registered.

In a couple of hours the beach would come alive with the sound of children's laughter. They happily built sandcastles, and played at the edge of the foam offered them by the tide. Their guardians would read, or soak up the morning sun. Later, when the sun became too warm for little bodies, they would go home.

Thats when the ' beautiful' people would appear- semiclad in seductive pieces and minuscule beachwear. Neither of these were designed for much movement, or swimming. The beach would be littered with Romeos - all attentive to their partners until a bigger challenge walked by. Then, the 'Peacocks' (as we called them) would vie for attention by 'strutting their stuff'.

Lunchtime brought relief back to the beach until the tourists appeared from their hotels. There would be the French with their neat bodies and Mediterranean tans. Some of the Germans boasted firm bodies, others wore size 5 swimwear trying to support size 18 figures. There would also be the English who looked like white bread in a sea of toast.

After dinner was another good time to enjoy the beach ,while it recovered from the day's traffic. When the sun sank slowly down , it cast a pink shroud over the water, which glistened in the fading light. The sky would have a pink glow as radiant as a satiated women's face. The heat would remain in the sand for some time, until night spread anonymity over everything. Even then, the beach held many secrets of lovers lost in their own oblivion.

She drained the last foam from her cup, and headed back. Now, the early morning fishermen were sorting their catch for the local market. Their craggy weathered faces grinned as if they maybe knew some of the ocean's secrets. As she reached the point where she had joined the beach, she took one more look. Then, feeling the new life inside her kicking, she inhaled deeply, feasted her eyes on the soft ripples in the sand and the blue water of the ocean,.As she turned and headed back to the apartment. Yes, she thought, the beach was for everyone. It was her 'happy place'. She would return very soon.
 

Author Notes

Pinterest image.

 

My love was in bloom
carnal passion was thriving
before your abuse killed them
 

 

Author Notes

Pinterest image

Chapter 85
Female Aging

By Bucketlist

 

Ladies, you can commiserate
Effects you hate
Aging is tough
You’ve see enough

Your youthful look now has faded
You look jaded
Wrinkles abound
Waist's bigger 'round

Your store list has Depends 'n Tums
Have doldrums
Energy slump
Botox to plump

Your memory harbors passions
Now on ration
Laugh when you speak
You'll start to leak
 
You used positions with your mate
Now can't relate
Stiffness is in
You, but not him

The worst thing is the outside view
For me and you
It all heads south
False teeth in mouth

But be grateful and full of glee
God's gift you see
Enjoy each day
The carefree way





 

Author Notes

If you think aging is bad, think of the alternative! A Minute Poem is a poem that follows the "8,4,4,4" syllable count structure. It usually has 3 stanzas that are exactly the same. So: 8,4,4,4; 8,4,4,4; 8,4,4,4 syllables. A traditional Minute Poem has 12 lines total. It has 60 syllables. It is written in a strict iambic meter. The rhyme scheme is as follows: aabb, ccdd, eeff.etc

Chapter 125
Autumn of Life

By Bucketlist

These trees represent people
In their third stage of Fall
Still have waning lives
Before the stone cold truth

Memories are the fallen leaves
Scattered from a full life
Yet slowly losing their strength
While fading away from view

Many are richer in hue
Some last longer to wither
In the third season of life
Health has played a part

Those who are sacrificed to rot
Will wither and die first
The ones which are brightest
Have got what they did need

Tree trunks are the people
With healthy sap and strength
Who still stand strong
Through the test of time

Unlike man who gives
But also takes in return
Wonder at their beauty
Which is unconditional

Chapter 200
Divine Help

By Bucketlist

Tranquility comes from inside
When we connect with Him

Through life's inner turmoil
Call and ask for the way

It is an inner feeling of peace
Of calm versus the storm

It is a grateful contentment
Of self and your life's role

There is a certain mystique
Questioned by a tortured soul

Total calm is not found outside
It only is claimed from within

It comes from simply knowing
You are the one who has control

Of your mind and physical body
While He will help with your soul

Author Notes

Pixabay image

Chapter 300
The Good Deed

By Bucketlist

We know that humans help each other. However, animals do not possess the same brains as us. Maybe that's good to prevent abuse, but how do they help each other? This is the view I take. They may be called 'dumb' , but psychology plays a part often in them, just as in us. Sounds silly? Not to animal psychologists. They attribute emotions to animals.

The above story is oblivously NOT mine. So why am I bothering to write? Because there is something surreal here. The dog George was depressed after Blackie died (grief) The duck suddenly appeared on the second anniversary's week of the death.

Now for the psychology. The duck senses the emotional need in the dog, so it hangs around. They become friends, the duck follows the dog (counselor LOL) everywhere. Then, the dog's emotion changes to happy. Counseling has come from the 'sixth sense' in the duck.


That is why I wanted to post this story. It definately is about one animal helping another.

Author Notes

Pinterest found

Chapter 300
The Glass

By Bucketlist

Do you share wine, or whine, with others
shared wine is fun, whine fun smothers
Is your glass half full or half empty
opportunities will be plenty
sour gripes can’t admire
Positives inspire
You can
laugh
moan
it's
up
to which you decide
Attitude choices are made inside

Author Notes

pinterest

Chapter 300
Blue Boobies

By Bucketlist

"Dave, Dave see that
bird with pretty eyes
Big beak, big feet, soft down chest?"
Dave does not answer
He dreams to see
"A 'bird' with no feathered chest
Who'll pole dance for me"

Author Notes

In British slang bird is a female BOOBIES mean breasts Nursery Rhyme is Bah bah black sheep Have you any wool Yes sir, yes sir, three bags full One for the master One for the dame And one for the little boy Who lives down the lane

Chapter 322
Word Spew

By Bucketlist

This vignette is a polysyllabic travesty

It is a facsimile of the real art of writing poetry

About compartmentalization of word origins

What a palaver to get thoughts together!

This whole vignette was written because the author

Realised how roots of words aborize

Root origins of words are important for comprehension

If you wish to get a sarcoid-like reaction in readers

Be prepared, don't write an extemporaneous poem

You should avoid a fardel of orgillaceous material!


THANKS FOR READING!

Author Notes

WORD LOVERS CLUB Write a story or a poem on any topic which includes at least ten of these words: compartmentalization, vignette, arborize, palaver, fardel, orgillaceous, sarcoid, wite, turgid, curule, polysyllabic, travesty, stereophonic, extemporaneous, facsimile. If you need definitions for any of the words, contact Xia Thornwood

Chapter 324
Stocking Up

By Bucketlist

"WHAT !, I'm getting ready for the hurricane too !"

Author Notes

Pinterest image

Chapter 325
House of God

By Bucketlist

Nature's creator
Building size does not matter
Worship Him for all

Author Notes

pinterest

Chapter 328
Beware

By Bucketlist

IT'S BEAUTY IN MOTION, BUT MAYBE BRINGS DEATH FROM THE OCEAN

Author Notes

Pinterest image

Chapter 329
Fairy Surprise

By Bucketlist

Down in the garden
By the old wishing well
The 'plant pollen helper'
Fairies gathered at home
After working with the bees

Then saw down on the floor
There lay something new
A large colored object
With big words written on it
The fairies began to chatter

It was too heavy to lift
It's letters too big to read
The fairies started to giggle
It took up half their room
But it wasn't wanted any more

What is it for? and why
is it here on our floor?
They pondered, nodding
And giggled some more
Noticed the cover's plants
Looking lifeless and flat

One of the wisest fairies
Knew 'exactly 'what was what'
Because the book was dropped
by humans planting herbs
She pointed out that the fairies
Shared the humans' garden plot

So whatever time you choose
To pick your favorite herbs
'Cos they are fresh and aromatic
Please tread with loving care
The fairy 'pollen helpers'
Don't want another scare

Author Notes

Cleo85 thanks for the lovely picture and my use of it

Chapter 330
The Cat Show

By Bucketlist

Look at last year's winner she's beautiful!

Kitty, so are we! Either one of us is purrfect to win this cat show!

Yes! But Pussy Galore thinks SHE'S the cat's meow.

Look at that Siamese! She's got odd colored eyes, definitely not pretty.

And that Persian version cat! She's so fluffy she looks fat.

Have you seen that diva Calico?

The one with the black, brown, tan, and white fur?

Yes, she likes the catnip too much.
.
And then she gets too catty.

Where's our friend, Manx cat?

He's taking a cat nap.

Oh look! There's Hisscat wearing a tight catsuit.

Meeeow! Now THERE'S a Tomcat!

Is he looking our way?

No, he's with that new cat model.

She's just a furless Sphinx, nothing special.

Have you seen the seductive way she stretches for him?

He smiles like the cat that got the cream.

I'd like to get MY claws on her!

I could just scratch her eyes out!

Quick! Purr, here come the judges

Author Notes

Thanks to GaliaG for the picture

Chapter 331
Choices

By Bucketlist

Domestic abuse is bullies' control power.

Chapter 332
Dreams

By Bucketlist

Dreams are elusive, try to catch
Day's activity they can match
Others will take you far away
a place that used to be your home
Or come back here to freely roam
From distant lands places to play
Yield mixed worries, vivid delight
All dreams contribute to your night
In different ways from the day

Author Notes

Dick Lee Shia thanks for your artwork and my use of it

Chapter 333
Fantasy Garden

By Bucketlist

Angel was playing a game of hide and go seek. As she stood in the long grass, behind the big tree, she noticed all the bugs had wings, even the rocking horse. She mused, " I must be seeing things". "Hi," said a small voice "Where are YOUR wings?" She looked in the direction of the voice, and saw a beautiful dragonfly. She answered, " Silly! People don't have wings like yours.".The horsefly and the bee chorused, "But where can you go without wings?" Angel said,"Everywhere! Mummy told me I have God's gift of wings, called 'magination."

Author Notes

Cleo85 thanks once again for your artwork, and my use of it.

Chapter 335
More Cats

By Bucketlist

They can make your world more amusing
Independent creatures with fur
Friendly when fed, not aloof
Flexible, strong jumpers
They love to drink milk
Purr when content
All colors
Rough tongues
Cats

Author Notes

Mama mia1 thanks for the use of your artwork

Chapter 337
Introduction

By Bucketlist

Hi, and welcome to Poetry Nook

'There's a first time for everything' is the saying. Well, my first creative writing class was way back in college. My first encounter with creative thinking was via my divergent-thinking professor. He claimed he would not cut his grass because "I can hear it scream" That was the first time I wanted to drop any class , but his strange way of initiating response from us fascinated me, and I stayed.

My childhood was good, yet mundane. My first inkling that I had any creativity in me was an 'A' in that class.

The homework poetry stayed dormant until 4 years ago. I was convalescing from hip surgeries. The time void was another first for me. I happened to find the old penning and a friend silently sat while he read some aloud. " Great!" he said, "Why don't you share this on the web?"

The first tingle of exicitement and disbelief took hold. I found this site and let my anxious fingers do the transcribing. Well here I am, with a three hundred plus collection of eclectic styles, genres, emotions, and images later!

The first picture I chose for this revisited college homework appears above, and here is that first poem my friend read.

Natural Mirror

Looking down into the lake
my reflection there I see
But wait! There is a mistake
that never could be me

For that person in the lake
Is clearly older than me
The face is one that I care not
to look straight into the eye

MY heart is young my spirits high
I am full of life as yet
Could what I see be really true
Something I'll regret?

Her face has wrinkles coming
her hair is going grey
Her eyes are losing their luster
along life's surly way

NO! The answer is plain for one and all
I was born a Gemini you see
which makes me two as in twins,
the other woman isn't me!

Was it all just a dream
or was it true reality?
I'll have to take another look
"Oh ****!" My mirror shows it's me!

I hope you have as much enjoyment reading my poems, as I've had
creating them!

Author Notes

Pinterest fantasy image

Chapter 340
Splash

By Bucketlist

The couple stood, drinks in hand
Arguing in the cool evening air
Then their lovers' spat progressed

She reached up to smack him
He forcefully grabbed her wrist
Her glass fell, spilling its liquid

A thousand chards of broken glass
Glistened in the setting sunlight
Jagged edges shrugged off droplets
Resembling a roosting flock of birds

The glass, just like their love
Once bright and warm in hand
Had now lost all of it's spirit

Author Notes

Supplied for the club poetry

Chapter 341
Bluebells

By Bucketlist

 

 

Each Bluebell flower’s Nature’s gem
Every bell hangs from a mini stem
Hundreds live together under shady trees
While attracting pollen seeking bees
Blue color spreads like ink from a pen

Absent in winter, return in spring when
The woodland  floor which then one sees
Is a flower-lover’s treat now post-freeze
Each Bluebell flower

The shady trees yield shelter to them
From strong winds, so that when
The purple bells wave in a breeze
A moving ocean of blue one sees
A poet's dream in a stage of REM
Each Bluebell flower

Author Notes

Pinterest picture.

Chapter 342
View From the Path

By Bucketlist

I had walked in these same woods before
For spiritual solitude

Shady green trees swayed
The breeze murmured her song
The sun was bright, her rays warm

Wildlife found mates and built homes
Nestling in nature's hands

The once well worn path
Now supported flat stone steps

Beyond the crest a dark image
Pointed toward the sky

From the top of the incline
The wide open rural view
became a wonder to me

A blending of nature's materials
And human creativity to build
An exquisite glass structure

Honoring our God and his gifts
The frame's apex toward the sky
With beautiful polished beams

The scenery embraced the glass
Enabling color prisms of light
To radiate throughout the chapel

Sanctuary from a troubled world
A respite for emotional healing
Reflections of life's path

The magnificent chapel would supply
Comfort in worship and celebration
In good times and bad it would be

A marriage of heaven and earth
Built with talent and love




 

Author Notes

Provided for the free verse entry

Chapter 343
Esoteric Goddess

By Bucketlist

Moon goddess appears
To light the celestial night array
When darkness brings fears

Night spreads a sheet of black
Stars shine and twinkle in the Milky Way
Nocturnal diamonds to track

As Mother Earth rotates round
Moon yields to the bright light of day
Disappears without a sound

Author Notes

The Nocturna is a 9 line poetry form based on the nocturne theme containing three, three-line lessons recited during the night. The subject Must be nocturnal and it consists of three tercets linked by the rhyme of the center line; aim for a smooth flow (meter) and pleasing sound. It is possible to write without meter. (For this challenge, you do NOT have to write a prayer--just something about the night). RHYME SCHEME: aba/ cbc/ dbd/ ******* the 'b' rhyme consists of DIFFERENT words that ALL rhyme--please no 'ing' ending rhymes UNLESS the first syllables rhyme.]

Chapter 344
Stars and Stripes

By Bucketlist

Our Stars and Stripes national flag
Respect, it always should be afforded
Never purposely onto floor let it drag
An act which must not be rewarded



The years from colonies to nation
There has been more repulsion
Our flag evolving, more often to get
Behaviors of contumely target

Author Notes

Contumely means insolent or insulting behavior ASSIGNED TOPIC for week of 6-21-19 ~~~Old-Timey or Archaic Word~~~ Write a RISPETTO with ONE old-timey or archaic word as your topic. Please read the rules of the rispetto. Please include the definition of your word choice in author notes. Please DO NOT copy all this info in your notes--some of it is FYI. Your word choice, its definition, and info on the style is ok. N ******* A Rispetto, an Italian form of poetry, is: *** a complete poem of TWO rhyme quatrains with strict meter. ***The meter is usually iambic tetrameter *** rhyme scheme of abab ccdd. ******* 2006 Betty Lou Hebert

One of thousands of stories, poems and books available online at FanStory.com You've read it - now go back to FanStory.com to comment on each chapter and show your thanks to the author!

© Copyright 2015 Bucketlist All rights reserved. Bucketlist has granted FanStory.com, its affiliates and its syndicates non-exclusive rights to display this work.

© 2015 FanStory.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Terms under which this service is provided to you. Privacy Statement