I ask, "Should I bleed out
For the sake of someone else?"
Or should I let them bleed
for the sake of myself?
Or maybe we both can bleed,
and it'll even out.
____________

God is there
sending me a four-bar signal
And a red cardinal feather
When I most need it it

God is within me
He's holding my heart
And he'll protect me;
I don't doubt

But right now
I need fresh air
I need him to give me a breath
Please
___________

1. The Power
Hold our secrets in just a little longer
Don’t they always say that it can’t get any worse?
I’m starting to realize that I might just do anything for you
That’s a power that I don’t want to give

2. Rotten Memories
Spill out all the broken pieces, throw them in the trash
They can sit and rot and fester until the smell like week old oranges
I won’t shed a tear, nor will I blink an eye

The Kaht advanced on us with wary steps. It walked as if weightless, floating above the damp earth and green fronds. An apparition more of spirit than of substance. Its tail was waving, a banner and a flag to signal its power and the assurance of victory.

Chapter One: August, 1802
David Judson closed his eyes and tipped his head back, letting the briny air whip through his dark hair. Gulls screeched as they soared above the rocky beach. Among the crash of waves against the breakers, the sound of children playing met David’s ears. The lad opened his eyes and sat up straight, surveying the grey waters beyond him. On the horizon, he spotted the faint outline of a ship.

**Please read Notes first before reading, please, please, please.

January...
1/3/13

Darkness doth glow,
lamps shine dull,
the sun rise slow,
and waters lull.
Black is day,
Light is night,
Death to prey,
with owl's flight.
Bright eyes shine,
in the dark.
There be a feline,
to all mice hark,
the sound of paws,
and the click of claws.

***

1/4/13

Part Ⅳ

Charlotte walks through the house with two letters gripped in hand, a little smug smile on her face as she flits down the hallways and through doorways to her destination, the library. Mr. Green sits in a worn armchair, half absorbed in a cup of tea, the other half of himself absorbed in a newspaper.

Charlotte holds out the letter sharply, a triumphant smile on her face, “See, Papa. I am not the only one to receive letters from our dearest Nathaniel.”

onions
come gift-wrapped in gossamer gauze
and split into spirals of pearl

you
wear a raven rag worn to feather-down
and bury unplumbed depths of body beneath

love
is shaped of (one) the yearning for you
and (two) the ambition to act well by you

one
I will rather hold soft than shiny
I will rather taste sweet than sour

two
you grow deeper than any root
and I, a storyteller, garden souls

I
(three) still fear to rip apart never grasping
what first desires or second requires

Dear Mr. Dogood,

I was not aware that I had signed myself up for a full-blown course in atheism. Thank you for that last little history.

Again, I assure you that I am perfectly convinced of the importance of being an atheist. I share your enthusiasm but lack your time for writing (or reading!) such long letters.

However, I must admit, your assertion that atheism is rare in this country is a bit surprising. I thought I saw it everywhere. I don’t think we are as doomed as you may appear to assert.

Sincerely,

Fred

Dear Frederick,

It was early in the afternoon, and everything about the day suggested cheerfulness, from the quaint little birds, to the lazily floating clouds, to the students chatting in the park with the great relief they all feel on a Saturday. Under a tree, sitting at a wooden bench, overlooking the entire grassy knoll, the Professor sat in attentive conversation.

If you haven't watched Downton Abbey, or don't care to, then please skip down a bit.

So, it's recently been brought to my attention that there are Downton Abbey fans on AP. And, after completing the third season last night, I felt the need to discuss it with fellow....what do you call Downton Abbey fans? I have no idea! But, with my fellow, equally obsessed Downton fans.

So, since Apricot Pie is not really a place to get into discussions, I created a website I'd love for you to join! Here's the link: