A New Life Part V - in 55

Trembling and hissing to a halt

on a ridge overlooking a valley,

the entire family

stepped from the creaking,

road weary truck.

It was a vision the young girl

would carry with her to her dying day.

A scene so beautiful

and full of life

she had to ask herself -

"Am I was in heaven?"

This is a Friday Flash Fiction 55 hosted by Mr. Knowitall.

For more 3F 55's pay him a visit -

Mr. Knowitall.
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When my mother's family travelled from Wyoming to Hood River, Oregon in the very early 1940's they were looking for opportunity. What they discovered was a land of such beauty that my mother thought this must be what heaven would look like. She had never seen a daffodil in bloom or valleys filled with the color and scent of apple, pear and cherry blossoms. This was the beginning of her new life.

I may add a story or two about her life as a child and teenager and her desire to bring herself up from the poverty in which she was raised. Thank you all for your visits during this brief five part series. It is only fitting I stop at five, don't you think?

What the Hell Wednesday - What's That Smell?

You never know what sets people off when you say something that might be just a tad hurtful. Usually the victim of a verbal assault will either turn the other cheek or take it in stride volleying with an insult of their own. But not in Everett, Washington where hearts are apparently worn on sleeves and some people don't take kindly to name calling. Check out this report from the Everett Herald.

Woman stabbed man over feet insult

EVERETT, Wash. (AP) - Prosecutors in Washington state say an 18-year-old woman stabbed a 19-year-old man for teasing her that her feet smelled.

The Herald of Everett reports the man was found by police with a steak knife sticking out of his back, buried a few inches in. His lung had collapsed. Officials say he'll recover.

Charging papers say trouble started when Dallas Amber Smith was drinking and hanging out with friends and was challenged to do a back flip. When she took off her shoes to do the back flip, the teasing started.

Smith had no criminal history. She faces charges of second-degree assault with a deadly weapon.

Hmmmm...18 years old hanging out and drinking. Last I checked the drinking age in Washington State was 21. So we have under age kids getting shit faced. No wonder Miss Dallas Amber Smith overreacted. That is we assume she overreacted. Then again, maybe this is just one angry little girl.

Mom: "Dallas Amber, those shoes really don't go well with that skirt."

Dallas Amber: "Shut up, Mom, or I will stab you with this pencil."

Graduating from pencils to steak knives is a little step. We can only hope somewhere on her police record there is a line that says - DON'T SELL A GUN TO THIS GIRL.

Jeez, lighten up, Dallas Amber. I get kidded all the time because I'm bald, er, follicly challenged, but I don't stab people with kitchen utensils. She also stabbed dude in the back. Was he running from the idiot or did she sneak up on him like some teen slasher movie stalker and stab away.

Regardless, when dude felt the knife piercing his lung, I am sure he must has muttered "What the Hell?"

One Shot - Tick Clack

The straining diesel of a locomotive

echos in the near distance,
pulling its heavy cargo

bound for destinations unknown.

The clack of the rails
under the weight of the rolling steel
is as the ticking of a clock.


At two in the morning
the rhythmic sounds of rails and clocks
do nothing to quiet the activity of the mind.


Offer yourself to Goddess
to do with you what she will
to relieve you of the chatter that interrupts sleep.

Sometimes the mind won't listen.
Wanting to carry a one sided conversation
that no one hears.


Is this just a part of the human condition?
Concern over lives that cannot be controlled or directed.
They will do as they please no matter your wishes.
Your attitude and actions are all you control.


Write.
For relief?
For reprieve?
In hopes of extracting the demons of the mind
that keep sleep at bay?


Perhaps it is just to hear the quiet.
The clacking of the distraction of wheels on rails.
Giving an opening for Goddess to answer prayers
and bring rest to weary minds.


Quiet.
Ticking.

Quiet.
Clacking.

Quiet the mind.

Give peace to the soul the mind wants to rend.

The rails are quiet now.
Only the clocks tick.

If only thoughts passed and left as quietly as
the clacking gone in the distant night,
so sleep could come.

Tick.
Clack
Tick.
Clack.
Tick.
Tick.
Sleep?
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Follow this link for more One Shot Wednesday poems.

Sunday 160 - Spirit

Soft spirituality entered their home.
Happy. Mischievous.
She danced the halls - willing a lightness into all,
lifting heaviness of dark clouds.
It was her way.
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For the original Sunday 160 post click here.

If you wish to take the challenge, here is a quick look at the rules:

1. The Sunday 160 only uses 160 characters (including spaces).
2. Keep on schedule - post Sunday.
3. Let me know you have posted via a comment on my site.
4. Visit at least one other Sunday 160.
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