Is it that time
Impending doom
The earth is combusting
About to be barren
-bare
No more breath can be heard
No more wildlife to roar
The world as we know it
-no more
Round, daylight orb, igniting
Making civilization extinct
Is It That Time, is written for the prompt by Sadje for WDYS. Thank you for the inspiration and the weekly prompts.
Image credit: Annie Spratt on Unsplash
One day it felt like I was on top of the world. Living life with the finest things. So, it seems from the outside looking in. A career that I love. Helping people with services to enhance their lives. A comfortable home fully furnished. Plush yard, lots of square footage. A luxury car. Foreign import with butterfly doors and heated seats.
You understand where this is going.
Next week, on a Monday morning, I woke up. Feeling good, I have my cup of coffee with French vanilla creamer. My apple fritter is in the microwave for ten seconds. I sit down in the kitchen and indulge in my daily breakfast. After, I get dressed in a beautiful Blue A-line dress with a plunging neckline. Slip into my heels and do a quick turnaround in front of the mirror. Ok, I’m all good. Out the door, I go.
An hour later, I arrived at work. Walk into my office and sit down. Let me check my calendar for the day. A knock at the door distracts me. Irritated, I respond, “come in!” The big boss walks in. A dry expression on his face. He sits opposite my desk. “Good morning, Amani, do you have a minute?” Mr. Walker firmly asks.
“Yes, of course. Is everything okay?” I responded. “Well, no, it isn’t. I have some bad news,” He retorted. “We have to let you go. The company is downsizing and there is no place for you. I’m sorry.”
“What! Are you fricking serious right now? I have a mortgage and car payments!”- I angrily shouted at him.
Mr. Walker stood up, turned to me once more and said, “I’m really sorry.” Then he left my office.
Devastated by the news, I started to panic. It felt like someone sucked all the air out of the room. In an attempt to calm down, I sat. Swiveling in my plush, comfortable, high back, leather, office chair. A sly grin slowly formed across my face. The wheels of a plot were coming together in my head.
Security came into my office. “We are ready to escort you out now,” says the squatty guard with masking tape on his glasses.
I gathered my personal belongings. Before exiting my office for the last time, I stood in the doorway and took a final look. As I turn around, all eyes are on me as I walk down the long hallway.
Now, alone, in my car. I exact revenge on Mr. Walker. Who does he think he is firing me! He has some nerve! I’ll show him how much of a big boss he thinks he is. I use an AI app on my phone. I prompt the app to create a picture of my co-worker with a handsome, young, buff, attractive man. The image shows the young man and the woman in a seductive embrace and smiling.
The co-worker is the wife of Mr. Walker. The caption on the image reads, “this is what satisfaction looks like.” I add heart and fire emoji’s. Next, I press the send button. A huge smile takes over my face, and I am smiling so wide; it starts to hurt. Feeling such a sense of gratification, I sit in the car and wait.
Five minutes pass and Mr. Walker storms out and is talking on his phone. “Who the hell is this man you are with? Have you lost your mind woman!” shouts Mr. Walker. Meanwhile, I am sitting there watching and listening to the conversation unfold. He sees me sitting in my car grinning and gives me a dirty look. He continues to shout and yell at his wife as he drives off.
I get home and find two cars in the driveway. One belongs to my husband Malik. The other, I have not seen before. The smile quickly fades and concern takes over. It is 2:30 p.m. in the afternoon and Malik is supposed to be at work. Walking inside I hear romantic music playing. The baby-making kind. A pair of women’s shoes are in the living room.
Immediately, I got angry. I head to the bedroom and push the door open. My husband and some hussy are in bed together. My bed! “Malik, what are you doing at home and who is this bird?!”- I demanded. Stuttering, he replies, “nobody, she is nobody. Baby, I can explain!”. Yelling back, “there is nothing to explain. Get out!”
Feeling deflated and humiliated, I retreat to the bathroom and slam the door. Now, I know how Mr. Walker must have felt when he received a text with a picture of his wife and another man.
The moral of the story is that two wrongs never make a right. Amani is a woman who defines her life by appearances and status. She quickly learned that when you use manipulation tactics, it does not end well. Amani felt so proud of herself for sending that fake AI image to her boss, Mr. Walker, who had just fired her. She was in for the shock of her life when she came home. Amani found her husband, Malik in their matrimonial home with another woman.
The get back is not so sweet anymore!
Thank you for reading! 🙏💖
Image credit: Clarence Alford from Pixabay
The unconscious mind plays tricks and then laughs. Rectifying actions and words too. Making it feel natural and true. Realization comes late, hindsight now in the forefront.
What have I done wrong?
Did I offend?
Make it right, think, amend
Offer a solution with consciousness. Being of sound mind, intention takes over. Correction now the focus. Foster humility. Ego is no longer welcome, cast out conceit. Psyche needs tending, bring forth modesty.
Tending To The Psyche is written for the W3 challenge. Sally has asked writers to think about the many things that lie beneath the surface. We can write about growth, change, discovery, hidden truths, difficult work, things that need tending, or anything else.
I chose to write about growth and discovery. The psyche is complex and when the revelation hits, it weighs heavily. It is like the lightbulb moment. The, “aha!” moment. Being self-aware is a segue to change, and gives power to consciousness and intentionality.
That feeling you get
Drowning in regret
Lonely
Isolated, yet
Happy and content
Only
Seeing silhouette
Of past me, I fret
wholly
Dancehall of Sorrows was written for the Tanka Tuesday challenge by Melissa.
Is it possible to be happy and content and live with regret? This question is one that I was thinking about while writing the poem. If one has regrets, do they have to be down and out, and sad? The answer I came up with is no. A person can still live a full and happy life.
Thank you for stopping by! 💛🙏🏽
Reading is a wonderful pastime. There are stories that can transform the way we see certain aspects of life. Books that make us laugh and smile. Mysteries, romance novels, science fiction, memoirs, etc., so many to choose from. The fact that there are so many genres give us variety in picking what we want to read.
Reading can have a profound effect on us. We can read something that changes the way we look at things. Give us a new perspective on something that we may have formed an opinion about, before knowing more.
The reasons we choose to read vary greatly. Some of us read to broaden our vocabulary. Relax and delve into a murder mystery, science fiction, or romance novel. Others aim for an overall understanding and knowledge of different subjects.
Alternatively, some of us just love books! There are so many ways to get your reading in. Hardcover, paperbacks, eBooks and audiobooks. No matter how you choose to read, words have the power to transform.
Can you answer this? What life-altering book have you read lately?
Thank you for stopping by! 🙏🏽💞
Life is good, what can be better
Relaxing, no string or tether
The sun giving me strength
The water spreading cool
Just enough to level out the heat
Peaceful thoughts to be had at no cost
Looking up at the sky, mind getting lost
The shine of rays
Penetrating through the leaves
Captivating movement with every breeze
Sparks of new ideas and motivation
Encapsulating every wish and dream of mine
Innermost thoughts rushing in quickly
Reminding me to just enjoy life
and
Take it light
Taking It Light is written for the prompt by Sadje for WDYS. The inspiration was drawn from the image below provided for this week’s prompt.
Thank you for reading! 🙏🏽
Isle of Enchantment is written about my first visit to Puerto Rico.
2013 was the year, in the month of July, my oh my
One of the hottest months to travel, by and by
A scorcher, nonetheless, I had a blast
Finally made it to my father’s place of birth, at last
In the summer we can be lively or carefree and idly
The humidity can hit you like a wet rag in the face
Enchanted Island of Puerto Rico is the place
Clothes clinging to the skin, feeling sticky and intense
Deplaning in San Juan the weather warm, humid and sunny
Cute, Burgundy, patent leather bag, or patent pleather
Is no match for the tropical, summer and blistering weather
A better choice would have been canvas, jute, or linen
Cruising through breezy Loiza and the beach, Isla Verde
Next day in Old San Juan taking in a refreshing piragua
Sitting and taking in the scene like a movie premiere
People coming and going enjoying carefree tropical living
Street vendors amass with food to seduce the palette
Fried codfish, aka Bacalaitos
Alcapurria, deep fried fritter with meat
And Empanadas filled with beef
Drinks that I never had before were enticing
Mavi for one, made from tree bark
Coquito, made with rum, condensed, coconut milk and spices
Coco Rico, a coconut flavored soda
Alluring me with its sound, the native frog, a Coqui
Serenading me at night, while calling out during the day
Music soothing the ears, the body and soul
People friendly making me feel right at home
Beautiful pastel-colored structures
At every turn, beaming with pride
Colors, sounds, people, food
The heartbeat of Puerto Rico
El Morro is the next adventure, such colossal grounds
History is tapping my shoulder as I explore
Too much ground to cover, the fort is too big
Have to plan this visit in more than one gig
Off to dance the night away at an outdoor restaurant
The wind current keeps us semi-cool
No matter, the music gets the feet and body moving
In rhythm, I dance till the music stops
Cascading friendliness and genuine warmth
Something that will remain in memory
The summer of 2013 is kept in rich treasury
Of my mind, now comes time to go forth
Heading back home with such vivid scenery
Surreal trip that will last like well-oiled machinery
The pictures, a keepsake for nostalgic moments
Summer of 2013
Thank you for stopping by to read 💕🙏🏽
Can you answer this? How do you want to spend your older years? The golden years or retirement years are sometimes the best. Just ask around and I’m sure you will get different answers on this one.
While some of us spend most of our younger years working or chasing our dreams. Others are just winding down waiting for the chance to sit back and enjoy the later stage of life. The years when free time abounds.
After retirement, some people plan to travel and visit places on their bucket list. Some people plan to move to another state or country and settle down. Sit by the beach, go for walks, join a social network in their community, or just simply do nothing. Relax and do what you want to do without having to think about it.
Options are many. Whatever you decide to do, make those years count. Do what makes you happy and will bring joy to your life. We owe it to ourselves to enjoy the senior years. Spend time with family, now that you have an open schedule.
As always, thank you for stopping by! 🙏🏽💞
Image credit: Maciej Cieslak from Pixabay
Life is so busy these days. Can you answer this? What free service would you choose? Would you prefer to have free childcare, a live in chef, a housekeeper. Maybe an assistant or gardener. A lot of these services can get pricey. It would be nice to have though. We can keep more of our money in our pocket.
Can you answer this? What free service would you choose? Share in the comments and let us know. Maybe you would pick something entirely different.
Thank you for visiting today! 🙏🏽💖
Crimson Bricks Tumbling Down, was written and based on the theme of the weight we carry. The prompt instructions are to describe the physical or emotional shape of a heavy feeling you know well. Give it form, texture, temperature, weight, and color. Let the reader feel it with you.
As always, thank you for stopping by! 🙏🏽💖
Driving by this corner
My eyes tear up like morning dew
I used to live here
Harsh nights, cold mornings
Even while I had no place to call home
Love and kindness resided in my heart
Now that an abode has found me
Sometimes the echoes of the street
Ring in my ears during the nightfall
Scrounging and scraping for loose change
Fallen from past days, reduced to panhandling
Now that an abode has saved me
I still cherish pieces of me from those fallen days
Thank you for stopping by to read! 🙏🏽🤍Panhandling Days in the Rearview is written for the prompt by Sadje.
Image credit: Tanya Barrow @Unsplash
Working and having a job feels mostly like what? Work. It doesn’t have to. If the thing you do helps to put food on the table, and a roof over your head does that mean it has to be boring or mundane? Of course not.
Passion for a hobby or possessing natural talent for what brings in revenue can make all the difference. Also, your dream job will provide enjoyment, so it negates the feeling of doing something out of sheer necessity.
Some of us dream to be on the world stage. Singing or performing in the arts. Others want to travel and see the world. Fashionistas want to dress in the finest clothes and model for print or commercial ads. Also, there are humanitarians who have a knack for helping people.
If money were no object, what would you pursue in life? What job would bring you fulfillment and happiness?
Can You Answer This? What is Your Dream Job?
Thank you for reading! 🙏🏽💖
On May 10, I shared that my debut poem, If Only I Could, was published on Spillwords. I am grateful to the editors at Spillwords for accepting and publishing my submission. Also, thank you to my readers on WP.
Today, I am more than excited to announce that my poem is among those being nominated for publication of the month! The writer with the most votes will be selected for this honor. The winner will have their work featured for the whole month of June on the Spillwords platform.
Votes are open until Thursday; June 4th and I am writing to ask for your vote. The winner will be announced shortly after voting closes. You can cast your vote here, if you choose and/or check out publications from the other nominees.
From Spillwords: Please note that voting will conclude on 6/4; soon after, we will reveal the well-deserved recipient of this prestigious title. To vote, kindly register and/or log in to ensure your voice is heard.
I appreciate each and every one of you for stopping by to read, comment and like my posts. It is such a blessing to be a part of the WP community. Discovering and learning from so many seasoned and talented writers is rewarding.
As always, thank you for stopping by! 🙏💞
palazzo pants, cute
wind blew, from bus to curb, butt
flopped on the concrete
Trendy; but Tricky is written for the Tanka Tuesday challenge hosted by Melissa. She invites us to have fun and experiment with haiku.
The poem I wrote is based on a true story. Back in the day, in the 90s I had on Palazzo pants. It was a cute two-piece set. So, I thought I was cute until… getting off the bus, the wind blew my pants and tripped me. I fell right on the curb where my butt met the concrete. It hit me that I fell in front of all the passengers on the bus and people in the establishment at the stop.
Just imagine, strutting your strut then the embarrassment brings you back to reality. At least the bus driver asked me if I was okay. I saw him fighting back his laugh as he drove off. A funny memory indeed. Trendy but tricky, beware. 😁
As always, thank you for visiting! 💖🙏🏽
Are you living in the past, present or future? It might sound like a question with an obvious answer, right? Well, you see, sometimes we relish our younger years and do not want to let go. It leads us to hold on to those days and try to relive the good times. It can also be memories of certain places, people or things from back in the day that keep us stuck.
Living in the present is a pragmatic way to live. It is a way to prevent the past from dictating what you are doing today. Also, you relieve yourself of worry about what is to come later in life. The approach of one day at a time can be described for people who live in the moment of today.
The future poses a layer of uncertainty. If you live in the future, maybe you feel that there is nothing to worry about. On the other hand, this way of thinking can help you reach your goals. It sets you up for the frame of mind to be clear about what you want for your future self. Living for the future also gives you the ability to prepare and set goals.
Can you answer this? Are you living in the past, present or future?
Thank you for spending time with my blog!🙏🏽