Written in response to this fabulous photo by Brian Dodd at bushboys world, who graciouslyallows me to share the beauty. Hereβs where the image took me.
Written for Missyβs Mad Challenge. I was inspired by the image I borrowed from my amici at blog 57. Missyβs prompt appears below. Hereβs where the prompts took me.
Written for Davidβs Weave Written Weakly #190 where Sally has prompted us to write a sonnet including a line from William Wordsworthβs βThe World Is Too Much With Usβ. This is my response. Thanks, Sally!
Written for The New, Unofficial, On-Line Writerβs Guild. This week the three prompts for OLWG #368 – We Both Know are (1) an old Patti Smith song, (2) need more blue in the shadows and (3) when I left El Paso. Here is my first story for OLWG.
Jenna pulled off the long empty stretch of highway and killed the engine. The view of the desert skyline was too stunning for words. She stepped out of the car and leaned against the door, the hot sun beating down on her face and shoulders. The late afternoon sky was intense, deeply saturated with shades of cerulean, and Jenna smiled. As a fledgling artist, she always found fault with her own artwork, declaring the colors βlacklusterβ; she was more at home with a camera than a paint brush. Natureβs palette didnβt need more blue in the shadows cast by the sun or more green in the desert grass. It was perfection.
Easing her way back into the driverβs seat, Jenna caught a glimpse of herself in the rearview. The delicate gold chain with the heart from Miguel was dazzling in the desert sun. Jenna lifted the heart to lips and closed her eyes.
Reaching for her cell phone, Jenna snapped a photo of the desert and sent it to Miguel; then she called him. After three rings, her call went to voice mail. Jenna didnβt care; the time was right. She left a message:
βHey, babe! Can you guess where I am from the photo I sent? In an hour Iβll be home. Home. Just saying the word fills my heart with joy. When I left El Paso, I had no idea the photo shoot would keep me away so long. I miss you so much, mi amor. I canβt wait to be in your arms once again! I love you, papi.β
Jenna pushed the engine button and started heading home. About ten minutes into her drive, she hear the familiar strains of an old Patti Smith song coming from her phone β¦ Miguelβs personal ringtone. She pulled over to read the message:
βJenna, mi amor! Iβve waited this long. Whatβs another hour? Te amo!β
Smiling at the sight of the desert sky in her rearview, Jenna hurried home β¦ home to Miguel.
Did you ever lie on you back on warm July grass and watch the clouds change from one glorious design to another, sun rays streaking through like beams from heaven while a hint of a rainbow appears and you whisper in wonderstruck tones βThis is so ineffably awesomeβ?