STOP
by bobk

Comment:
Heart racing, sweat beaded on Salvatore's brow. The wig and fake features made him sweat more. He quicken his pace and gripped the suitcase tighter. He thought he had seen someone following him after he picked up the case at the drop-off point. He had watched it for an hour before he and Belinda moved in. She was waiting in another car in the parking garage- to run interference if anyone tried to follow. He was almost there. Salvatore just needed to get to the corner spot in the garage parking. Eyes to the ground he spotted the large yellow Stop sign painted on the road. "Maybe it was my imagination. Maybe that man has stopped following me," Salvatore thought but then made the mistake of looking up. There in the reflected mirror was the man with the cane. His pursuer. Salvatore broke out in a run.

Playing in the sunset
by birkin

Comment:
Susanna had tried to stay in the shade of the Arches while doing chores for Mama. The sound of the waves lapping on the rocks and the occasional sea breeze helped temper some of her impatience. She wanted very badly to just play in the water. Susanna brought her Mama the peeled potatoes. Mama saw how eager Susanna glances were towards the beach. High tide had come in with the setting sun.
Mama nodded, "Go play, Susanna, but be back in an hour. I'll need help with dinner".
"Yes, Mama," she smiled and quickly ran and jumped into the water. The sun's light was warm and the ocean water cool as Susanna splashed about. It was a welcome change from the blistering heat of the afternoon.

Autumn Delight
by skewsme

Comment:
The leaf speckled path
beckons me onward.
The green & golds sway
with orange & reds.
I hear the rustle of autumn
blow gently through the trees.
I stroll along through
the forest of color
and breathe in October's
crisp scent.

Untitled
by Judi

Comment:
Boun See had worked hard today logs to build some village houses and other odd jobs. Her Mahout was a bit kinder than others. Using a wooden pole to sharply tap commands on her ear rather than use the Aṅkuśa. Boun hungrily opened her mouth and curled her trunk to accept the nuts being offered.

I Hear The Wind Among The Trees
by Marc923

Comment:
I hear the wind whistling
through the bare, bone trees.
The chill music trumpeting
the arrival of winter.
I gather my coat tighter
against the biting wind.

Competitors
by patches

Comment:
Dan cast the line and then quietly sat down in his chair. Looking out over the fog blanketed lake this morning he observed he had two competitors. Joe was out in his boat again this early morning hoping for some good catch. And there was that pesky cormorant that had swiped his catch last week. Dan furrowed his brows in annoyance. "Not today, you feathered fiend," thought Dan, "today's catch is my own."

Hot noodles
by wei1108

Comment:
She only had enough to buy one bowl of hot noodles. Xiao-niao's tummy rumbled with hunger as she gazed at all the food. This small bowl would be lunch and dinner for her and her sister. Bàba only had enough to feed them the one meal a day.
Mei had noticed the young girl had been coming to her booth quite a bit lately. Money had grown tight with many families of late. She heard the growl of hunger come from this bird of a girl. Mei was not that much better off but she let out a sigh as she spooned an extra scoop of noodles into the bowl. She knew she might come to regret it later if word of her kindness got out. Others would come, expecting the same. But at least for today, Xiao and her sister would have a bit more to eat.

The Alchemist
by fadri

Comment:
The rise & fall
of desert slopes
is like the hump
of the dromedary.
Their textured inclines
take effort to climb.
The peak of one
promises a swift and easy ride.
While the other
a view of endless, sandy tides.

Motif Number 1
by Katmystiry

Comment:
Pete threw on his gear with care looking up from the trunk of his car to check what was happening on the tall ship. He had overslept from working long on the nightshift and worried that he would not get to the docks in time for the photo shoot. The interview was fine as that was set-up to occur a half hour from now. But he wanted to arrive on time to get pictures of the crew hoisting the sails or in the very least a shot of one climbing up the masts. Pete got all his gear and closed the trunk of his car. The ship was a beauty - shame it was only here for another week as that he wished he had time off to take advantage of the 2 hour sail tour they offered At brisk walk to the docks he noticed what maybe two crewman in blue standing near the ship. He quickened his pace least he miss a photo opportunity.

Grit
by snaffles

Comment:
Grip the reins tight, Son!
Rustle up your courage & strength,
It's going to take all ya got
To hold on to that blazin' bronco.