Empty Nester

Empty nester is a phrase used in English to state there are no more children living in the house.  Like when baby birds leave the nest and fly off to make their own lives, so must our children go and be on their own.  In just a few days, my youngest will begin living in her own place.  It just so happens she is turning 25 on October 2nd.  

If she could have afforded it I know she would have moved out a few years ago.  She is ready now.  She has confided to us some fears but she is ready.  I must admit it is finally sinking into my heart.  All my babies are on their own.  It is funny how your heart never knows what it has until it is gone.  Or if things drastically change.  I am a very blessed man.

Like a Log

 

I remember visiting my grandparents once when I was about 5 years old.  When I awoke in the morning, grandma was busy making breakfast and everyone was talking and sipping coffee.  She asked me how I slept.  I don’t remember how I answered but asked her how she slept.  She replied, “I slept like a log.”  I thought this was funny.  

 

The next morning when I awoke and went to the kitchen, I asked grandma how she slept.  She said she slept like a log and then asked how I slept.  I said I slept like a hog.  

 

I still wonder why she said this.  I should have asked when I got older.  I think I should start using this phrase to describe nights of deep sleep.  

Shorties: 75

Note: I am not a doctor or in the medical field. I may have everything wrong medically speaking. However, this story is similar to a dream I had when is was sick a few weeks ago.

The doctor said, “Neil is sleeping but he is he mumbles from time to time and we aren’t sure what he’s saying.”  Then he added with a smile in his voice, “He seems happy though.”  

 

With the children around her, Sylvia replied, “Thank you for the update, doctor.  So what’s next?”

 

“Well, his oxygen levels are still good as are his other vitals. We just need to bring his temperature down.  Once that is normal we will check again for COVID.  When COVID is gone and temperature is down, I don’t see a reason to keep him.” 

 

When the call was finished, Sylvia held her cell phone in her left hand and pulled her 7 year old daughter close.  Five year old James looked bewildered but knew something was wrong with daddy.  Not seeing his father for 2 days deeply sadden him.  Erin asked, “Can we pray for daddy, mommy?” 

 

“Of course.  Let’s pray now.”

 

As prayers drifted to heaven, Neil slept and dreamed.  In his mind’s eye Neil traveled to far off destinations and watched the sun rise from a high cliff.  As light illuminated his surroundings, Neil walked through a meadow while the call of crickets and bird songs filled his ears.  As he explored, he wanted to see it all but the heat of his fever affected Neil’s thoughts and all colors in his vision distorted.  

 

Slowly, like wax dripping down a candle, the picture in his mind slid and blurred down and across.  Sounds distorted and emitted a Doppler Effect.  The depth of consciousness lifted and Neil rolled from the left to his right side.  Again, Neil ebbed back into the realm of dreams. 

 

As his surroundings came into focus, Neil thrilled at the sight.  He was again in Sydney, Australia.  His face beamed as his nostrils filled with the coastal air.  He found himself walking with his parents from Circular Quay to The Rocks.  With anticipation he said, “We just need to go another block or so to Argyle Street.  A few more blocks and Lord Nelson’s is on the right.  You’ll love it.”  

 

Though his parents were elderly and, in real life, moved slowly, they all walked along at a quick pace.  They were led by Neil’s father who preferred to arrive early at restaurants in order to beat the crowds.  As they walked under the approach to the Sydney Harbor Bridge, Neil exclaimed, “I can’t believe I’m here again and I’m so happy you finally made it too.  You are going to love it here.  Never mind the prices.  Food is expensive here but it is the best food you’ve ever had.”

 

When The Lord Nelson Brewery Hotel came into view, Neil stopped his parents and gave them each a hug.  He didn’t remember being so happy.  He also planted a kiss on his mom’s forehead.  At the start of her laughter, colors began to melt and flow.  Sounds were confined within tiny speakers that flowed down a river.  Neil awoke and mumbled something incomprehensible.  The nurse on duty, Maggie, leaned toward him and asked, “Neil, did you say something?  How do you feel?”

 

“I can’t believe I was there again.”

 

“Where?”

 

“Sydney.”

 

“Oh, I’d love to be there.”

 

“We went to Lord Nelson’s for lunch.  I’m so happy they got to go too.”

 

Maggie finished taking Neil’s temperature.  It was 104 degrees.  Two days later, Neil’s fever was gone and his remaining health issues were disappeared.  Still later when he was finally home, Neil’s phone rang.  He saw it was his father. 

 

“Hi dad.  How are you?”

 

“I’m ok but it looks like your mother got the corona.”

 

“What?”

 

“Yeah, I don’t know how.  We haven’t left the house since all this started.  I’m negative but she’s positive.  How the hell does this happen?”

 

Then Neil remembered his dream and how he kissed his mother on the forehead.  Did he give it to her in the dream?

quintessence

 

In the haze of my being I stumbled on by

With heavenly clarity, I wondered why

Your truth it burst through, parting the skies

But still I believed some of the lies

 

Stumbling on, and living my way

Not knowing the night was actually day

The venom of spider does weaken my sight

The web of desire chains me from right

 

Oh is there a ember that illumines deceit?

To shatters the chains that shackle my feet

Please show me the gate that lies in this fence

Allow me to live my life quintessence 

© September 2020

DWP

 

Sep 11

Upon this day of horrors

I toiled away my task

When I heard the first collision

I thought about the past

Whence came the next explosion 

I finally knew at last

They fall away like dominoes

To disbelieving ears

Later we were sent away 

And wiped aside the tears

Then with the ones I love

I finally got to see 

The depths of darkness in the heart 

And what it did to me

©️September 2020

DWP

Becoming Alive

 

In this place where we once met 

You no longer come around

Sitting here in emptiness

I do not hear a sound

With this bridge being burned

There is but one way to leave

Away from the ashes 

To a place I can breathe 

Rotting in place is not a way

My heart wants to thrive 

Simply by leaving

I’m becoming alive

©️September 2020

DWP

Blind Horizons Review

 Here is a recent review posted about my book Blind Horizons. 

An emotional rollercoaster ride

Blind Horizons takes the reader on a journey of love, emotions and destiny. Slow paced plot with poetic prose makes it a heart-warming read.
The author's writing style and expression is authentic, gripping and vivid. Spellbinding romance grips the reins of you heart and doesn't let go.⁣
The author penned original, relatable and near to life characters. Duane layered his characterization with profound emotional depth.⁣
Blind Horizons is an emotional rollercoaster ride you aren't ready for, the kind of romance that stays with the reader for a long time like a melody that strikes all right cords.⁣
I would give this book 5 stars for the storyline with original setting. Highly recommended to the readers of Romance. ⁣
Looking forward to future works of Duane Windell Phillips