Arroyo, TX

An arroyo - near the town of Arroyo, TX
(small steep-sided gulch with a flat floor usually dry except after heavy rains)

(my Flash Fiction Prosery is at the bottom - I originally forgot about the fiction and the limit of 144 words)... sigh.  Well this first is the backdrop.)

Arroyo, TX

Before Farm and Market Streets
dotted a small, vanishing town,
Mexican shepherds picked their way
along the red creek bed
meandering its way toward Mother Lagoon,
around yuca, prickly pear
and a few stunted oak trees, twisted.

Horses, thin but tough, kept their distance,
as did whitetail deer and bobcats.
Heat of day survived with wide-brim hat,
long sleeves, and a faithful mongrel of a dog
helping gather sheep, goat, and a cow.

Is screaming across the arroyo still heard,
still done to try and escape poverty
or launch one's dreams across a dry gully,
(or forceful torrent when tropical storms descend)?

Do dreams catch a ride astride wings
of the peregrine falcon, pelican, and crane?
Soar for a bit, cooled and encouraged
as they hover above Saltillo Flats?

Do they reunite with Karankawa and Coahuiltecan,
hopes turned toward ocean's horizon,
share in the mystery of a land that challenges,
strengthens, or destroys?

by Margaret Bednar, December 10, 2019

This is linked with "dVerse Poets Pub - Prosery #7: Jim Harrison" (must use the line "A cow is screaming across the arroyo."  Flash Fiction - 144 words or less)

AHHH  I see the above is not Flash Fiction - so I will attempt below to write a scene or character within this setting -  I NEED TO LEARN to carefully read directions.  

My exactly 144 words (excluding the title):

A Mother's Heart (El corazon de una madre)

Miguel had a lot to live up to, for his name meant "Who is like God" a fact his mother never let him forget, her high hopes for him evident in her eyes, her smile.

Miguel patted his dog's head, dust swirling about them as they skirted the yuca, prickly pear, and a few twisted oak trees.  The arroyo was barren today, like most days.  No torrent responding to seasonal tropical storms; the violence always excited him, as he stood safely back with his herd of sheep, goat, and a cow.

"Is screaming across the arroyo O.K.?" he once asked his Mother.  She paused, and in her soft voice that was like a caress across his cheek said, "As long as it launches dreams, lets them ride astride the Peregrine, refreshed and encouraged as they hover above the Saltillo Flats, reunited with spirits of the Karankawa and Coahuiltecan, sharing in the mystery of this land that challenges and strengthens."

The Moon Fairy

123rf

The Moon Fairy

I usually sleep in fits, short bursts with no rem.  But last night was different; I dreamt I was the moon's fairy, come to earth upon a shooting star slashing its way through purple midnight.  I tiptoed upon woven linen sheets, my eyes twinkling like celestial skies.  You briefly awakened, thought me a firefly, returned to slumber.  I gathered you up, rode a moonbeam back, safely placed you within the protective curve of the slivered orb.

Our "sky house".  The one of countless stories dreamt up, of Crayola images forever sweet, created as we gazed through curtains floating upon a mountain's summer breeze.

Why can't dreams last forever, why must I wake to hear your breathing labored, your cheeks pale, smile fading?  I gather you in my arms, like in the dream,  Begin to pray.  To God... with an aside to the Moon Fairy.

by Margaret Bednar, July 22, 2019

This is linked with "dVerse Prosery #2".  A short story in no more than 144 words.  I used all 144 words.   The line we must use is from Alice Oswald's "Full Moon" poem HERE.  The line is "I dreamt I was the moon".

Intervention

Intervention

The old red cherry tree is gnarled, mottled with moss, and leans precariously to one side; mountain wind and seasonal temperament have had their way.  I've climbed as high as I can go, slipped a bit; fog's draped a fine moist layer over everything.  Young twigs sprout from older branches, their bright green leaves seem joyous; a reminder I used to be full of enthusiasm, eagerness.  They scratch my cheek, I welcome the pain, the feeling.  Her bark is so close to my face; like a mother's carress.  Breath in her earthiness; recall as a child long walks through the woods.  Mother named the flowers, trees, pointed out animals.  Her favorite, the deer.  Through tears I see a doe below.  Wonder, "Is this a sign?", when far away an interrupted cry I hear.  Realize it's mine.  Open my hand. Let the empty rope fall.

by Margaret Bednar, June 10, 2019

This is for "dVerse Poets Pub - Prosery #1".  A Flash Fiction story (a very short piece of prose telling a story) in 144 words or less.  AND we must use the line "When far away an interrupted cry" which is from Robert Frost's poem "Acquainted with the Night"  I used exactly 144 words.

The photo was taken from my bedroom window.

I invite you to listen to me read: