The kids all fought each other for a spot at the front as their feet dug into the grass. The teacher was trying to get them to calm down and stop chattering as they all looked up at cupid’s arrow sculpture.
Sarah could hear the kids talking as she kept an eye on her daughter. She wasn’t a fan of helping chaperone school trips, but her daughter had begged her saying she never came like the other moms. After those words spilled out of her daughter’s mouth, her mother's guilt made her take a day off of work to come along.
Her daughter wasn’t one of the children trying to get to the front. She stood her ground in her place and let others push past her. The teacher asked the class what they thought the artist had in mind when creating the sculpture.
“They wanted it to look like a huge arrow that shot the bad guy out of the city.”
The teacher smiled as she looked for more hands in the air. She pointed to the boy in the very back of the crowd waving his hand wildly.
“It’s supposed to make you think that you can fall in love anytime.”
Sarah smiled at the sweetness of the answer as she felt a lump catch in her throat. If only love was that easy and not so painful. She closed her eyes for a second to feel the sun on her skin while she took a deep breath to push the lump back down.
When her eyes opened, she saw her daughter’s hand up trying to get the teacher’s attention. Sarah wondered how often her daughter raised her hand in class or if she was witnessing a newfound confidence due to her mom being in the group.
Her daughter spoke as the teacher called upon her. “Maybe the artist wanted to show a mommy’s love. Maybe the mommy worked hard and she couldn’t be there for everything, so she made a big love bow and arrow to show she was always there.”
Sarah’s lump in her throat overflowed as she felt a tear fall down her cheek.
Breathe. Be brave. Concentrate. "And just let it..." The words come out as a whisper. "Fly." The last word comes out of my mouth as a strangled cry, as I release my knocked arrow. Crap. How am I so spectacularly bad at this? I hear my sister doing her best to stifle her laugh.
"God's, Anna. How did you even do that?" We both wander over to the target and peer into the mayhem I've caused. The tiny magical biodome, meant to resemble a thriving tiny city, has come alive with shrieks and teeny tiny people running in all directions away from the aftermath of my disastorous shot. Not only did my arrow miss it's target entirely, but I've managed to release the entire bow along with it. I've embedded both the limbs of the weapon, and the arrow itself, into the green grassy area of what appears to be a park, placed in the middle of tall business buildings.
I can see little people scurrying away from the structure, terror on their faces. Others stand a good distance away, staring up at it like its comical plop art they are trying to comprehend. A tiny dog the size of my pinky fingernail is barking insesantly at the spot where he must have been walking just moments earlier.
Vanessa was at her desk, when she heard the thud that shook the twelve storey office
building. Everyone in the office thought it was an earthquake and rushed to the window. Instead, planted in the ground, was a giant misguided bow and arrow. It seemed eye level from their 10th floor vantage point.
A large crowd was gathering at the park below, but because, no other explanation made sense, the confused crowd thought it was an art installation and started to applaud. Vanessa's co-workers also started to explain the thud and sudden appearance of the bow and arrow as a Valentine's Day stunt and slowly went back to their desks.
This explanation seemed to be the most logical, but Vanessa had the strange feeling that it was a sign, meant for her. How was it not a sign? Moments before the ground shaking thud, she was feeling alone and asked for some kind of signal or sign that she should not give up on love.
Vanessa watched as the crowd took photos, dispersed and went on with their day. As she slowly made her way back to her desk, she could not shake the feeling that her life was about to change and she was ready.
February in New York City. The good news? Punxataney Phil didn’t see his shadow, which means the ground hog says winter is over. And boy is NYC showing off with a bright blue sky, warm temperatures, and only a few white wispy clouds in the sky. The bad news? Everywhere I look is a reminder that Valentine’s Day will be here soon. And every year I feel so pressured to find my man, to be in love, to find my twin flame, or whatever bullshit they’re calling soul mates these days.
My phone dings with an incoming text as I walk by the most obnoxious reminder of Valentine’s day in my neighborhood — a huge cupid’s bow and arrow growing out of the ground like Cupid shot the Earth from the heavens wanting to fall in love with the whole planet or somethin’.
I swipe my phone lock screen - boasting a picture of my main man Max, my 4-year-old golden retriever - and I grin:
DOROTHY: Just landed, grabbed my bag, and headed your way, my gal-en-tine!
I immediately HEART her message and type back:
ME: Can’t wait to see you (still cannot believe you came to town just to celebrate Gal-En-Tine’s with me). Up for a coffee when you get here?
DOROTHY: You know I’d never let you be alone for the LOOOOVE holiday - and YES, I love Aphrodite’s near your place — best chai latte ever. I’m in!
I smiled and tucked my phone away as I stepped inside the lobby of my building and checked my mailbox. A telltale red envelope was in the mix along with probably what was bills and junk mail. As I read the return address on the red envelope covered with hearts, I sighed and smiled.
Three things I can always seem to count on when it comes to Valentine’s Day: 1) my mom will always make sure I get a valentine’s card in the mail (seeing as I’m not married yet and she wants to be sure I always feel loved), 2) My best friend Dorothy will never let me be alone for the holiday even when she does have a boyfriend, and 3) I never seem to be dating anyone or in a relationship on Valentine’s Day (or at least a good relationship where he’d remember something like a whole day set aside to celebrate the love of your life). Um, yeah.
I slide my finger through the flap of the red envelope and gasp as I come away with a deep paper cut from the unusually thick paper and immediately stick my finger in my mouth.
“Ooh, are you ok? That looked like a nasty paper cut.” This - holy moly fine ass drink of water must be new to my building - man ends up right in front of me looking concerned.
I don’t say anything for a few seconds, awkwardly still sucking on my finger. He arches one eyebrow and does this half smile thing that makes a dimple appear in his cheek making him look even hotter.
“Ummm, HI.” Oh, great Lucy, that’s the most intelligent response you can come up with?
“Hi, I’m Ryan - just moved in. I’m doing my residency at Mt Sinai hospital…can I see?” As he motions to my finger I take it out of my mouth and let him look.
My brain has turned to mush - a tall, dark, handsome, DOCTOR? In my building? No wedding ring…he MUST have a girlfriend (all the good ones do). As soon as he touches my finger I feel an electric zing all the way to my toes. I look around, confused, because this kinda meet cute only happens in rom-coms.
“Haha, you’re right,” Ryan said…”we are having a meet cute. And on my 3rd day in the city. The day before Valentine’s Day - what are the chances?”
“Oh my god…did I just say that out loud??”
He laughs. “You did.” But then we catch each others’ eyes and we both stop laughing. I’m lost in his sky blue eyes that match his button down shirt with the sleeves rolled up. And the way he’s looking at my hazel eyes is like he’s seeing inside my soul.
“Paper cut by Valentine’s card, huh?” He asks. “Is it from your boyfriend?”
Subtle. Not. I’m kinda loving this and before I answer I catch a peak of a pink envelope in his stack of mail.
“Valentine card from your girlfriend?” I find the courage to ask in response.
He laughs again. I wish he’d just keep doing that because it makes these fine laugh lines appear around his eyes and that dimple is the hottest thing, making me melt.
“Actually, my mom never lets a Valentine’s Day pass without sending me a card - kind of embarrassing….and no, no girlfriend. I’m single. You?”
“Also from my mom,” I say holding up the red envelope that’s responsible for our meet cute. “And no boyfriend.”
“Hmmm. Well, nice to meet you…” he flips the red envelope around to look at the address label…”Lucy in 35B.” He grins. “Guess I’ll see you around, huh? Take care of that finger - a bandaid should do the trick.” He smiles and heads out the front door.
I lean back against the mailboxes, grab my phone, and text Dorothy.
ME: I just had a meet cute in my lobby.
DOROTHY: holy crap, tell me everything!!!
ME: tell ya when you get here :)
I see the 3 bubbles going and her response finally came through:
DOROTHY: you are such a tease! Ok see you in 10.
15 minutes later, Dorothy and I are in line at Aphrodite’s around the corner from my apartment building ordering our favorite drinks — her chai latte, and my lavender latte with oat milk.
We’re standing off to the side waiting for our drinks and Dorothy starts in - -
“This is soooo great! It’s like in the movies, right? The cynical girl who hates Valentine’s Day has a meet cute with a hot guy the day before V-Day? Swoon! Tell me all about him.”
I’m about to tell her all the details about Hot Intern Doctor Ryan Who Lives In My Building, when my name is called by the barista, and when I turn to get my coffee, Ryan holds it out to me and smiles.
“A second meet cute within, what…30 minutes? Our paths must be fated.”
She had always been the girl who needed big lessons. She left her wretched apartment only after it burned down. Her soulmate was a hairy beast that could have been expelled from the Hensen Puppet factory for it's stink. I'm told its a dog that knocked her ass over tea cup in the park. He was a stray no longer. Lovable was he was, I was her oldest friend back in town, thinking she needed an extra soul mate. Funny I knew just the guy. He was tall, he was loud, he loved baby ducks and dollhouse miniatures. And dogs. He loved dogs he saved from the road, or left behind by some jerk.
I don't think I'm ready to meet somebody, it was her tired battle cry, but ready she was, and I knew it. An old friend spotted new sorrows and I was no exception. I saw her unpolished boots and her hat with the purple feather she wore everywhere tossed in the hall. Stacks of books and a bag of knitting. It was almost too late. Too long like this and she'd be settling into duddersville forever. And I wanted this. I knew he moved here and he was the one and I was the fairygood friend that would unite them.
He was ready. I just told him where to go. She refused then relented after rock, paper, scissors. I am unbeatable. She chose the buts, refused the hat, her red hair and purple scarf flew out behind her like wings. Like a Grecian maiden. When we were close, I pulled her close and asked her if she trusted me. She said she did. So I slipped a blindfold over her sunglasses and we walk carefully around the corner. While we slow stepped I told her all about him, that twice we were seated next to each other flying for business. That's a sign, I said and she kept walking.
If I didn't believe in true love and fairy tales before, I do now. There he was a mess, with a balloon and a dog leashed to him with his tie, his hair was undone. His suit near tatters, but Lord, how he smiled next to God sized bow and arrow. I pushed her forward and I saw his smile, and that's the smile you want your best friends guy to give her. I slipped the blindfold off and heard her say after too many minutes, I am going to pick you and you are going to pick me. Everyday. I think that's going to happen. The dog was pulling, she dropped her sunglasses and as he was picking them up, she mouthed, This is huge!!! She pointed to the sculpture and spun away into a super cool and very contemporary happily ever after.
I saw this piece of art work in the park. It reminded me of a Viking ship. Being 6 foot 4 inches tall 265 pound weight lifter I have been called a Viking. As I was admiring the the art work I decided to play Ride of the Valkeryie. I am doing back flips in my head. A woman 6 foot tall blonde who spends time in the gym walks up to me I recognize that song very funny. I told her I think so. She walked over. Your cute buy me some lunch and make laugh. I took her hand and walked to food court. This is being of a beautiful friendship. She giggled I hope so
This was his day. The warm sun rose toward the heavens, illuminating the frosty world below. He, too, rose from his crimson percale sheets, knowing an important task lay ahead. It was his calling.
He began his usual route, admiring smitten couples walking hand in hand, knowing those left longing would soon find their destiny.
But today, unlike winter's remnants, his admiration did not linger. Instead, he felt an unfamiliar sensation stirring. Envy.
For so many years, many more than he could count, he had a job to do. He didn't have time to pause, reflect, inquire.
But, as often happens when feelings are ignored, this sensation began to bubble in his gut, agitating until he could go longer ignore it.
Why shouldn't I reap the rewards. Who is looking out for me? What would happen if I didn't do my job?
And then he realized. These were not feelings of anger or resentment, but love. Self-love. At that, cupid released his grip, sending his arrow plummeting to the earth below.
Although bittersweet, He felt confident as he ended one chapter and began another. A search for a love of his own. And in his venture, he learned that love is born not from an arrow, but within the journey itself.
Reminds me of when my in-laws came back from Scotland with a stuffie of the Lockness, for the littles. It was such a sweet family moment. It marked such a special time. Pre-cancer. Before my son’s diagnosis. He is well now. But, I just loved the sweet treats grammie and papa brought back from their world travels that trip🥰
Ray sat beside the bow and wondered how his life had gone so wrong. Amy had left, his boss was mad and this gunshot arrow mocked him. Impotent as the unshot arrow, he looked down at his toes in the grass and wondered what it would look like with a toe tag.
Shaking his head his fingers grasped the blades of grass as he pushed himself to stand. Turning to stare again at the famous art piece, he smiled for now he saw his next target staring at it too.
Short story from the picture:
The kids all fought each other for a spot at the front as their feet dug into the grass. The teacher was trying to get them to calm down and stop chattering as they all looked up at cupid’s arrow sculpture.
Sarah could hear the kids talking as she kept an eye on her daughter. She wasn’t a fan of helping chaperone school trips, but her daughter had begged her saying she never came like the other moms. After those words spilled out of her daughter’s mouth, her mother's guilt made her take a day off of work to come along.
Her daughter wasn’t one of the children trying to get to the front. She stood her ground in her place and let others push past her. The teacher asked the class what they thought the artist had in mind when creating the sculpture.
“They wanted it to look like a huge arrow that shot the bad guy out of the city.”
The teacher smiled as she looked for more hands in the air. She pointed to the boy in the very back of the crowd waving his hand wildly.
“It’s supposed to make you think that you can fall in love anytime.”
Sarah smiled at the sweetness of the answer as she felt a lump catch in her throat. If only love was that easy and not so painful. She closed her eyes for a second to feel the sun on her skin while she took a deep breath to push the lump back down.
When her eyes opened, she saw her daughter’s hand up trying to get the teacher’s attention. Sarah wondered how often her daughter raised her hand in class or if she was witnessing a newfound confidence due to her mom being in the group.
Her daughter spoke as the teacher called upon her. “Maybe the artist wanted to show a mommy’s love. Maybe the mommy worked hard and she couldn’t be there for everything, so she made a big love bow and arrow to show she was always there.”
Sarah’s lump in her throat overflowed as she felt a tear fall down her cheek.
Breathe. Be brave. Concentrate. "And just let it..." The words come out as a whisper. "Fly." The last word comes out of my mouth as a strangled cry, as I release my knocked arrow. Crap. How am I so spectacularly bad at this? I hear my sister doing her best to stifle her laugh.
"God's, Anna. How did you even do that?" We both wander over to the target and peer into the mayhem I've caused. The tiny magical biodome, meant to resemble a thriving tiny city, has come alive with shrieks and teeny tiny people running in all directions away from the aftermath of my disastorous shot. Not only did my arrow miss it's target entirely, but I've managed to release the entire bow along with it. I've embedded both the limbs of the weapon, and the arrow itself, into the green grassy area of what appears to be a park, placed in the middle of tall business buildings.
I can see little people scurrying away from the structure, terror on their faces. Others stand a good distance away, staring up at it like its comical plop art they are trying to comprehend. A tiny dog the size of my pinky fingernail is barking insesantly at the spot where he must have been walking just moments earlier.
That was fun! Great 5 minute excersise. I'm going to tuck it away for future ideas. 😁
Short story from the picture:
Vanessa was at her desk, when she heard the thud that shook the twelve storey office
building. Everyone in the office thought it was an earthquake and rushed to the window. Instead, planted in the ground, was a giant misguided bow and arrow. It seemed eye level from their 10th floor vantage point.
A large crowd was gathering at the park below, but because, no other explanation made sense, the confused crowd thought it was an art installation and started to applaud. Vanessa's co-workers also started to explain the thud and sudden appearance of the bow and arrow as a Valentine's Day stunt and slowly went back to their desks.
This explanation seemed to be the most logical, but Vanessa had the strange feeling that it was a sign, meant for her. How was it not a sign? Moments before the ground shaking thud, she was feeling alone and asked for some kind of signal or sign that she should not give up on love.
Vanessa watched as the crowd took photos, dispersed and went on with their day. As she slowly made her way back to her desk, she could not shake the feeling that her life was about to change and she was ready.
My short story from your picture:
February in New York City. The good news? Punxataney Phil didn’t see his shadow, which means the ground hog says winter is over. And boy is NYC showing off with a bright blue sky, warm temperatures, and only a few white wispy clouds in the sky. The bad news? Everywhere I look is a reminder that Valentine’s Day will be here soon. And every year I feel so pressured to find my man, to be in love, to find my twin flame, or whatever bullshit they’re calling soul mates these days.
My phone dings with an incoming text as I walk by the most obnoxious reminder of Valentine’s day in my neighborhood — a huge cupid’s bow and arrow growing out of the ground like Cupid shot the Earth from the heavens wanting to fall in love with the whole planet or somethin’.
I swipe my phone lock screen - boasting a picture of my main man Max, my 4-year-old golden retriever - and I grin:
DOROTHY: Just landed, grabbed my bag, and headed your way, my gal-en-tine!
I immediately HEART her message and type back:
ME: Can’t wait to see you (still cannot believe you came to town just to celebrate Gal-En-Tine’s with me). Up for a coffee when you get here?
DOROTHY: You know I’d never let you be alone for the LOOOOVE holiday - and YES, I love Aphrodite’s near your place — best chai latte ever. I’m in!
I smiled and tucked my phone away as I stepped inside the lobby of my building and checked my mailbox. A telltale red envelope was in the mix along with probably what was bills and junk mail. As I read the return address on the red envelope covered with hearts, I sighed and smiled.
Three things I can always seem to count on when it comes to Valentine’s Day: 1) my mom will always make sure I get a valentine’s card in the mail (seeing as I’m not married yet and she wants to be sure I always feel loved), 2) My best friend Dorothy will never let me be alone for the holiday even when she does have a boyfriend, and 3) I never seem to be dating anyone or in a relationship on Valentine’s Day (or at least a good relationship where he’d remember something like a whole day set aside to celebrate the love of your life). Um, yeah.
I slide my finger through the flap of the red envelope and gasp as I come away with a deep paper cut from the unusually thick paper and immediately stick my finger in my mouth.
“Ooh, are you ok? That looked like a nasty paper cut.” This - holy moly fine ass drink of water must be new to my building - man ends up right in front of me looking concerned.
I don’t say anything for a few seconds, awkwardly still sucking on my finger. He arches one eyebrow and does this half smile thing that makes a dimple appear in his cheek making him look even hotter.
“Ummm, HI.” Oh, great Lucy, that’s the most intelligent response you can come up with?
“Hi, I’m Ryan - just moved in. I’m doing my residency at Mt Sinai hospital…can I see?” As he motions to my finger I take it out of my mouth and let him look.
My brain has turned to mush - a tall, dark, handsome, DOCTOR? In my building? No wedding ring…he MUST have a girlfriend (all the good ones do). As soon as he touches my finger I feel an electric zing all the way to my toes. I look around, confused, because this kinda meet cute only happens in rom-coms.
“Haha, you’re right,” Ryan said…”we are having a meet cute. And on my 3rd day in the city. The day before Valentine’s Day - what are the chances?”
“Oh my god…did I just say that out loud??”
He laughs. “You did.” But then we catch each others’ eyes and we both stop laughing. I’m lost in his sky blue eyes that match his button down shirt with the sleeves rolled up. And the way he’s looking at my hazel eyes is like he’s seeing inside my soul.
“Paper cut by Valentine’s card, huh?” He asks. “Is it from your boyfriend?”
Subtle. Not. I’m kinda loving this and before I answer I catch a peak of a pink envelope in his stack of mail.
“Valentine card from your girlfriend?” I find the courage to ask in response.
He laughs again. I wish he’d just keep doing that because it makes these fine laugh lines appear around his eyes and that dimple is the hottest thing, making me melt.
“Actually, my mom never lets a Valentine’s Day pass without sending me a card - kind of embarrassing….and no, no girlfriend. I’m single. You?”
“Also from my mom,” I say holding up the red envelope that’s responsible for our meet cute. “And no boyfriend.”
“Hmmm. Well, nice to meet you…” he flips the red envelope around to look at the address label…”Lucy in 35B.” He grins. “Guess I’ll see you around, huh? Take care of that finger - a bandaid should do the trick.” He smiles and heads out the front door.
I lean back against the mailboxes, grab my phone, and text Dorothy.
ME: I just had a meet cute in my lobby.
DOROTHY: holy crap, tell me everything!!!
ME: tell ya when you get here :)
I see the 3 bubbles going and her response finally came through:
DOROTHY: you are such a tease! Ok see you in 10.
15 minutes later, Dorothy and I are in line at Aphrodite’s around the corner from my apartment building ordering our favorite drinks — her chai latte, and my lavender latte with oat milk.
We’re standing off to the side waiting for our drinks and Dorothy starts in - -
“This is soooo great! It’s like in the movies, right? The cynical girl who hates Valentine’s Day has a meet cute with a hot guy the day before V-Day? Swoon! Tell me all about him.”
I’m about to tell her all the details about Hot Intern Doctor Ryan Who Lives In My Building, when my name is called by the barista, and when I turn to get my coffee, Ryan holds it out to me and smiles.
“A second meet cute within, what…30 minutes? Our paths must be fated.”
She had always been the girl who needed big lessons. She left her wretched apartment only after it burned down. Her soulmate was a hairy beast that could have been expelled from the Hensen Puppet factory for it's stink. I'm told its a dog that knocked her ass over tea cup in the park. He was a stray no longer. Lovable was he was, I was her oldest friend back in town, thinking she needed an extra soul mate. Funny I knew just the guy. He was tall, he was loud, he loved baby ducks and dollhouse miniatures. And dogs. He loved dogs he saved from the road, or left behind by some jerk.
I don't think I'm ready to meet somebody, it was her tired battle cry, but ready she was, and I knew it. An old friend spotted new sorrows and I was no exception. I saw her unpolished boots and her hat with the purple feather she wore everywhere tossed in the hall. Stacks of books and a bag of knitting. It was almost too late. Too long like this and she'd be settling into duddersville forever. And I wanted this. I knew he moved here and he was the one and I was the fairygood friend that would unite them.
He was ready. I just told him where to go. She refused then relented after rock, paper, scissors. I am unbeatable. She chose the buts, refused the hat, her red hair and purple scarf flew out behind her like wings. Like a Grecian maiden. When we were close, I pulled her close and asked her if she trusted me. She said she did. So I slipped a blindfold over her sunglasses and we walk carefully around the corner. While we slow stepped I told her all about him, that twice we were seated next to each other flying for business. That's a sign, I said and she kept walking.
If I didn't believe in true love and fairy tales before, I do now. There he was a mess, with a balloon and a dog leashed to him with his tie, his hair was undone. His suit near tatters, but Lord, how he smiled next to God sized bow and arrow. I pushed her forward and I saw his smile, and that's the smile you want your best friends guy to give her. I slipped the blindfold off and heard her say after too many minutes, I am going to pick you and you are going to pick me. Everyday. I think that's going to happen. The dog was pulling, she dropped her sunglasses and as he was picking them up, she mouthed, This is huge!!! She pointed to the sculpture and spun away into a super cool and very contemporary happily ever after.
I saw this piece of art work in the park. It reminded me of a Viking ship. Being 6 foot 4 inches tall 265 pound weight lifter I have been called a Viking. As I was admiring the the art work I decided to play Ride of the Valkeryie. I am doing back flips in my head. A woman 6 foot tall blonde who spends time in the gym walks up to me I recognize that song very funny. I told her I think so. She walked over. Your cute buy me some lunch and make laugh. I took her hand and walked to food court. This is being of a beautiful friendship. She giggled I hope so
This was his day. The warm sun rose toward the heavens, illuminating the frosty world below. He, too, rose from his crimson percale sheets, knowing an important task lay ahead. It was his calling.
He began his usual route, admiring smitten couples walking hand in hand, knowing those left longing would soon find their destiny.
But today, unlike winter's remnants, his admiration did not linger. Instead, he felt an unfamiliar sensation stirring. Envy.
For so many years, many more than he could count, he had a job to do. He didn't have time to pause, reflect, inquire.
But, as often happens when feelings are ignored, this sensation began to bubble in his gut, agitating until he could go longer ignore it.
Why shouldn't I reap the rewards. Who is looking out for me? What would happen if I didn't do my job?
And then he realized. These were not feelings of anger or resentment, but love. Self-love. At that, cupid released his grip, sending his arrow plummeting to the earth below.
Although bittersweet, He felt confident as he ended one chapter and began another. A search for a love of his own. And in his venture, he learned that love is born not from an arrow, but within the journey itself.
Reminds me of when my in-laws came back from Scotland with a stuffie of the Lockness, for the littles. It was such a sweet family moment. It marked such a special time. Pre-cancer. Before my son’s diagnosis. He is well now. But, I just loved the sweet treats grammie and papa brought back from their world travels that trip🥰
Aww thank you for sharing such a tender and beautiful memory, Mary Beth! And I am so glad he is well now. 🥰
I love your story!
thank you so much, Barb!
Ray sat beside the bow and wondered how his life had gone so wrong. Amy had left, his boss was mad and this gunshot arrow mocked him. Impotent as the unshot arrow, he looked down at his toes in the grass and wondered what it would look like with a toe tag.
Shaking his head his fingers grasped the blades of grass as he pushed himself to stand. Turning to stare again at the famous art piece, he smiled for now he saw his next target staring at it too.
I got caught up in the rhyme. Needs to be refined.
Dotted Swiss stars pierced the heavens
As Artemis stood guard in night.
Her bow taut, eyes burning silver,
Tracking Aphrodite's filtered light.
The world bowed to passion's abyss
While Artemis burned with ancient spite.
With steady breath she drew string to cheek,
Her message through the dappled dark.
Aimed to cast love from its peak—
The arrow flew its narrow arc
To render beauty forever weak.
But Athena, warrior-wise,
Drew her shield of bronze and grace.
The shaft shattered through the skies,
Past golden gates to find its place
Deep in stone—where jealousy lies,
A reminder of its falling face
Love the short story! And as a "Galentine" participant, I may do my own version of handing out love...
oooh I hope you have fun if you do it!
Here is my poem I wrote from the picture.
Cupid’s mighty arrow
Has struck the earth
Giving the world new birth
As the arrow struck deep
Within earths heart beat
Reverberating Throughout the land
Sending shockwaves so grand
peace, love and light
Has shaken hate’s might
Shattered it into dust
Melting it away in earths crust
Mother Earth absorbed the hate
And left us a new fate
Wonderful!
Snakes and dragons
Dragging behind arrows
A heart suspended
Waiting and hoping
Skipping and jumping
The world would have ended
If it wasn’t for hope in
Seeing how green, thin grass blades
Try to reach the sky
Never too close, never too far
Taking a bow
In the presence of love
Snakes and dragons fight for life
Joy and hate are neighbours
We’ve had our moment, kind of,
You still hope
But someone’s gotta tell you
I don’t
Here's my untitled poem, done in 5 so need to figure out a title. Thank you for the prompt!
*unshot **** can't seem to edit this. Not gunshot.