Stories

The Horse

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The Horse
Shied as by the sight of quicksand,
he saw the wisdom of speedy retreat
from the path on which she stood
in seductive pose and uncommon beauty.
Her mane and tail beckoned him
in the heated high-noon breeze…
The danger suddenly stirred his blood
with the excitement of challenge and conquest—
the quicksand attraction betraying intelligence.
It was a showdown of primal instincts
struggling to take hold—instincts of arousal
fighting to overpower
his seasoned horse sense warnings within.
He felt the inner reins of duty
and monogamous commitment—
the harness of his stallion strengths—
and in a determined force of triumphant will
drove himself to higher, more stable ground.
There mated mare and foal quietly waited,
aware only of his graceful, chosen stride.
March, 1992 revised May, 2004

The Jaguar

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The Jaguar
You are a work of art, she thought,
as she silently watched his jaguar body
slowly turn and crouch.
It fascinated her to see how his every movement
displayed a potent sexuality so powerful
that her body betrayed feigned indifference.
Sensitive to his energy even from a distance,
her skin tingled as that energy surged through her flesh
suddenly charged with deep, fierce passions
that left her amazed and bewildered…
Her panther heart laughed secretly
as she gazed at the wonder of him,
reminding herself—
it’s just art appreciation, that’s all.
November, 1996 revised May, 2004, January, 2006

Long Ago and Far Away

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Long Ago and Far Away
“Regarde, mais ne touche pas” he told himself
whenever she appeared before him
with that bewitching love in her sad eyes.
This wench had powers that made him fear her kiss
more than a bloody seige on his castle,
for already she’d invaded his dreams
and captured his imagination.
Then there were those mysterious awakenings
and yearnings in the night
driving him crazy with desire.
Sometimes he imagined her in his chambers—
imagined her invisible, starry body merged with his.
Worse still, he’d felt the first stirrings of love
for this strange, enchanting woman.
Yes, the magnetic beauty of her comely face
and the subtle seductions of her body’s grace
posed a dangerous threat to all that he had—
his heart, his mind, his family, his possessions…
The dark knight resolved then and there
he must kill her with indifference—
a look quite clear in its intended meaning.
First, a cruel, contemptuous glare,
then a cold and empty stare…
“Regarde, mais ne touche pas!”
November, 1996 revised May, 2004

An Olympic Story

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An Olympic Story
Once upon a time, long ago and far away
in another galaxy, God decided to play.
So She created a race of human gods to stay
on a life-threatening planet where they
trained vigorously both night and day
for the Games He called ‘The Olympic Way’.—
These Games of the gods would pay
the victorious winners of the day
precious Rewards and valued Medals
by overcoming obstacles
and leadening limitations.—
The Bronze of Knowledge,
the Silver of Understanding,
and the Gold of Wisdom
were the goals of these Olympics
of the mind and heart and soul.
Laurel Crowns were awarded
well-excercised inner strengths
of undaunted courage,
steadfast faith,
and self-disciplined skill.—
More wondrous still,
the Crown of a glorious secret lay
hidden in each one to Seek and Find—
for within these Game-playing gods,
it was really only God at play!!!
February, 1992 revised May, 2004

The Sled Dog

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The Sled Dog
He was a weather-toughened, soldierly sled-dog
used to long, torturous runs
and the confusion of human hands and voices
unpredictably kind or harshly cruel
since the days he was a pup.
He pulled his heavy burdens of past and present
as if they were part of his own being,
part of his own thoughts and memories,
and as if the other dogs were merely
part of that burden to be endured.
He loved running
and the illusion of freedom it gave him.
He even almost loved the female he’d just mated with
but it left him feeling too vulnerable, too open,
as if exposing his underbelly
to hungry wolves and vicious dogs
sure to take advantage of any perceived weaknesses.
It was just too dangerous
to allow himself to love and trust her.
He’d known countless unspeakably painful betrayals
and savage attacks in his pup days,
and so surrounded his heart
with protective blocks of ice and rock.
If she dared try to penetrate that barrier,
he’d punish her with swift blows and surly snarls.
How he loved running
and the illusion of freedom it gave him!
June, 1992 revised April, 2004