No Looking Back



Sketch by P. Kolp

A deserted street, warm wind blowing
dust into the breathless air
ancient buildings with chipped
paint and broken windows long
vacated, and I
walking in the alley’s
middle, take note 
of this once thriving
city; a barber shop, a used-book
store, post office, such and such
attorneys, school number
whatever; all signs of life now
forgotten, yet on the other
side a railroad track, a whistle
blows, I jump so high I almost fall
down a manhole, the conductor
waves, says the only way it
goes is out of here I
look ahead and hop on board.

@laurie kolp


Prompt inspiration: IGWRT’s A Word with Laurie- Perspective

We all have different perspectives

Painting by Jinksy

What do you see when you look at this painting? An autumn harvest of corn waiting to be picked and shucked just in time for the hoedown next Friday night? Fresh summer squash in the vegetable aisle begging for a healthy homemade meal? A field of daffodils or tulips daring you to touch them lest you upset nature's beauty? Rapeseed to be made into oils, but you best beware of their poisonous betrayal? The bright sun rising into the morning sky as you lie in the sand and observe?

How about cooling refreshment prepared with love at the lemonade stand where your child sits? After a thirst-quenching gulp of the best drink you've ever had, your lips pucker up from the tang. Someone calls you fish face and sets the ball rolling. Fits of laughter can be heard across the busy street as you pull up a lawn chair and join the summer fun.

That's what I see when I look at the picture.  For more perspectives, check out Alias Jinksy's Tandem.