As twisty gray branches stretch to touch the dense cloud deck thickening above a rust of needles and pine cones, the cold breath of winter’s envious voice freezes on contact with the lifeless nape of a woodland neck.
After a valediction from the lifting morning fog, a drab landscape transforms into eudemonic lushness which flourishes within the untethered imagination of those willing to pause, calmly breathe and believe.
(Photo: Edward Roads)
Written by Edward Roads
Years ago, propped on a weather-beaten park bench, she strummed alongside a crumpled paper cup and played the same eight song repertoire that had been scarred into her fingers since the start of her stay at the homeless shelter.
This morning, after actualizing as many makeshift table settings as her house could hold, she passionately put finishing touches on a succulent turkey and homemade stuffing feast that was annually prepared for any listless landlopers who saw one of her countless invitations posted throughout the entire town.
(Photo: Edward Roads)
Written by Edward Roads
One could almost hear the thick rope grinding to and fro beneath the extended arm of a gargantuan oak tree that invited its guests to launch into the cool tranquillity of Lake Yesterday.
As the moon rose on another season of so called splashdowns, a quiet calm gave way to the susurrant speech of loosening leaves whose collective chatter was encouraged by the freshening sweep of a fragrant autumn breeze.
(Photo: Edward Roads)
Written by Edward Roads
Using her left hand, which was slightly less shaky than the right, she carefully guided a razor-sharp box cutter across the top of a plain birthday package she got in the mail from her older sister.
After she discovered the faded beige moccasins were two sizes too small, they were unceremoniously tossed aside and attention was refocused on the stunning bouquet she received from a secret admirer.
(Photo: Edward Roads)
Written by Edward Roads
After persevering a punishing winter, replete with nearly insurmountable challenges, the tatterdemalion survivors at long last heard the wrought wheels of a mighty locomotive locked in a screeching halt.
As the family of ravaged souls assembled trackside, a foison of food and necessities was distributed under the direction of a sympathetic engineer who had recently lost his sister to the inhumane horrors of hypothermia.
(This is a follow-up to Mytwosentences 101)
(Photo: Edward Roads)
Written by Edward Roads
While the spirit and spectacle of Halloween was lurking offshore like a rapidly rolling fog pausing at a quiet coastline, a seaward facing sunflower steadfastly sang.
The mellifluous voice of this glorious blossom continued in silent song, as an uneasy ambience began to parade its inevitable shade onto the stage.
(Photo: Edward Roads)
Written by Edward Roads
For far too long, she found herself subdued by the pungent stench of truculence simmering alongside countless seasonings within the broad bouillabaisse of society.
Despite the cynics seeing her billowing positivity as pure floccinaucinihilipilification, she had permanently removed the foul smell from her stagnant soul through a simple daily embrace of one thing wonderful.
(Photo: Edward Roads)
Written by Edward Roads
Beyond the shoal of a well traveled shoreline, past the protective breakwater, there is a not so noticeable locus of beauty where the berm of the beach abuts a backdrop of tender brush.
Eight subtle stems of civility quietly stretch within a carefully cultivated plot that was purposefully designed, without claim or conceit, by a sun-ravaged family man.
(Photo: Edward Roads)
Written by Edward Roads
The delicate, settling petals of spring softly lit the burgeoning amphitheater like countless stars on a crystal clear night that assemble to stare at themselves in a virtual woodland mirror.
As their gladiatorial battleground serenely flourished near the furrows and flakey ridges of a cucumber tree, the snake and the mongoose graciously agreed to a mutually mollifying truce.
(Photo: Edward Roads)
Written by Edward Roads
In addition to suspenders his son gave him for Christmas, the potbellied single parent wore plain work pants, a faded flannel shirt and salt stained boots that had seen their last season.
For the final time this winter, he climbed down from Big Yellow with a well chewed cigar stub in his mouth and fondly looked at the sky that afforded him such an endearing smile.
(Photo: Edward Roads)
Written by Edward Roads
Day after monotonous day, Old Man Winter relentlessly wielded his unyielding wand to summon a persistent hodgepodge of pitiless elemental ferocities.
He slowly descended the ascending stairs of spring seeking hibernation from the vernal thaumaturge who initiated efflorescence by bestowing her benevolence upon his wake.
(Photo: Edward Roads)
Written by Edward Roads
An air freshener-like smell of pine, from the abandoned mill across the street, continued to linger above what was now a simple shallow pond devoid of aspiring hockey players.
After several spirited weeks of perpetual ice, the boys with blades, as they were called, knew mother nature had finally put the kibosh on another season of camaraderie and kinetic kinship.
(Photo: Edward Roads)
Written by Edward Roads
The temper tantrum she threw was standard performance art for any nine year old that couldn’t convince her father on the importance of riding a new bike the second it was assembled.
Mother nature’s mounting malfeasance was soon forgotten when a doting dad asked his little girl to put on an apron and help him create the perfect gooey-cheese pizza for two.
(Photo: Edward Roads)
Written by Edward Roads
Two penniless families from under the overpass sipped cold tomato soup out of partially rusted cans that were discovered a day earlier by one of the shoeless children.
When the powerful food transport passed by, several ravenous kids ran after nothing more than the taunting and untouchable scent of fresh baked bread they would never taste.
(Photo: Edward Roads)
Written by Edward Roads
As snow silently sang outside, a consuming case of collywobbles curbed the escalating excitement of anxious surprise party attendees.
After successfully navigating tiresome roads laden with lousy conditions, the knackered guest of honor unsuspectingly toddled up to the fated front door.
(Photo: Edward Roads)
Written by Edward Roads
Mytwosentences 