Creative Writing Workshop 1 : A "Lost" Experience

So here I was feeling like a high school kid suddenly daunted by being assigned a phrase and three words: "Early Spring", "Tempted", "Dangling" and "Lost". Our task was to write creatively for 10-15 minutes using those words and phrases in our prose. Writing poetry was also an option.

I wasn't used to on-the-spot assignments outside of English exams. I attributed my anxiety to those past  high-school experiences. Even in college, we got to know to some of the material ahead of any exam. My own writing for pleasure usually included things that inspired me rather than assigned to me. My most productive literary musings were produced during the dark hours of insomnia rather than Friday afternoon and an impending happy hour beer after a long week. I certainly wasn't used to writing under the gun of time. But I was excited about my first creative-writing workshop. Despite being exited, anxiety momentarily filled me with dread as a blank sheet of writing paper and a pen stared back at me. However, age, inspiration, imagination, life experience and a willingness to share my despair in the form of poetry and prose took over from the momentary despair. I surprisingly found that the task in hand was relatively easy...

The rambling of my 10-15 minute hand-written blurb that includes three of the four words assigned in the workshop started ended up with a sad appraisal of how I thought about the past twenty years of my life. One of the things I have learned from writing is that it can be a stark insight into an unknown world within us. It is one that only becomes visual when we apply the written word to our innermost thoughts.

My work began:

I woke up one early spring morning with an alarming thought. Had I really slept through the seasons of my life? This morning was the dawn of a new experience -- an experience I'd never felt before. Where was I? And why all of a sudden in a very familiar environment did I feel lost?

I got up and looked in the mirror, but the reflection glaring back at me wasn't me. Somehow, I got lost on the way. I had been in a deep sleep for twenty years. What had I been doing and missing? I had been missing me... Yes, me. Somewhere, a part of me died. Most importantly, where was I and where was I going? Then it dawned on me. The early spring morning of my life had arrived.

Time dangles like Damocles' Sword above our heads. My awakening on the early spring morning was to know never to get lost again and to keep the dangling sword of time in sight, overhead and ahead...

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Hidden views

From the high trails of an Island across the bay, a cityscape gleamed and sparkled in the haze of an early morning sun. Silver slithers shimmered from east to west from across the bay. White horses decorated with diamonds speckled the bay and sparkled as they bobbed up and down in their azure blue arena. Occasionally, a flair of color would help the white horses along their way. Thin wisps of early morning fairy-tail mist enveloped a small island castle like fingers hiding a secret. White wispy fingers reached out across the bay and crept under the red span of a bridge whose towers watched over the enchanted city. The city shone and glistened like a jewel in a crown as sunbeams bounced around glass towers piercing the blue. Alas, this enchanting surreal scene exists only in the eyes of a few.

Hidden behind those sparkles are boxes of burnt-out candles entrapped in a cage of age, loneliness and poverty. Their flames long extinguished, the candles remain boxed up and invisible, but other candles burn through the night. Twinkling champagne juxtaposes extinguished flames.

The silver slivers are snakes of black with holes in their back squished by heat and heavy machinery slugging lost candles from hilltops to dark boxes below.

Those beautiful white horses had the wind in their sails whilst lifeless candles hid behind screens unseen by horses, champagne and flames. The unlit candles remain in their dark box waiting, and waiting for a match to strike that will signify their dawn... Locked in their box, not seeing the sunrise or the sunset, they never know when it is day or night.

And so it was; way up high on that lonesome trail where everything seemed so still. The scene was just a screen forming a backdrop for what is rarely seen.

Alone

one grey day as morning broke
a silent voice softly spoke
"it's time to wake from your sleep"
lost feelings started to seep

togetherness -- what a chore
how much time is really yours?
always ready to appease?

did you ever feel at ease?

journey on the back of time
intersected by love sublime
a sign pointed another way
you saw how you couldn't stay

oh why did you stay so long
when it all just seemed so wrong?
time is the only one who knows

it's just how the way life goes

a waterfall of time flew by
when a droplet caught your eye
loneliness was always there
so why do you so despair?

alone ain't such a bad thing
no questions that make your head spin
no more actions to explain
you are ready to soar again

Adrenoverse at Glazier Point, Yosemite NP, California

Running Times

there was a time we ran so fast
my we had such a blast
those moments are so long ago
we were far from being slow

together we ran hills and trails
along side streams and ov'r dales
navigated climbs we never failed
what fun we had with wind on tails

together we ran our personal best
we left behind the best of the rest
surprised we were with our time
we were third across the finish line

my that was many years ago
and now alas you've got to go
and now its time for our last trip
i believe i felt a tear just drip

even though you ran no more
many miles we'd walked galore
old and warn you no longer run
but I shall never forget our fun

i owe you much it's fair to say
i thank and carry you on our way
your next trip's about to begin
as you enter the recycle bin

you mix well with the other shoes
you most certainly will never lose
will you help form football grounds
or a new track to run around

i know that your purpose is plenty
especially that 10km in 47:20
whenever i see a running race 
you are with me in first place

Although it seemed impossible...

You wake up. Your gear is set out and organized from the night before. Butterflies flutter inside, and you tell yourself, "You've worked hard for this!"

Although it seemed impossible, you've arrived at the end of your six months of training and achieved your qualifying time. You lace up your shoes; microchip firmly in place, check; bib number, check; safety pins for bib number, check;water, check. Nervously, you check again as your partner impatiently grumbles something about obsessive compulsive disorder... You take it in your stride. It's just all part of the routine of another race day morning.

The 5am morning air is cool and brisk, but still. You feel a slight chill in your sparse clothing of microfiber shirt and shorts, but warm up quickly with a gentle jog towards the start. Music plays in the distance and bright lights break the night. Everyone looks the same, save for a few intimidating tall very lank people standing nearby... The butterflies return. But then someone smiles and nods knowingly. You smile back. The butterflies settle again and you no longer feel alone.

Your wave is called and you approach the start line with finger on the start of your *Garmin. You calm yourself and conscientiously resist the adrenaline rush and being dragged into a prematurely too fast a pace. All your practice,experience of previous races and how to listen to your body come into play. You've worked hard for this fine Boston spring day. Those early morning commitments where you rose before the winter sun have culminated into  achieving your position at the start of the Boston Marathon. It was not easy running an hour before the day began. But here you are, 10 minutes before the end.

Although it seemed impossible six months ago, you've made it -- almost that is-- until the day that an act of violence so violent that it stole your legs away, your moment of glory and your passion literally blown away forever.

Although it seemed impossible, it was a nightmare, come true. Although it seemed impossible, two young men were convinced by their faith that stealing dreams was their duty to put their world right. To say how wrong they were seems too trite...

Silent Minds

Screaming loudly in silence
Getting used to self-reliance
Yelling out loudly - no one cares
They are nothing but just scared

Reminded of their own deaths
No thought for your last breath
Listen to their priest they will
But their minds are never still

Watch them look in all directions
Oh so many introspections!
Easy for them to look away
Thoughts can wait another day

Gotta go here - gotta to do that
No time for your sweet back
Beware the offer when in need
As it arrives they'll quickly recede

As you plough through life in vain
Do lies comfort your dull pain?
Lifeless like a long lost pond
You wonder what the hell went wrong

You lost yourself along the way
Worried about what they'll say?
You never knew what to ask
Answers lost in the distant past

Truth hides deep in your mind
Fearful of what you'll find?
Take a look don't run and hide
Inner voices need to confide

Fallen

They wanted to capture what was lost 

Both unaware of the hidden cost 

Mesmerized by their new connection 

But ambivalent about their direction 

She felt his leg against her thigh 

Sending her on an immediate high 

He felt her gently lean against him 

Arousing new feelings deep within 

She pressed against him on the street 

He loved the feel of such a treat 

Like wild teenagers on a dare 

They kissed in public upon a stair 

He wanted more with his tongue 

She teases him of more to come 

They're both dazed by new romance 

They venture homeward in a trance 

New thrills filled that empty space 

They had found that special place 

What was wrong felt so right 

Forbidden love they couldn't fight 

She warns him of impending danger 

But he's mesmerized by this stranger 

And eager to please his new treasure 

She grants his wish with reciprocal pleasure 

Expressing their pleasure deep within 

Gently carassing each other's skin 

Lovers blind to the sword overhead 

Precariously swinging over their bed 

The sword is suspended by a hair 

No strings attached they'd declare 

Until they felt like never before 

Sensually binding as they explore 

Forbidden secrets hang by a thread 

Like the sword above their heads 

The blade of the sword is so sharp 

Laying in wait to tear them apart 

Oblivious to the danger looming ahead 

Dancing to sweet music in their heads 

Her love for passion is her prowess 

Captivated he is by this temptress 

But Damocles sword glimmers above 

Now he knows he's in forbidden love 

Light from the sword catches his eye 

Catching him by startling surprise 

He aches for what he really wants 

But a guilty voice quietly taunts 

He relunctantly lets his muse go 

They tightly embrace as tears flow 

But Damocles sword can never sever 

Memories of passion that last forever 

A love that lives until both lovers die 

Existing in parallel in their mind's eye 

Invisible

Darkness is falling without delay

As she wakes in her silent room

Led lights signal yet another day

More hours of persistent gloom

There's no reflection in her mirror

She only sees her invisible face

She misses all those who saw her

Perceiving her youth as full of grace

Alone she wonders around the shops

Everybody is busily running around

The faceless crowds cease to stop

Nobody hearing her silent sound

Nobody stopping just moving around

heads with no eyes blank and blind

Oblivious to others' sights and sounds

They fail to see her tumultuous mind

Nobody stopping, just running around

Mouthless heads utter useless words

Always mute to each other's sounds

She's so weary of this restless herd

She wonders why they never call

How did she become so invisible

Just always talking to a brick wall

They never listen to one syllable

Making her way towards the midspan

She silently scales the four foot fence

What a beautiful day for such a plan

Will the faceless crowd express lament

There she ponders for a little while

A passerby stops and yells hey

The shimmering sheet greets her smile

She's already in the deep blue bay

The unknown neighbors below her floor

Had never heard her dog before

The frantic bark could not be ignored

The next morning they called the law

Coast-guards found her along the shore

The heart ripped from her aorta

But really she'd gone years before

Nobody said a word not one iota

The paper makes an inch long story

Neighbors silently shake their heads

Mutter platitudes reading her obituary

She was always so quiet they said

White Picket Fence

Oh how your garden looks so fab 

Looking like a home & garden ad 

How much time have you spent

Surrounded by a white picket fence

Waiting around for the 9:08 

Always wondering why it's late 

Time moves fast as you fall behind

Your watch is off by a decade you find

Oh dear what a crushing bore

You never looked behind before 

There's only the recording of your mind 

If only you could just rewind

What on earth have you done

But mother is proud of you my son 

Excuses excuses have you not heard

Your unseen play is so absurd

Happy family, wife and 2 kids 

Is that really all there is 

2 spare rooms mortgage paid

Bare as your future I'm afraid

Gaps wide open as a patio door

Garden furniture adorns the floor

Oh what a splendidly well-kept lawn 

Inside you suddenly feel forlorn

But you are the king of your castle

Trophy wife and a dog called rascal

Life is evaporating like a morning dew

And suddenly you ask where are you 

The question burns deep inside

A voice taunts your life is a lie

The unanswered question inside remains

Will you answer or just go insane 

Breaking Free

A cool morning breeze awakens me 

An open gate catches my eye 

A galloping horse approachs me 

I'm fearless as it thunders by 

I stare in wonder at this horse 

In awe of its muscular splendor 

Strong and sure of its course 

It leaves me alone to wonder 

Who is this magnificent galloping horse 

Thats roaming around so wild 

So free of reins but right on course 

Leaves me feeling like a lost child 

Who is this mysterious galloping horse 

And what is it escaping 

What spurred this beast on its course

Does it have a destination 

A random thought startles me 

Like a sudden clap of thunder 

Is this horse what I want to be 

I look ahead and wonder 

The galloping horse now out of sight 

A mere apparition in mind 

Finally unbridled from my night 

I am that ghostly horse of mine 

No one is riding or guiding me 

Unrestrained by reins I find 

Why couldn't I just ever see 

The past was always behind

"Unrestrained by Reins"