The Thread Formerly Known as the 6T Thread

[Mrtenant]

Windchimes in the Winter

Yes, this was the day
Where for a time
Holidays lost all their cheer
That sharp kick in the gut
And I just knew
Something something
I don't know what
Something
Was dreadfully wrong
Windchimes
In the Winter

Dreadful

How I learned
What that word meant
Despair, sorrow
Murder in the night
An untimely death
And my yearslong spiral
Of madness and grief
Then coming to terms
And moving forward
Windchimes
In the Winter

How they chimed
Soft, subtle
A signal for change
A cool breeze
Crisp, refreshing
Renewing
And holiday lights
Taking care of my people
Here and gone
Windchimes
In the Winter

 

[Mrtenant]

Walking the Dog

Puppies and kittens
Warm fuzzy mittens
Strange tales of old
On too much video
Silk, satin, and lace
Flowers just in case
Rich dark chocolate
Found your old locket
Please eat your fill
From the backyard grill
Sailing in September
Bright lights in December
Convertible cars
Happy hour bars
Hands in your tresses
Lost in your kisses

 

[cascadiabound]

Brontosaunament
covered in glitter
neck reaching to nibble
christmas tree needles

or maybe he should
accompany the camels
just behind the shepherds
creating a whimsical nativity

will my new friend
hide in the poinsettia
or lurk behind
the gingerbread house?

won't santa be surprised
to find a dinosaur
next to the pickle
making friends with
the octopus
as angels look on
in the twinkling lights

 

[Mrtenant]

Ode to Mattress King

How do they thrive?
Those shops of mystery
Empty parking spaces
Always empty
Even holidays
Oh Mattress King
How do you do it?
The flags wave brightly
On Presidents Day
Yet still your store
Is always empty
From where comes your money
How do you remain laundered
Your stores are so clean
I am thankful for you
Me and my girl
Love to test your wares
For firmness
And durability
Over and over
Makes Presidents Day
Exciting!

 

[cascadiabound]

The light shines
And the darkness will not overcome it
These days I am following
A lone flickering candle
Through a maze of grief
Bumping into things
In the dark
A bit of wrapping paper
Her hands seem to help me
My heart tripping over
The perfect card for him
This season of lights
Holds less joy
The lessons of these past months
Now serve to support a friend
As she beats against bureaucracy
And a foolish doctor
Who insists hospice is only for those
Dying from cancer...
As if that's the only kind of death
Stalking the halls for days, weeks, months.
Death is easy...
It's the dying that takes a special kind of courage
The body failing step by step
The maze pathway obscured
By denial, tears, misplaced determination
My eyes search the darkness
For a solitary light
flickering this long cold night.

 

[Mrtenant]

The Kiss

The wedding reception
Was in full swing
The bride and groom
Had their dance
Bouquets and garters
Toasts speeches
My hand rested on her thigh
Guests were leaving
Another slow dance
We sipped champagne
She looked into my eyes
Her straight black hair
Pale blue eyes
Locked gaze with me
My dark dark eyes
Drew her in
Even as I wondered
At the depth of blue
I caressed her face
Moving closer
My hand rising higher
Her thighs easing open
Touching her eyelids
Her hair, ear, neck
Feeling electricy
Crackle between us
My lips grazing hers
Still looking in her eyes
Kissing

Kissing

Kissing

Breathing deep of her scent
Tasting her lips
All thoughts leave my mind
Closing my eyes
Licking
Biting
Kissing
Hand in her hair
Hand on her thigh
Fingertips so slightly
Lightly grazing her cunt
Kissing

Kissing

Kissing

Deeper, lost in the moment
There is only her
There is only me
The world falls away
Roaring silence in my ears
My mind buzzing
Intoxicated with her
Never have I kissed like this before
Timeless, eternal
Goose pimples rise
Underneath my fingertips
Electricity fires
Up and down my spine
I can't get enough
She breaks away
No
My eyes open
She grows limp
Slumps towards me
Holding her up
Her eyelids flutter
Holding her
That kiss
Oh my god!
Awareness returns
The whole room watching us
I smile
Ask for water
And a moment
Till she revives
And smiles
Dreamily
Gazing into my eyes
Mouths the words 'thank you'
Stands shakily
Leaves the reception
And me forever
But- that kiss!

 

[cascadiabound]

The twinkling lights
only serve to remind me
of the loss I feel this season

She was wed at christmas time
little lights in the darkness
a reminder of the promises made
and kept over many decades

They were joined at the soul
humble in the face of geologic time
ever observant of the small things
day by day, season by season

and so
after a full life, enriched by words
ideas, travel, family, love
his life given meaning through
the love and care of her

when his body failed him
and her mind slipped away
still, they were connected
joined at the soul

she had promised to go where he went
this promise kept even unto the end
following him to glory
only five days later

my heart aches in this season
missing their voices
their presence in my home

The twinkling lights
only serve to remind me
of the loss I feel this season

 

[Mrtenant]

She met me at the door
In a towel and nothing more
I could tell that it'd been awhile
From the curl of her lusty smile

 

[cascadiabound]

Ms Mahonia Charity
sprays of yellow in her hands
she is bold in her presentation
a standout among her peers
She can be a bit prickly at times
but the hummers can't resist
her sweet nectar
an offering of the gods
in this season of cold
and darkness

 

[Mrtenant]

Accessory

That fabulous four poster
Witness of dreams
Sometime participant
To our sexual deviance
How many sacrifices,
Slaves stripped and ravaged,
Captives teased and flogged,
Twisted fairytales
Western whores
Spy thrillers
Ghost stories
Strippers and sluts
Witness to them all
Always ready for more
Tonight though
You've caught a rare prize
The swedish chef

 

[cascadiabound]

marshmallows

snowchildren roasting marshmallows over an open fire
overshadowed by the abominable snowman
down the street a dinosaur chases mr and mrs caveman
to gift them a large wrapped gift
the boys are coming home from college
delayed by opening day of skiing
fresh dump of snow provided an "epic" day
how did this low key christmas season
result in hours of wrapping

there is a fresh green wreath at my door
multicolor lights wrap Joe's twisted filbert
Claudia's tree skirt
adorns a bare bifurcated branch
festooned with a hand strung garland
and glittery folded stars

hold me close love
stroke my hair
smooth my troubled brow
lead me back to find
the joy in this season
that is marred
by change and loss

maybe the snowchildren
will roast me a marshmallow
the taste of childhood
on my tongue
a portal to simple joy

 

[Mrtenant]

Gifting


Ere I forget
For my list is long
Soooo long
Much like yours
Perhaps
Spend a moment
Here
With me
Take a deep breath
Let it all out
Smile
Here is a present
Yes
It is for you
Really









Something I hope leaves a smile, just click it.

https://www.gifss.com/celebraciones/regalos/images/regalo-30.gif

 

[cascadiabound]

remembering
glistening white snow on cold moonlit nights
the squeak of bitter cold snow under my boots
walking arm in arm, his pipe smoke swirling into my hair

remembering
that time when I was orphaned at christmas
sleeping in a makeshift bed
taken in by kindly church people

remembering
buying imported wrapping paper by the sheet
the heft of the stock, surprising in my hands
the old world designs enlivened with silver and gold

remembering
marzipan pigs and chocolate cherry cordials
train sets and barbie dolls dressed in new clothes
when we still believed in a Santa navigating our chimney

remembering
the warmth of a special meal
family gathered 'round, doting grandparents
of simple gifts, well chosen or well made

these are my holiday memories

 

[Mrtenant]

Soup

Its that soup you made
That warms me so
Slow cooked and savory
Vegetables and noodles
Chicken and spices
Each spoonful
Full of love and care
How can it be so good
Its warmth fills me
From head to heart
Hands to feet
And everywhere in between
Bringing the sleep
Of an intensity of well being
More than mere contentment

 

[cascadiabound]

Her kid got covid at a basketball tournament
where the indoor mask rules were not enforced
and the observation of fire code was optional

He told her to get ivermectin
in lieu of a vaccine
to protect their pre-teens
she shudders at the thought
and will take him back to court
who knew my work would come to this?
Advising on parenting agreements
in the age of a global pandemic

Waiting for results
listening to her toddler cough
second guessing her every choice
she tests herself
worrying over her own symptoms
and what should she do now?
she'll be isolating until christmas
her husband alone and cold til then

It is just one bummer
after another
my advice so limited

perhaps the best I can do
is reassure
guilt does not help heal
no more woulda coulda shoulda

just do your best now
get enough sleep
eat healthy food
drink water
be kind to yourself

fuck covid

 

[Mrtenant]

Generosity of Trees

Sitting in the cool green grass
Beneath the old oak tree
Listening to his wisdom
Rustled in the leaves overhead
In a refreshing autumn breeze
Mysterious creaks and groans
An acorn falls close by
A Cardinal joins the conversation
Merry and bright red in the sun
Rays of sunshine thread through
Weaving shadows across the ground
His tales of cool fine rains
Busy squirrels living nearby
The mercy of an axeman
Told with amusement
Continuous presence
Age beyond my comprehension
Sharing and giving always
Of himself for all
Grown high above
And deep in the earth

 

[cascadiabound]

Cats in a manger
Causing chaos among the shepherds
What a perfect place
To lay a fuzzy head
A crib for a baby king
Surely suits my feline princess
how did the star guide you here?
All that glitters does beckon
Especially in this season
Of cat toys everywhere
Shiny balls to bat about
A perfect climbing tree
In a place of honor
Mary is displaced
Sheep and camels make way
For cats must play
Creating chaos again
Settling in the manger
Curled into its walls
Or perched on the rooftop
Isn’t she an angel?
My dear kitty
Causing chaos in a manger

 

[Mrtenant]

Room Service

Sipping my coffee
Tuned to the news
Sunlight streaming in
The hotel window
In my loosely tied hotel robe
Watching my lover
Dark hair tousled
Lazily tracing a fingernail
Across her naked breast
Streaked with sweat
And the remnants
Of our passion
Laid out in the ruined bed
Barely covered
Speaking with her spouse
On her phone
Licking her wedding band clean
Updates on the job and family
A knock at the door
Room service is called out
"One moment" she answers
"I'm not decent"
I smile and sip my coffee

 

[cascadiabound]

Grampa took him to lunch
A sunny summer day
Lake front dining
Fish and chips, cuppa chowder
A quiet boy
He took it all in
The sailboats and yachts
Run abouts and float planes
But it was the kayakers
That made a lasting impression
Pulling to the dock
Just to pick up lunch
Their own fish and chips
A meal al fresco
On their own power

This seminal moment changed his life
Having sworn that day
To someday be a kayaker too

Now, decades later
He's built a fleet of kayaks
Paddled miles of coastline
From Sitka to California
But today
On a cold and clear December day
He paddled to Ivars
Got take out fish and chips
Picked up at the dock
Completing the circle
And the oath
Made so many years ago

 

[Mrtenant]

Curves of My Lover

The curve of her lips
Kissed over and over
The curve of her neck
Kissed and nibbled
The curve of her cheek
Touched with fingertips
The curve of her shoulder
Reaching for me
The curve of her breast
To caress and to hold
The curve of her hips
Arousing my desire
The curve of her thighs
Framing her secrets inside
The curve of her calves
Taking her where she wants to go
The curve of her heart
Beats with life and love
The curves in her eyes
With colors of dreams
The curves of her mind
Brilliance to behold

 

[Mrtenant]

Time Again

That anxiety creeps in
I see it in her speech
How small mistakes
Trigger anxiety within
Her ass twitches
Moves without direction
Her eyes will glaze over
Lost in a thought or feeling
Other times, I see hunger
She really craves it, needs it
The same seat, same music
Same glowing candlelight,
Same stern look on my face
My sleeves rolled up
And she knows it is time
No word is spoken
Her eyes drop, she knows
Her secret smile colors her face
She disappears for a moment
Reappears naked and serene
She brings her leather cuffs
Kneels before me, looking down
Holds the cuffs out for me
I take them from her
Bind her wrists, snug and secure
Lift her chin
And look into her eyes
Moist with longing and desire
I nod to her once
She stands briefly
Drapes herself over my knees
I look and all is in place
Just as I have directed
So many times before
One hand weaves into her hair
Tugging, pulling her taut
The other hand resting
On her naked eager ass
How long will this take
I have no idea, really
It is a timeless episode
How do I know she needs it
Truth is, I don't know, at all
She always shows up
Maybe I need to do it

 

[cascadiabound]

These dark short days of December
Low clouds and rain squalls
Waking in the dark
Sun sets near 4pm
It has mirrored my mood
Dark and short tempered
Cynical and pessimistic
Unmotivated
And just plain sad

He says my mood lightens
When I decorate
Strings of lights
Hand made baubles
Shells and beads

This solstice marks two months
Since he departed this life
And left a hole in my heart
My guest room is empty
What to do with these stockings?
Will Santa know to pass us by?

The water is ruffled tonight
Low clouds obscure the sky
But this is the night
The longest night
And with it the sun will return
A few more minutes each day

Here comes the sun
It'll be alright
Just let me hear you
Call me darling

 

[Mrtenant]

Foggy Night

Another fog rolling in
Filling the night
Warmer days are coming
Wings flutter
Owl hunts tonight
Feels like a dream

 

[Mrtenant]

The Party Ended

Years upon years
Her life, she spent
At the bottom of a bottle
Trapped in her family sorrows
Was there ever a time
When her universe smiled
A day in limelight
A marriage, a child,
Family, travel, when?
Anything to brighten her days
All anger and sorrow
A sister who gave up long ago
Appearance, health, disease
Self
All lost
In that party that never ends
Today it ended
In excess
I am so sorry
Little sister
Your time is done
Rest

 

[cascadiabound]

Nancy unravels the end of her mother's life
Emptying her apartment
Negotiating with the bank
Fighting with managed health
Feeling the pain of loss
Oh so very close to Christmas

Cheryl is subsumed by anxiety
The caretaker for her husband
And relied upon by so many others
Generous to a fault
Her cup so depleted now
She is worn and exhausted
Even as death stalks her man

Russ heads out to the wild
Spending this Christmas alone
A beloved daughter
Caught between parents
Has chosen her mom this year
She's an adult now
Her choices are her own
He feels the pain of this betrayal
As his own demented father
Insists Russ is not his son

Shannon is losing a sister
Or had he lost her
Many years ago?
Addiction and selfishness
These kill every day
But a death watch at Christmas
Somehow seems an extra cruelty

The twins can't bear to face
The twin loss two months ago
Plagued by anxiety, grief and guilt
An unrelenting trio
This year marks a change
We are now the senior generation
How will we suffer these trials?
Can we find peace in this suffering?
Will the dead and dying let us be?

It is the brokenness of the season
May the cracks in our hearts
Be the place where the light gets in
To heal us day by day
Just as the sun also
Returns