A Kiss Is Not A Contract

"Does this mean I can go?" Arieus raised an eyebrow. "Or is this another one of those 'we'll need you in a day' things?"

"Busy, huh?"

"You could say that," Arieus replied.

Raiis nodded, "Very well. I see we have kept you long enough –"



"What kind of commitment is that?" Farin said, pausing the live image. Gloria nearly groaned. She had thought when Farin had asked her for lunch that the hardest decision she would have to make was going to be spinach or mixed greens.

Apparently "lunch" meant "business" in Farin-speak....as did everything else.

"Not equip to be a Gate. Gloria, I know he is your kind, but even you can see he cannot be trusted, yes?"

"Farin," Gloria rubbed her eyes and tucked a stray hair behind her ear. "Honey," Farin winced. "Arieus is not going to cause trouble. He's very talented, and Raiis himself helped teach him. Besides, Agron Verra is a great historian. Arieus comes from a good background. What are you so afraid of?

"He only stayed two weeks! When training was for me, I was here six months."

"Time is of the essence, Farin. We're low on power, and Arieus will be back to finish soo–

"He signed no contracts, Gloria!" Farin fumed.

"And he'll stay for much –" Gloria paused. "What?!"

"Yes! You see it now! Arieus is not bound to us, and Raiis lets him go!"

"Are you sure? Raiis would never....it could mean...."

"Yes, I am certain. The whole proceeding is here, on the tape."


"– But I truly hope that you will return. You must realize the risk I am taking here."

Arieus tucked his scarf more securely and raised a fur-rimmed hood. "Do the others know?"

Raiis opened his mouth to speak, but Arieus beat him to it, "You should tell them soon."

"Soon, they will know."

END OF VIDEO.

~Hammeh

Winds Of Change

My poetry has changed.
The way I used to write –
with imagery and symbolism –
has disappeared.
But when I flip through
my notebook and hang each
piece out to dry, my words
have morphed,
and this medium is now ill-fitting.
"The change will come soon."
My fortune cookie was right.

The time for quarters and new
fabric softener has ended.

Pull out the washboard, oh baby
I am back.

~Hammeh

The Bass Keeps Running And Running

The tickle of the cool breeze,
which spins about the room;
the curl of monotone hair and
the feel of it layered heavily
at the back of my neck;
and the sound of her music
crashing between
my ears, with words
I barely catch against
the thrumming rhythm of
the bass guitar.

~Hammeh

A Dance That Ends In A Kiss

I'm moving on.
I think
Or perhaps,
I simply don't know what is real.

And the thought of your hand,
pressed against mine,
is merely artistic whim.

~Hammeh

The World Was Shaped

"I have an eye for color," she says.
So do I.
Secretly, when you draw – and you think yourself amazing
and you tally up your fans – I judge you.

I've never been to art school.
But I know critique is essential to growth.

And I also know that there are artists
– at whose work you would sneer –
who are far better than you
– in your little soap box –
will ever be.

~Hammeh

Sitting In A Row

When I laugh,
I don't expect you
to get the joke.

~Hammeh

Snow Flurries Pass Me By

I play capture the flag
all the time.
At night.
We all do.
A dream floats by,
and,
starry-eyed,
we run.

~Hammeh

Ah, Poetry

There is no need to show undying devotion.
If I loved you, I did not know.
And now you'll wonder why
I ever said it at all.

~Hammeh