“Was I sleeping again?” said a bewildered voice as she adjusted the stiff muscles from her desk. She looked around the classroom. There was not one familiar face.

“Mmm, miss Alice… it’s 4th hour, you started my class in the 1st hour. It seems to me that you need to get more sleep at home.”

“Umm, yes ma’am” said an embarrassed Alice and she scrambled out of the classroom carrying all her belongi...

I was awake, how?

No pain.

No coma.

I thought I was dying?

I look out into a sea of green grass. I feel the warm sun and I slightly arch my back to let the warmth fall up my skin. I feel fed, but how?

No UV lighting.

The sun as my nourishment

No monitors.

I must be free.

It’s hard to describe what I smell… the pure aroma of existence, and something else - flowers?

I can hear my mom so...

WILL SOMEONE SHUT THAT BABY UP?!

I only think this. I don’t say it of course - hence the capitalization- just to be clear.

I’m too much of a wimp to say that out loud and at the airline there’s a lot of crying babies and too many chances for wide eyes pa’s to take their frustrations out on me. I’m just the attendant, my salary isn’t high enough for any of that.

Instead I say, “Ma’am would you...

Clear as crystal

Dusts of gray

Dust and crystals be what may

But Polish thoughts

Til dust is gone.

Now clear as crystal thoughts shine on....

She nagged that ghastly nag to her beloved husband from the time the door opened after returning from work to the time the clock struck midnight and the lights departed to sleep for one last time that night.

He was the unsung hero at his work and oh how she loathed his dutiful choices and accolades, so much so that the entire relationship was on the brink of inevitable collapse. One more choice...