Category Archives: Creativity

A series of posts to both inspire and provide an outlet for creativity

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Christmas in Three Acts – Act 2: The Innkeeper

This is the second of three monologues on the Christmas story. In this one I chose to use the on stage screen to represent a second character’s part of the conversation thus putting the audience in the place of that character. From the response we received that mechanism worked pretty well.

Simeon here is probably best done with a rather stereotypical Jewish accent.

<Graphic on screen: ”Good day Simeon…”>

<looking up from imaginary set of “books” or real set of “scrolls”> Ah, Mathias, trust a tax collector to be on time. <chuckling> I have prepared the records from the last month for your review. I believe you’ll find them all to be in order as usual.

<flipping through a page or two>

You can see here that things have returned to normal after the crowds we had for the census. <shaking his head> While I do not begrudge the money to be made from such crowds it was a busy time indeed. If only Jesse and his sons had lived anywhere other than Bethlehem, perhaps then we would have seen an increase in business without the entire town overflowing.

<Graphic on Screen: “Yes, the home of the line of David, the shepherd king.”>

<Groaning, rolling his eyes> Ah you have done it now Matthias…reminding me of shepherds….<shaking his head> Do you know Mathias, that a flock of shepherds actually smells worse than a flock of sheep? <flipping through the pages> Yes, here it is, the last night before the official census was to begin.

A young couple comes to my door as evening is falling, obviously weary from the road. I am run off my feet as it were trying to keep up with my guests when they arrive looking for a room. Can I tell you Mathias I almost laughed. A room? In Bethlehem? That night?

<holding up his hands>Buuuut….I am not an unkind man Mathias as you well know, and the young girl appeared ready to burst with child soooooo…I offered them the hospitality of my stable. <chuckling> Do not look at me so. They were in need and I did not charge them….much. <pointing to the books>

I thought nothing of it…that is until later that night.

I awoke, not from any particular sound but from a sense of something of import happening…that is the best way I can describe it to you Mathias. I knew there was something afoot. I dressed quickly and checked the guest rooms. I thought next to check the beasts when I remembered the young couple.

<frowns>Imagine my surprise Mathias when I go out back to my stables to find a veritable flock of shepherds bobbing like chickens around the door. The smell was almost too much to approach but I managed to get the attention of one of the men on the edge of the crowd only to be told a fantastic tale about the birth of the child.

<pausing>

You know Mathias I believe that too much time spent with sheep makes a man as dumb as one…King David not withstanding…

<Graphic on screen: “I have heard the tale”>

<Second graphic on screen “They say the child is the messiah”>

 <nodding> Then you too have heard the foolishness!! Imagine, the messiah, born in a barn, sleeping in a feed trough!! And these shepherds actually believed the tale!!! Some story about an angel, or an army, appearing and telling them it was so. And Mathias, they stayed all night!! Worse yet they went through the dark streets of out little town telling others, many of whom came to see for themselves.

<Graphic on screen “You do not believe their tale?”>

<laughing> Mathias, I am business man! What time do I have to spend on the superstitions of some wandering herdsmen who probably inhaled too much smoke from a dung laden fire and imagined the whole thing?

<shaking his head>No my friend. I saw the child. He looked as other new-borns…gangly, messy, odd shaped head. I congratulated the couple of the birth of their son…but that is all it was. And, as my gift to them, I did not even charge them for the use of the stable and the loss of a night’s sleep.

<considering, pouting a moment> Annnnd if it should turn out I am wrong perhaps “the messiah”  will remember kind Simeon who let his parents stay for no charge. <laughing> Perhaps he will even pay for the night himself!!

Of course, then you would charge me the taxes…either way I lose.

<Curtain>

Simeon missed it. What are you don’t this holiday season to help assure that you don’t “miss it”?

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Christmas in Three Acts – Act 1: The Shepherds

Several years ago I was asked to write, and perform, three monologues in preparation for Christmas. The idea was to capture the story of Jesus birth from the perspective of some of the participants. This is the fist of those three acts.

The setting is a Bethlehem street just outside the stable. When I played the part I gave the shepherd the voice of Watto, the junk dealer who owned Anakin and his mother in Star Wars: The Phantom Menace. I wanted him to come across rustic and rough around the edges.

 

The Gospel According to Luke

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ[1] the Lord. 12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14“Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”
15When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
16So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.

 

Come my friend, come. <stepping forward, then pulling an imaginary person aside>

You want to know what is happening here tonight I think, eh? Come aside and I shall tell you a tale almost too amazing to believe but I swear to you it is all true.

Tonight we were in the fields as usual, tending to the sheep. Because it is the lambing season there are more us of watching the flocks at night. But it is a comfortable camp as camps go, eh?  May Yaweh-Rohi strike me down if it is not as I say.

Tonight we were preparing for the second watch as usual, some waking, some preparing to sleep, others sleeping soundly, or so the sound of their snoring would make it seem, when suddenly there was a brilliant light…lighting the camp as though it was day…it seemed the light of a thousand camp fires had descended into our midst. And there in the middle of the light stood the most fearsome man you have ever seen, clad in white fire and golden armor.

Men began to run in every direction, some loosed their slings into the light as though a stone could hurt that one, eh? All were afraid, yes, even I, Gazez Ben-Hesed <Gah-zeez’  Ben Heh’-sed> was afraid. The camp was in a panic….all but the sheep…they just stared into the light. Sheep, eh?

No, my friend it is true…and what did this apparition say to us you ask? He said “Do not be afraid”. Pfffft….simple enough to say when you are holding a sword and surrounded by the light of the sun.. but…as soon as he had said it I felt the fear drain out of me, all of us did, and we came closer to hear what he would say next.

He told us, <in an alternate ‘angel’ voice>“I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” <abner voice>Even as he said the word I felt joy lightening my heart <angel voice etc.>“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christthe Lord.” At this my heart began to pound. The messiah? Born now? In Bethlehem? So close? “This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” At this some began to laugh. The messiah, in a manger? Well then he had better be wrapped in cloth or the animals will get to him.

But before the laughter could die on their lips the field was FULL of warriors, clad as this man and what did they do then eh? This magnificent army? They began to sing my friend, they began to sing…<emphatic> SUCH singing you have never heard!!!! My heart leapt at the sound, I felt that it would burst in my chest. But then suddenly they were gone and in their absence we felt the world stand still. <conspiratorially, nodding towards the stable>

To tell you the truth my friend I believe it was in that moment the child was born eh?

There is no need to tell you we were excited, though some were still skeptics…”Let us go and see this thing we said” <pause, becoming, thoughtful, reverent>

My friend that army of warriors I told you of…they were indeed angles, may Yaweh strike me if it is not so….and the child? He is indeed the messiah as you can see. For did not the angels proclaim his birth?

<shaking head, coming back to the moment in the story>

As I said some STILL did not believe even after all we had seen and heard, but still they were willing to come look for themselves. <waving a hand to indicate the group> Some are still here but the others have gone through the town telling this tale for having seen the child even the skeptics now believe.

<moving back towards the manger as though pulling the new comer along for a better look> Come my friend see for yourself…it is the lambing season and a little one has been born here tonight…come along, come…let us adore him…

~Curtain~

What do you think it would have been like to be one of the shepherds on that night 2000 years ago?

 

 

 

 

 

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What will you choose?

Something mildly different today.

Been thinking a bit about the choices we make and how they shape our thinking. The patterns we fall into, and out of, and the places we wind up as a result. We’ve made some choices lately that haven’t changed our circumstances but they have changed our outlook.

If you’re someplace you’d rather not be perhaps all you need do is change your thinking. It’s your choice. (Unless of course you’re in jail, then the time for choosing past you by some time ago.)

 

 

 

 

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Skate Knight – a children’s book

A bit longer post than usual today. This was/is my attempt at a children’s book designed to teach kids about synonyms: words that sound the same but have different meanings. Enjoy.

Skate Knight

Young Nate was a knight
Who would skate after dark
In the night he would skate, yes he would
He would skate from his gate
Down the hill past the grate
Which he passed on a gadget he’d made out of wood
The maid helped him make the great gadget of wood

The wood was old beech
From an oar they had found
In a boat at the beach by the sea
An old ore cart provided
Four wheels that glided
And made the creation quite something to see
Not fancy or fine but still something to see

These big iron wheels
Had springs in between
To help them to bounce and to roll
From the tip to the tail
Ran two springy rails
That let Nathan steer and keep things in control
Which of course meant they played a significant role

Never bored when he rode
On this board with no brake
Nathan thrilled at his dangerous feat
At speeds that would break him
It still didn’t shake him
If it looked like he’d crash he could jump to his feet
Like a toad landing safely on steel toed feet

Every night down the hill
He would race through the mist
Through the fog that the wind sometimes blew
Still he missed every hole
The whole way to his goal
For the sight was not new to his eyes of bright blue
It was surely a site that his eyes of blue knew

At the end of the road
(And the end of the fun)
Was an inn that was owned by his aunt
Every night she’d yell, “Cease!”
“Will you give me no peace?”
“If you crash every piece will be small as an ant!”
“Ride your horse. It is safe. And don’t tell me you can’t.”

Then young Nate would reply
With a gleam in his eye
“Now, there’s no need to fret like a nun.”
“You will yell yourself hoarse”
“I am quite safe of course”
“You’ve no cause to be coarse with me auntie dear, none.”
“Besides this goes faster than horses can run.”

So night after night
Every night the same way
The poor lady would pour out her pleas
Voice ringing in mourning
Hands wringing ‘til morning
She never thought once to ask nice and say “please”
Instead she spent most every night on her knees

Well, the fateful night came
Out of nowhere it seemed
Just the way fateful nights often do
When the hour was right
Out skated our knight
But the price of his dangerous daring was due
He would pay it before he saw dawn’s morning dew

Down the first hill he soared
Like a sword straight and true
To the grate and the bridge at the creek
And just ere he got there
He launched a huge air
When he landed his springs gave a terrible a creak
Only one week before he had thought them too weak!!!

For the very first time
Nate felt fear in his soul
One sole moment he froze in a daze
If he finally crashed
Then his board would be trashed
And he didn’t want that in the worstest of ways
For tonight was a night he’d been planning for days!!

He’d invented a trick
That tonight he would try
And tonight that new trick would be thrown
So our young cavalier
Paid no heed to his fear
And he chose then and there to be brave to the bone
He would face down his fears like a king on his throne

He threw caution away
And raced down through the town
Gaining speed he bent low at the waist
Yes, tonight he would land it
The Back-side Knight Bandit
“If I don’t”, Nathan thought, “then this night is a waste”
“Holy Cow, land it dude or it’s wholly a waste.”

Not pale or nervous
He jumped a large pail
The rushing wind started to whine
Laughter filling the air
He kick flipped a stair
Then he grinded the rail on a wagon of wine
From the cellar the seller stared up at his wine

Nathan’s hair stood on end
As he turned toward the Inn
Going fast as a hare at full speed
When his aunt shouted,” Hey”
Nathan looked down her way
And saw that the yard was quite crowded indeed
It was all full of animals, hay bales and feed!!

Nathan took in the scene
And then almost cried
For he knew that his night had gone foul
His aunt, the town crier
A nun and a friar
Were all chasing two ewes and a flock of wild fowl
You’d cry too if you’d seen all those fowl on the prowl

With no brakes and no choice
He sped into the yard
Where he tried for the Back-side Knight Bandit
Just missing the friar
Nate took a huge flyer
And soared through the air different than he had planned it
HIS backside would be sore when they caught him and tanned it.

When he hit a hay bale
He smiled at his luck
Still hoping to survive this mess
He thought he had won
Then the hay hit the nun
And she let out a terrible cry of distress
This was the worst bail he had had was his guess

Well the friar came running
To help the poor nun
As another wail came from the sister
Tripping over a fryer
He too took a flyer
For he’d tripped on his shoes and had only just missed her
With a whale of a dive he had just about squished her!!

The town crier chuckled
Then he pointed and laughed
When the chickens quite suddenly flew!
They tried to avoid him
Which nearly destroyed him
Then a ewe with the flu sent a mess his way too
And the scent of that mess made him holler “P-EEEWWW”!!!

When up out of the reek
And the stench came Nate’s aunt
Like a bear rising up from her knees
She could bare it no more
So she let out a roar
Making everyone there almost instantly freeze
“You will wreak no more havoc tonight Nathan. PLEASE!!”

Nathan’s aunt was as mad
As an angry bee hive
When she hauled him back onto his feet
Pulling him in her train
By a handful of mane
Back to the main hall of the inn to be beat
His poor aunt was so mad she was red as a beet

Now there’s no need to know
What his punishment was
For you know that it had to be bad
And for four months and more
Nathan did extra chores
For his aunt and the nun and the friar and his dad
He did every last chore that the lot of them had

And the gadget of wood?
It was given away
To a man who sold whistles and lutes
Nathan’s night skating fun
Was all over and done
Down the road Nathan rode on a horse called Old Toots

That was only until he fit wheels on his boots!!!

How many synonyms did you find?

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Leadership styles in Lord of the Rings

ring photo courtesy of pirateninjagabs @deviantart.comI confess I am a huge fan of the writings of J.R.R. Tolkien particularly the Lord of the Rings. I have read the trilogy multiple times and thoroughly enjoyed the films. While you may not remember all the characters listed below you’ll probably recognize a leadership description that fits your style:

Elrond– Elf Lord, bearer of one of the three elven rings.

  1. Leads from a base of wisdom: “counted chief among the wise”
  2. Leads from a safe haven: Rivendell, “the last homely house”
  3. Leads as a counselor, not as a participant.
  4. Leads out of enough experience to have become somewhat jaded.
  5. Provides a sense of big picture direction

Galadriel– Elf Lord, also a bearer of one of the three

  1. Leads out of a safe haven: “Lorien, a place where time seems to have stood still”
  2. Leads rooted in an ancient traditional past.
  3. Leads as a counselor not as a participant.
  4. Leads out of specific commitments rather than overall purpose
  5. Provides potential operational direction: “The mirror of Glaldriel”

Theoden– King of Rohan, the horse lords

  1. Leads from a deep association with his people.
  2. Leads out of militant participation.
  3. Leads with compassion.
  4. Leads with a sense of his historical place within his organization.
  5. Is the prime example of redeemed leadership.

Denethor– Steward of Gondor

  1. Leads out of a fortress mentality
  2. Leads out of ancient traditions
  3. Leads out of militant participation
  4. Leads out of an ego that forgets limitations and boundaries
  5. Succumbs to temptation and evil in the end

Boromir– Eldest son of Denethor

  1. Leads with a sense of his own strength.
  2. Leads as a militant participant.
  3. Leads with fervent passion.
  4. Leads by putting the world on his shoulders.
  5. Succumbs to ego and temptation.

Faramir– Youngest son of Denethor

  1. Leads out of a sense of duty.
  2. Leads out of a love that inspires.
  3. Leads as a militant participant.
  4. Leads with a sense of nobility.
  5. Leads out of a humility that is almost his undoing.

Treebeard– An Ent (talking trees)

  1. Leads out of long tradition.
  2. Leads out of deliberate thought not sudden emotion.
  3. Leads out of a commitment to purpose and his people.
  4. Leads as a militant participant.
  5. Is the prime example of a long dormant leader rising to meet a new need.

Frodo– A hobbit, ring bearer

  1. Leads out of reluctance.
  2. Leads out of a sense of purpose.
  3. Leads out of compassion.
  4. Leads for a project, not a period or a program.
  5. Retires from leadership after having accomplished his “task”.

Sam– A hobbit, Frodo’s “man Friday”

  1. Leads out of devotion.
  2. Leads out of humility.
  3. Leads only reluctantly.
  4. Leads without knowing it.
  5. Easily moves back and forth from servant to leader.

Merry and Pippin– Hobbits, cousins of Frodo

  1. Lead out of a desire for something better.
  2. Lead as militant participants.
  3. Lead out of organizational and inspirational strength.
  4. Lead through crisis and on into stability.
  5. Are the classic examples of leaders being “grown up”.

Gandalf– A Wizard

  1. Leads out of wisdom.
  2. Leads as a steward.
  3. Leads with a fervent passion.
  4. Leads as a militant participant.
  5. Occasionally allows his passions to overrule his compassion..

Aragorn– King in exile

  1. Leads out of patience and longsuffering.
  2. Leads with an acute knowledge of the mistakes of his predecessors.
  3. Leads with a sense of timing and purpose.
  4. Leads as a decisive participant.
  5. Inspires others to greatness

I love looking at leadership styles using these characters because we’re given a view of them in the context of an epic story. Your life is an epic story, even if you don’t have to battle orcs, nazgul, and evil wizards. So as you read the above descriptions ask yourself the following questions:

Did you find one that matches your style?

Try watching the film that features the character you chose (or reading the book). What are that characters strengths, weaknesses, blind spots?

How is that character tempted? How do they respond?

Any parallels in your real life?

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The Prodigal Son in the Key of P

Pining for pretzels, pislner and polkas a pre-pubescent punk pressed his Pa for post-mortem pasetas prior to the padres passing. Prancing and partying with pretentious pals and professional pleasure providers pushed the plebe promptly poorward. Presently he paused…pondering his position passing pods to pigs in a polluted pen panting after the procurement of parallel pottage.

“Pah!,”, he postulated, “Pop’s peasants possess pleasant porridge whilst I pass provisions to pigs in poop.”  Ploddingly pacing ‘pon the paterfamilias the penitent posed, petitioning, “Pa, please pardon past faux pas, poor planning and parting with proceeds.”

Presently the patriarch pulled the peasants to the patio promptly producing precious pajamas and porterhouse.

The prima donnas primigenous pal protested prodigiously, “A proclivity for pernicious proceedings proves no prerogative for portly pampering! Persistent probity plus parsimony provide prescription for periodic pleasantries!”

“Pish-posh!” plied the progenitor, “progenies passing the planet propagates pain but prolonged potency proves positively pleasing!”

Something a little different today. Sometimes looking at an old story (or marketing message?) in a new way results in stretched creativity.

What stories do you know, or tell, that could use a fresh perspective?

 

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Commercial Perfection

Have you seen the new Perrier commercial?

This is really brilliant stuff, especially when held up next to much of what is being aired these days. If you’ve seen it in context, meaning on TV, it really stands out from the commercials on either side of it. Why? you may ask, what makes it so appealing? Let me suggest three simple elements:

1) It Understands the Medium:

Television is a visual medium. The visuals of all the melting landscape and props are artistic candy. Watch the actors as they interact with their melting surroundings…great stuff. There is a trend in commercials today to be more reliant on audio, the thought being that people are headed to the fridge with their back turned to the tube so we better give them an audio message. This piece is purely visual communication. Walk to the fridge with your back turned and you won’t know what the commercial is about but watch it, and you’re captivated.

2) It Tells a Story:

We’re drawn in early on to the mystery of why stuff is melting. We shown the main character with a look of confusion approaching panic. She moves toward resolution and then the story arc peaks as the bottle falls off the ledge, a moment of high tension. We get it, we know where this is headed because we’ve seen it before but the piece is so artistically done, the story so visually well told, that we follow it anyway.

3) It Resolves on the Product:

The moment we see the “heroine” drink deeply in the pool we think, or at least I thought, “refreshment”. No slogan is spoken, no print on the screen, but the idea is clear, and more importantly, it is centered on the product. Not the funny person in the video, not the comedic climax, not the tag line, the product. We’re given one word “Perrier” and we provide our own tag line, highly personalized, subconsciously.

What are the places in life where you are trying, or have to try, to convince people to do something, or try something, or decide something? Do your “commercials” understand the medium in which you’re presenting your idea? Do you have a story to tell? DO you focus on “the product”? The thing you want them to choose?

It may be trying to get your kids out of bed in the morning. It may be trying to convince a friend to start exercising with you. It may be trying to sell your boss on a new idea. How can you leverage these three elements to convince your audience in a more compelling way?

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‘Twas the eve of Thanksgiving

>For years I worked in denominations that traditionally held a Thanksgiving Eve service.
The dialogue below was originally performed by my wife and I 10 years or so ago at a one of those services.
Feel free to use this as you may have need.
Happy Thanksgiving!!

‘Twas the eve of Thanksgiving
by Curtis O. Fletcher

Wife: ‘Twas the eve of Thanksgiving and all through the town
gentle breezes were blowing the snow falling down.
The turkey was thawing quite slowly, with care
because all the relatives soon would be there.

Husband: (interrupting with slight exasperation)
The uncles and aunts and the sisters and brothers
with husbands and wives and significant others.

Wife: (continuing)
While I for my kerchief was starting to search
because we were already quite late for church.

Husband: (with animation)
When out from the kitchen arose such a clatter
I sprang from the couch to see what was the matter.
I slipped on the floor and I fell with a crash,
My head landed in the dogs dish with a splash!
Then the water began in its merciless flow
To saturate coat shirt and trousers below…
Then my eyes saw the reason for what I had heard
Those idiot dogs were devouring the bird!!
They had gotten it down from the counter quite quick
It was hard to believe they had pulled such a trick
Then more quickly then lightning my lovely wife came

Wife: And I heard as he called both the doggies bad names!

Husband: (loudly, with anger)
You two frapdahobes are in need of a fixin’!

Wife: Then he dove on the dogs and they started in mixin’
They rolled cross the floor and crashed into the wall
Water, turkey and stuffing now covered them all
Then out to the family room both pooches flew
With my raving mad husband in hot pursuit too
They tangled the cord and knocked over the lamp
They pawed and they pranced and got both couches damp

Husband: I had just caught the one and was turning around
When the other mutt leapt on my back with a bound

Wife: (Starting to find it all humorous)
They all fell in a heap at the fireplace foot
Where they kicked up large billows of ashes and soot

Husband: The dogs had me pinned laying flat on my back
For my head had bounced off of the bricks with a crack
So it goes without saying I wasn’t too merry
With a knot on the back of my head like a cherry
I arose, grabbed the dogs and gave them the heave-ho
Out into the backyard in the cold and the snow

Wife: (smiling, trying not to laugh)
He stood hands on hips panting hard through clenched teeth
Angry steam coming off of his head like a wreath
I tried not to laugh and held on to my belly
For he looked quite a sight, soiled, sooty, and smelly

Husband: Then I slammed the back door which brought down the loose shelf

Wife: And I laughed when I saw it in spite of myself

Husband: As the contents came cascading down on my head

Wife: I thought for a moment I’d something to dread

Husband: As the last chotchkie bounced off my noggin I jerked
And was struck with a thought that had struck me at work
(slowing, trying to remember something)
Now…I’ll try to remember just how the verse goes
Or at least I’ll come close…
Wife: …that’s ok I suppose.

Husband: (softening, realizing he’s been foolish)
In the bible it says that amongst Christian ranks
Should be found people who always are giving thanks
And a Christian who always is thankful is not
A person who says to God, “Yeah, thanks a lot!”

Wife: Like a wonderful fragrance that delights your nose
Praise and thanks are to God like a heavenly rose
In the midst of life’s most difficult circumstances
Lord because these are the chances
To trust He’ll provide and keep you on your feet
And mature you until you are perfect, complete

Husband: (chuckling)
We both laughed, ope’d the door, to the dogs gave a whistle
And in the hounds flew like the down from a thistle

Wife: please remember this now as you picture the sight

Both: be “thanks-giving” (air commas) for all and to all a good night.

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Dawn Patrol – A Winter’s Tale

>It took me nearly all day to track this down on an old hard drive.
For those who are entering the season of first snows…
For those who are yearning towards winters offerings…
For those who remember childhood abandon…
This tale is for you:

Dawn Patrol

The sun rode low in the eastern sky and chased the midnight blue
He rousted, climbing slowly up to start the day anew
Then fired he horizon’s edge and woke a billion gems
White diamonds blazing brilliantly like royal diadems

The air was crisp and shimmering as if but freshly born
A whisper would be heard for miles on such a winter’s morn
‘Twas out into this wonderland three would be heroes came
Our voices stilled in reverence we faced the morning flame

Our noses beamed a frozen red and red shone each ones cheeks
And yet we paid no heed for we had watched for this for weeks
As hounds who leap at a foxes scent we quick took up the trail
With heads bent low we forged ahead through winters deep travail

Our breath like locomotive steam ensconced our heads in mist
Each icy inhalation brought my lips a frozen kiss
Disdaining words we would not taint the morning’s holy glow
We summited the peak and found our quarry down below

Eluding us all summer, deftly dodging through the fall
The wily foe below us would soon kneel as our thrall
We glanced at one another, to the heavens gave a nod
Then grimly smiled solemnly like frozen mountain gods

My heartbeat quickened frantically as we prepared our gear
The time had come for which we three had longed almost a year
With practiced skill we took our aim, as one we three let fly
With gaping mouths we loosed our hot and steaming battle cry

Adrenaline swelled my throbbing veins as down the hill we flew
I laughed aside the chilling blades that towards our faces blew
We hit the ramp at fatal speed, into the air we dashed
With pillowed landing far below, the blinding powder splashed

Fists pumping high, three mighty kings, brave conquerors we three
We ‘d braved and beat perdition’s hill and flown amongst the trees
We sat there proud and laughed aloud, bold monarchs on our thrones
And praised the builders of those chairs, Goodyear and Firestone.

Curtis O. Fletcher