I Hope This Will Last *a sequel to 'It's Better this Way' You came to me, with eyes of blue, And digital words I prayed were true. The courage you gave me, that shiver of hope, My tears ran like rain, was it guilt? Just look at me I'm such a dope. Every night I begged for your comfort, You're so far away in that make-believe world. That day it came for our souls to meet, Fate showed me the way, finally I've found my feet. Your touch hid the bruises, your smile dulled the pain. I want you to love me, show me this night over and over again. From the shadows of dying dreams, I flew up high and spread my wings. I soar in your arms, a blissful retreat, But I must go back, face the demon I must defeat. The battle destroyed me but some goodness remained, Your love revived me, to live #life again. Now that I've found this home, deep in your heart, All I can say is, 'I hope this will last.'

Better This Way You strangle my ambition, choked my happiness. Your fingers wrapped tightly around me you push away my freedom, shot down my dreams of flying. My self-respect has died, dragging down to hell my hope. Will my #life be the one you punish next? I'm falling in this abyss of sorrow, beaten and bruised by misery and despair, that heartless pair. I can't see the light you used to show me, now so pale, through these weary darkened eyes. What must I do, can we not compromise? My mind is locked tighter than the door you leave me behind, a prison to my own fear, unable to run and hide. But now I'm gone, far away, you won't hurt me again. I've found someone to show me the way, that empyrean light they call hope. You gave me no choice, what more can I say? I think it's better this way.

The Frozen Throne Winter reigned, the icy mountain gazed down at its frozen domain, and the blizzard guarded the borders of the blighted lands. No stars, not even moonlight penetrated the veiled sky, bound behind the eternal haze. The white horizons marked the boundaries of the mountain's cold dominion, lord of this misted after#life, home to only forgotten ghosts. Snow fell from the mountain's sides as it trembled with malicious laughter at the foolish band of warriors trudging through the distant snowfields. It beckoned the howling wind, bidding it sweep down the kingdom and summon its guardians. A blast of biting wind churned up the snowfield, drenching the warriors in cold misery. Howls of the wind were answered by the howls of wolves, snarling into the ravine inhabited by the warriors. The only woman among the warriors stepped foward, aiming a quivering blade at the wolves in a futile threat. Amused growls shuddered down the pack, and with the blizzard's battle cry the white wolves charged into the ravine. Teeth like icicles flew at the warriors, cracking against steel and bone. Crimson mortality stained the snow, turning it pink like a funeral rose. The ground quaked as the mountain roared in anger at his soldiers' defeat. North winds mimicked their master's fury, drowning the snowfield in a torrent of snow and hail. Tears were shed for their fallen companion but band of warriors continued their march through the fields of ice and death, hearts and shoulders burdened with the weight of their mission; their loss stung their eyes, bringing more pain as the trickster winds froze their tears. Though he commended their determined defiance, the lord of ice beckoned his ally from the sky. A spiral of deep cold descended upon the three warriors, surrounding then within an invisible barrier of numbing. They felt the deep cold crushing their chests, an unseen worm burrowing toward their hearts to stop them cold. Their mission was great, so was their resolve. Resisting the penetrating flash-freeze, they pushed on, frost-bitten and dwindling. The cold mountain shuddered in laughter again as another of their number was dragged into the depths of this earthly underworld. Two warriors stood at the foot of the mountain, forced to kneel before its wintry might. It shouted down at the quivering couple, pummelling them with an avalanche of retribution. Scathing winds gained strength, inspired by the fear of failure, and spiralled around their lord, a gusting shield. Razor winds slashed at the two remaining warriors, tearing their clothes, while the blizzard sent denizens of rock and ice tumbling down the mountain upon the insurgents. In the midst of the howling eye, the mountain cursed the defiant mortals. It reached out and snatched the warmth from the feeble warrior, plunging his soul into the coldest sleep. An anguished cry tore from the ravaged throat of the final warrior as she scaled the twisting spire. Twice she fell, twice she pushed herself on. Here, at the towering summit, she stared into the heart of the Frostlord. Taking her sword, the female warrior drove the numbing steel deep into the mountain and cried, "I claim you!" In the mountain's dying wails, the thralls of winter fell. But in a final act of redemption, the howling blizzard struck her and threw the warrior from the summit toward her ice-bound death. As even the winds died, a deathly silence lingered over the domain. No one defies the winter.

I Could Wait Forever I sink into the cold seat and watch the clock, mocking me with its ticking. Nurses clad in cerulean wander back and forth chatting happily as if they have all the time in the world. I don't have that time, I grumble to myself, glaring at them with frosty eyes. A woman leans over the counter, peering hungrily at the cowering mouse of a receptionist. At the same time I glance to my side and spy a man staring with eyes like a wolf, rabid snarls reveal his fangs. Does he think I'll leave this place before him? A part of me hopes so. A child runs around the waiting room, laughing and screaming, and the mother just sits and sighs; looking up towards heaven, her expression cries, 'when will this end?' I imagine the doctors all sat in their rooms, snickering together at the perpetual misery they're causing us. It makes me tremble with rage. The room smells clean, too clean, sterile as though nothing happy could ever touch this place and leave its mark. I never liked the smell of disinfectant. One day the wait will be over. For all the use appointments are this might as well become a walk-in clinic and save us our expectations. I look at my watch for the fourth time. 23 minutes late. Legs tap anxiously as people stare at the blank screen, their hands bound in silent prayer. Then that unseen voice, like God himself, calls out their name and they jump up in excitement as if they've just won the lottery. Grabbing their bags they hurry down the clinical corridor towards freedom. Someday that will be me, I tell myself. Someday that will be me. #scenariochallenge

Smile ##haiku challenge You only need to smile, To lift me from my sorrow. Know our love is true.