I lay in the grass, the sun shining on my face, listening to the leaves rustle in the wind, when a shadow crossed my face. I opened my eyes expecting to see clouds. Instead of witnessing a cumulus parade traipsing across the afternoon sky, I was irritated to see the shadow’s source. It was being cast by Doubt.

It had been a long while since my world was shrouded by Doubt. Up until this moment, I had been successfully keeping it at bay. Sometimes I fended it off using facts, other times incorporating fantasy. But either way, for many months now, I was preventing Doubt from pulling a chair up to the table.

Somehow, I had allowed it to creep back into my life. I don’t remember lowering my defenses, but I must have. I knew that Doubt hadn’t learned its lesson and moved on to someone else, so I always kept watch. I understand that Doubt can be patient, blending into the chaos or lingering among the calm. It has no expiration date. It has no deadline. It will bide its time until it can secure a foothold. Once it takes root, Doubt will subsequently overwhelm your happiness before dissolving your dreams.

Understanding Doubt’s modus operandi, it was imperative I confront this intruder without delay. The time is now to banish it back to the periphery where I can monitor it from afar and deal with any advancement before Doubt has the chance to encroach on my inner sanctum.

I will summon the wisdom gained from the previous battles I’ve had with Doubt. Even the earlier ones that resulted in defeat were learning experiences. So, now I am well-prepared for this encounter. I know I’m ready for the skirmish and expect a positive result. I’ll also be on the ready in case Fear joins the fracas. When I emerge victorious, I will smile and then go back to enjoying the sun on my face.

“I lay in the grass, the sun shining on my face, listening to the leaves rustle in the wind. When a shadow crossed my face, I opened my eyes expecting to see clouds…’’

The group of young and older folks moved toward the edge of the wooden bar seats waiting for Larry to continue yet again one of his favorite local town folk lore of Kryptville. A few people seemed to always find time to step into the bar every Saturday night to listen to him speak.

‘‘But what I saw felt like something right out of a movie. I saw a kind of giant peculiar looking human. It looked to be about seven to nine feet tall…and quite hairy, too. Also, when I shined my flashlight in its direction its eyes glowed. When I tried to capture it on camera— owe- it quickly darted back into the dense bushes and trees of the Kryptville forest. I think I spotted…—Big foot!’’

I shook my head, and scoffed. One of the locals raised an eyebrow at me. ‘‘You better watch yourself out in these woods. You never know exactly who, or what will come get you!’’

I continued to shake my head. ‘‘What a bunch of baloney! This guy surely had one too many alcoholic drinks. Either that or…he had been daydreaming.’’ I kept these musings to myself. These folks in this little town were all indubitably bonkers.

#CORVUS. 21.06.2026

(Copyright)

I lay in the grass, the sun shining on my face. When a shadow crossed my face, I opened my eyes expecting to see clouds. But no, just another fleet of B2 Spirit Stealths rising up from from the horizon and moving east in absolute silence.

Tranquil hushed giant stingrays swimming effortlessly in formation through the clear atmosphere above casting brief welcome cooling shadows reminiscent of the eclipse of the sun that passed this same way incompletely brief but significant dimming the sun cooling the temperature just a bit last summer. Such events I'm told panicked primitive populations here into preemptive suicides bloody sacrifices getting a jump on the will of the gods.

It gets hot here in summer. Not many places around to find relief. The drive into town with the AC fan turned up high tunes playing not worth the time trouble expense. Dollar Stores dialed down too low making me shiver when passing the frozen food case. Not many trees around here. Little breeze. The flat landscape dominated by fields of growing crops. Scientists say the oppressing humidity come from the growing grain giving off their breath making me world sticky. They say too that cow farts will eventually kill us all.

For now I'll settle for the momentary passing respite provided by the tranquil floating fleet now disappearing on the eastern horizon. I lay back in the grass, the sun shining on my face considering if and when our world will end.

I lay in the grass, the sun shining on my face, listening to the leaves rustle in the wind. When a shadow crossed my face, I opened my eyes expecting to see clouds. but reality quickly struck me across the face, “you don’t belong here!” another blunt strike to my face and then ear, the ringing only muffled out the rage of the protest, I stumbled a few feet hoping to catch my breath and was met again with another vicious blow, face down I could smell and taste the grass mixed my blood, as another strike came down between my shoulder blades, “stop it please!” I heard a woman shout as I felt the weight of her body sheild me, the smell of what I could only assume was tear gas soon consumed the crowd, adrenaline must’ve finally kicked in as I stumbled onto my feet clumsily, just as soon as I caught my breath I was choking on smoke, but still movin, finding myself alone and away from the crowd I wedged myself between two dumpsters behind the corner 7-11, blood and snot running down my face the overwhelming taste of blood in my mouth, all on a hot summer afternoon, I lost a shoe, a tooth and a lot of pride, a humbling moment for sure, questioning my own beliefs I pulled myself up to my feet and out from between the dumpsters, “ there he is“ I heard a familiar voice shout as the woman who I assume was the one who shielded me in the chaos came running with my shoe in her hand, as She handed me my shoe. I tried to thank her, but my mouth filled up with blood, and I realized I have bitten more than halfway into my tongue, Noticing I had a couple of broken fingers, She offered to help me with my shoe. I politely declined showing her that putting it on was as easy as it came off, “I’m taking you to get help“ she said in a stern mother like tone, “I’m not gonna fith ya” I jokingly replied , “I’m Julie Anne“ trying to reply my mouth again filled up with blood “its ok” Julie Anne said “but I got to ask, and you don’t really have to say it you could just nod your head Yes Or no, but was it worth It?“ was It worth The missing tooth broken fingers, the black eye that later formed? It must’ve been a mix of the pain and panic, but until she asked, it was almost as if I forgot, Forgot about The flames that almost consumed a masterpiece the numbers boldly printed on one side of a beautiful leather covered casing called to my soul and mind, painfully, slowly, I reached up under my shirt and pulled from my waist band, 1984 by George Orwell,

“YETH!” I said with a mouth full of blood, and a toothless smile, “YETH!” Julie Anne repeated as we made our way to an ambulance on standby.

I lay in the grass,the sun shining on my face,listening to the leaves rustling in the wind.When a shadow crossed my face.I opened my eyes expecting to see clouds.

What are you doing here?

I thought you were supposed to be up there!

He points upward.

Today's the seventh day it's a day of rest.

Shouldn't you be up there looking for lives to save!

Do you feel like a god up there,with you're head in the clouds?

What do you mean!

I don't do this job to feel more superior than those wading below me.

I'm more of a guardian angel looking down.

I've been given a heart and a mind to use,when someone's in distress.

How do you know when someone needs your help?

I see them kicking and screaming,then i dive in.

What if two people are going under at the same time?

I don't know,it's never happened to me,and if I did I would probably need my own guardian angel.