Geertje H

“Into the light” by Geertje H

Submitted to Contest #282

Most people won’t notice that the sun didn’t come up today. We go to work in the dark and come home in the dark. Most eat their lunch in the break rooms with the full spectrum lights. We’ve een told that thirty minutes of full spec is enough. I always eat my lunch on top. Walking the extra distance shaves seven minutes of my break, but the fresher air and sunlight is worth it to me. Way back, in school, I learned about total eclipses, but if I remember right, they pass in ten minutes or less. Today, there is nothing. It’s eerie, strange, sca...

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“But ...” by Geertje H

Submitted to Contest #281

She pulls the collar of her coat a little closer to keep the cold air off her neck as she crosses the crowded parking lot to the store. The strains of “White Christmas” drift toward her. She grits her teeth, her thoughts as grey as the weeks' old snow mounts. She knows to be careful what to wish for or dream of.Go sit and play on the floor, little girl. Make room for people.But …The toddler learns quickly that when she protests people think she is cranky and probably needs a nap.'Oma’ndopa' are coming. It’s said with such enthusiasm she can’...

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“Vortex” by Geertje H

VortexOh, great! Someone in Canada left the back door open again. Which is the only explanation for the drop in temperature from 42F to minus 6F in 45 minutes. Though it’s not as if we didn't have warning about their sloppiness. Which gave me time to get the generator up to speed and carry in a lot of firewood. I even went to the store.This morning my slipper-shod feet are pointed at the potbelly stove. I have a large mug of coffee at hand and a good book face-down on my belly. I’m settled in for the next few days and not planning to mo...

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“Spellbound River” by Geertje H

Spellbound River “Tell me again. Why aren’t you sharing his blanket yet?” Bold one squats next to the small fire. “Hm?” Little Girl’s attention is focused on the hot liquid in the small pot. “You know who.” Bold one jostles her elbow. Little Girl stifles a curse. “Watch it! This is hot.” She hisses at Bold One. “What are you talking about?” Carefully she pours the crushed blueberry paste into a small bladder. The paste will be used to decorate the faces and torsos of the young warriors and hunters who have just returned from their first solo...

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“On the road, again ...” by Geertje H

Submitted to Contest #279

On the road again…“Coward!” Theo shakes his fist at the lone sliver of sunlight that peeks briefly under the storm clouds before it slips behind the western horizon. The wind slaps his words back into his face, sharpening the rain into cat claws.His boots squish through the mud and soaked leaves. His clothes, weighted down by the relentless rain, cling to his skin. His cold hands stuffed into damp pockets, shoulders hunched against the cold, hat pulled down low over his brow, he slogs on. What might have looked like a path in the dreary dayl...

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