Remembering- a collaboration

by Brenda   Oct 17, 2016


I remember playing
hopscotch and tag
at recess,
on a blacktop playground.
Tromping through the woods,
searching for salamanders.
Catching frogs, at the pond,
at the end of the road...
-
But the forests grew darker
the older I got,
for reasons I have never been
able to fathom-
and those games...
well, they became altogether
more...sinister...
At least, that's how it
seems in retrospect...
-
I lost my innocence
in those woods,
playing drunken versions
of spin the bottle.
Seeing too much,
learning all the wrong things.
Gone was the peacefulness.
those woods once held.
I no longer went there
to heal the wounds-it was
there the cuts were inflicted...
-
And now, as I stand on a
precipice, looking out
towards adulthood, all I see
are swathes of dark green leaves
that are a blight on my poisoned mind.
Blasted woodland that stretches
forever...

Ben Pickard and Brenda-collaboration-club challenge

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Latest Comments

  • 7 years ago

    by Em

    Really enjoyed this Collab hen I first read it because woodlands bring memories to me.. I always used to go there with my mum, siblings and dogs. Wonderful stuff.

    Em

    • 7 years ago

      by Brenda

      Thank you Em! The woods should bring good memories...hugs!

  • 7 years ago

    by Ben Pickard

    Great working with you, Brenda. You are a talented and kind-hearted woman who conveys people stories and their emotions effortlessly in your work.

    • 7 years ago

      by Brenda

      Awww thank you Ben! You are too kind, blush, blush, blush....when working with someone as talented as you it is so very easy. Hugs!

  • 7 years ago

    by Mr. Darcy

    Hello guys,

    There's something enticing about a woodland. It's a place away from prying eyes, an ideal place for curious teens. Here they can learn many 'adult' things, like how to smoke, how to love and extremes of these two. The former is fine, the latter not so.

    Sometimes I look out on my childhood woodland and wonder if I missed out. Should I have been more adventurous, should I have spun that bottle? Like a game, there are winners and losers. I consider myself lucky, I missed out on the game then, but I did live to play it another way.

    Well done, a wonderful collaboration. I can see both your styles beautifully woven throughout.

    Take care,

    Michael x

    • 7 years ago

      by Brenda

      Thank you Michael, I think you were the lucky one for not being so adventurous. It probably saved you regrets as an adult. Working with Ben was wonderful, I really felt like we were of one mind. Take care- Brenda

  • 7 years ago

    by deeplydesturbed

    Wow Brenda and Benny! Well done on such a sad piece. Such perfect imagery. I imaged myself going through the fun and games as a child then the forrest.. a never ending doomed place.. well done again guys!

    • 7 years ago

      by Brenda

      Thanks Naomi! Working with Ben was wonderful, he really made it easy.

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