paradise

Paradise Found

Paradise Found

In cornflower skies
amber sun plays hide and seek
with cumulus clouds

the wildlife beckons
from the depths of green forest
hooting of the owl

squirrels scurry up trees
shenanigans in the woods
with frisky chipmunks

bumblebees hover
feasting in sunflower fields
standing tall and proud

dog days of summer
July slides into August
as twilight descends

now night comes calling
as catbirds sing lullabies
crickets harmonize

in my blue heaven
stars twinkle on black velvet
my paradise found

Colleen Keller Breuning @ 2023
July 22, 2023

Happy Saturday! Just a quick write inspired by the writing challenge prompts. All I have to do is look out my window and see the beauty of nature for some inspiration! Also, check out David Darling if you are looking for some soothing and lovely cello music. “Cello Blue” is one of my favorites, as it incorporates peaceful birdsong. The video is posted below, give it a play as you read.

I feel so blessed to live out in the country in northwest Virginia, where we experience the delightful change in seasons. There is also a plethora of wildlife such as deer, birds, chipmunks, squirrels, wild turkey, beavers, owls, eagles, geese, heron and even racoons (yes, we had one here last week)! I used to put out old fruit such as apples and berries for the deer that come through nightly and graze. However, when Dan spotted Rocky Racoon grifting an entire block of suet from the feeder in broad daylight, I had to discontinue that ritual. Hopefully Rocky has moved on, we have not seen him since. Now we have confirmed the identity of the suspect who stole two of our suet feeders in the past few months….

Have a great weekend and enjoy this beautiful summer weather!

Xoxo Colleen

Mood: Serene
Inspiration: “Cello Blue” by David Darling

Ecrits Blogophilia Week 3.15 – Shenanigans!
Hard Bonus: Reference a Rick Moranis movie (The Wild Life & My Blue Heaven)
Easy Bonus: Include a childhood game (Hide and Seek)

5123 — "Bahama Seagulls"
Colleen M. Breuning (c) 2011

Paradise

A balmy breeze ruffled the palm trees as they lay in the sun, in the sanctuary of their wooden cabana. The gentle surf tumbled and pushed forth, leaving ripple marks in the sugar soft sand. Overhead, black-headed seagulls dipped, scolded and cried out to their mates, landing on the barrier rocks searching for food. If this wasn’t paradise, it was pretty damn close in his mind.

He glanced over at her lying in repose, clad in her new leopard print swimsuit, her skin bronzed by the Bahamian sun. He shut his eyes and thought of their moonlight rendezvous, shuddering with delight. No…. there was no need for bringing back sexy moves or adding spice to their relationship. Last night was proof that it had never left, even at this juncture of their life. He felt blessed that the fires of passion still burned between them. So often he heard coworkers joking and make derogatory remarks about their old “ball-and-chain” wives. She had never been that, and never would be to him. He would never, never give in or stoop so low to say one negative thing about her. True, she had her faults; she was human, after all. But in his mind, she was simply perfect.

He still remembered the very first time he looked into those big brown eyes of hers, how she captivated his heart with her warm Southern accent and her easy manner. They had belonged to others then, but something inside him told him that they were destined to be together. He once confided his innermost feelings to a mutual friend, and it was she who put them back in touch. For that, he would be eternally grateful.

The heat of the April sun was building, and she stirred, stretching lazily like a cat. She asked him if he wanted to take a dip in the ocean with her. They rose and holding hands, strode to the water’s edge. The breakers caressed their ankles and enticed them to wade out deeper. The seawater was shockingly cold until they immersed themselves completely. As they rose out of the water, their skin puckered with goosebumps, they erupted in giggles. She circled her arms around his neck, and he embraced her, carrying her deeper into the water. She sighed and nuzzled beneath his earlobe, whispering that she felt so lucky to be in paradise with him. He told her that no matter where they were, it was always paradise to him. She drew away and looked at him with those big brown eyes, now etched with fine lines, and smiled. As his lips covered hers, her eyes closed and she sighed, floating deeper into paradise beneath the Bahamian sun.