IN A HEARTBEAT

By Ramona Hollenbeck, Pinehurst

Holding him tightly just didn't work. He was always on the go.

I didn't like being alone again and the feelings I had for him were overwhelming. His big brown eyes were translucent and saw straight to my heart.

When he came to visit, I knew him in a heartbeat, that he was who I'd hoped for. The color of his skin didn't matter and I didn't want to change a thing.

He was a good listener and responded even to my tone of voice. When we strolled down the street I hoped one of my friends would notice me with him. He was more than a friend. He never argued, and he was my protector and inspiration to exercise.

When we were tired, we'd sit quietly and cuddle together.

He was the newest man in my life, and I was thankful that his name was Newman. And if I wasn't home, I was gone with the dog. (Oops! The secret's out.)

•••

NORTHERN FALL

The cool Autumn days

Gently surround.

Silent her call;

Summer born, Winter bound.

The foliage of Fall

Beckons color and grace,

As Autumn shows

Her brilliant face.

- Keith Sargent, Mullan

•••

There is no room in this world for you dreamers.

The workers have made it their own.

The words that you say will just float away

Or fall upon ears made of stone.

You dream of a world without conflict

In a world where wars never cease.

You don't understand that to be a free man

You must die while fighting for peace.

- Sara Lowery, Hayden

•••

Send us your original poems, prose, essays and anecdotes.

The Press Writers Corner features original, creative writing submitted by our readers. We publish the column most Fridays in the North Idaho Life section of the print edition of The Press.

Send your Writers Corner submissions to Maureen Dolan, mdolan@cdapress.com.

We prefer email submissions, and ask that you limit the length of your short stories, essays and poems. Please include your hometown with your submission.

You can send hard-copies by mail to Maureen Dolan at The Press, 201 Second St., Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814.