"Spearmint and Musk Oil" (Spillwords Press Prompt: The Taste of Memory)

http://spillwords.com/author/phyllispcolucci/  

https://www.amazon.com/Phyllis-P.-Colucci/e/B00VMU8B44  

 (Photos from Pinterest)

 

  

            …The sun came crashing through my bedroom window this morning, forcing itself upon my bed through the old screen and pulled up shade. It made a direct hit to my pale face and squinting, sleepy eyes. Only today, it carried with it a familiar aroma, which it playfully tossed between its golden rays until the fragrance settled deep into my nostrils. I recognized it immediately. It was a mix of “spearmint and musk oil”; something I hadn’t smelled in a long time. It tugged at my heartstrings, and dug up some really old feelings I had hidden away some time ago. It was the essence of “him”… the essence of us… the essence of the past… with haunting echoes of the 1970’s and that New York edge... the haunting memories of what we once were when youth and innocence were all we knew.

                 I was paralyzed by these memories of “him” today; the special love we shared, and the wonderful times we spent together. I could still hear the classic rock songs that thrilled our hearts and souls, as we listened to every word while wrapped in each other’s arms on the linoleum floor of his parents’ living room. I always succumbed to that aroma of “spearmint and musk oil” whenever we were together. He chewed spearmint gum all the time. It made his kisses so sweet and so sensual, while the musk oil he wore transformed him into that rugged young man I found so irresistible. I fell victim to his strong arms and his magic touch during all those “yesterdays” – And now, today, I felt it all over again, simply because the aromas of “spearmint and musk oil” have reawakened those desires for “him” deep down inside of me. I couldn’t move out of bed. I didn’t want to.

                 I continued to take in deep breaths of “spearmint and musk oil” which permeated my bedroom like a humongous cloud overhead. I became intoxicated and did not want to let go of this moment. However, it let go of me.  The “spearmint and musk oil” dissipated as quickly as it came, and left behind the memories of a past love. With a faint smile upon my lips and a few teardrops from my eyes, I had to say goodbye again. As elusive as “spearmint and musk oil” had become over the years, I learned today that I will always miss him.

 

"Isobel" - THIRTEEN DAYS OF HALLOWEEN 2025 (SPILLWORDS PRESS)

(Photo from Pinterest)

 

http://spillwords.com/author/phyllispcolucci/  

https://www.amazon.com/Phyllis-P.-Colucci/e/B00VMU8B44  

 “Isobel”

Halloween sparkle returned once more

Knocking at every welcoming door

Riding in on amber wing

Inviting all to dance and sing

Gliding alongside the Autumn hue

…While “Isobel” answered to her yearly cue

 

She was awakened by each haunting wail

from Maidens she enticed to the Devil’s Lair

Wearing a smile upon her wicked face

Witch “Isobel” came back, dressed in blackened lace

She chanted from her book of evil spells

And spritzed the air with ghastly smells

She alerted the Young Maidens her presence was near

Striking their souls, igniting their fear

 

These Maidens were tortured by Warlocks of Old

From centuries ago, whose hands were ice cold

They were forced to dance for Satan himself

Adorned with wrist bells, and ankle chains, from “Isobel’s” shelf

Each year She returned brought the Young Maidens some hope

For they begged her to free them, but she told them to cope!

Their hair all a mess, their white robes stained with blood

She painted their faces with strokes of Hell’s mud

 

Yes - Halloween sparkle returned once more

Knocking at every welcoming door

Riding in on amber wing

Inviting all to dance and sing

Gliding alongside the Autumn hue

…Yet “Isobel” answered to her yearly cue

 

The Maidens drew strength as they united as one

They had a plan for “Isobel”, which would force her to run

And She and the Warlocks would soon learn their fate

Poor “Isobel” underestimated the Maidens, of late

The Maidens requested fine wine in a chalice

And promised to dance, but their intent was pure malice

“Isobel” agreed to serve them fine wine

She offered them biscuits for the evening dine

 

“Isobel” and the Warlocks sat on red cushioned thrones

While the Maidens entertained them to quiet their bones

The Maidens sang and danced, like ne’er before

“Isobel” and the Warlocks screamed out for more

The Maidens in unison stripped down to their skin

Set their robes all afire, to their audience’s chagrin

They tossed the burning cloths upon “Isobel” and the Rest

And watched them all burn at each Maiden’s behest

 

Now Halloween sparkle returned once more

Knocking at every welcoming door

Riding in on amber wing

Inviting all to dance and sing

Gliding alongside the Autumn hue

…but Dear “Isobel” will no longer answer her cue!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NEWSLETTER: "AudioBooks" (Virtual Voice/Amazon) - by Phyllis P. Colucci

📚📚 NEWSLETTER 📚📚

AUDIO BOOKS (VIRTUAL VOICE)

on AMAZON 

(by: Phyllis P. Colucci aka "fictiontarot") 

(Photos by Pinterest)

 

        I am so happy to bring all my books on Amazon (Ebook / Paperback), to audiobooks format (virtual voice), for your listening pleasure - at discounted prices too! There are audio book specials as well through Amazon. You must check it out. It really is something unique, refreshing and enjoyable.

        Sometimes it is just so great to sit back and relax while someone else reads to you. Remember how wonderful that was as a child. Well, now you can enjoy it as an adult. Allow virtual voice to become your new literary friend, who will sit beside you and read until you fall asleep, or read to you just because you simply enjoy it. So please feel free to check out my link below, and select audiobook. 

        Click on each book, and take a listen to the audio (virtual voice excerpt) to see if that is something you would enjoy... listen for FREE! Try it! You just might like it! Happy Reading - - or should I say "Happy Listening"! All the Best, my friends... It will be a MAGICAL journey... ENJOY!

https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B00VMU8B44 

 

 

"The New America" (Spillwords Press Prompt: Echoes of a Silent City)

 

http://spillwords.com/author/phyllispcolucci/  

https://www.amazon.com/Phyllis-P.-Colucci/e/B00VMU8B44  

(Photos from Pinterest) 

 

 

“The New America”

        I must be dreaming. Either that, or I have been transported to the “Twilight Zone”. Yes, that must be it. This is the “Twilight Zone” and I don’t like it one bit. Where is everybody? Yesterday, I was dodging traffic to get to the crowded bank so I could cash my paycheck; and then I was dodging pedestrians, joggers and bicyclists to get to the local pizza store for a tantalizing slice of Brooklyn pizza. Now, no traffic, no people, no voices, and no sirens from fire engines, police cars or ambulances as they rush off to emergencies. Nothing! - and where are those aromas of espresso, cappuccino, Italian pastries, or freshly baked bread from the corner Café/Pasticceria? Yesterday the wind carried those wonderful aromas through the air straight to my waiting nostrils... Oh geez, I don’t understand what is happening. “Today”, I am missing everything that I took for granted "yesterday".

 

        Where are my neighbors who usually sat out on their stoops everyday making small talk, or simply gossiping about everyone else? This cannot be happening! Could this be “Armageddon”? Maybe the “Rapture” occurred, and I was left behind? I know I was not a perfect person, but I sure as hell was not the worst in the world. God, I’m a believer, and I accept Jesus Christ as my Savior. Do you hear me? Are you out there somewhere? Did you forget about me?

 

        Oh this is not good. The air is thick, I can hardly breathe; and not a breeze is upsetting one strand of hair on my head. This is stranger than strange. I need to get to my house to check on my family. Oh, this is the loneliest walk I have ever taken in my entire life. Each and every shop is closed and so dark inside. The Supermarket is locked and empty just like the Pharmacy next door. The bagel shop is closed too. Where are all the people rushing off to work with a bagel and coffee in hand? This is insanity…Oh God, help me! There is my house. At least it is still standing. It looks dark and devoid of life, like everything else around me! I fear what I might find.

 

        Okay, let’s try to be rational here. There is an explanation for everything – I hope. Now just put the key in the door as usual, open the door and wait for your sweet cocker spaniel to greet you with tail wagging, as he does his “doggie dance”… What the hell? The key will not open the door… It's the wrong key! I can't find the right key! What happened to my key? I must have dropped it through the chaos! Where is my key? ... Okay, ring the bell. Someone will answer. Ring it again! One more time! - Nothing! No one! Not even the dog. Where do I go from here? I don’t know what to do. I guess I’ll keep walking. I am bound to run into something…or someone.

 

        I am getting exhausted. My feet hurt and I am losing the ability to think. This is mind-boggling… Oh wait a minute. I see something in the distance. Is it my imagination, or do I see an airplane? Yes! Yes! It’s a plane. Someone is yelling “Get on board! Hurry! Last flight out!” – As tired as I was, and with aching feet, I began to run towards that plane – the first sign of life today. A man was waving me on telling me to hurry, and hurry I did. I boarded that plane and found one empty seat to sink my aching body into. People were calling out my name. I turned to find my family, friends and neighbors wearing smiles on their faces and sighs of relief that I made it to the plane. As I smiled right back at all of them with an immeasurable joy and peace, I heard the pilot announce to all of us that we must fasten our seat belts as we were ready for take-off. I fastened my seat belt as did the other passengers, but I still had more questions than answers. What just happened to me?

    

        As we were in the air, the pilot made another announcement. He said, “Ladies and Gentlemen, and all loving pets, I apologize for this sudden and immediate evacuation put upon you today, but know we are headed to safety. Our destination cannot be divulged at this time for security reasons, but rest assured you are no longer in danger. Communist China’s cyber and biological attacks on the United States have begun, and we will not be returning to the United States of America as we know it. Your country will soon be destroyed. Your Government has made arrangements for all Americans to begin a new life in a new destination, to be named “The New America”; and China will soon be obliterated by the United States Military, never to do harm again. So, sit back and enjoy the flight.” - What??? This is surreal. I saw both horror and relief on everyone's faces...and I saw love.

 

        I knew this could happen one day; but certainly not like this. It was as if we were in a science-fiction movie... So I grabbed a pillow like everyone else who looked as exhausted as I did, and fell asleep; eager and very thankful to be waking up in “The New America”.