Creative, nice graphics. I the way you shape words.

Last week I watched the sun give way to the harvest moon with such appreciation and felt the cool evening breeze crest my body as I sat gently rocking in the glider. So when I read your poem I was able to relate from within myself. I appreciate you sharing.

I imagined you sitting outside there in Ireland shaping words to describe what you were experiencing. Well done!

Lying in the bed of soft fluffy clouds,



all is dark unless the sun gives it light...

If only you could... I really like it!

Cultural difference is a big factor. Women want to be respected not treated like a goddess or walk behind a man. Here in the USA our ancestors, women, rose, stood up and fought for their rights to be treated equal. I would hope no woman would disregard that which was fought for and won by taking a step backwards.

Since you posted this topic I've thought about the subject often.

If I won the lottery, perhaps not the first thing but I would build affordable housing in small communities for folks to live, where folks had to work together for the betterment of the community and raising families. We need to get back to basics. Working together for a better tomorrow.

Thanks for sharing.

Winners never quit!

Welcome to the Poems and Creative Writing forum. Great story...

Right On! Damn, retirement was suppose to be the golden years! I find it depressing to spend time with most folks who have retired.

Single, because I like solitude. Single, because I don't want to share.

Marriage is a commitment to share time and space. I like not having to explain why I made a purchase or where I've been. No schedule, I do it my way with no worries.

If you have ever fallen in love with a puppy and brought it home, you know the exhilaration of falling in love. Seems like it was meant to be, and you are hooked. You may buy a fluffy bed and a stylish collar, after all, nothing, absolutely nothing, is too good for this lively bundle. You are eager and ready, you tell yourself, it won't be any trouble.

Wow, it turns out puppy is a lot of trouble. Puppy is cute and thrilling but scooping poop is not. Puppy is also very demanding, you want to sleep but puppy loudly whimpers, begs for bites while you try to eat in peace. Puppy jumps all over your friends when they come to visit. Puppy chews your shoes, pees on the carpert and barks at everything. Puppy needs exercise, no more meeting friends after work, because puppy needs another walk. Puppy gets lonely so puppy needs company and you sign puppy up and pay for doggy day care. Puppy needs manners too, so off to obedience classes you go.

Love is more than feeling good and being swept away. Love is a commitment to doing things you aren't inclined to be doing. Love is learning things you never thought of learning. Love is putting your own needs aside for the sake of a puppy.

You think that after puppy grows up life may get back to normal. Actually, there are day when you can't remember exactly why you fell in love with puppy in the first place. You're busy. You're tired. You're preoccupied. The puppy grows up and you barely notice, how quickly the months and years go by. You love your dog but there is less inclination to show it. That is the down-side. The upside is that your dog always notices you, always faithful, always wagging his tail, always available, waiting patiently for you to notice.

Falling in love is like that. You don't like to admit it, but there are days when you can't remember exactly why you fell in love with your sweetie in the first place. In fact, on an hour-to-hour basis it's nearly impossible to remember any kind of thrill at all. When your plate is full, you're easily distracted. You're trying hard, striving to get ahead, attempting to fit in, your mind is reeling, hoping for appreciation, feeling guilty because you're not good enough, twisting yourself into being something you are not but think that you should be, doing the acceptable thing, paying the bills, pretending you don't care when you're heart is shattered, pretending you don't have feeling, being stoic, sitting in traffic, watching the stock market, watching the computer, seeking entertainment, shuffling schedules, bettering yourself, working at a job that pays the bills but doesn't feed your soul--it is no wonder there is not time for spending time with your sweetie or the dog and over time you are less inclined to take the time. That is the down-side of life in general. You've been doing the best you can so do yourself a favor, grab a hand, grab a leash and go for a walk.

Like most purchases I make, I gave much thought and consideration to what I wanted in a mule. Color didn't matter, since color, has nothing to do with how a mule rides, their temperament or disposition. I was most interested in the breeding, size, feet and the eyes. Mules come in all sizes and are bred for different purposes, to do different task. I wanted a mule bred for trail riding, gaited and not too tall.

I was told that Precious was a mighty fine mule, just what I was looking for. Now, horse and mule traders are all about the same, they will tell you tall tales, not necessarily a lie but not the truth by any means, so buyers need to beware. That is the truth not often appreciated by eager buyers, only to learn the critter is not all they thought it was just because they liked the color or the seller told them it was a fine purchase, only to learn after they got home and tried to ride the critter there was a reason why the seller was selling the ornery critter.

It was agreed that I had two weeks before the sale was final and I became the proud owner of a mighty fine mule, that is if Precious and I was able to see eye to eye after she was unloaded in my corral.

They told me she was a mighty fine mule but I certainly had my doubts those first two weeks. Those two weeks were interesting! Remember she had never been handled by a female before being unloaded in my corral.

(to be continued)

Wow! Beautifully written, there is a great deal of feeling and truth to what you write. A na�ve young girl in a woman's body experiencing life.

Mules are hybrids, the results of breeding a male donkey (jack) and a female horse (mare). The size of a mule will usually depends on the size of the mare bred, so mules come in all sizes and shapes.

You usually can not make a mule do something they don't want to do and they don't forget. Therefore, it was important that Precious' transition was a good experience. It has taken some time but we are becoming good friends. I'm not sure what she thinks of me but Precious is a mighty fine mule.

(to be continued)

It is good to learn that Ol"Neddy is on the mend. A donkey is a mighty fine friend to have. They are very smart...