literature

Whether written centuries ago or just last year, literary couples show that love is timeless.

Orange Skies
The silence hasn’t stopped since my last breath has escaped my mouth. I ease into my morning face. “No real being will love my impurities. They cannot see me as a half melted candle surrounded by wilted rosebuds. Too young to be so dull. For a rose, my age should resonate with red wine across my face. A beautiful frame to complement my locks of hair. My fingers warm with bright yellows and murals of the highest glory. I am neither acceptable as the maiden of the strongest man nor the maid of a young farm handle.”
By Queen Jordan8 years ago in Humans
Exes and Oh's: Part 15
MARLEY Normally, I slept soundly, peacefully, with no worry in the world. Tonight was different. I could feel it in the air, in my gut. Something was wrong. Tired of tossing and turning, I got up from my bed and grabbed my robe, snuggling into the thick fabric as I exited my bedroom and headed towards the kitchen. The house was dark, but I knew my way around enough to reach the refrigerator unscathed. While I decided on whether to make some hot chocolate or tea, I heard my phone ring in my bedroom and glanced at the time on the clock above the fireplace. It was two in the morning.
By Sharlene Alba8 years ago in Humans
The Audacity of Silence
Introduction Language is a crucial instrument for the existence of individual identity and the expression of personal ideas. Human languages serve as universal platforms upon which people can discuss and debate shared ideas to improve upon the existent societal or physical constructs. Many theorists and linguists have explored the concept of limiting language as a function of fundamentally altering an individual’s thought process and perception. Alternatively, language manifests the human experience and acts as a reflection of the hardships one encounters. During eras of political oppression, language can demonstrate the enduring and adaptive characteristics of a society. Madeleine Thien’s Do Not Say We Have Nothing is a complex and intergenerational tale that explores the events and contemporary relevance of the Chinese Cultural Revolution.
By Leo Xu8 years ago in Humans
Exes and Oh's: Part 14
SERENA My Saturday mornings consisted of sleeping in until noon and then doing some much needed laundry. Unfortunately, Daniel and I had to pay Whisper Street a visit and figure out what was next on this murder train. After I paid Gabe's grave a visit and planted some new flowers, I headed over to Garry's Garage, where Daniel worked on the weekends, which was less than a mile from my own office. I agreed to pick him up since his truck was getting a new paint job and we were heading over to Marley's house afterwards to relay all the information we found at our old farmhouse anyway.
By Sharlene Alba8 years ago in Humans
Exes and Oh's: Part 12
SERENA One acre, two stories, fifteen hundred square feet, three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a front porch. Minus the married couple who made too many promises within its walls to keep up with them. Daniel and I shared a look as we joined each other just outside the fence of our old farmhouse. The landscaping looked like it hadn't been taken care of for a couple of days, but other than that, the house looked as if it had just been built yesterday. A fresh coat of white paint had been given to the exterior, and it contrasted well with the new black shutters that had been recently installed.
By Sharlene Alba8 years ago in Humans
By Night
Usually, I'm not one for parties. Though if it's in a seven-figure mansion, with bottles among bottles of Chardonnay flowing freely, well then I might make an exception.
By Shay 🌹8 years ago in Humans
Exes and Oh's: Part 10
SERENA I was looking forward to a quiet night at home, doing absolutely nothing but watching the horror movie marathons on TV. Until the trick or treaters began to run the halls of my condominium. When did people start having kids in this building? It used to be so quiet. Lucky for me, I ran out of candy an hour later, and I settled into my recliner in my living room, with a bucket of chocolate I had saved for myself.
By Sharlene Alba8 years ago in Humans
Exes and Oh's: Part 9
MARLEY The Golden Acres Church on Pansy Street had a full house this Sunday morning. The place was full of chatter as men, women, and children began to settle down into their seats, waiting for Paster Henry to start his sermon. While I waited, I closed my eyes and began my own silent prayers, thanking God for everything he's blessed me with this year and for the future ones as well. I was in excellent health. My business was doing well. My family was still alive and getting more annoying by the day. I loved my parents to death, but if they asked me one more time when I was going to find a nice man to marry, I was going to give them a heavy dose of the silent treatment. I apologized to God for my future tantrums then opened my eyes to find Danny sitting just a few rows ahead of me.
By Sharlene Alba8 years ago in Humans
Exes and Oh's: Part 6
SERENA I could see why the boys enjoyed the outdoors so much. The sunrise was absolutely stunning as it slowly paved the way for a new day and illuminated the sky. Morning dew cleared up as I sipped on my morning chamomile tea with honey and a sprinkle of cinnamon and I watched nature come back to life on the old porch swing. It was the middle of October and the simmering Texas heat was slowly decreasing by the day, which I couldn't be more grateful for. My hair needed a break from the humidity.
By Sharlene Alba8 years ago in Humans
Exes and Oh's: Part 5
MARLEY "What do you mean she ran off?! That woman will die out here!" I started yelling at Danny as he finished explaining what happened with Serena and I would've strangled him had Freddy not gotten in between us and stopped me from killing him. His hands were at my shoulders and the warm and subtle electricity in my body slowly stirred awake. It'd been years since his touch made me feel this way and I stepped away from him almost immediately. He looked offended and it hadn't been my intention but he had to have known this was a bad idea. We always started out good and ended worse.
By Sharlene Alba8 years ago in Humans
Exes and Oh's: Part 4
SERENA As I tried to get a signal on my cell phone while I leaned out of the second story window of my room, I almost had a heart attack when half of my body began to slip out. 27 years worth of memories flashed through my eyes but they immediately disappeared the moment someone's hands held my hips steady and managed to pull me back into my room. I didn't care who it was, I was grateful. So I did something I don't normally do. Hug. I wasn't a hugger. But tonight I was.
By Sharlene Alba8 years ago in Humans
Exes and Oh's: Part 3
MARLEY A week had passed since Gabe's funeral and it amazed me how he could still be a pain in the ass even though he was buried six feet under ground. It was Friday and it was just passed two in the afternoon when my secretary told me Danny was waiting for me downstairs so we could head up to the cabin for the weekend. I hadn't planned on starting this morbid witch hunt so soon but the sooner we got this started, the sooner we'd get it over with.
By Sharlene Alba8 years ago in Humans