The Edge of Eden
Harvesting idyllic memories
Heaven on earth is possible in grounded moments, so stand still (stiff as sacred soil) and F-O-C-U-S
Negative keepsakes like their namesakes linger for longer - it's human nature
We are all scarred
To nurture snapshot pieces of ecstasy, enlightenment, euphoria, and exaltation
Is to conquer loss aversion
What in this world is worse than fear? It claims us, it commands us, it crucifies us
Phobias make their mark unto capitulation, yet curt indentations of inward-faceless thoughts cannot define us
They never can
Fleet-footed crucibles test mettle, so lower your hand down ↓↓↓ to terra sancta, and feel the metal in this lustral loam
Five fingers pressed against silt and salvation, tracing one perfect circle after another in cyclic perfusion
It's how we cherish
Like chosen brethren blanketed and flanked by fragrant peers, licking the salt from each other's wounds
It's how we become whole when the bad times are MANY, and the good?
Will always be few
(c) Edward Swafford 2025
***Title image hyperlink.
About the Creator
Edward Swafford
Hello! I'm an Australian writer, copywriter, and healthcare professional. I've written on Medium for over two years and also run Black Coffee Creative on Substack (over 900 subscribers).
Edgy syntax is my bailiwick.
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More stories from Edward Swafford and writers in Poets and other communities.
Frost Queen. Runner-Up in The Sound of First Frost Challenge.
The corporeal chill stiffens as Fall fades and air thins, bowing to the first. I cower cross-legged in dampness, beneath her cadaverous snow-mounted stare, for she knows I. The tremulous temper of blitzkrieg blizzards is nigh on this horizon.
By Edward Swafford2 months ago in Poets
Violence Begets
"Any last words, cowboy?" "None you'd understand, sodbuster." "Funny. That's Marshall Sodbuster to you. But I meant some last nugget that would help us in the adjudication of the myriad offenses counted against you and your gang. I wasn't asking for penitence."
By Adam Diehl2 days ago in Fiction
Comments (3)
This is greatly deserving of winning! I love it. The cover photo and end photo of that beautiful man are stunning. And your words are stunning too. It's late when I find this, almost 3 am. I want to come back and read it again. I would guess this took a lot of work to get the precise word choice you used. I love alliteration!!! The more a poet can fit in a sentence the more I love that sentence. 😂 I will return soon to read more of your artistry. If I haven't introduced myself before, I'm Bill. It's a pleasure. ⚡💙⚡
Wooohooooo congratulations on your win! 🎉💖🎊🎉💖🎊
This was such a powerful and atmospheric read. I love how you balanced the heaviness of fear and loss with these grounding, moments of connection.