Excerpts

 First Steps

It was early morning; the sun had yet to rise, and the waves were gently caressing the soft, fine white sand that formed the beach. Finally, it was time. The life force within him stirred, eyes first, then head, followed by flippers. He instinctively knew what to do by moving his head and egg tooth (caruncle) to bang the inside of his shell that had nurtured and protected him for these last two months. Continually banging the inside of the egg, little by little, the shell cracked until it was wide enough for him to emerge from it into the sand that covered it.

He used his front and back flippers to push through the sand to the surface to seek the brightness that would lead him, and hundreds of other turtles, towards the sea. Struggling forward over seaweed, driftwood, plastic bottles and debris washed up or dropped on the beach, he pressed on. That wasn’t his only problem. Seagulls, crabs, dogs and other creatures were close by, eager to eat fresh, tender hatchlings before they got to the sea. It was heavy going; his life had only just begun a short time ago. His eyes focused ahead, energy propelling him towards the water, trying hard not to notice those snatched by the predators.

Extract from Hollityne's Quest

Coffee Interlude

Fans whirred and blew the air around the coffee shop as he sat waiting for his friend to arrive. 

It was good to sit down with a mocha and a comfortable chair after an arduous journey. He enjoyed the warming sensation as he swallowed the sweet mixture. Other customers were sitting quietly reading, talking to friends or taking care of their infants’ needs. 

The world is a better place with coffee shops to meet friends, sit, read, or relax with a cup of satisfying java and the sound of milk being steamed. One of life’s simple pleasures; enjoyed.  

Extract from So Here We Are.

 The Sea

The beach deserted, the sea bare as the waves crash upon the shifting shingle, pushing, churning, tumbling, pounding and frothing incessantly. The foaming flecks briefly coloured the grey salt water causing shapes to linger momentarily as seagulls fly in small circles or perch upon a stained buoy.

Oh, what lies beneath your tempestuous surface, deep, deep, below. What sins hide you, what secrets still you keep from Time’s fiery beginning and sifted stages to jagged peaks and dizzy canyons. Or man’s ships and bones of old and steel legs with boring mouths that tear at your second skin.

How you change, dark, wild and stormy now, cold and angry, tossing men and vessel with distain; then calm, idyllic, blue and tranquil, below a hot sun delighting pleasure seekers aboard floating palaces.

Extract from So Here We Are