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> Queen Bee, Merit ~ Odin 15/17
Sekhmet
post Nov 10 09, 13:12
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From: Abingdon, Oxfordshire,UK
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Real Name: Leonora Wyatt
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QUEEN BEE

It is a soft September afternoon, when human creatures feel the downward draw of sleep; and everything conspires towards abandonment.
The soothing thyme scented breezes brush the skin, colluding with the drone of dozens of bees - busily gathering the last of the pollen from the zinnias.
The cushions on the garden chair, smelling sweetly of grass mowings and suntan oil, yield comfortingly to any change of position
It is here, in this pleasant cottage garden, that an elderly gentleman sleeps his dream-laden sleep.

Sheridan Outhwaite is everything an English gentleman should be.
His hair, shining silver in the afternoon sun, is undiminished by the passing of time. Indeed, he has taken advantage of the licence granted to old age, and has grown it poetically long. His dark tan cotton jacket, Tattersall check shirt, and sand-coloured linen trousers; so impeccably pressed, and all smelling faintly of Penhaligon's 'Eau de Provence', speak of a man who cares, even at his great age, about the impression he makes upon others.
A grimace flickers across his broad patrician features, and he whimpers in his sleep. His chin drops heavily to his chest, making his hands fly open to ward off some stray phantom passing through his dreams.

Sheridan's daughter Caroline, tip-toes, through the French windows. With her, is her best friend from her boarding school days, Sally Sinclair.Between them they carry the paraphernalia for afternoon tea; and are laughing together at some private joke.
For a woman in her mid fifties, Caroline Outhwaite is surprisingly girlish.
Her round, slightly shiny face is innocent of even a dab of powder, and her hairstyle has hardly changed from the way she wore it in the upper sixth at school.
This impression of girlishness is compounded by her plain blue cotton shirtwaist dress, and sensible low-heeled summer shoes.

The cadence of the women's laughter awakens Sheridan fully, and a bemused frown flickers across his forehead as he straightens his posture, and looks vaguely about him.
Caroline and Sally place their trays, laden with honeysuckle-patterned china, tiny sandwiches and a truly spectacular jam sponge, onto the garden table.

' I hope we didn't wake you up, Mr Outhwaite? ' Sally calls, without a trace of contrition.

As her high heels sink into the lawn, she looses her balance and has to place her hand on Sheridan's chest to steady herself. She bends down to smile down into his sleep- crumpled face, but in doing so, rather more of her cleavage than she realises is exposed.
His eyes brighten, and he regards Sally with a roguish smile.

'Not at all Sally, m'dear, Always delighted to see you. Y' know that, don't you?' And he reaches out, and pats her hand reassuringly, accidentally brushing the top of Sally's lacy bra as he does so.

Caroline, watching this exchange carefully swats, with irritation, at a bee that has been happily investigating the dusting of icing sugar on the jam sponge. Mortally wounded, the bee tumbles onto the flowery tablecloth; it lands on its back, buzzing angrily, with its legs still waving futilely in the air.
With a far-away expression on her face, Caroline picks up the heavy teapot, and places it firmly on top of the squirming insect.
The buzzing ceases abruptly .

Now, the women arrange the tea things, pour the tea, pass the sandwiches and, finally - the sponge cake. After which, their conversation turns to local matters. Soon nothing is Ieft of the afternoon tea, but a few cake crumbs, and one curling triangle of cucumber sandwich. Sally looks at her watch.

'Goodness!' she laughs, ' Time I wasn't here! Bless you both for a wonderful tea!'
And with a kiss each for Sheridan and Caroline, and a lingering waft of 'Opium', she is off. They hear her little car splutter into life, listening until the sound dies away.

A dark cloud creeps across the sinking sun, and a sudden chilly breeze ruffles the Laburnums. Caroline moves to her father's side.

'You like SaIIy, don't you Daddy?' She smiles into his happily reminiscent face. Sheridan also smiles at the memory of the sophisticated woman who has just left.

'I should jolly well think I do! A lovely girl, that Sally!'

'I thought so.' says Caroline, in a quiet voice.

She lifts the teapot again, higher this time; and brings it down with sudden, icy violence onto his handsome silver hair.

'You really must remember Daddy - that I am your only girl.' she says in a conversational voice; and totally oblivious of the stream of blood welling up from her father's fractured cranium, she climbs into his lap, and sleepily, places her thumb in her mouth.





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Cleo_Serapis
post Nov 10 09, 15:37
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Hi Leo,

The current comp is for poetry entries only - through Jan 31st. Would you mind if I deleted this until Februray and then we can repost it at that time?

-Lori


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"It's a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step into the Road, and if you don't keep your feet, there is no knowing where you might be swept off to." ~ J.R.R Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings

Collaboration feeds innovation. In the spirit of workshopping, please revisit those threads you've critiqued to see if the author has incorporated your ideas, or requests further feedback from you. In addition, reciprocate with those who've responded to you in kind.

"I believe it is the act of remembrance, long after our bones have turned to dust, to be the true essence of an afterlife." ~ Lorraine M. Kanter

Nominate a poem for the InterBoard Poetry Competition by taking into careful consideration those poems you feel would best represent Mosaic Musings. For details, click into the IBPC nomination forum. Did that poem just captivate you? Nominate it for the Faery award today! If perfection of form allured your muse, propose the Crown Jewels award. For more information, click here!

"Worry looks around, Sorry looks back, Faith looks up." ~ Early detection can save your life.

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Cleo_Serapis
post Jun 14 10, 18:55
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From: Massachusetts
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Real Name: Lori Kanter
Writer of: Poetry & Prose
Referred By:Imhotep



Congratulations Leo on your Merit placement! dance.gif

You have risen up, drank from the Well of Wisdom and have been crowned the ‘bringer of victory’! rose.gif champagne.gif

Well done!
pharoah2.gif



·······IPB·······

"It's a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step into the Road, and if you don't keep your feet, there is no knowing where you might be swept off to." ~ J.R.R Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings

Collaboration feeds innovation. In the spirit of workshopping, please revisit those threads you've critiqued to see if the author has incorporated your ideas, or requests further feedback from you. In addition, reciprocate with those who've responded to you in kind.

"I believe it is the act of remembrance, long after our bones have turned to dust, to be the true essence of an afterlife." ~ Lorraine M. Kanter

Nominate a poem for the InterBoard Poetry Competition by taking into careful consideration those poems you feel would best represent Mosaic Musings. For details, click into the IBPC nomination forum. Did that poem just captivate you? Nominate it for the Faery award today! If perfection of form allured your muse, propose the Crown Jewels award. For more information, click here!

"Worry looks around, Sorry looks back, Faith looks up." ~ Early detection can save your life.

MM Award Winner
 
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Guest_ohsteve_*
post Jun 15 10, 23:39
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Leo, Congrats on getting a merit on this one also, I think I prefered the Piggy story but this was good.

Steve
 
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