Birds circled overhead. I told my grandson they were foraging for insects. I knew better, though, and it was only a matter of time before he knew it, too: Birds aren’t real.

They once were, ages ago. A virus had spread in the populations that had wiped them out by millions, and the government had "euthanized" the rest to prevent the virus mutating into the human variant. Not a lot of people knew...

The mist was extra thick this morning. The bicyclist would swear it, to anyone he encountered. He would nod, call out in greeting, and say, "Quite the fog!" That would be sure to garner a friendly reply. Maybe even a chortle. At least something in response, if just two words like, "I'll say!"

He pedaled faster. There were figures out there, but they never seemed any closer, or farther, for that ...

How did I get here?

Amnesia hit unexpectedly this time;

It is easy to get lost in the underworld.

Let us help you once again

Find which way is up

So you don’t fall down farther

You poor pathetic exercise–

Sorry–child.

Would you like to try again?

Try standing.

Oopsie-daisy, there you are.

Off you go.

That’s right now.

Uh-huh, buh-bye.

No, no, you take care.

You better....

I do look back and wonder

At when the road diverged in a late springtime wood

I retraced my steps thinking that old way led to better.

Here I am in yellowing leaves, surely this was but one way

At the time, my heart said the only one was back waiting

In truest regard, willfulness had already set his path

Off track, though I believed, surely what was promised

Was simply around this obstructed v...

All candy, when done right, should tantalize the senses. Eye-catching. Good bend or snap, depending. Fragrant. Suitable feel in the hand and mouth texture-wise. Delectable on the tastebuds, possibly inducing rapture, but at the minimum, pure joy.

Some candy, when done right, should transport the consumer to other times and places—literally.

Both types of candy were found in Ye Old Candy Curiosi...

Nothing here remains but the sand

Creeps in with plans for future dunes

"Don’t worry, sweetheart, I’m going to take

Real good care of you."

(Yes, I remember, and trust me, it's important that I do.)

Someone's been there obviously,

Long foregone in search of belongings,

Though taken full account and decided:

Let that old man who lost his only son

Off the hook. Look at those treasures, for won;

If...

I’ve created a monster

And I didn’t even realize

I apologize

I’m sorry, and I own it.

I’ve created a monster

But I’m going to make it better

This time I won’t believe the lies

Or count the times

You’re sorry, but you’re not.

I’ve created a monster

How could I do such a thing

Impossibly all I needed

Was you

Making me wait

Until, and I apologize,

I’m sorry, but I couldn’t.

I’ve created a...

To tell you the truth—

Not in my Friendship era.

Too—and—not enough,

On a personal level;

Guess I just don’t qualify....

Vision

Spoiled

Witch

(Or maybe in reverse, depending on nature of crime report)

Witch

Spoiled

Vision...

There was something I was planning to get around to doing yesterday, but it totally slipped my mind and I forgot, sort of. The prompt that went away before I could get to it, about saving the world except for having procrastinated too long. That one (and "it should be humorous" if I remember correctly). Now I feel entitled to return to it by nature of this prompt on royalty, plus the arrogance of ...