I can feel you in the air,

swirling, breathtaking, magical and sweet

but I can’t see you with these sad eyes that can sense nothing beyond normalcy

though when I close those very eyes

there’s flashes of bright colors

from lavender to indigo

from black to white

and every shade of gray in between

you exist

a mythical being

you exist

a breath of fresh hair

you exist

a double rainbow

you exist

fairies, goblins, and witches

you exist

magic

you exist

just not alongside me.

When I was a young girl happiness evaded me A glimmer of hope from my mom as she celebrated even the hint of a smile formed on my lips She saw the pain in my eyes when again I’d failed which I’m afraid was often. I couldn’t integrate incoming information into memories Happiness evades me

When I was a feisty teenager happiness evaded me My mother held her head down when we were in close quarters As the weight of her being unable to help me had settled in. And she felt a great pressure on her shoulders as if she were put in stocks and then yoked up into a team of oxen. I cried for her. Happiness evades me.

When I was a crazy twenty something happiness evaded me My mom and I had made peace We were the best of friends the way we should be I had made her proud imagine that Happiness evades me

When I was a married woman happiness evades me All full of hope optimism that was quickly dashed My emotions were chasing me I’d have resign myself to that And that meant a stream of healing rolling over the rocks of life Happiness showed me glimpses of what could be it no longer evades me

When I became a mature woman happiness started to be available to me I opened my heart and looked inside I saw myself as I really was and what potential I possessed No more self insecurity I was a beautiful and capable woman Happiness no longer evaded me

Now that I am a senior soul happiness fulfilled me I am no longer my worst enemy I shared honestly and did the hard work I felt a metamorphosis in my soul Happiness filled me.

And now my life is coming to an end I think of all the places I’d gone the people I’m had met As I lay down and took my last breath I vowed to take happiness to my next unearthly journey Happiness saved me

Fantastical things, With wings and scales and twin horns, Come alive with ink.

Carly Mason stood outside her favorite coffee shop, just leaving with coffee in her gloved hands. She shivered slightly as a harsh, bitter breeze swept past her. She took a sip of the warm coffee that had been warming her hands and smiled.

She began walking back to her apartment after a long day of working at a high school as a substitute teacher—that’s what the coffee’s for.

Living in New York City has its perks; Walking in the beginning of December back to your apartment wasn’t one of them. Although her apartments only a couple blocks away, the weather doesn’t make the “not having a car experience” any better.

You might be wondering—Aren’t cabs a thing?—Well, Carly’s last cab experience didn’t quite go so well. She loves the fresh air. Being stuck in classrooms with a bunch of teenagers isn’t exactly her ideal day of winter fun.

Lucky for her winter break is nearly here.

She pulled her key from her coat pocket , while opening the door to her apartment building. While pulling the door open she was hit with a gust of the warm air that had been locked in the building.

She shut the door behind her and walked up the two flights of stairs she had to walk up to get to the second floor. As Carly made her way down the hall a loud crashing sound was heard from what seemed like her apartment.

Her steps quickened as she neared her apartment that had the number 209 in gold on the bright blue door.

Hesitantly, She put the key in the key hole and turned it slowly. All the while her ear was pressed against the door.

After hearing absolute silence, besides the previous crashing sound, she gently opened the door. She peaked her head around the door. After seeing nothing at that particular moment she stepped inside, slipping off her rather long coat.

Carly pulled off her gloves while walking around the corner into her bedroom. She stood in the doorway taking a look around—Just to be safe. After finding nothing, again, she tossed her gloves aimlessly into her room.

While walking into the main room of her apartment, the living room and kitchen, she had a confused look on her face. She set her cup of coffee down. She pulled off her scarf, looking around trying to find what could’ve made that crashing noise.

After being paranoid for about five minutes she forgot one place.

She ran towards the window leading to the fire escape that held her plants that were currently covered in snow. While pulling it open she heard shuffling, Causing her to open the almost frozen shut window faster.

She threw her head out the window finding something or someone that was almost terrifying.

Her eyes met with what a child would call a dragon. The scales, the wings, the horns, You name it. It’s what Carly was making eye contact with.