"I Long for a Pause in Eternity" by Miche Lee

If I could stop the world and lay still in a single moment of time, maybe everything would fall into place. Yes. For me, the world would stop, the people and animals and machines would stop fighting and grinding in their effort to survive, the only things permitted to busy themselves will be the bees; droning from one flower to another in their leisurely way.

My moment of pause will be warm and peaceful. A place outside in a sunshiny meadow that smells sweet, like cornbread and hay. In that single moment, everything shall be a sudden golden serenity, everything will make sense, and I would not be surprised that it makes sense, I will come to discover that what I have already learned is merely confirmed by my new knowledge. Then, in due process, move along with the rest of my thoughts-- after all, I have all the time in the world, I can think everything out, with spare time to pray, hope, and resolve. Then, when I am ready, I will walk back through the veil that separates stillness from movement, the ‘play’ button, and again enter into time, right where I left off.

After finding so great a joy, it is not conceivable that we could be separated. The tranquility and confidence shall remain in me. To guide me, protect me, make me remember who I am, and how I behave.

And from my moment of eternity onward, I will go on with my life; nothing can confuse me or bother me or hurt me. I am peace, I am composure, I can truly be the statute of elegance and joy and pure contentment.

Because I will have found my direction. I will have my purpose. I will know what I need to do to achieve and excel. I will be strong. I will do.

"Music of the Master" by Sam Crowley

Music’s true and infinite worth is in the way it makes me feel, and how it moves me. Music brings me feelings of light, love, hope, peace, and power. These feelings send my soul over cloud and through open skies.

As I listen, I become lost, enveloped in the melodies and rhythms. I begin to see the picture painted, though masked and hidden behind the rolling and tumbling of its voices and the sweeping spray of its notes; another dimension of power and feeling lies at first undetected. I hear a voice not heard before, a note that seemed unplayed. I begin to understand the song, its majesty and splendor, the power it holds, whereby, one can receive the strength to conquer, or the meekness to submit, the will to hold on for a little longer, or the ability to just let go.

I believe that man alone cannot create things marvelous as this! God must then its author be! And perhaps that’s why it moves me, and lifts me to the sky. And maybe someday, maybe, I could learn to write that way.

"Glimmer of a Perfect Pair" by Sam Maxfield

Eyes astonish me; each duo has their own color, hue, figure, and identity. Combinations vary, every pair are unique from all others. All sets contain their own story, in its’ own little universe, observing and recording events, joyful, somber, or in between. Memories of your love, your triumphs, your distresses, tucked snugly within, never to be observed by another.The apparatus that is the human mind scarcely concealed, behind frail lenses, with only a spherical cavity to peek into its shadowy abyss.

Eyes are the gold-laced gateway to the soul. To explore and examine someone’s eyes is to have a glimpse into their past, their present, and their future. You value more about an individual’s life, what his or her misfortunes and accomplishments are. Not to mention, the immense quantity of the potential and the brilliance in the rear of a person’s psyche. Comprehending the eyes is inconceivable, the story that is veiled behind them never entirely known. They differ no matter what, even if two people have the same color, shape, or yet connected by family, the events that outline and make up their life, will always be beyond compare.

"Call of Thunder" by Chanlyn Gerringer

Sailing across the sky they come ominously in vast numbers. Looming above the mighty mountains surrounding the valley far below. The promise of rain is here. The air grows cold, the clouds come down covering the mountains, lingering above the trees.

In the distance I can see the leaves dance and quake as the howling wind brings the storm closer, closer. To the waiting trees and flowers below that spread their leaves upward welcoming the coming rain.

The clouds burst. The rain descends. I watch as the clouds release their power, and puddles form all around the house. The birds play and sing their jovial songs in the refreshing rain, singing with all the earth; for the rains have come again.

Inside the fire crackles; burning brilliant bright rays of color that dance before my eyes. I hear the soft rain tapping the window as the storm’s anger slowly fades away. The distant rumble calling: “Rain! Rain!”