http://slow.writerscafe.org/Lydia%20Shutter The original writings of author Lydia Shutter en-us Copyright 2026 WritersCafe.org 1775925766 WritersCafe.org RSS Generator 15 artwork by Natalia OutkinaShe plays jumprope with butterfliesAdmiring theirdesignsThen plays tagwith a fireflyReaching for it asit flutters awayFollow the leaderis more funWith a dancingleafWhile tumbleweedsLead to new andcolorful adventuresAs I watch, I.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Lydia-Shutter/3129105/ artwork by vacabalosurvivalthrough 1,000 iterations of mesometimes with a cherry on topbut not often enough learning even though chocolate coveredresponsibilitiesare still responsibilities we must still trudge on perseverance occasionally .. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Lydia-Shutter/3127036/ i'm having just one of those days..... http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Lydia-Shutter/2963516/ the crow’s feet around my baby bluesare things to be ignoredfar too many places and people to seeno way will i be bored!watching life from the sidelineshas never been for mejudging me is not fairtill you spend time in my company!sure, i’ve been through some battlesand they’ve left .. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Lydia-Shutter/2961732/ it’s that quiet achethat burningthat tiny tinglethe semi sort of stingit’s always therejust ‘neath the surfacewaiting for me to remember http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Lydia-Shutter/2960574/ the flowers you planted in my soulstill bloomthe way your eyes undressed mestill enticesi wonder if you knowthe aroma of sunscreen still takes me backway backand when it does...i smile http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Lydia-Shutter/2957552/ this morningmemories hang heavy in the humid airtugging at the hem of my culottesit is july after alli remember our long ago morning walkson the beachonly now the waves seem to sing yournamewithout you at my sidei’ve no destination in mindjust wandering and .. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Lydia-Shutter/2952894/ An avalanche of desire descended upon my starving sensesrotating the wheels of passion with slick precisionAn exquisite glissando flirtatiously rollicking through valleysand leaping over mountains.Nourishment slid through my lipsfeeding my soul, my heart, my sensesIgniting a manic flame so intense~~.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Lydia-Shutter/2947919/ When the silence is just too loudAnd the ticking of the clock tauntsWhen my brain tells my heartI worry too muchI must lighten the weight of weaponized wordsTruly I cannot be everything to everyoneNo longer can I be strong and responsible(Especially not in the darkness of.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Lydia-Shutter/2944727/ I took this photo while walking on the deck of a cruise ship at night. The moon was full and the ocean was lapping at the hull of the ship. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Lydia-Shutter/2942444/ messy momentsthe kind that embarrass youthe kind you're certain you'll never look back on fondlythey are absolutely impossible to predicteven though still water runs deepjust as emotions dobut can someone tell me whythere is no laugh trackfor the messy moments?something to indicatethis will be signi.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Lydia-Shutter/2935439/ artwork by adriarandoartyou were my true northyour hugs pointed me in the directioni knew would always be homea home with fresh flowerson my favorite glass tablebut that table is dusty nowand the flowershave forgotten how to bloomsometimes i untie a string of your memoriesto make you spend the .. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Lydia-Shutter/2927228/ in the magic of a dancing windi drink in the starry nightthe universe speaks to mei bathe in the moonlightallowing it to show mea reel of happy times and suddenlymy castle of anxiety    is but a pile of sand http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Lydia-Shutter/2924126/ imaginea string of paper dollsswaying in my brainback and forth they dancedeciding which shall bethe doll of the daywhich shall be happywhich shall be sadwhich will wreak havocand which will be gladgently they rustle in the breezepaper thin like some memoriesnavigating the cavernsof my heart and sou.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Lydia-Shutter/2919767/ your kisses brought the blushback to my cheeksmy kisses tattooed your soulyour words refilledthe empty ewer inside methrough imagery and metaphorwe brought parts of us to lifeparts we never really knewyes, we were alive together more alive than we are apartand even nowi think of you as  my.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Lydia-Shutter/2905162/ defying structuremy words float through the airsliding around the truthmysteriously stretching the imaginationor notperhaps a conjunction will manipulatewhile an adjective will provide a bit of clarityeach word serving as an active-duty soldieramassing collective mean.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Lydia-Shutter/2903455/ like the ocean needs the shorelike we seek shade when it’s torridi miss you for years we switched rolesi was now mothering youit felt unnaturaltoo soon the sunset of your soulwas easy to seei listened to your breathing slowsearching for the way to leave memy he.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Lydia-Shutter/2903050/ come with mewatch as peppermint thoughts turn tolicoricesmile as i scavengesalvaging what is left of this dayit’s true, you knowflowers in the vase of lifeneed more than rain to stay vibrantperhaps a troupe of clowns engaging infestivities‘neath a cote.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Lydia-Shutter/2895627/ she pours timefrom her grandmother’s crystal ewerinto the glassher daddy called his owntruly a bit overwhelmingpausing for a bittersweet momentshe takes only small sips of the daynearly choking on the tasteis she dreaming?no, child, this is more of a nightmarethe cogs of “never again&rdq.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Lydia-Shutter/2887625/ against the azure blue of the april skyi thought i saw youit must have been youstill alive in my memoriesfrozen in timehell, we are practically the same age nowdiamonds still dance in your green eyesthough my sapphire eyes are a bit tearyjust rememberingmarzipan cakescandles willing wishes to come t.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Lydia-Shutter/2885006/ the sky moves seductivelyin shades of gold, pink, and orangei see your forever blue eyes peek out from a cloudtime seems blurred on days like thissome would say i am tethered to the pastothers might think i have raced haphazardly into the futurebut i know i am right now…in the momenti must te.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Lydia-Shutter/2881535/ my hope is wrapped in sunshinethen tied up with a shadowmy rhythm is sweeterwhen dressed in a cape of hopemy footsteps are the metronomesyncopated perfectly to my inner rhythmmy patience is like a flowerblooming in the bright sunshinetoday it all came togetherin one perfect package http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Lydia-Shutter/2877768/ whenromance was swimmingat thebottom of a pitcher of beerand mycigarettewas notthe only thing on firelife wasuncomplicated we weresureresponsibilitywas somethingonly oldpeople had…right? you werethe sunyet Iwas the one .. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Lydia-Shutter/2875844/ artwork by mario nevadomy melody of wordsis suddenly off keythe world has gone crazyor perhaps it’s just me!my sleep is interrupted my wake up just falls flatmy tact is non-existenti’m no longer a diplomat!i still worry about humanityi've always had co.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Lydia-Shutter/2875245/ there’s a railing to lean onshe holds on with both handsthe taste of power has left her mouthshe barely remembers the wayit danced on her tonguewho could have dreamedthings would end this way?her bones are weightlessthinning with osteoporosisher once shiny tressesnow dull and grayher thoughts .. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Lydia-Shutter/2869075/ Sing me the song of your heartI will wrap it inmulticolored silken threadsIntroduce me to your soulEvery unique nook and crannyI want to travel through it allLet me be your shawl When winter winds blowAnd your shield When the world turns evilI come to you with p.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Lydia-Shutter/2866184/ artwork courtesy of art majeurIf I were a flowering plantI’d gladly share my topsoil with youIf I were a silken blouseYou'd be chosen as my sleeveIf I were an astronautI’d ask the stars to spell your nameSparkling every nightI will be your confidanteWhen secrets need to be voicedAnd your.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Lydia-Shutter/2865251/ my heart stares at memoriesones that my brain has on a repeating reel13 years ago i told you i would be okayi gave you permission to leave this realmand probably for the first time in my 57 yearsyou listened to my wordstaking them to hearttoday i emptied out the cartonfilled with your expectations(t.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Lydia-Shutter/2862328/ dame coloree artmajeur galleryyou followed a fractured road mapto find methen, after reading the pages of my soulyou did not turn awayinstead you led me to a placei thought i would never seea place where acceptanceis freely givena place where being strongwas not a bad thingnever asking for collatera.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Lydia-Shutter/2861848/ soul curry artseeds of winterdo not grow herethe heat makes this native restlesstill my smile and my frownare in a constant strugglethey scramble in a wrestling match        a steel cage match to be exactbut i’m the only one watchingi wonder…will .. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Lydia-Shutter/2861598/ artwork by rukotvoryso like the ripples in the river deepyour love sashays throughthe shadows and shoals of my heart although the years have changed meand the uphill climbs aren’t as easythe profound truth is you still fit into my definition of love  http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Lydia-Shutter/2861297/ artwork by kelsey howardi think i always knewfrom the moment my blue eyes openedon that summer morni knew you would be “the one” forat least a little whileyou fed me words through musictold me i was strong        a bit self-serving, n’est pas.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Lydia-Shutter/2859443/ in the silence of a summer swelteri try to translate the raincertain it holds a messagemeant only for mebut it whispers too softlyfor me to decipher the wordssince the soundtrack of my lifeis currently being performed by the whitecapsthe arrogant sunis editing the notesthe cabal of cacophony continu.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Lydia-Shutter/2858122/ give me a namea name only you willknowwhisper it in my eargive me a reasona reason to laughand to feel alivegive me a kissone that makes mebelievethe world truly loveslove  http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Lydia-Shutter/2854506/ artwork by shibashakedancewhether someone is watching nor notin your carin the mirroron the cool sand of the beach‘neath the flickering moonlight dancebecause for just a few momentsyou will be freestress will cha-cha out the dooror perhaps watus.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Lydia-Shutter/2852136/ artwork by robert mcginnispotent yet gentleyou were a love sonnet dancing through my universei wanted to give you my allshare my morning coffee with youand then hold your hand as we gazed at the moonyou were my epicurean meali was your comfort foodwe flew so high.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Lydia-Shutter/2850924/ walkingthrough the chaotic tunnel of lifei tastedyour wordsslowly theypeeled away layers of protectionmy heart hadmeticulously formed through the yearsebbing andflowing in just the right rhythmdiscardingmyths my brain had turned to truthsi was amazedas emotion.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Lydia-Shutter/2848126/ artwork by liliane daninolife has slithered sidewaysslipping on its steamy slimy underbellyskipping skillfully through the shadows           that’s why this dizzy and diverse ditzy damedecides to dabble devotedlyin a daily dose of whimsical words http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Lydia-Shutter/2845102/ artwork by julia khoroshikh                                                                              .. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Lydia-Shutter/2843990/ here i sitsoaking up sunlightwatching it scattering glitter on the lapis oceani ponder...is it even possibleto cling to little girl dreamswhile making big girl decisions?my heart is still filled with hopeful expectationbut my mind is replete with too much realitydisjointed thoughts pirouettein the w.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Lydia-Shutter/2840288/ "girl with golden tears" by gustav klimttoday the hem of my life is dragging in the dirtnothing is constant, is it?because a new beginning means there is also an endingwish I could unhear the wordsmoments of anticipationmorph into flashes of fearthen nanoseconds of accep.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Lydia-Shutter/2839997/ it’s the last week of the yeari open my silk scarfstoring in it all my worries and woesthey are yesterday’s news after allmy thoughts climb to the top “our” hillyour laughter still echoes therethe scent of your ginger spiced colognecontinues to enticeopening the scarfi allow .. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Lydia-Shutter/2837293/ fumes of long agobecome so much more enticingas the calendar pages flipthey tickle my brainof course i like to appease myself by thinkingyours is tickled by the remembrance of my perfumeon nights such as this onei have no choice but to relive(even for just a few moments)that which my brain refu.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Lydia-Shutter/2835226/ artwork by nicolas nomikosit’s true you knowmy train has left the stationthat's why my image shocks me every timei return my own gaze in the mirrorlost chances seem to wait around dark cornerstaunting and teasingreminding me of how much self-control I usedpushing fa.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Lydia-Shutter/2832849/ artwork by tom fedrowearing alipstick shade called “fairytale”i waitand yet i amunsure for whateternal youthmorphed into a myth long agonow i'm essentiallyreducedto act asthe broken arrow in sir gallahad’s quiverforever imprisonedby emotionse.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Lydia-Shutter/2831577/ i am much more than my mistakesthough i do not expect you to forget themi am much more than my flawsand i know you have often noticed themi have stumbled and even fallenbut i have always dragged myself back upthen againi have watched as you lost your balanceand reached for the easiest solutiononly t.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Lydia-Shutter/2830084/ artwork by elana felicianoopen the door to your imaginationno need to wait for the bell to ringjust welcome all those ideas keep your pen in handand your heart openthe muse will send them to youdip your pen in the inkwell of memoryallow your fingers to soarthrough the.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Lydia-Shutter/2828632/ artwork by jeremy youngyou are aperennial flowerwatered with myheart and soula multi-coloredblossomsurprising me…thepasserbya gentle languidwave licking my toesbeforedisappearing into the vastnessof the seaa dim lightpeeking through the cloudsju.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Lydia-Shutter/2828041/ artwork by rosemarie beckthe tides of life have blurred my edgesparts of me entangled with the pastother parts harnessed up ready to gallop into the futurea bit of self-reclamation is in orderperhaps i will find clues in the morning newspaper or on the TV newswhere oh whe.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Lydia-Shutter/2826375/ when the world was too loudand voices drowned each other outyou were always my calmmy deep breathmy true northauthentic and trueaccepting my beliefs whether you agreed or not but now opinions push me this way and thatlike a high school bully .. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Lydia-Shutter/2823957/