http://slow.writerscafe.org/jamescrouch The original writings of author James Crouch en-us Copyright 2026 WritersCafe.org 1776013059 WritersCafe.org RSS Generator 15 Have I woken from a dream? Or does this fruitless mirage waver, like restless rain?Do I paint with idle colours? Or watch them trickle into the drain?I have flickered like a candle, awoken by gentle flameWaiting for a railroad, to be built and broken again Do I assume the world is magic?.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/jamescrouch/2139604/ Lords, ladies, riders of the veil Gather at once to hear these talesOf crackling fire, chants and criesThat take the midnight as it burns the skyDraw back the stitched tapestriesMay they flow like heavenly rainUnhand the finest silkFor they bear no rule against the KingStay my ha.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/jamescrouch/2139594/ Keepeth the night at bay For tears have fallen within blue rainSlight cuts in the mountain strongThat hold on to ancient stormsSteeples of cold iron Are frozen in the windSee them scrape the skyBury the soul within For I am tired nowOf trudging these well-worn lanesThat kee.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/jamescrouch/2123799/ The horse shivered in the snow. Its rider was a large man wearing a big coat and an old hat. He was chewing a cigar, watching the valley in front of him. His face was concealed by an overgrown beard, with a large scar under his left eye. It was bitterly cold. The rider shifted uncomfortably in his s.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/jamescrouch/2104374/ The violins sounded sweet in the night air. Glasses of cool champagne, strong whiskey and thick cigar smoke were present, all adding to the atmosphere of the party. A great house, stood over the people, illuminated by the lanterns and lights decorating it for the occasion. A small bell rang, and sui.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/jamescrouch/2104187/ Shards of contempt spare the seekerFor the stitches of simplicity make him weaker The throws of gold and crimson oldSlice him like a newborn feverFor the untimely rise of a burrowed fool Who questions his god and condemns his toolsSpring from the stream like anguished stonesTo inscri.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/jamescrouch/2104033/ The breeze whipped wildly down the beach.The ocean raged, spraying up against the cliffs. It was a wild habitat, not fitfor people. Great gulls and albatross wailed at each other, fighting overfish bones in the sand. The beach went on for miles, untamed and empty. Greatrock formations loomed.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/jamescrouch/2104027/ I bathe the silver stairwayFor it climbs into autumn Speak to the leaves, convince them of promisesFor they wash in the falls that are pure  We keep the trees, from wedding the light As it creeps through the branchesFor the white, pearly gates in the wood Are ope.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/jamescrouch/2104023/ Follow the splintered starlight on For home is where it goesKeepeth the window that opens wide For the shackles will soon be noneSolve the iron rage of windThat counsels that fractured soul withinIt flits atop a restless breezeCarrying away the sorrow and sinBreak the swallowed.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/jamescrouch/2103417/ Splendid silver serpents Atop a little hillLooking over gardensThat stretch so far, until They slither under bramblesAnd rustle until dawn Searching for an enemyThat leave their souls forlorn Writhing wreathes of hollyStaining the open viewThat tear right through the fabric.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/jamescrouch/2103363/ The siren asked if I knew the wayI doShe led me down into the caveI followedI watched the burning ships go past the coveI knewThe ocean claimed them all for herIts trueThe night bore down it’s heavy rain On meI know now the weight of chainsAt sea.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/jamescrouch/2103360/ The road was abandoned, littered with rusted, old cars. Long vines and grass had crept back over the years, engulfing the highway. The breeze howled through the gaps in the metal, rattling road signs with long forgotten locations on them. The road lead into a large city, its buildings darkened, with.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/jamescrouch/2103236/ The soldier born, amongst the arrowsA quiver of sunshine that shakes the sorrowFibre strong, with a lion's maneThat sends oceans forth into the grainThe mantle shattered, like earthen stonesThat roll through the rivers, far from homeBurdened hearts like newborn starsThat anchor travellers, riding fa.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/jamescrouch/2102239/ The crowd swayed as one in the square. High up, a bell tower cast a large shadow across their heads. Birds circled in the sky above, the sun shone down. It was all but silent, the breeze rising and falling. A low hum began at the back, slowly evolving into song. As the singing moved forward in the g.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/jamescrouch/2101455/ The silent, sentient cyborg moved its limbs slowly. It stared at itself inquisitively in the mirror, its eyes shifting, retinas expanding. The sound of a piano captured its attention, the soft, subtle tones playing on its memory banks. The melody triggered a response. Mozart. It stood, gently mind.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/jamescrouch/2101444/ A little white sail, upon the edge of the dayThe water is calm, it flows gently awayA wash of perfume, makes the air so sweetThe sound of the people, the music in the streetThe coffee and cocktails, play a soft tuneWhilst the scent of the ocean, reminds me of youAnd the wonderful light.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/jamescrouch/2100521/ The salted sands glide, in the tideAs the golden glow washes awayThe sparkling seas that have travelled far Leaving only shells to stay We walk barefoot, into the night Lead by the moon’s soft, wholesome glow Tied as one, into the dawnIf only you didn&rsquo.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/jamescrouch/2100324/ I am the king of the undying lands A throne of thorns made by idle handsThose that have reigned know I be true For the valley is washed and born anew I am the prince of the underground worldA kingdom of crystals, diamonds and pearlsBrought into daylight by the tunnel.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/jamescrouch/2100170/ The bustle on the train station discomforted him. Busy, stressed people. Their clopping shoes, creaking leather bags. They were deafening. At one point, he considered turning away from it all completely. He nervously shifted his weight, stomach churning. Seeing a gap in the crowd, he joined the stea.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/jamescrouch/2094801/ The wind whispered through the trees, caressing the grass and soothing the grain. White fence posts lined the fields, from which the low sounds of talk could be heard. Through the rows of wheat, a shadow of a man flickered, holding a cocked pistol. His clothes were ragged, his hair tangled. His bloo.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/jamescrouch/2094416/ They stood together, holding hands in the schoolyard. The looks they got, they did not care for. Their love was powerful, stronger than anything. It could break down walls, shatter stone, divide waves. Her simple smile was like a spear, an angel of heaven in the breeze. She wore a plaid shirt, dirty.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/jamescrouch/2093433/ The display banks flickered, coming to life. The low hum of the nearby machines changed pitch, whirring into action. On a large screen, complicated symbols and colours swirled together. Amidst the activity, a sharp, computer-like voice stated “Power restored, systems online”. Nearby, an .. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/jamescrouch/2093406/ In the golden hours of old,Rosen tints on lands foretoldTo bear the fruits of ancient winesThat flow like rivers, deep in timeThe bells that ring, far down belowThat move the hills and shake the bonesWho write the tales told ‘round the firesThat set hearts alight, makes them fe.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/jamescrouch/2093405/ A blue lagoon, past the treesWhere travellers come to wash their feetTo bathe and bask in the setting sun To lie and laugh until the day is doneThe great fires that burn, against the tide Where creatures dance into the nightIt’s all aflame in the violet skyWhere the winds blow .. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/jamescrouch/2093404/ The thunder rumbled, deep and low. The rain slashed across the rivers and the hills. Forked lightning sliced the sky, sending small creatures scurrying away. The wide plains were hidden in darkness, and all that could be seen were several distant lights, small and orange. As the rain fell harder.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/jamescrouch/2092061/ Tomorrow WaterThe gate slowly opened, creaking in the wind. The trees swayed in the breeze, groaning slightly as they danced back and forth. Looking up, the bearded man ran his lined, worn hands on the wood of the fence, and set off into the forest. All around him, the silence echoed. Distant cr.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/jamescrouch/2091543/