Intersections

stopped by the red light
i watch the cars drive by
one going left
the other right
and another straight-ahead
some waiting for others to pass by
some stopped as if in a trance
patient for the light to change
then others inching forward
not so patient

24/7, this pattern repeats
just like life
sometimes chaotic
for what seems like an eternity
sometimes calm
after the rush
sometimes stalled
with breakdowns
whether moving
in the direction chosen
or at a standstill
not predicted
final destinations are eventually reached
one way or another

Radhika Puttige

Dilemma

Crossroad confusion
the undecided chatter
tug of war ensues

Dawn

Nascent rays emerge
coral horizon dazzles
a resplendent gift 

Stress

Vagaries of life
humdrum busyness engulfs
mindful to mind full 

Who am I?

Ephemeral life
the wandering soul questions
cryptic solutions 

~~~

Radhika has a blog, “radhikasreflection,” on WordPress. She has published a book of poetry and haiku titled Eclectic Verses. Her poems have been featured in The Kali Project, Spillwords, The Sound of Brilliance, Reflections & Revelations, The Indian Periodical, Pure Haiku, and many other online platforms. Radhika was first featured in 2020 and then again in 2022. She was a 2022 Pushcart prize nominee for her piece Anxiety. You can find all her features and reblogs HERE.

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If you’d like to be featured on The Short of It in the future,
click here for the submission guidelines.

Vol 1 The Sound of Brilliance and Vol 2 Reflections & Revelations on Amazon

Live Best

evil is the wicked intention to do harm
not a devil’s creation
but a man-made decision

brain chemicals, poor choices, shitty upbringing
influences accepted willingly
or thrust upon us unwillingly or unknowingly
it all impacts

the reality is we’re all capable of doing the right things
many choose to
some decide not
and some neglect to stay on the path of faultless behavior
drugs, alcohol, and sex reduce our capacity for intentionality

choose YOU living your best life

It’s Your Decision

Inspired by Reena’s Xploration Challenge #304 – The Beauty of Chaos &
Moonwashed Weekly Prompt – Either Or

make a choice
stay stuck or move forward
either or

but remember

the beauty of chaos experienced
lies in your determination
to overcome it


Worthy

Inspired by Reena’s Xploration Challenge #286 & Moonwashed Weekly Prompt – Deserving

sunshine interrupts rain
and the world gets brighter

accidents threaten well-being
teaching us valuable lessons

friendships go off track
allowing us to find the right ones

the cycles of nature
bring us beauty and havoc

lovers once committed
shed us for new horizons

life is a basket of variables
deserving of discernment

next steps are crucial
our existence depends on it

otherwise, what is the alternative?

Making Changes

Selfie

Inspired by Reena’s Exploration Challenge #284 & Moonwashed Weekly Prompt – Horizon

She’d forgiven everyone and emptied her home of all that gave it meaning.

She looked to the horizon, imagining a new life.

It would better, she told herself.

When At Crossroads

Inspired by Moonwashed Weekly Prompt – Forbidden & Reena’s Exploration Challenge #252

no path is forbidden
yet life choices
produce behaviors
affect outcomes
choose wisely

Tremaine L. Loadholt

Pressure  

she sits on the sea’s floor
shaped by the world
above it–changed forever.
the workers of ancient
tongues sift through
her words, chanting
their dismissals.
the pressure from centuries
ago labels her again
and again.
is this the chosen path
home or not?

The Brave Girl Knoweth Not  

enchanting winds sway
over the clandestine clouds
she speaks of hard times
the chosen few laugh
behind her back, valleys shift
to the hills of life
brave girl knoweth not
of love or impending storms
she prepares for pain

Good Dog  

good dog sleeps alone
savors the sunlight of morn
drifting into dreams
human loves her more each day
Mother Nature gifts them peace

Winter Knocks But Isn’t Allowed Entry

Temperatures tank throughout
the day, mimicking winter blues.
We shuffle along in life, wrapping
our bodies in extra clothing.
We are layered for bitter chill,
the calm of every storm spits
in our direction–we war
our way through the hell of it.
A long walk lends frostbite to
the limbs–we shake ourselves
into warmth–turn the thermostat
up, shoot fire into the bones.
Winter knocks. It is premature.
We howl at its presence–fangs
sharp enough to slice through
hardened flesh.
We are not ready. We are not ready.

Forgotten Words

We aren’t the warriors
of the past. We have
different methods–different ways,
but we still work words
the way the ancestors intended.
What we say can
be misconstrued, but what we
mean, never is.

~~~

A North Carolina writer, Tremaine L. Loadholt has been published in literary journals, anthologies, and magazines, and published three poetry books: Pinwheels and Hula Hoops, Dusting for Fingerprints, and A New Kind of Down. Her artistic expressions are at A Cornered Gurl and Medium. This is Tremaine’s first feature on The Short of It.

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Submissions are now closed but if you’d like to be featured on The Short of It in the future,
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Churning

with tumult laying siege
the agitation taking hold
our vulnerability appears

sink or swim?


A Portal Beckoning

if only getting to the other side
was as easy as stepping over the jagged rocks
into a picture frame of natural perfection

happiness and grace seem utterly within reach
fostering desires of leaving behind what’s pulling us back
with concerted efforts, we move ourselves forward to a better place

while our surroundings may be deceiving us
intention towards fulfillment is not
being travelers towards our destiny brings the fortune we are deserving of