Holly, of House of Heart, encouraged me to try the Non-Love Challenge. I never turn down a request from a fellow ginger, so here we go. ♡ Thanks for asking, my friend.
Rules for the “Non-Love in More than Ten Sentences Challenge”:
~The word “Love”, at least once.
~At least one adverb. (For instance: unavoidably).
~At least one quote or motto in quotation marks.
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Let’s start off with one of my favorite playwrites, J.M. Barrie. Sir, will you and your incredible optimism marry me?… *swoon* (If you’ve ever watched the movie Finding Neverland, you know the story behind his writing Peter Pan.)
“Let no one who loves be called altogether unhappy. Even love unreturned has its rainbow.”
― J.M. Barrie
he glittered, as golden as time,
at least from the corner of my mind.
i was drawn to his cadence,
and the lifetime of stories he’d witnessed.
words like ice cream dripping from a chin,
i licked them up, begged to hear them again.
probably did, he encouraged my need,
provided willingly, he’d agree.
age but a number, always my defense,
he’d offer a chuckle, discouraging, made sense.
what an honor, but far too young,
one more story, he’d say and then we’re done.
neighborhood friends gathered here, often,
all craving his stories, of lost and forgotten.
making room for, sally, upon the swing, he stared,
noticing her blue eyes, and long blonde hair.
when she asked for more, as his story wrapped up,
upon her fair cheek, his hand did cup.
young doesn’t matter, when it comes to love,
but, the color of our eyes, my friend, surely does.
swing sits lonely now, most days,
if at all, you’ll find me there in a reflective haze.
redhead upon a red bench, satire, I recognize,
left pensive towards his stories, filled with hazel eyes.
Wonderfully reflective, Aud, and just the right balance between disappointment, bitterness and resignation.
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One should lose with dignity, I’d say. It was fun to spin this one. I appreciate you stopping in.
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*laughing* First off, I love that first quote. About the optimism. I love optimism, I think.
And the poem! Or writing. I must needs know a few things: Who’s Sally? And is she violent?
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*giggle* You love my quote? My plea for him to marry me? He’s dead, you know? Would never work out… You’re rather optimistic, Duke. Well, about most things anyway.
*confused face* I don’t know what it is either…tis horrid, huh? Sally is a made up name for the story’er’poem, see. I don’t know any sallys…best that way, I think. Well, I don’t believe she is violent, but she may be. Could quite possibly be or not. Should I ask her? I don’t know her all that well, and not at all. Why such questions, Duketh?
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I do like your quote! And I know you love that movie and fellow. He was the Peter Pan dude, I’m thinking. Yes, the professor tends to be that way, I think.
Well, she seems like a thief of sorts…is that about right?
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Yes, *shakes her head* he was the Peter Pan dude.
Was, indeed, but seems there really was nothing to steal. Wasn’t there in the first place.
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*laughs* I remembered, though!
Where’d she come from?
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*brightly smiles* You sure?
Sally? I made her up, but ones like her have existed in my lifetime and in my small part of the world.
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Positive. I remember watching the movie.
Did you want to shoot her?
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*smiles* I do love that sad movie so much.
Briefly, I suppose. One has to be realistic, you know. He wasn’t for me.
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It was sad! I remember thinking, “Wow…now I feel rather gloomy.”
Still, you should shoot her.
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Just think of how happy he and the boys are together though…made me smile.
Yikes. I’m not gonna do that, you know. You can try…
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Maybe he beat them? (Hey, you should buy me a 1911 Spartan.)
Me? Where is she?
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He did not. (Why should I? And what is it, Duke?)
I haven’t a clue where she is, but you’ll find her.
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A 1911…it’s a gun model that’s really, really cool!
Hmm. You find her first!
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And how did you find the 1911?
I don’t want to look for her, you know.
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Well…I’m a warrior!
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Okay, we established this already, I think.
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Beautifully written & wonderfully original… I will be dropping by to read some more.
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Hi, Pete. Thank you so much! I appreciate your visit.
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A powerful poem with such longing and wistful dreams ~ “words like ice cream dripping from a chin, i licked them up, begged to hear them again.” A treat of friendship that will stand the test of time and distance, those are the ones to hold and cherish forever. The photo along with your words that end this great, swaying song you’ve written is a perfect compliment to the longing and hope of the day. Perfection once again Audrey Dawn ~
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Yes, much longing in this one, Dalo. Powerful? That I’m not sure of, but I’d like to hope so. I think you know a thing or two about mind consuming words and stories. They’re my favorite, you know. You left me with quite the comment. Speechless, really. How you find something kind to say every time you visit has yet to get past me unnoticed. Some day I’ll feel worthy of such kind devotion. Thank you, my Photographer Philosopher Extraordinaire
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Something mighty sad about this one, Audrey (or perhaps, it’s just that I have hazel eyes, too!) At any rate, I’d say you nailed the challenge — brava!!
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Finally. Someone who sees it as I did. Not that the positive side isn’t sugary sweet, but it is sad. To have fallen in love with someone much older, to then be told she was far too young, and then see the man, who told stories of girls with hazel eyes, fall in love with a friend… yes this was supposed to be sad.
Thanks for seeing the sadness in this one. Enjoy your day. ♡
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Yay! I loved this a lot, Audrey. 🙂 J.M. Barrie is AWESOME.
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*cheers with you* You did?! Yay! *cheered again* I’m so happy you loved this, Luke. He is AWESOME!! You know him? Of course you do… xx
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This is just magnificent Audrey Dawn – in addition to this wonderful poetic story… I think that the red swing has the potential to enlighten us with many more interesting tales… Perhaps a book awaits us… “Tales from the Red Swing”… Thank you so much for sharing this with us. I’m smiling… Thank you…
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Michael, good morning…thank you for your kind words. I’m pleased you enjoyed this story. Yes, the red swing probably does have a lot more to express. I hadn’t given it much thought, but she could serve as a confessional of sorts. Would you sit with me? 🙂 I’m always happy to share my words with such a fine poet. The secret is out. I have a soft spot for older men. Giggle. Enjoy your day, my dear. You’re welcome, always.
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What a tribute for a friend, for friendship, for love. No modifier will do it justice so I won’t even attempt.
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I don’t know what to think of it either, Shari. You’re not alone in your confused state. 😉 Sometimes my mind is a odd place. Thank you for saying hi, my friend. ♡
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It’s not that I don’t know what to think but that words will deflate its power. What I feel is visceral – that’s as close as I can get.
Hi back, always. *: )
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That’s simply perfect, Shari ♡
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This is fantastic, Red. I love it!
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Aw, thanks, Ginger! It was fun to write and a little painful… *giggle*
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I can relate to that, ginger. Thank you for the lovely poetry! :_)
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You’re welcome, always. xx
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Quite Lovely.
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Hey, thank you for saying so, Edward. Your unexpected visit was a nice sweet surprise.
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Always read you Audrey.
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I appreciate you letting me know, Edward, King of two phenomenal sentences…
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You are so wonderfully thoughtful.
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Thoughtful? Just honest, really. Call’em as I see’em. You’re good at what you do. You tell quite a story and set an image perfectly with your talent, so just agree with me and say thank you. I’m probably more wonderfully bossy, you see. 😉
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My goodness gracious… I truly appreciate your accolades. Many Thanks to you Audrey.
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Haha…don’t worry. You’ll recover shortly. 😉 Enjoy your night, Edward.
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