Escape from Reality

We all want to escape the realities of our lives at some point. Maybe it’s stress. Maybe it’s violence, whether physical, emotional, or otherwise. Maybe we’re feeling bored, lonely, isolated, or trapped. Whatever the reason, an escape from reality is often welcome!

If we can’t leave the people we live with, can’t move, change jobs, or go on vacation, we feel especially stuck. But there are still ways we can escape, albeit temporarily.

We can lose ourselves for a time in books or movies.

Meditation transports us to other dimensions that change us and might even improve our realities!


My 99-word flash nonfiction response to
Carrot Ranch MARCH 25: FLASH FICTION CHALLENGE

Why Do We Exist?

Have you ever wondered why some people exist?

Why do people harm themselves and others? Why does humankind, as a
whole, refuse to change for the better, even when we know–well–we
know it would be better? Why do we keep repeating the same negative
patterns, ineffective communication styles, emotional blackmail,
mental and physical abuse, and other destructive behaviors over and
over and over?

Why don’t we learn from our mistakes? And why do those whom we believe
“deserve” to be hurt, seem to come through without a scratch, while
bad things continually happen to “good” people?

I have no answers! Instead, *I prefer keeping in mind even the
possibility that existence has its own reason for being!


My 117-word response for
dVerse Prosery: Possibilities.

*— Wisława Szymborska, “Possibilities”

At Your Service #SixSentenceStories

Since the beginning of recorded time, music has been used for
everything from war to peace, from love to loss, from inciting
violence to bringing healing.

Once music was a high art form and was appreciated as such; however,
it’s mostly considered entertainment in our society.

Now, I’ve done my share of performing and providing entertainment, and
I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with that!

It was fun, both for me and for the audience, but music has so much
more to offer!

Science and the medical establishment confirm the healing–not
necessarily curative, but harmonizing, restoring,
health-promoting–power of sound and music.

Service musicians use this to their fullest advantage, choosing music
that is aligned with their patients’ needs and/or specific therapeutic
or healing goals, not for entertainment or accolades, but to help
others with the musical tools at their fingertips, in their voices,
and in their hearts.


Written for
#SixSentenceStories: Service.

Attend the Ball! #Decima #Poem

Perhaps you’re nervous, anxious, scared
Of where you haven’t been before.
But were you frightened to be born?
You did it, even unprepared!
Go down the hall, ascend the stairs!
Be gowned, bedazzled by the ball,
Just try again if you should fall.
Play out the play, and dance the dance!
You must move forward to advance!
And take a chance for Good of All!


Written for
Ronovan Writes Décima Poetry Challenge Prompt No. 50: (DANCE) in the D rhyme line.

This week I did something new. I wrote the D lines first, then the C
lines, and finally, the first 5 lines. It felt strange, but turned out
well.

Dependency #Decima #Poem

Dependency’s a cold, rough stone

Around the body, mind and soul.

It keeps both sides from feeling whole;

When they’re together, they’re alone.

It strengthens stress and weakens bones;

The mind imprisoned, angry, locked.

The spirit broken and in shock…

Remove the stone! Let in the Light!

Take back your precious power and might!

Depend upon the Solid Rock!

Written for

https://ronovanwrites.com/2021/03/17/ronovan-writes-decima-poetry-challenge-prompt-no-49-shock-in-the-c-rhyme-line/

“Peace like a River” #Music

Download “I’ve Got Peace like a River” Mp3

“(I’ve Got) Peace like a River” is a much loved African-American spiritual. It compares peace to a river, joy to a fountain, and love to an ocean. With its simple, repetitive lyrics and catchy melody, it’s an easy sing-along song. In fact, I remember doing just that as a child, singing around many campfires. I even played ukulele more than once to accompany the group!

I hope you enjoy “Peace like a River” on ukulele, viola, alto recorder, and lyre!

Light #Decima #Poem

Light, the Source of all created,
Substance of our fate and fortune.
Grab a lantern; bring a torch in!
We may know, yet still debate it.

Light! The One for whom we’ve waited–
Not “out there,” but deep inside us:
Spark that Providence provided.
Where is yours? O let it shimmer!
Vanquish darkness with a glimmer!
Light! The One we all reside in!


Written for
Ronovan Writes Décima Poetry Challenge Prompt No. 48: (FORTUNE) in the B rhyme line.