My Latest Sculpture

The Day of Pain

All my life, I've either gone to weep on my bed or an isolated corner somewhere unseen. Yet that day of pain, in Mist world, I am not some random female needing to hide her tears. I was Queen of the Children, Princess of Souls, Duchess of the seas, and Empress of the Lands. They would know my grief. I sat straight up on the polished throne. I wore my diadem, and let the tears fall. They splattered on my dress.
"Your majesty, consider the moral of the people." Whispered Grayson.
"I have. They must know I made a mistake, and that I mourn for it." I replied.
"Yes, but tears do not solve problems." Said Grayson gently.
"Am I to be escorted home now? Since, I've failed?" I asked.
Before Grayson could answer the doors smack open at the opposite end of the room. Out strode Jubal, his black coat glossy, and shimmering as he moved. His face too seemed to have layer of gloss over it. It reminded of dead people touched up for their funerals. He grinned widely at me.
"Success! The darkling forces have kept their end of the bargain. They have retreated, and will gladly swear their allegiance to you in the twelfth month."
My tears stopped. A coldness gripped my heart. I hated him more than I had ever hated anyone, but he did not hold the lions share of my anger. I held that for myself. Ultimately, I was to blame. This truth did not quench my hatred for Jubal.
"My children have suffered." I uttered.
Jubal tossed his right hand in the air. Disregarding my words.
"Do not disrespect the Queen." Commanded Grayson.
"Your highness, if you are worried about the children, don't be. They are safely nestled in the gardens likely being reborn as we speak." Said Jubal poison-sweet.
"The gardens have been placed under a sleeping spell. In addition, its gates have been locked with an enchantment. The Fay folk are angry. They sent me word that the children will not be reborn so long as we have such ties with the Darkling forces." I spat out each word. Sickened by the fact that he remained my advisor.
"The Fay must be appeased. Diplomacy is a process. I'll ready the appeasement at once." Said Jubal lightly. Nothing ever worried him.
"No. Your role is to advise. Not lead. This is my country not yours. I may be ignorant, but I know what you authorized last night was not right. I will handle the Fay." I commanded.
Jubal's face steeled and widened. His long fingers brushed his hair out of his eyes. This motion made some of the gloss fall like crumbs from his face. He spoke.
"Princess Annabelle, understand that there is no putting me back into that dungeon. I am here to stay."

Mourning for the trees

My Father and two of my uncles own a farm. It's incorporated now. I'm not sure what all that entails, but it seems like my Dad's quarter of the farm is less influential. The Uncle that owns half of the farm makes all of the decisions. I suppose that is fit considering his share. However I was truly grieved about his most recent "improvement" to the farm. He decided that there wasn't enough land to grow crops. So he felled half of our forest. The trees were bulldozed. This injured them to the point where they won't be useful for much more than woodchips. Many of these trees were at least many decades old. (They were full grown, when I was a baby twenty five years ago.) I'm guessing that many of them were well over one hundred.
These beautiful enduring giants were knocked down for no great purpose. The farm grows corn to feed the cows. It is not sold. It's not even good for the cows to eat. Grass and alfalfa is far better for them. None working at the farm will receive a pay raise, but the cows will have more corn. That's like knocking down a forested park, in a poor neighborhood, to build a fast food place. Admittedly, that's a worse crime. However, I cannot help but to feel just as sick. that forest was home to many wild animals. It was a refuge. Now most of it is gone.
I am sorry trees. I am sorry that you didn't live to your fullest extent. I am sorry that your corpses were not used to their fullest extent. That you'll never again hold birds nests in your branches, or bunnies burrows in your roots. That you won't live on as a table or house. I am so very sorry. I mourn for your deaths. Trees are amazing creatures. Alive like any other plant, but with more longevity, and purpose above all others. They clean our air most efficiently. Their leaves nurture the soil.  Their branches hold life. Even at times human life. (Who doesn't love a tree house?) Upon your death, paper, buildings, boats, furniture, and art work can be made from you. Not to mention, your nut and fruit bearing brethren. They provide food each season. Air, food, shelter, and beauty this is what a tree provides. Dear trees, you are crucial to human life. I will strive to prevent the rest of your forest from being destroyed. I hope too that those reading this will fight for the trees in their community as well.