The Written Word Group

  I would love to be able to reach that tree. It's trunk entices me to rest against it, to take up its offer of shelter from the intense sun and  the occasional storm. I could hide behind it if danger approached, instead of shaking in fear, rooted to the spot. Crouched, as low to the floor as I can get, trembling, my teeth chattering in fear. My pathetic attempt to look invisible so that I won't be noticed. I dream of running through the campo with friends, my legs stretched out in joyous strides. We could chase rabbits and partridge. I have to believe that someone will release me from this chain, and break the feeling of dread that I experience every day.  The loneliness of captivity is numbing, but my body tells me to stay alert. The threat of being beaten and manhandled is very real. If I really dare to, I momentarily lose myself in the thought that I have my own family. They call me...

It was the end of a hard working week, on a warm sunny afternoon, I took the road along the seafront. The sea was calm and blue, giving me the impression I was looking at a blue blanket. I decided to park the car somewhere along the seafront to walk down the promenade to the pier and back. This walk would usually take about a good hour at a fast pace but this time I wasn't in a hurry I was going to take it slowly. I needed to unwind and clear my head to forget the busy week I had at work. The promenade was buzzing with people walking by, children running, playing and laughing.  A mother was walking in front of me with her two young girls who were skipping happily alongside her. One of the little girls asked if they could have an ice cream: Mummy, mummy!! could we have an ice-cream, we're so hot, an ice cream will cool us down, she smiled. The mum said: of course my pup, you both were good girls at the doctors, you deserve a treat. Both girls ran to the ice-cream van w...