Writing inspired by the following SWC prompt:

Vellichor
Vellichor is defined as the nostalgia of used bookstores and the feeling evoked by the scent of old books or paper. Write a story or a poem inspired by the atmosphere of vellichor.

A Bookish Directive

by Marlene Woods

Open the pages of a used book.
Close your eyes and
bury your nose in it. 
Inhale the most glorious scent—
the aroma of time.

A used book 
is a bottle of perfume,
it seduces all your senses 
in one deep intake…breath in. 

In its penetrating smell,
the book reveals its age
while simultaneously
flaunting its timelessness.

A feeling of awe
invades you as your hands 
caress the cover 
and your index finger 
runs down its spine.

While you flip the pages,
your curiosity is awakened
and the anticipation of 
the upcoming adventure
augments your intellectual thirst.

You are welcome.

Writing inspired by the following SWC prompt:

I refuse to feel hopeless because…

Hopeful Words

by Marlene Woods

I refuse to feel
hopeless
because 
although some days
I have less hope,
I fill my cup with coffee
and re-design my dreams
once more.

An immediate rush of hope
inspires me to chug along.   

I’m the little engine that could
from all the way on the back
I push, 
with all my energy and might
I gain strength from 
positivity and optismism 
as I move up 
on the hill of pessimism.  

There might be set backs,
but I stop and breath in. 

I refuse to feel
hopeless
because 
after a dark night,
a new day is promised
with the sunlight.