James D. Lewis

email: Jim@JamesDLewis.com

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Photographs - Page 9

Photographs - New Outlook

Photographs - Page 11

Cancun Dec 2011-Jan 2012

Photographs - Page 13

Photographs - Page 14

Photographs - Page 15

Photographs - Page 16

Photographs - Page 17

Photography - Page 18

Grand Canyon river trip

New Mexico road trip

Photography - Page 19

California road trip

Short Stories

Legacy

Disturbing Dreams

Dreaded Bliss

Steepest Descent

The Flute Player

Tree Shadows

A Scented Revelation

The Choice

Connections

The Secrets of Cicadas

Books

Reasons to Live

A Compendium...

Photographs with Tales

Guestbook

 
 

STEEPEST DESCENT

"Why are people so intent on concealing who they are?" Trent wondered as he flipped through the photo album. The strange antics, the turning away. "Here it is," he said, pointing to a solemn pose he affected at age eight. He remembered staring into the lens, studying his own reflection, oblivious to the ocean and siblings surrounding him. He handed the photograph to Amari adding, "See? I told you I've always brooded."


She traced his image with her index finger, hovering just above the paper as if lifting his innocence, affirming the legitimacy of his intense expression. She seemed to blot, even soak, his premature angst. He could earn it later. Besides, he was old enough now to decide who he once could be.


He had deep set dark eyes even then. His hair was now a bit longer than his childhood buzz cut. Its sandy color and his wiry frame were unchanged. He grew into the man suggested by the boy's body. He had never suffered eating as a vice. His face was lean, not chiseled; his arms were strong, not powerful; his countenance was confident, not prideful.


"I've never known anyone to admit to brooding before," she said. "He didn't used to be that way," she thought. She hesitated, then added, "Brooders should think more." She believed that people could think their way to happiness.


 
click for entire text of STEEPEST DESCENT
 
 

The above passages were excerpted from Collected Dreams.

Copies are available through Lulu.com, http://www.lulu.com/content/233409