Inside the Mind of Isadora

Category Archives: Writing


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If It Be Your Will by Leonard Cohen

leonard-cohen-9-11102615_original           Christian Schloe – Austrian Surrealist Digital Painter

leonard-cohen-5-cn_leonardcohen

On November 7, 2016, the sad news was announced that the prominent poet, novelist, musician, singer, songwriter and paint artist, Leonard Cohen had died. He was born on September 21, 1934 in Westmount, Quebec, Canada.
His work explored religion, politics, isolation, sexuality, and personal relationships. He won the Chester Mac Naghten Literary Competition for the poems “Sparrows” and “Thoughts of a Landsman.”

His song “Suzanne” became a hit for Judy Collins who subsequently covered a number of Cohen’s other songs, as well, and was for many years his most covered song. He was also associated with many other performers including Sharon Robinson, Jennifer Warnes and Anjani Thomas. ©wikipedia

During the New York City’s folk scene in Greenwich Village, I had the pleasure of being exposed to his words from other poets who were reciting his poems and aspiring to be as good.

It’s a formidable loss of an incredibly revered visionary artist.

May you Rest in Peace,

Isadora

2022©Isadora DeLaVega

leonard-cohen-8-book-leonardcohenonleonardcohen-burger-650
“Hallelujah” was first released on Cohen’s studio album Various Positions in 1984.

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If It Be Your Will

If it be your will that I speak no more
And my voice be still as it was before
I will speak no more, I shall abide until
I am spoken for, if it be your will

If it be your will that a voice be true
From this broken hill, I will sing to you
From this broken hill, all your praises they shall ring
If it be your will to let me sing

From this broken hill all your praises they shall ring
If it be your will to let me sing

If it be your will, if there is a choice
Let the rivers fill, let the hills rejoice
Let your mercy spill on all these burning hearts in Hell
If it be your will to make us well

And draw us near, and bind us tight
All your children here in their rags of light
In our rags of light, all dressed to kill
And end this night, if it be your will, if it be your will

Song Lyrics 

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Official site for Leonard Cohen


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WDYS – A Child is Born

#WhatDoYouSee #152

The morning sunrise was brilliant.

They enjoyed breakfast on the patio.

A game of chess in the garden was their plan for later that afternoon.

Suddenly, a cramp caused her body to flinch. 

The laborious suffering of childbirth had begun.

A precious child would be joining them soon.

Their lack of experience weighed heavy, draining their emotions. 

They felt anxious; yet, they’d been waiting months for this moment.

With tear filled eyes, she grasped his hand and flinched again.

The physical pain would soon reward them with a glorious gift.

A gift filling their hearts with immeasurable happiness and love.

2022©Isadora Delavega

For Sadje’s ‘What Do You See’ Challenge 

to join in click here

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                                                                          Word Count: 100

Genre: Flash Fiction

Photo Credit: Kelly Sikkema@Unsplash

 

 


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WDYS – Love was like a River

#WhatDoYouSee #147

Gazing out, I realized this was our place. 

We sat here by the river, watching it flow, holding hands, and confessing our hopes and dreams.

I remember when you said that love was like a river. You thought the river waters gush created a surge like love with its’ many highs and lows.                                     

Here by the river, my once empty days had been filled with love. You were my smile in the morning when I arose. You were the hug before I fell asleep.

What happened to us?

Where are those days of love that flowed like a river?

2022©Isadora Delavega

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For Sadje’s ‘What Do You See’ Challenge 

to join in click here

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                                                                          Word Count: 100

Genre: Flash Fiction

Photo Credit:Stormseeker@Unsplash

 

 


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Friday Fictioneers – Grandma’s Greenhouse

My Grandma Emma Rose loved gardening and growing roses. She sold them at the local Farmer’s Market.  

Playfully, she’d say, “Roses are as pretty as me. My momma said so.” 

One day, a fella came by with some mint plants. He told her it could fetch her more money than roses. They grew tall and sturdy. She said it made a real nice sweet tea. 

Abandoned and neglected after she passed, I decided to clean up her greenhouse. The mint had taken over everywhere. Ironically, it wasn’t mint but Cannabis. 

Looks like Grandma Emma Rose was ahead of her time.

2022©Isadora DeLaVega

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Bob Marley – Three Little Birds

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Genre: Flash Fiction

Word Count: 100 words

Photo Prompt:©Bill Reynolds

To join Rochelle in her photo writing challenges

and her fellow Friday Fictioneers – click here


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WDYS – A Mother’s Love

#WhatDoYouSee #144

And when the way became rough for her, 

they lifted her and gave her their strength,

 just as she had given them hers. 

One day, their mother led them to a hill. Beyond the mountain, they could see a shining road edged with trees and golden gates flung wide open. 

And mother said, “I have reached the end of my journey. 

Now, I know the end is better than the beginning. My children can walk with dignity and pride, and with their heads held high, so can their children after them. 

And the children said, “You will always walk with us, Mother, even when you have gone through the gates.” 

And they watched her as she went on alone, and the gates closed after her. 

And they said: “We cannot see her, but she is with us still. A Mother like ours is more than a memory. She is a living presence.”

2022©Isadora Delavega

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For Sadje’s ‘What Do You See’ Challenge 

to join in click here

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                                                                          Word Count: 155

Genre: Flash Fiction

Photo Credit:Casey Horner@Unsplash

 

 


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WDYS – A Murder Mystery Surprise

#WhatDoYouSee #141

I was reading when my eyes felt the softest hands on my face. You couldn’t mistake my joy when I saw my granddaughter. 

“Let’s go, Nanny,” she said. “I’m taking you to lunch.” 

“Such a pleasant surprise, dear.” 

“You read murder mysteries all the time, so I’m taking you to one,” she revealed as she whisked me away.

The room darkened, setting the stage for the actors to enter.

After the lights were out, an aura of mysticism filled the room immediately.

Creepy, creaking sounds filled the atmosphere. 

I knew it was a Murder Mystery train, but I felt a cold chill.

I was beginning to feel it would be much more frightening than I had expected.

“Be Gone, were the first words spoken. You’re not needed here.”

I thought, What on earth does he mean? 

Fear stirred within me.

“Fear not,” I hear him say. 

Trembling, I wonder how he knows I’m afraid?

A long silence, along with heavy breathing, permeates the room.

Something or someone brushes past my shoulder. 

I scream. 

I cannot stop. 

Suddenly, the lights go up.

 I hear shouts of “Surprise!!! Happy Birthday!!!”

2022©Isadora Delavega

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For Sadje’s ‘What Do You See’ Challenge 

to join in click here

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Word Count: 188

Genre Flash Fiction

Photo Credit:Andrea Piacquad @ Pexels

 

 


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Cafe Chat – Dinner on Board


Welcome … grab a cup of coffee, iced or hot tea and herbal tea. I’m having a cappuccino. The photo on the left shows one I enjoyed many times on board at Cafe Baci.

It’s been brutally hot this week in sunny Florida. The pool is the only way to cool down. Gardening will have to wait until the temps drop. The orchids are thrilled with the afternoon rain which brings on the humidity. For me, afternoon humidity means siesta time. 

In my last cafe chat, I wrote (read here) about being away from blogging on a pre-birthday cruise. We decided on a cruise now instead of July, my official birthday month, because of the heavy hurricane season predicted for this summer. COVID shut down the cruise industry causing great financial losses. Many cruise ships are departing with less than full passenger capacity, and with huge discounts. It felt safer than my previous cruises with fewer people. Besides the theater and the casino, masks are not required throughout the ship. The staff wore masks everywhere. Some regular activities were canceled, like dancing, karaoke, and bingo. I have to admit I always look forward to dancing. It was a disappointment. 

I think you might enjoy a special gesture I received from our assistant dinner hostess:

Celebrity Equinox

Pictured above is Sweet Jaqueline, assistant hostess on our cruise. She created an origami lotus flower for me. It was an unexpected gift from her heart ❤️ 

With all they do, the last thing she needed was a craft project. 

She was missing her mother who is watching her two toddlers. She has a boy and a girl. Yes, she showed me a pic. They are adorable. Four months away from them brought up emotional moments for her. I share the same birthday as her mother. My ❤️ heart sang with joy ❤️

Our first night at dinner Jacqueline introduced herself, I mentioned that I usually forget names. Her eyes twinkled above the mask as she pointed out that I could remember her name because of Jacqueline Kennedy. 

Then, she chuckled quickly saying, “But, I wear a uniform.”

Have a great week … Isadora 

Alen Charles – head host, Jaqueline – assistant hostess
Al – my husband


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Friday Fictioneers – I Loved Her First

He’d known her since she was very young. She was beautiful. He loved her the second he laid eyes upon her. His love ran deep.

At one time, he had been her hero. She looked to him for advice and guidance. She said she loved him too. But now, he was losing her to another man. 

Thoughts of stepping away from her were impossible to imagine. The heartfelt pain might be too much to endure.

He kissed her forehead and cheek, a desperate hug with tear-filled eyes.

Looking into her eyes, he smiled and gave her to the groom.

2022©Isadora DeLaVega

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WARNING: tissues needed when viewing video

 

I Loved Her First – Heartland (Lyrics)

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Genre: Flash Fiction

Word Count: 100 words

Photo Prompt:©JohnNixon

To join Rochelle in her photo writing challenges

and her fellow Friday Fictioneers – click here


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WDYS – Thomas Reads Aloud

#WhatDoYouSee #139

Teachers saw the possibilities in Thomas. From the first day he entered the classroom, he was enthusiastic about learning everything there was to learn. 

His mother had always taken pride in the way he looked. His father wore vests, and collared shirts, Thomas wanted to wear them too. When she heard the children would be reading from their primer on Friday, she was as excited as Thomas but nervous too. 

Had he sufficiently learned to read after three months? 

She thought he was bright, but she was his mother. After all, he was only 6. 

She began to have thoughts of her own mother’s words:

A child is like a butterfly in the wind.

Some can fly higher than others

But, each one flies the best it can.

Why compare one to another?

Each one is different.

Each one is special.

Each one is beautiful.

She decided to have faith in her little Thomas.

2022©Isadora Delavega

The Power of Reading

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For Sadje’s ‘What Do You See’ Challenge 

to join in click here

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                                                           Image credit: Ben White @ Unsplash

 

 


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Friday Fictioneers – At the Hospital

The ‘Get Well’ cards and balloons filled the dining room. Marta was well-liked by all.

But, her diagnosis was grim. It was a rare form of cancer. It had spread throughout her body. If it hadn’t been for COVID, she wouldn’t have known until she died.

We haven’t seen any family visitors. Has anyone called her family?

There is no family.

Nonsense, everyone has a family.

She does not. How long does she have to live? 

Perhaps, a month.

Good Odds.

How so?

A neighbor found her during a well-check visit. She arrived here as an attempted suicide.

2022©Isadora DeLaVega

Genre: Flash Fiction

Word Count: 100

photo prompt©Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

 

To join Rochelle and her Friday Fictioneers Photo challenge

click here

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What is Depression?
Depression is a real illness that impacts the brain. Anyone suffering from depression will tell you, it’s not imaginary or “all in your head.” Depression is more than just feeling down. It is a serious illness caused by changes in brain chemistry. Research tells us that other factors contribute to the onset of depression, including genetics, changes in hormone levels, certain medical conditions, stress, grief or difficult life circumstances. Any of these factors alone or in combination can precipitate changes in brain chemistry that lead to depression’s many symptoms.©info from the Univsersity of Michigan Mental Health

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For more information about depression:

World Mental Health – Dignity Mental Health Foundation
University of Michigan Depression Center – Mental Health