Incoming........ A random dArtist feature...19

I have chosen to spend a lot less time on dA lately and now to minimize my computer time completely to spend the last of the summer with my kids as much as possible.  My youngest will be in kindergarten in the fall.  I just want to be more attentive.  Each dA visit for me is like at least an hour of my time because I love reading everyone's journals and seeing their incredible work, but for now my kids take #1.



FEATURES
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ANNOUNCING THE WINNERS OF Sepulchral-Roses' BIRTHDAY CONTEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!
First place!
Shine Like A StarI like to think I shine like a star
but you say my light transcends Hailey's comet--
as bright as a meteor tumbling to Earth;
dangerous like a car crash
but as beautiful as the sunset on the ocean.
Together we spark
guiding our way with the moon
and our dreams,
unsure of where we're going
but loving the journey.
There's nothing as wonderful as holding your hand
in these burnished nights
watching the world come alive
in shades of pixie dust and hope;
I know that at any given moment
you could get up and leave
but I'm still jumping forward, my hand in yours,
taking the leap
because you are the reason I shine like a meteor
and why the nights don't seem as dark.
["it's gonna be a hell of a ride. you with me?"
"always."] by !


Second Place!
jump - chocolate sunrise -Ten.
To Caleb,
Remember kindergarten?  I do.  You were a jerk.  And not even a popular jerk.  You were the type of jerk who wanted to be one of the popular jerks, but hated them at the same time, so you stuck with making fun of the brainiacs because you were too afraid to make fun of the popular kids.  I was a brainiac.  
But, as they say, opposites attract, and one Wednesday during the summer, the one we both spent at camp, I had finally had enough of you being a big asshole and made a bet that I could climb to Sadie Point, the highest peak of our hiking trail, before you could.  
You started running before I even said go.  Asshole.     
But I'm glad.  I'm glad you went with me, because that's how I got to know you—for more than your assholeness.  We stank of sweat and grass when we reached the top—I think I beat you, I'm pretty sure I did—but I w by
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Third Place!
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Honorable Mentions
Chocolate RosesYou're singing under your breath as you twist spools of thread and weigh them down at one end. You're mashing up rose petals, not because you want their scent, but because you want their flavour. You're mixing rose-pulp with dark chocolate and pouring half of it into your melted wax and half of it into molds, which you leave to cool so you can stave off the hunger with them later.
He's inhaling the scent of roses in your hair, and tasting the dark chocolate that you licked off your fingers a few hours ago. He's feeling the wax casing on your hands that, try as you might, you couldn't wash off. He's taking the song from your lungs to his, and breathing it straight back into your mouth.
You're tracing trails of white across the skin on his arms, his back, but he doesn't notice because he's busy tangling knots in your rose-scented hair. You're singing the same song and struggling to keep it in your own lungs for fear that he'll suffocate on its torturous beauty.
He's not afraid of by
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Glimmering LoveThe first few warm rays of sunlight filtered through the dense overhead canopy of the sweetly scented forest, illuminating the plush green grass on the floor of the jungle.
The shimmer of last night's memories still fresh in her mind, Sara stretched and curled up upon the warm red blanket. Fuzzy pink pajamas were her attire, having spent the duration of the night enjoying the ambient sounds of nature within such an untouched, wholesome forest.
Last night; when the moon had shone as brightly as the sun, in its entire and glorious splendor. She could still feel his warm arms wrapped around her, warding off any chill that a stray breeze might have brought. She could still hear his voice, listing the different creatures as they sounded their presence within their habitat. She smiled, still hearing his laughter as they got into an immature tickle-fight. Her cheek still tingled from the goodnight kiss he'd placed there when she had finally drifted off to sleep.
Last night had shone brighter by