Poetry - Fatal Wounds

WORDS sharper than jagged shards of glass cut me deeply

you hurl insults and accusations as if filleting my jugular into symmetric ribbons

days later the ensuing “I’m sorry”s perform the function of an inadequate tourniquet

refuse to stop the bleeding, pints spill profusely out of me

bruises or black eyes would be a welcome injury

they would eventually fade and the pain forgotten

my destiny is unfathomable pain coursing through my veins

so fierce it blurs my vision

YOU – I entrusted my heart and soul

YOU – promised to never hurt me

Is this love or is the hate?

they say there is a thin line between love and hate

a line that is a double edged sword sharp tongue

decimating previous declarations of love

destroying the wall of security and serenity we built together

as I continue to bleed from the vicious verbal assault

the affection that burned with the intensity of the hottest flame

flickers away, cooling until all glowing coals are extinguished

YOU, my assailant,

attempt to assuage personal guilt for a senseless attack

an attack, born in anger and frustration of what it was and what you wanted to be

one might almost look upon you with pity

clumsily trying to rekindle cold embers with flowers and chocolate

as if to revive our failed affair

although struggling to resuscitate,

you forgot that without blood one cannot survive

thoughtless, but adept use of your sharpest weapon severed arteries and veins alike

blood poured out

all this is left is for the earth to absorb

AND the LOVE for you is DEAD

Brookstone lodge - Asheville

The Brookstone Lodge is a hotel in Asheville that is about five minutes from Biltmore House. If you want to go to Biltmore, you can buy tickets from the front desk.

The price per night averaged $100 which was fine considering the location. The room was nothing special. The décor appeared to be rustic style, but I could tell that the hotel had been recently built. I did have one complaint about our room- the door did not fit the door frame. When the door was closed, there was about a half an inch gap above the door. The door locked, but it was still a little unnerving to know there was not a tight seal around the door.

For the first night, we ordered the romance package- included champagne, 2 glasses, candles, matches and chocolates. All for $30. It was cute but in retrospect I should have brought my own “romance package”. In my head, I thought there would be more to the package but it was just as they described. The champagne was local sparkling wine from the Biltmore winery. The champagne flute glasses looked as if they were from Pier 1 or some equivalent store. The candles were two small tea lights in little candle holders. The chocolates were a small package of wrapped chocolates, no special name brand.

They offered a free deluxe continental breakfast from 7 – 10 on weekends. To me, it left something to be desired. The scrambled eggs needed seasoning. The only breakfast meat they offered was sausage (I like bacon). They had strawberry yogurt, fruit, grits, biscuits, Danishes and bagels. I don’t like grits. Their biscuits were too doughy. The bagels and fruit were okay.

Overall, the room was comfortable, but I would not have considered it to be luxury accommodations. The wait staff were friendly and helpful. The front desk personnel gave tips about area restaurants and fun things to do. I can understand the room rate for the area, but next time for a more romantic experience, I might try a bed and breakfast for about the same price. I would recommend Brookstone Lodge for families visiting Asheville.

Sullivan's Steakhouse - Raleigh NC

When I went to Sullivan's steakhouse, I was very surprised how delicious that meal was. I expected it to be good because it looked as if it was a four-star restaurant I didn't check my meal to be awesome!
The service is what I expected. The wait staff had great energy and they were very attentive. They were always coming around asking if had everything we needed. He wanted to know we liked the martini (I think it is called a knock out). It some sort of fruit macerated in vodka for about two weeks. 

   

The appetizer the crabcake that was delicious. There was very little filler of breading, just giant pieces of lump crab.
For my main course, I had lamb chops. These were the best lamb chops I've ever had - seared just like I like them, medium rare and not over cooked. I chose the Cabernet goat cheese butter. Truthfully, the flavored butter was over kill because the flavor of the lamb chops was superb. The grilled chops were lightly seasoned with salt and pepper. I also ordered the sweet potato casserole for my side. Tasty mounds of sweet potatoes were topped with pecans, brown sugar, and butter. There were enough sweet potatoes for 2 people.

If you are in Raleigh and want some seriously delicious food, make a reservation at Sullivan’s Steakhouse. 

414 Glenwood Avenue Suite 103 Raleigh, NC 27603

I do not usually give free recommendations like this but this was the best meal EVER in a restaurant.