SCOTT HOTALING

Scott likes to fly airplanes, ride motorcycles, and drive just about anything with four wheels.  He's just finished reading the Eragon series and is looking forward to his next reading adventure.  His latest training article on how to improve your short and soft-field takeoffs appeared in the January issue of Flight Training magazine.  He's currently writing a short film inspired by a blind date.  

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         Morning Coffee

Forgive me
for not waking you
when I left
this morning

I didn't know
if you
were still upset
with me

I made
the coffee
just the way
you like it

                Harrisburg

It's snowing here in Harrisburg
It's time for me to leave
Packed my dreams and happiness
Left with nothing to believe

I took the train to nowhere
Tried but couldn't reach the clouds
I wish I had a warm coat
I'm a sucker for big crowds

It's a cold night in Harrisburg
I need my bleached brown gloves
Share a coffee with a stranger
And kiss the woman I love

The boy's fallen to his knees
I'd wake him up if I could
Such perfect purple snowflakes
What would you change if you could?

I need a cold drink and a hot night
Been snowing since the clock struck midnight
Packing my bags and leaving this town
I think tonight I'll put the top down

                 Boys and Girls

The young boy dreamed of girls and sports
Though not always in that order
After school he played basketball with friends
and kissed a girl while playing pretend

In class his eyes followed her close,
speaking to her only when spoken to.
Her black hair covered her soft, pale face. 
He longed to play pretend with her.

He watched her from his window next door
as she picked flowers with her friends. 
He'd shoot hoops, stripping his shirt for
her attention.  She never took the bait.

She'd laugh and play with other boys
but paid no attention to him. She'd sit
in the shade of the tall oak tree that
separated their yards, reading stories until
dinner was made. 

He didn't read often, partly because he didn't
want to wear glasses that pinched his nose. 
That and he never saw her kiss a boy that wore them. 

He wrote poetry in school, about love and hope.
But he made the mistake of sharing it
with one of his friends who told him
he didn't want to know about that part of his life.

On the school bus he teased her, taking her flute
and pulling her hair.  She slapped him and made fun
of his nose.  He taunted her for more.  She obliged. 
He didn’t go to the prom.  She went alone. 

After graduation, they never saw each other again.
She married her college sweetheart and read poetry to her son.
Her son didn't like to read.  His glasses always pinched his nose.  
And he never saw the girl next door kiss a boy that wore them.


                 A Jealous Look

When I saw
you look at him
I was jealous
and felt alone

You haven't
looked at me
the same 
since we had kids

He's charming
and handsome
but I'm witty
and sweet

                  Autumn’s Sand

Slipping into the darkest hour
Outrun since losing his willpower
Dirt and sand was conquered last
By the boy who forgot the past

Autumn’s sand whistled and raced
Played with ghosts that never chased
Her heart was heavy for a boy
His boxes emptied of their toys

She wanted to inspire him
Names thrown like scattered limbs
She took him to the stars and back
Showed him love when odds were stacked

For this he gave her what she craved
All his dreams forgotten saved
She knew he'd play with her at last
He saw the flicker in his past

She showed him that when darkness falls
It's because his progress stalls
And when he gets back on that horse
His hope and love is reinforced

He feels nothing that can be felt without
That's why his passion must thrash out
So they played together like children do
Not a care in the world to bump into