"Pickaback" by Eliza Draper Gardiner

He refuses to wear shoes, which doesn't matter since he loves to be carried. She leans forward and walks at a slow pace into the still, dry air with him clung to her back. The sun hits them at an angle, warming their skin and casting a long shadow on the sand, which is sparsely littered with wrappers, toys, and other evidence of the day's human presence. There aren't enough clouds in the sky to produce a fantastic sunset. Instead, the colors are soft and even. However, the play between the contrasting cool hues is quite lovely, and certainly worthy of taking notice.

"Boy and Goose" by Eliza Draper Gardiner

It's Christmas Eve, and the boy has been sent to grab the goose for tomorrow's dinner. Not all that much larger or heavier than his prey, the boy wrestles to keep a grip on the distressed bird, while the slanted, purple light of these dwarfed days lends even more drama to their struggle. Despite his small stature, the boy is sturdy and determined. Indeed, Sir Fowl, I don't care how much of a cumbersome and noisy load you are. Regardless of all your wiggles and honks of protest, you're goose is cooked!

"The Turtle" by Eliza Draper Gardiner

The air is still, and it is a quiet, cool-blue autumn day. The door to the kitchen has just slammed shut, and I move closer to the house, attracted to the sound of  water being drawn in the kitchen.

I clumsily crawl up two steps on short limbs and under the weight of my over-sized head. Baggy overalls and sleeves just get in my way. I notice you, and you notice me. You, also burdened by stubby limbs and the weight of your shell, lumber across the ground that I've just abandoned on my way up.