Aftermath

His soul wakes every Memorial Day and wanders across various tombstones, confused with the crowds and flowers. Perhaps he is trying to find the girl in the green dress he never proposed to, his mother who had prayed for 10 years to have him or the enemy who had asked for water. Or does he look for a meaning to his short life or wonder about people who live beyond 22? Whatever it is, don’t go there. Let his soul rest. Light a candle for him in your heart and revere the freedom he and his likes gave you.

The short story above has been written for Carrot Ranch Flash Fiction Challenge. This week’s challenge is to write a story behind a memorial.

Being Together – DOUBLE ENNEAD

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  Photo by Cindy Gustafson on Pexels.com

The quilt of earth shields an
unborn silver plant.
The soil rejoices as it imagines
unified leaves topped
with a purple crown.

This was written for Colleen’s Double Ennead Challenge No. 7. This week’s challenge is to use the poetry Oracle to create a Double Ennead.

Saddle Up Saloon: Thrush Travels

The poem below was written for Colleen’s double ennead challenge No. 6. The Double Ennead comprises five lines with a syllable count of 6/5/11/6/5, (33 SYLLABLES per stanza) 3 STANZAS EACH = 99 SYLLABLES, NO MORE, NO LESS! During this month, poets were challenged to use the image below to compose their poetry (ekphrastic poetry).

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Lone thrush flies with the breeze,

floats in the wind’s song,

wavers and shivers at the sound of thunder,

calms at the sky’s blue folds

and their white patches.

Lone thrush flies with the breeze,

looks for life in hills,

stills at the urgent cries of pouncing eagles,

rubs wings with a goldfinch,

croons with small songbirds.

Lone thrush flies with the breeze,

stares at earth’s colors

flies to join golden finch in the red maple,

cuts into samara

finds home in lush warmth.

The Spring Music

The earth gently opens

to show frail patterns

of leaves, green and purple, basking in their poise

before pulling back to

guard their sibling blooms.

Quails chatter in a calm

extinct birds’ language,

showing off their tanned wings to partners, hushing

at the delicious spray

of dew on their beaks.

Huge mountains and plains still

while oceans whisper,

as skies pour down, drenching tiny and huge lives

soaking the brownish sand

in colors of joy

The poem above has been written for Carrot Ranch Double Ennead Monthly Poetry Challenge. Thank you, Colleen, for the opportunity.

She Tapped Thrice

She tapped on his door every day when they were kids. “Shall we do our homework together?” “I have already completed mine”, he snapped, slamming the door. She continued tapping over the years. At college, she tapped after his basketball practice, “Some hot chocolate?” “I don’t eat or drink chocolate.” he smiled, turning her away. One day, she stopped tapping. He waited in his room, crying and praying, as she lay in the hospital. Drained of all arrogance, he hoped she would tap again. He would follow her this time, either to her room or to the other world.

This week’s Carrot Ranch Challenge is to write a story that includes tapping. You can play with the sound, make it an action, or create something unexpected. Tap a story and go where the prompt leads!

Carrot Ranch – Flash Fiction Challenge

“Darling, I have got some fresh apples for you. Here, take this one.”

He placed the shiny, juicy apple in front of her. She took a look and knew what it was. “Are you sure you don’t what this?” She tried.

“Nope. Not really.”

She thought of her unemployment, the years of quarrel and her god-forsaken country where divorce was a crime.

“Shall I peel the skin? It would taste better, I think.” She gave herself a last chance.

“No. An apple’s skin has the most nutrients.”

She looked blank for a minute. Then, she took the first bite.

This is in response to Carrot Ranch’s word prompt.