Poetry, Short Prose and Walking

Low Light

Linked to Cosmic Photo Challenge where Dale offers the theme of “low light”. I lowered the light on these, perhaps too much.

Also linked to Trent P. McDonald’s The Weekly Smile. The leaves are gone, but the forest preserve is still a peaceful place to walk conducive to many smiles.

Here is a poem I wrote for Chel Owen’s Christmas Newsletter challenge. The challenge is open until December 11th for any who might want to participate. These poems are supposed to be funny. I am not sure that mine is, but if I did achieve that rare state of humor, that would bring another smile to my face.

Christmas Newsletter

Larry’s Earth is on the Moon.
Greg’s might be on Mars.
Lulu’s livid with the news.
Sue shoots shooting stars.

I’m the final one who’s sane.
At least, I can pretend.
I have no time to rush away,
so Merry Christmas, friend!

“HEAPS & HEAPS OF URGENCY”, Graffiti found at Skokie Lagoons

Cabin – Friday Fictioneers

Photo by Sarah Potter as Prompt for Friday Fictioneers

Looking at the shadow of its chimney I remembered the cabin full of mosquitoes. Mr. McGregor told me they couldn’t get into the bedroom. There was a shower, a woodstove, and a bed. I would only be there a few weeks. Given the bear warnings it would be better than my tent.

Incidentally, there was also a ghost that rattled stuff, but so did the wind.

When I left I told Mr. McGregor about the ghost. He apologized. Normally he wouldn’t have rented the cabin, but I seemed like the kind of guy who wouldn’t mind Megan. I didn’t.

Linked to Rochelle’s Friday Fictioneers.

Sunday Walk 16

Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood: their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; wasting and destruction are in their paths. The way of peace they know not; and there is no judgment in their goings: they have made them crooked paths: whosoever goeth therein shall not know peace.
Isaiah 59:7-8 King James Version (cited by Mario Murillo, WHAT IF THE AMERICAN CHURCH DOES NOT REPENT?, Mario Murillo Ministries, November 11, 2020)

Nightmares on the Gentlest Tier of Hell

This tossing makes me wonder why
regrets won't let me get some sleep
without those nightmares from the deep.
I would shed tears. I'd even cry
if that would help. Regardless, I
can't face these twisted memories.
I'd have to run off on my knees,
but could I even find my way,
the one I lost that lazy day,
or days, when I served my own ease?

Linked to Ronovan Writes Décima Poetry Challenge where the rhyme word “sleep” must be one of the B rhymes in a décima with rhyme pattern ABBAACCDDC.

In case it isn’t obvious, the “I” in the poem is an imaginary character in a mild region of hell trying to get some rest. I pray this “I” would not be me. I pray he not be you either.

Ronovan's Decima Poetry Challenge Image — Ronovan’s Decima Poetry Challenge Image

Wax – Six Sentence Story

The wax from a single candle dripped onto the cupcake. Jim let the candle flatten burning itself out in silence. After removing the wax he stood in front of his wife Mary’s grave and ate the cake.

Jim didn’t expect to be here given his own health conditions, but he promised Mary he’d come back yearly as long as he could with a cake and candles marking her “birthday into Heaven”.

Jim’s final cake had seven candles on it. It was made by friends from their small church who pushed Jim in his wheelchair to the gravesite and then celebrated Mary’s birthday with him.

Linked to Six Sentence Stories where Denise offers the prompt word “wax”.

GirlieOnTheEdge Denise Farley's six-sentence-stories icon — GirlieOnTheEdge Denise Farley’s six-sentence-stories icon

One-Liner Wednesday – Discernment

First you must make a clear distinction between those you can trust, and those you cannot trust.
Mario Murillo, THE RISE OF THE MACHINES, November 18, 2020

Linked to Linda G. Hill’s One-Liner Wednesday.

The following photo is for Kammie’s Oddball Challenge.

Badge by Laura @ riddlefromthemiddle.com

Thanks and Giving

I'm thankful for this time to live
and suffer if need be.
There also is a chance to give
and do so generously.

Though it be short or it be long,
though what I do be small,
I offer back a thankful song
in praise and give it all.

Linked to Michael Williams (Farrago Express) poetry challenge on giving thanks. I used a similar common meter to the poem he provided as a prompt.

Splash of Color

Oranges, reds and watery blue -
Wintry grays though seep on through.

Linked to Cosmic Photo Challenge where Dale offers the theme “a splash of color”. Against the gray of coming winter there is still some color in the woods and along the lake.

Also linked to Trent P. McDonald’s The Weekly Smile. Most of the leaves are gone and the weather turned cold, but I still enjoyed a trip to Lake Michigan. All worth a smile or two.

Sunday Walk 15

I have been rereading Mario Murillo’s Vessels of Fire and Glory this past week. I will likely read it again later. This sentence stands out for me.

When the pain of being average becomes stronger than the fear of greatness, you will embrace your destiny.
Mario Murillo, Vessels of Fire & Glory, page 137.

Here is a beautiful song from All Sons and Daughters. This is the kind of song that, once I’ve heard it, I can feel it going through my mind guiding my Sunday walk.

All Sons & Daughters, Great Are You Lord, Integrity Music

Avocado Toast – Carrot Ranch Story

For years Bill enjoyed beer, pizza and ice-cream. When diagnosed with an autoimmune disease he changed his diet.

Someone told him to stop drinking beer. He stopped. Someone suggested avocado toast. What’s that? He was told it’s obvious what that is. So he tried it. Someone said to stop eating pizza. Is that because of the wheat? Yes. There goes the toast.

Bill’s weight sank to normal and he felt better. He noticed he was spending less on food than before. Thankfully no one told him to stop eating avocados, but then he no longer asked them for advice.

Linked to the Carrot Ranch November 12 Flash Fiction Challenge where Charli Mills offers the theme of “avocado toast”.

A very short story of mine, “Friday the 13th”, appeared in Whispers and Echoes. I am grateful to the editor Sammi Cox for accepting it.

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