Adversity

 

 

 

 

This is my contribution to the "Overcoming Adversity" Bloghop, hosted by writer and blogging friend, Nick Wilford. We need to write a piece (maximum 500 words) on the theme of  overcoming adversity.

The entries will be compiled into an anthology with all proceeds going to help fund Nick's stepson, Andrew,  who has cerebral palsy, who hopes to attend a specialist college  but reaching this dream has been difficult.

 

ADVERSITY

They always said try looking for the silver lining

For goodness sakes do stop moaning

So she clamped her jaw and gritted her teeth together

She smiled and smiled giving a false picture

Her jaw ached and her cheekbones seemed set

Her feet were stuck, her mind encased in concrete

They didn't understand, they were always too busy

Living their own lives always so very greedy

They didn't see the lonely hours she spent on her own

When her baby was sleeping safe and sound

She didn't regret her decision in becoming a single mum

Or losing her teenage years that were supposed to be filled with fun

She began to study at a local college although it was harder than she thought

She had to stop as the timing wasn't right and she became overwrought.

The years moved on and she entered into a new and loving relationship

Going well she thought until he lost his job and they spiralled into hardship

The crunch came; he tried to bully and browbeat her down to his level

They argued and fought fiercely and he thought he’d won the battle

The hurtful words hurled through the air fell on her ears and landed in her mind

Sometimes she wanted to press that button on her life and rewind and rewind

She took a deep breath, squared her shoulders and held her head up high

Her goals were attainable; someday she would reach the point where she didn’t cry

She put herself through college again and earned her accountancy qualifications

She was on the right road again heading towards the T-junction, finding her directions

The touch paper was lit as she plucked up courage to step away from a bad situation

It caused some anger on the other part and on her part some uncalled for contrition

She stepped out in to the big wide world and took a chance at expanding her horizons

She took the big step, a leap of faith, looking forward to a new beginning that beckons

Then with no warning they decided she didn't fit job the description after her probation period

They had to let her go, another bubble burst but a few days later she need not have doubted

Another job was available although travelling was involved she found convenient child care

She worked hard and thought she was getting along fine so it certainly wasn’t fair

When they said they would have to let her go just before her three month trail ended

Another deep breath, she dusted herself down, it’s the economic climate that left her stranded

She knows she will work it out and things will improve but until then she has bills to pay

So somehow, someway, things will improve and fortune will start going her way.

Word count: 470

FOLLOW ME

100 Word Challenge for Grown Ups – Week#75 - picture prompt this week below: 

FOLLOW ME

He said, will you follow me to the ends of the earth

She said, to the sun and moon and back until rebirth

He said; hold my hand and we will travel together

She said, don’t let me go, stay with me forever and ever

He said, put your faith and trust only in me

Look out on the wonders of this world, at its beauty

Behold the glory of nature, the miracle that is human

She said, I see and believe in you, that is certain

He said I will love you always; it is you I have chosen.

Word Count:100

The prompt this week, is to close our eyes and imagine you are one of those figures looking out over the Grand Canyon.

NEW YEAR, NEW LOVE

It is time for the first RomanticFridayWriters challenge of 2013. 

The theme this month is "out with the old, in with the new".  

We have 1,000 words or less to show intent, not outcome.

Here is my contribution:

As Big Ben struck midnight, fireworks exploded in the night sky

People were pushing and jostling each other good naturedly

The noise levels in the hotel ballroom grew louder and louder

Everybody started linking arms, started singing, smiling with great humour

Auld Lang Syne was belted out with many mixed accents not one Scottish

Ellen looked for her cousin but couldn't see him in the crowded venue

She joined in the fun, crossed her arms and grabbed at a hairy tattoo

A girlish laugh escaped her lips as coloured streamers fell from the ceiling

Landing on heads, tickling noses, carpeting the floor, a myriad of colours merging

The music died, the dancing came to an end as the night was concluding

Bringing them all back to some sort of reality as the minutes started ticking

Away at the beginning of the New Year, Ellen wondered lay in store for her

A deep masculine voice interrupted her musings and ponderings sending a shiver

Along her trembling body, obviously only the after effects of her energetic dancing

Her cousin Andrew appeared out of nowhere and interrupted the moment laughing

‘My dear I’ve been looking all over for you,’ he said looked at her companion adding

A nod as he outstretched his hand, ‘Hello Tommy, how are you my dear fellow?’

‘Andrew!  Long time no see, old chap,’ he replied clasping Andrew’s hand and his elbow.

Ellen realised the two men knew each other and she raised her eyebrow quizzically

‘Sorry cuz,’ said Andrew, ‘we go way back to our training days in the Army.’

The men exchanged numbers as Andrew began to usher them out to a waiting taxi

The cold night air punctuated their words, there was no way they’d feel drowsy

Calls of goodnight and laughter and Happy New Year rang out as the cabs departed

Andrew and Ellen in one and Tommy in another to destinations far less crowded.

As Ellen emerged late the next morning she greeted her aunt with a kiss and a hug

Returned with a loving smile and a gesture to sit, eat toast and drink tea from her mug.

Recounting her evening at the dance she blushed slightly recalling the last few moments

Then she noticed the two empty chairs and her uncle’s and Andrew’s absence.

Realising the time was almost midday she couldn’t believe she’d slept through

‘They went to work early this morning,’ explained Aunt Tilda, ‘just to check the crew

They’ll be back shortly so be prepared for some teasing about Tommy and you.

Dancing the night away is what I’ve heard,’ continued Aunt Tilda, ‘so give me a clue.’

Ellen’s face grew hot and she blushed without knowing the reason why,

‘I think he liked me,’ she replied with a twinkle in her eye.

A month later, Ellen had settled positively in her new post at the university

The telephone on her desk rang and she answered it quickly and brightly

Surprised and a little delighted to hear the voice on the other end announce his name

‘Tommy, how are you,’ she responded gaily hoping she didn't sound lame

‘I’ve been away, overseas,’ he explained ‘but I’m back in town for a little while.’

She scanned the pages in her leather bound diary absently patting her hairstyle.

‘Friday night is good for me,’ she said holding her breath in excited anticipation

She could feel her pulse race and her blood quicken with a satisfying sensation.

Her students and professors kept her mind busy until the end of the week

When she rushed home to try on the new dress bought from her favourite boutique

‘Andrew, you can stop your ribbing, it’s only a dinner date, nothing fancy.’

‘That’s why you are floating around in a dreamlike state, whimsical and dreamy.’

‘Tell me what you know of Tommy,’ Ellen begged and pleaded her cousin, Andrew

‘He’s a great guy or was when I knew him; we lost touch several years ago as you do.’

The doorbell rang and Andrew whispered in her ear, ‘have a great time, love.’

He opened the door to a suave looking Tommy, spic and span, taking off his glove

They grinned at each in the way that men who have secrets do

Ellen thought there are things here I don't want to know about these two

They pulled up to a quintessentially English pub restaurant out in the country

He took her arm and steered her through the door to the bar with its nooks and crannies

The menu was superb, the food delicious, she drank some red wine and he had a shandy

He wanted to know all about her, what she did and why she lived with her cousin Andy.

Now it was his turn and he seemed rather reluctant to share his story as fully

He gazed into her grey/blue eyes and immersed himself in her inner beauty

‘I think I’ve been waiting for you all my life,’ he told her with some deference

‘Then I find you by accident and have to wait a month with patience and silence.

My job makes lots of demands; it takes me away, a lot of times I will be out of contact.’

She stared back into the depths of his beautiful blue eyes, trying not to surrender

To the emotions that suddenly attacked her as she decided to tackle head on the pressure

‘What company do you work for,’ she asked as she raised her glass watching him carefully.

‘Actually it’s a government body covered by the Official Secrets Act,’ he admitted throatily.

‘No problem then,’ she said promptly, picking up the dessert menu nonchalantly.

The drive home was spent in companionable silence, his hand resting lightly on her knee

At the front door, he held her against his toned body, as he said, ‘don't be angry with me.’

Ellen thought and decided she would trust this lovely man and what will be, will be.

Word Count: 990:  FCA

LUCKY CHANCE

In 400 words or less, your character(could also be more than one), has a chance meeting with someone who will change their life.

 

Here is my entry:

Word Count: 396

 

LUCKY CHANCE

She had to leave; she couldn’t take the drugs and gambling anymore

Living from hand to mouth, she had to protect their young daughter

After a few months a new man said you are the love of my life

I’ll take you into my home and treat you as my wife

It worked well for a couple of years he loved her girl as his own

But there was never enough money to go around.

She tried to help by working full time but it wasn't enough

They just couldn’t make ends meet life was so tough

Her new job was in an engineer’s office, so different to before

She thrived on the energy, the office banter, so much to explore

There were drinks at lunchtime in the wine bar, a glass of red

The afternoons flew by and then she went home and felt dead.

He paid her particular attention and soon her heart began to beat

Faster and faster as he asked her to check his spreadsheet

Time went on; he offered to help her work towards a promotion

She knew she was playing with fire, poking a smoking cauldron

She threw caution to the wind as he asked to see her one night

She had little resistance and didn't put up a fight.

Now she had to make the decision but would he stand by her

She was a package deal, both at once, her and her daughter.

She need not have worried because he came up true

She left her old life and the man before and said adieu

She told him she wanted more and life was too short

She nearly stayed when he cried desperate tears, so distraught.

She’d made her decision and steeled her heart

She’d given it to another and she had to depart

Her new bloke was good and kind and loved her dearly

He moved heaven and earth for her and praised her beauty

Then he came home from the office with wonderful news

He was offered an opportunity far away overseas.

Amid many obstacles of changing their lives

They had so many good reasons and motives

An abundance of tears dropped as they left family and friends

To start a new chapter of their life in fabulous New Zealand

Together they bring up her daughter with a love that has grown and deepened.

 

 

Admission

100 Word Challenge for Grown Ups – Week#72

The prompt this week is:

…you said you’d do WHAT?….

You have the usual 100 words to add to these 5 and make sure it is suitable for a PG certificate and has a link back here.

http://jfb57.wordpress.com/2013/01/07/100-word-challenge-for-grown-ups-week72/

Admission

I held my breath after telling my mother

Waiting for an onslaught of verbal abuse and anger

‘You said you’d do what?’

Her words spewed out like a machine gun

I’d had enough of her vitriol and venom

I sat up and returned her malignant stare

‘Don't pretend that you give a damn or care,’

I replied, desperately trying to keep calm

As my fingernails gouged the inside of my palms

‘He’s my father and I will meet him tomorrow.’

It was time to let go of this hate and sorrow.

She surprised me again with a whisper

‘He was my one and only lover.’

WAITING

MAG 150

7th  January 2012

Instructions

1)      Write a poem or short vignette using the picture featured in this post as your inspiration. Feel free to take the image to use for your post.

2)      Link back to Magpie Tales from your post.

 http://magpietales.blogspot.co.uk/

3) Sign up in the Mr. Linky list, linking directly to your post, AFTER you've posted

 

Image by Daniel Murtagh

WAITING

She waits wistfully at the window

Wondering if he will be a no-show

Ready and willing for his caress

In her lacy, gossamer thin dress

A draught plucks at her alluring beauty

Drawing her heart strings tightly

She reads a text message just received

‘Five minutes, darling,’ her breast heaves

As she waits to see the glare of headlights

Through the country lane like two penlights

She waits with bated breath, her pulses throbbing

Every fibre of her being aching

His key turned in the door

He would satisfy her amour

Cherishing their love affair

Tonight they would conceive an heir.

THE BRIDE

http://jfb57.wordpress.com/2012/12/31/100-word-challenge-week71/

100 Word Challenge for Grown Ups – Week#71

The date once again provides the prompt:

…as midnight struck…

That means you have 103 words to produce a creative piece

THE BRIDE

The diamond ring set sparkled on her hand

She had travelled many miles over sea and land

To celebrate Christmas with her friends and family

Her wedding day four days later, elegant and fancy

She felt a twinge of regret but a deep sigh relieved her

There was a question with an unknown answer

One person was missing and she didn’t know what to do

Should she have made advances, was she wrong not to?

Stupidly, stubbornly she’d burned her bridges several years ago

She had achieved her dream, she was the blushing bride

As midnight struck she walked proudly by his side.