SELFISH WORDS

This prompt is about the others in the romance couple’s lives during the break-up. Inlaws, best friends, siblings and other immediate family – including the kids – the parents.  Anyone who has connected with the couple and is expected to choose sideswhen the relationship ends.  What we want to see is how “the others” feel or is changed by the ending relationship, and what they see as the strengths/weaknesses of the couple.  We want to live the romance through a second party. (This is also not a love triangle.)

Up to 400 words of prose/poetry in response to this prompt.

THIS IS MY ENTRY:

Selfish Words

She was just 13 years old

When he came home for the last time

Packed his bags and left them all alone

He said, ‘it’s not your fault’ in his deep tone

‘I still love you,’ he said with tears in his eyes

So that turned out to be a load of lies

Her friends didn't understand

She stayed because her mum was not in command

The father she adored

Walked out of the door

He didn't glance back once

He ran to gain his distance

As she tried to help she became the adult, their rock

She held it altogether despite the deep felt shock

Her brother wandered through the house oblivious

A couple of years older he became almost lawless

They muddled through the first few days somehow

Maybe he would come back tomorrow

Family life turned upside down with no routine

In limbo, bereft, betwixt and between

Emotions running high she couldn’t solve the problem

Her family was now a statistic, a threesome

They spent their evenings in separate rooms feeling angry

Blaming each other, finding fault, feeling guilty

Her friends said we’re here for you

Come to the disco we’ll find you a boy

You’re young; we’ll help you have fun

Don’t worry about your mum.

She talked to her dad and spent the weekend

The other woman tried to be her friend

It was just so hard to be two-faced

Trying to win him back she swallowed her distaste

To maintain the relationship

She pretended and feigned a kinship

Separating her life into two parts became the norm

She did her duty by each parent, she did conform

Then she rebelled, cut class and school

  She turned Goth and looked very cool

Attracted the wrong sort of bloke

She felt he was her only hope

Dark haired with deep brown eyes

So different to the father who lies

She was 16 and knew she was right

She left and stayed with him that night

She had so much love she wanted to give

She thought it might help her to forgive

Her decision was made, it didn’t take long

Nine months later along came her newborn son

It wasn’t easy this life she chose

She had ups and downs, highs and lows

She won’t waste the emotion

Or feel empty of compassion

Some things can't be recovered

Accepting now, she looks forward.

Word count: 402 (including title)

Caged

100 Word Challenge for Grown Ups – #47

This week Julia jfb57 has gone for a picture. It is of a series that was sent to her so do watch out for more later. All you have to do is produce a creative piece of 100 words in length from the emotions / thoughts that this image stirs in you.

 

Here is my attempt:

CAGED

Swirling around in a maelstrom of thoughts

Sitting pretty waiting for life’s snapshots

Freedom and liberty caged behind the windows

There is a door but she hides under the bedclothes

The exit is plain for all to see beyond the white bars

Her sentence is self inflicted from her memoirs

A glimpse away she could find the twinkling lights

To lead her back to normality on a starlit night

Her individuality is coated in whitewashed brickwork

A round house with no angles to cut deep in to her core

A top-up, replenishment is hourly, desperate to know so much more.

NAN

100 Word Challenge for Grown

Ups – Week#46

June 18 2012

Very straight forward prompt this week:

… in the dark recess of my mind ..

As usual you have 100 words to add to these 7 making 107 altogether. Make sure you keep the prompt as it is, please put a link back to here http://jfb57.wordpress.com/ so that others can read all the posts and make sure it would be suitable for a PG certificate.

The link will stay open until 25th June.

Here is my entry for this week:

NAN

In the dark recess of my mind I wander alone

I search my memory for these people before me

They say they know me, they say I’m their mother

I don't know these strangers today, tomorrow I’ll be better

I remember days on the beach with my family

Posing for my photograph as a young lady

My younger brother sadly killed in action

Those two world wars I can recall with horror

But not what I am supposed to do tomorrow

They say they all love me truly

I gracefully nod and agree

Who is that baby they placed on my lap?

I want my nap.

Word count: 107

Dedicated to my lovely Nan, Harriet [(Hetty) nee Kelly], Davis 1899 - 1992.

Knights of Micro Fiction

I've missed the deadline (again!).  

I decided to have a go at writing micro fiction, not my usual poetic form.

So this is my first attempt following this prompt:

Knights of Micro Fiction

Knights of Micro Fiction contest this month, hosted by the awesome Kathy at Imagine Today and Jess at Write.Skate.Dream. Go and check out both their blogs if you don't know them and join in the challenge if you fancy it! They post a story prompt on the 13th of each month and participants have until 11.59pm on the 15th to post their entries. By the 17th, two winners will be chosen to be featured on their blogs. Here's this month's prompt:
Write a 200 word or less, flash fiction beginning with this phrase:  Her eyes shot open....
You are free to change the gender and the POV if you want to

WOODEN BARS

Her eyes shot open and slowly things began to come in to focus.  She was aware of moving shapes above her head slowly twirling and glinting as sunlight started to stream in through a net curtained window.

She moved her arms and flexed her fingers in front of her face and gave a little murmur as she tried kicking her legs out from underneath covers that wrapped around her.

Her head turned and she glimpsed the cream coloured bars.  She reached out her hand to grab on to the wooden pole, grunting as she pulled her weight across the softness she was lying on, using her left hand to steady herself.

Gradually she managed to pull herself first in to a crouching position and then, using her growing strength, she reached further forwards up into a standing position.

She started to pull against the bars that kept her enclosed and opening her mouth started calling out.

‘Mmmm, mmmm.’

The door opened and standing in the threshold was a huge shadowy figure that advanced quickly towards her, arms outstretched.

‘It’s about time you learnt to say Daddy,’ the loving voice said picking her up and cuddling her into his strong body.

Word count: 200

THE (NOT SO) PERFECT EX

#RomanticFridayWriters - Linky Sign Up - Challenge No 38 - Being the Perfect Ex.

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So they've moved on and found someone else. Getting back together may mean a lot of work, a lot of changes. But is it time to move on instead?

So many places this prompt could take you. Will you play the irony card or will your perfect ex really be perfect? INSTRUCTIONS:

Write your story/poem. Publish it on your blog. Copy your direct link to the Linky below.

400 words of prose or prosetry.

Here is my entry:

THE (NOT SO) PERFECT EX

You cut out a slice of my life

Hacked at my happiness with a knife

My abiding love for you was slanted

To give you everything you wanted.

I was loving and tender

I didn't want to surrender

Oh how I tried and tried

To have your love for me survive

She wove her spider’s web through and through

Although the words she spoke were not true

You left me shipwrecked and abandoned

Alone to love our two children

It took me a while to pick up the pieces,

Dust myself off and review my choices

Entering the dating game again

Twenty years later it certainly isn't the same

So now I know what I can do

Forgiveness makes me better than you

I don't need to be derogatory

No more explanations are necessary

You stretched the boundaries

All I have left are the memories

Some are precious jewels to treasure

That are far too numerous to measure.

A phone call to your mobile

Your voice makes me bristle

I bite my tongue and say my piece

Letting out my breath with a slow release

 The bearer of bad tidings will be the contact

The conversation must just cover the facts

There is nothing else in common, we’ve both moved on

Take a deep breath and stand up strong.

A meeting at Accident and Emergency when our son

Has a motorbike accident and I call you to come

We have to be civil and it’s easier than I thought

It’s not just us but someone else to worry about.

The electronic world enables some email contact there,

No secrets in my house but in yours they appear

So your perfection is covered by deceit in your new life

Suspicions aroused she stamps down on you as your new wife.

Called again to the hospital this time with joy

We welcome the premature arrival of our newest boy

Gazing with love through the incubator wall

At the newest generation we are both enthralled

So now it’s more than ten years down the line

I’ve found a gentleman who suits me just fine

With his help and broad shoulders to lean upon

He’s smoothed away the deep furrowed frown

Not quite the perfect ex, not quite the ideal

Lessons have been hard but I’ve learnt them well

My children and family surrounded me with love

I wouldn’t be me without all of the above.

Word Count: 402

The Surprise

100 Word Challenge for Grown Ups – Week#45

This week is reasonably normal. I was flicking through the newspaper and saw an interesting head line. So the prompt for this week is to write the article that goes with:

There’s a real buzz about this place

As usual, you only have 100 words, keep it suitable for a PG certificate and do visit each others and leave a comment. You DO NOT have to include the title above.

THE SUPRISE

Her excitement starts to build as the sun’s rays shine through the window

Jumping out of bed her feet hardly hitting the floor trying not to be too gung-ho

Remembering to tiptoe along the landing quietly passing the closed doors

She enters the kitchen opening the back door wide to let in the cat she adores

Whispers to her moggy the surprise she has in mind for those still slumbering

A well kept secret, she’s sure they’ll find fascinating

An electric thrill hums and buzzes throughout the place

As they surface and congregate downstairs, she opens her leather bound briefcase.

100 Word Challenge for Grown Ups – Week#44

Here in the UK we are celebrating the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. There is bunting and celebration everywhere.

So combining both these situations the prompt this week is to write a poem. It doesn’t have to rhyme or be specifically about the Monarch but it should capture the passing of sixty years. I will give you some poetic license with the number of words and say 100 words -ish!

 OUR QUEEN

She lives her life in a gold fish bowl

Her every move scrutinised

Her face is known world wide

Family life has no secrets

She fell in love at an early age

Still in love for over six decades

She’s seen changes and innovations

Trials and tribulations

Met other kings and queens

And beings who reign supreme

Throughout it all she’s a wife

A mother, a grandmother

Working hard throughout her life

The man standing beside is her stay and support

An extraordinary woman who leads our great nation

Proud to serve her people for as long as she is able.

 

Yes, no, oh alright then

  

It's time for our new Challenge - No 37. This Friday June 1, we respond to the sentence, Yes, No, Oh, alright then! Whether prose or poetry, the challenge is yours to write as you will. You can choose to include all the words at one time, or have them interspersed throughout your entry. Or it can be used as a theme of indecision. Whatever your choice, go for it, just don't forget to have some romantic element!

Up to 400 words of prose/poetry in response to this prompt

Yes, No, Oh alright then!

Brown hair cascades down her back skimming her derrière

Pride and joy, crowning glory, the secret romantic affair

She couldn’t give it up and make this change in her life

She said yes in a moment of pressure, too much stress and strife

After a night’s sleep she regretted her decision in the morning

Sipping her tea in the conservatory under the dawn breaking

Weighing up the pros and cons and still pondering.

The smell of the honeysuckle wafted on the slight summer breeze

She shifted her position, hands entwined around her drawn up knees

The cushions held her tightly as if his arms wrapped around her body

Inhaling deeply, breathing the essence of his thoughts knowing he wants this badly

Running through the options in the harsh light of day, her change of mind

To say no to him she’ll rehearse all the reasons that she has outlined

Her main priorities are everything that she will have to leave behind.

The day wears on; she keeps herself busy making alternative plans

Tears well up as she can’t believe he will come to understand

At first she was excited and thrilled and had no hesitation to say yes

Then the doubts and lack of confidence crashed in as she tried to access

Courage and bravery had abandoned her heart turning it to jelly

The walls were weak but she had her boundary

Somehow she couldn’t find a way to stop the feelings of misery.

The minutes ticked away constantly reminding her of the hour to come

As he walked in the door, throwing down his keys, ‘I’m home!’

The sleek, silky timbre of his voice so sultry with its English modulation

Vowels that are nicely rounded in that most elegant way of elocution

She looks long and hard in the mirror, sees the consequences of her action

She could do this but she’s afraid of the messy complication

It should be easy to turn this dilemma into joy without aggravation.

The candles are lit, the dinner table set with the best plates and cutlery

He sits opposite and takes hold of her hand stroking her wedding ring calmly

It’s OK to be apprehensive, nervous and have butterflies in your tummy

It’s been the same for him, waiting for her answer, he nods and smiles reassuringly

She grips his hand ever so tightly, looks him in the eye, oh alright then

I’ll come with you when your firm sends you to work in England.

Word count:  413  - Yikes, slightly over 400 – hope it’s still acceptable.