Author: Tina Stewart Brakebill

Haiku & Other Poetry, tutto e niente

false tears (a tanka)

Tina Stewart Brakebill

You provoke! he cries.

An Aberration. he cries.

You make me! he cries

He cries. I apologize.

False tears. We begin again.

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Important reminder: COVID-19 has worsened the ongoing horror of domestic violence. If you or a loved one (in the U.S) needs more information or help, they can contact The National Domestic Violence Hotline

As a regular supporter of my local Domestic Violence Support Network (CASA) I have been keeping up with the added domestic violence dangers COVID brings to at-risk families, and today the image provided by Sadje’s WDYS Challenge and the word prompts from the WOTD Challenge (provoke) and Fandango’s FOWC (aberration) came together to inspire this work.

Be kind to each other.

REACH OUT (SAFELY) IF YOU NEED SUPPORT!

Haiku & Other Poetry, tutto e niente

learning to cope (a haiku)

Tina Stewart Brakebill

hope once gone returns

resurrecting the story   

as paradigms shift

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AUTHOR’S PHOTO

I had multiple inspirations today, but it began with Mind Love Misery Menagerie’s challenge to write about COPING. Add in the WOTD Challenge to use PLOT (for which I substituted “story”) and Fandango’s FOWC prompt of PARADIGM and here we are.

Here’s to a hopeful Sunday.

Flash Fiction, History, tutto e niente

Love & the Big Top

Tina Stewart Brakebill

I was only supposed to wrangle until it was time to head off to school. But then I met Evetta. What can I tell ya? You can’t beat love inside the three rings.

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Thanks to Sammi’s Challenge to use the word WRANGLE in a 33 word story and to Linda’s SoCS Challenge to use the word RING. They gave me the opportunity to write about my odd love for the Lady Clown (AGAIN!)

Flash Fiction, tutto e niente

but, still (or the magic door)

Tina Stewart Brakebill

Susan felt like a fool. It was 1977 not 1957. My god, she was a liberated woman! How could she fall for his line?  

Stupid!

But, still, she stayed. Remembering. Champagne. His voice in her ear. “I can’t tell you where I’m going but meet me here on Christmas Eve.”

Stupid!

Did she think she was Deborah Kerr in some kind of Hollywood movie? She should go.

Stupid!

But, still, she stayed. Remembering. Laughter. Sparkling blue eyes. “This’ll be our magical place.”

Stupid!

But, still, she stayed. Waiting. Till she heard those whispered words: “Hey beautiful. Is this seat taken?”

magic-door

Photo prompt courtesy of Dale Rogerson

These 100 hopeful words were written for Rochelle’s Friday Fictioners Challenge.

Was it in her head or did he come through the magical doors?