Flash Fiction, tutto e niente

second thoughts

Waiting for my cue, I practice my smile. It feels wrong. Too forced. Too white against the gray pallor of my skin.

I try to shake off my doubts. I am the heir apparent. It is my heritage.

But some nights it’s too much. It’s like a giant squid has me wrapped in its tentacles. It squeezes and squeezes and whispers “birthright” in my ear, but I don’t feel lucky. I feel like it’s trying to drown me.

But it’s too late for second thoughts. The crowd chants my name as I once again claim my birthright.

(97 Words)

Photo by Anthony Obunadike on Pexels.com

 Thanks for the inspiration.

Haiku & Other Poetry, Random Rants, tutto e niente

Advice for the Girl’s Life: Variations on a Theme

Variations on a Theme  

Always say yes even when you mean no 
Never say I won’t when told it’s time to go  

Never raise your voice when told you have no choice
Always choose the right path even when you have no voice 
 
Always stay the course as you walk that chosen path  
Never show the world your barely buried wrath       

Always be you
Never be you 
Photo by cottonbro on Pexels.com

Thanks to Sammi for the inspiration and the word limit (67). It kept me from going on and on and on …..

Flash Fiction, tutto e niente

A Fish

Swinging her legs over the cliff’s edge, she can’t deny that the view is spectacular. But even this vista reminds her that it’s hopeless. The blue sky was only temporary. Already it was fading into the flat gray water. Soon enough the sky will darken.

Night will fall.

The glow never lasts. The dice turn cold. The dealer goes on a hot streak. She goes all in and a pigeon gives her a bad beat on the river. Soon enough luck always fails. Down to the felt. Again. Nothing but a fish.

Night falls.

(WC 94)

cliff-edge

Cliff Edge – Image by KL Caley

 As you might be able to tell from this sad little story, the world has me a bit down. Although I used to watch World Poker tournaments with my husband, I don’t gamble. I’m not sure why this piece emerged almost fully formed from my brain but here it is.

On a serious note, if you or someone you know needs help with gambling issues then visit: National Gambling Hotline & Resources

Thanks to all these wonderful writers and prompt providers for their inspiration today. Visit them for more writing and more details.

The photo and the challenge to write about the “cliff’s edge” was courtesy of #WritePhoto

Sammi’s Challenge was to use the word “glow” as an inspiration to write something in exactly 94 words.

Fandango’s FOWC prompt word was “hopeless.”

Linda’s SoCS Challenge was to be inspired by the word “luck.”

And last but not least, the WOTD was “spectacular.”

Flash Fiction, tutto e niente

Today’s Home School

I already learned about fractions.

Like half a dollar is 50 cents?

No.

One slice is one quarter of a pie?

No.  

“Thanks to Hamilton our cabinet’s fractured into factions … breaking down like fractions.”

History: check. Thanks Broadway.   

hourglass near heap of american dollars
Photo by Karolina Grabowska on Pexels.com

Thanks to  Sammi’s Challenge to use FACTION in a 39 words story and to Hamilton for being awesome.

Flash Fiction, Haiku & Other Poetry, tutto e niente

quixotic musings

Am I a dreamer?

Still full of hope as I yearn.      

Or am I a clown?

Yes, says the face in the glass

with your destiny foretold.  

img_3251

Image courtesy of Forgottenx at DeviantArt

I’m not sure that this piece fits perfectly into any of the challenges that inspired me today. So apologies if I’ve miscategorized things!

All I can say, is that the combination of Fandango’s FOWC (body, which I loosely subbed in “face in the mirror”),  Fandango’s Flash Fiction Challenge photo, and Sammi’s Challenge (to use the word quixotic, which I took as the entire theme) DID inspire me and, thus, this 26-word call and response story / tanka was born. (Side note: I love to throw in a good THUS or THEREFORE or NEVERTHELESS ….)