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.”

Haiku & Other Poetry, tutto e niente

true life revealed (a haiku)

A figment alleged.

But that vision melts away  

as true life bares all.

image-5Image credit: Angele Kamp @ Unsplash

Sadje’s WDYS Challenge today was to think about birthdays …. This got me considering life in general. Is our life imagined anything like our real life? If not, is that good or bad? And more importantly, is it wise to consider these thoughts during a global pandemic and the ongoing threats to democracy in the US? Probably not!

Anyway, thanks to Sadje for the original inspiration and to the WOTD Challenge (figment) and to Ronovan Writes Haiku Challenge for this words (life and view, which I subbed in vision.)

Haiku & Other Poetry, tutto e niente

false tears (a tanka)

You provoke! he cries.

An Aberration. he cries.

You make me! he cries

He cries. I apologize.

False tears. We begin again.

image-3

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)

hope once gone returns

resurrecting the story   

as paradigms shift

IMG_0005

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.