Flash Fiction, Poetry, and Photography

I've been pretty busy lately trying to avoid actual writing so I'm posting a flash fiction piece and a poem I've been cleaning up, as well as a few pictures I've taken. The flash fiction story was inspired by a TerribleMinds prompt (from a while back) to write a complete story in five sentences and 100 words, or less. The poem was written in response to one of Robert Lee Brewer's PAD challenges to write a Tanka poem. I had done this one previously (check it out here) and had a lot of fun with it, so I did it again. Photography has become my latest hobby and I've had a lot of fun taking pictures around the house of my flowers and babies. So I decided to share some of the better ones (IMO). ;)

Flash Fiction: KTFO (WC79)

Blood covered my face, but the fight only had thirty more seconds. I jabbed left and she dodged right. I jabbed left then followed with a hard right and she blocked. I leaned back and, when she pursued, popped a straight kick, catching her right under the chin. Her head snapped back just like a Pez dispenser, but no candy came out. As she landed flat on her back, I let rip my victory cry, "KNOCKED THE FUCK OUT!"

Baby Girl

Tanka: Baby Girl

Strawberry blonde hair
Wispy, curly, and cowlick'd
Above sky blue eyes,
Ivory skin, and pale pink lips
Little arms reach up to me

Pictures

Pretty Roadside Weeds

Pete the Garden Gnome says, "Go Reds!"

Hot Pink Rose

Pink Roses

Hot Pink Rosebud

Garden Mushrooms

This looks like it'd be a great photo prompt for a fantasy...





Do you like to write or take pictures? What are your favorite subjects? What do you think about my writing and pictures? Any ideas or suggestions? I appreciate any and all feedback. Even if you think this sucks, as long as you tell me why you think it sucks. I can't wait to hear from you guys! Interaction is what this life is all about.

If you're interested in my ROW80 progress... well, there isn't really any.

Challenge: Tanka

Challenge Accepted!!

I find writing challenges extremely inspiring. I love a good challenge. They are fun to try, even if you don't submit your entry. I believe anything that gets you to put words on paper (or screen) is a good idea.

Yesterday, I found a wonderful poetic challenge from Robert Lee Brewer from Writer's Digest! Go read it here. A tanka is a Japanese form poem. It has five lines, each with 5, 7, 5, 7, and 7 syllables, respectively. I had never heard of tanka before, and I was intrigued. So I thought I'd give it a try. I went through my pictures for inspiration. Then I wrote a tanka. Enjoy!


Peeking through the clouds
Shining bright, into my eyes
A day is born with
Endless opportunities
If only I accept them





So, I'm throwing down the gauntlet. I challenge you to find a challenge!! Ironic, huh? If you can't find one, write a tanka. If it's short, post it below in the comments. If it's longer, post it on your blog, then come back and link to your post in the comments below. Be sure to tell what the challenge is first and link back to it so others might be inspired. Actually, do that even if you don't want to post your writing practice for public consumption. The more challenges the better!! Good luck and remember to have fun!!

Inspiration, a Poem: Springtime Morning Song

Springtime Morning Song

I listen from my front porch as nature greets the coming day:

Roosters announce the impending sunrise
Turkeys bicker in the distance
The songbirds' chorus infinitely repeats
Crows discuss the night's road kill
Dogs argue with the birds
Cows protest the theft of their milk
Doves chatter while pecking at seeds
Woodpeckers provide a drumroll for an unknown punchline.

And the humans drive by, with their windows up, on their way to work, completely oblivious to the musical beauty around them.

This is the view from my front porch.

I don't usually (or ever) write poetry, so I don't know if I've broken any fundamental rules or anything. Or if there even are any?!? I was sitting on my front porch this morning, enjoying my coffee in the hour or so of peace I get between Hubby leaving for work and babies getting up for the day, and inspiration struck. This just happened to be the way the words poured out.

I appreciate any and all feedback, even (especially) if you think it sucks, but only if you tell me why you think it sucks. When did inspiration last strike you? Where were you? What did you see? hear? smell?  How did it make you feel? Let me know!! I can't wait to hear from you guys. Interaction is what this life is all about!!