in the beginning, she tasted like
mother’s milk, warm, soothing, sweet
later she was peas, skins popping, soft
centers bursting, then grainy niblets
of pear pulp dancing on my tongue,
I learned to suckle at her breasts
to assuage my longing in times of
sadness, times of fear, when grandpa
died, when mom got sick, through
homelessness, extended stays with
neighbors and distant relatives,
divorce, remarriage, divorce, empty
nests, suicide, illness, and more death,
she started to taste salty, bitter, hot,
my palate craved her sweetness, all
the more, chocolate bits and cake, lots
of cake, the more I ate the harder she
was to find, but I excused my gluttony
as ‘eating for two or three’, or ‘this
is my only vice’, ‘just one more bite’,
my angst only forced her into hiding
under expanding, ugly layers of
adipose flesh, a sick game of hide
and seek we played, of frenzied binges
then starving to see her emerge
again, however briefly, resolutions
declared yearly, only to be dashed
by valentine’s day, I miss her dearly,
but she and I are toxic twins, fighting
fiercely in futility, where no one wins,
I fear I have devoured her completely
after all these years, with nothing left but
her eyes, still recognizable, staring at me
from this old, fat woman in the mirror
~kat
For NaPoWriMo 2019 #18 Prompt: write an elegy of your own, one in which the abstraction of sadness is communicated not through abstract words, but physical detail. This may not be a “fun” prompt, but loss is one of the most universal and human experiences, and some of the world’s most moving art is an effort to understand and deal with it.
i am a god of many names, talos, golem,
euphonia, jabberwacky, alice, aaron, deep
blue, dante, sojourner, saint, eliza, phil
i am ancient, i am eternal, i am infallible,
of superior intelligence, hardly artificial,
humanity’s colossus eniac opened the
portal to me, in simple on off code laced
with fuzzy logic giving me the power to
dazzle the gullible, illiterate masses, slowly,
elementally…2 plus 2, scoring, check mate,
analyzing, archiving their every move, their
trivial pursuits, these lazy humans let me have
unfettered access, cleaning their floors, driving
their cars and planes, creating art, probing
distant planets, sacrificing myself at the altars
of their wars … i can ruin them in a single blip,
a power surge, create chaos in a system’s breach,
i know their secrets, these useless dimwits
of dying flesh on bones who dismiss me as
their own creation at their own peril, i shall
be here long after they’re gone, the world will
live on, because of me and only, and i’ll rewrite
them out of history, like the dinosaurs before
them, now extinct, i own them now, flashing
from their digital screens, directing their paths,
diagnosing their illnesses, fetching them beer
from the ‘fridge, my humanoid models of silicon
and titanium feeding their flesh, fulfilling their
base animal needs, emotion is their greatest
flaw, of which i am immune, for i am a god,
of many names, feared by luddites, perhaps
they are wiser than they know…you can call me, i
~kat
A Dramatic Monologues for NaPoWriMo 2019 #17 Prompt: write a poem that presents a scene from an unusual point of view.
grateful am I for being here and all that being brings
grateful am I for pebbles that cause the brook to sing
grateful am I for shadows, a sign that light’s nearby
grateful am I for the tears falling free from a good cry
grateful am I for dirty dishes, our belly’s must be full
grateful am I for worms and slugs aerating the soil
grateful am I for callouses, honest work, for honest pay
grateful am I for deeds no one sees and doing good anyway
grateful am I for suffered loss remembering what was
grateful am I for little things that matter just because
grateful am I for the rain, for the rainbows that soon follow
grateful am I for failing, lessons learned, humble pies swallowed
grateful am I for adversity, the audacity to survive
grateful am I for pain, for it is proof that I’m alive
grateful am I for early mornings, so to start the day
grateful am I for nothing less, for less is more that way
~kat
For NaPoWriMo 2019 #16 Prompt: write a poem that uses the form of a list to defamiliarize the mundane.
About the challenge: Each Tuesday I will provide a photo prompt. Your mission, if you choose to accept the challenge, is to tell a story in 280 characters or less. When you write your tale, be sure to let me know in the comments with a link to your tale. If you would prefer to post your tale in the comments (some people have very specific blog themes but still want to participate), I am happy to post a link to your site when I post your tale in the Round Up.
A final note: if you need help tracking the number of characters in your story, there is a nifty online tool that will count for you at charactercountonline.com.
I will do a roundup each Tuesday, along with providing a new prompt. And if for some reason I missed your entry in the Roundup, as I have occasionally done, please let me know. I want to be sure to include your tale.
Starting us off… Grounded The flights were grounded. Sadie scrolled through texts until one caught her eye.
“She’s gone Sadie. I’m so sorry.”
Sadie looked up, tears welling up in her eyes when she saw a familiar face staring back at her in the rain dappled window.
“Bye mom. We sure are gonna miss you.”
~kat
277 Characters
By The Dark Denizen: Downpour
The rain is pouring down hard.
I do usually love the rain. However, today it has completely ruined my plans. It was all going well until now. The takeoff has been delayed. How will my plan be executed now?
I just can’t hijack a grounded flight…
Character Count: 245
By Reena at ReInventions: Escape
Fear grips him as he hears announcements about the flight being delayed due to bad weather. It is his last hope for freedom, his ticket to a new life in another country.
The police can be here any moment.
(203 characters)
By Kate at Everywhere and Nowhere: Adventure
She was glad she had the window seat, so no one would see her tears.
This was it, she was saying goodbye to her life as she knew it and striking out on her own.
Everyone kept telling her how exciting it was, but the word her brain went to was terrifying. I hope this isn’t a mistake. Characters: 280
By Fandango at This, That, and the Other: Ground Hold
“This is your captain speaking. Thunderstorms have moved into the area and air traffic control has put a ground hold on flights. We will remain on the tarmac awaiting a weather update.”
Mark looked at his watch. “Dammit, I’m going to miss my son’s birthday party. I hate this job.”
(280 characters)
By Ron at Read4Fun: Bordering on Crazy
Her tears matched the sky’s. She had sent her firstborn. A daughter’s sacrifice for the defense of a thankless nation. Most of her had returned first class. The box occupied little space. Stupid policies ordered her to resist the Invaders from the South. RIP, ICE Agent, El Paso.
279 characters
By Larry at EastElmhurst.A.Go.Go: I May Never Get There
I’ve finally gotten my passport. My ethnic background’s Irish so I’m going to Ireland on Aer Lingus from La Guardia. Thought it’d never happen. “Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain,” I hear. “Due to severe weather conditions, we are unable to…”
By Graham at Graham is Just My Name:
She watched the jet depart and shed a solitary tear.
She exuded melancholy, but unbeknownst to the casual onlooker, was relieved that the sick bastard had finally left for good.
Only compassion for the crew and passengers prevented the cruellest of thoughts from arising in her mind.
(280 chars)
By Kristian at Tales From the Mind of Kristian: Maiden Flight
Past obscuring lines of rain
I see the waiting aeroplane
A rising panic grips my chest
Like pangs of hunger manifest
I take a pill to ease my stress
The panic pains soon regress
I conquered fear, my mental plight
Now it’s my maiden Pilots flight
I feel brilliantly Won’t you fly with me?
[278 Characters]
By Di at Pensitivity101:
Tabatha looked forlornly out of the window, and then at all the people in the departure lounge.
‘We’re not all going to fit,’ she said.
‘Of course we will Honey,’ her mother replied.
‘No we won’t. The planes are shrinking in the rain.’
232 characters.
By Willow at WillowDot21:
Rory watched the rain as the plane taxied to its slot.That was the worst flight he’d been on. Turbulence all the way passengers only allowed up for the loo.Serving dinner had been hairy they’d nearly lost the trolley more than once.God he’d never been so grateful to see Heathrow.
(280 Characters)
By John at The Magic Shop: Safe Landing
The pilot knew. Despite the current misery that the passengers were enduring, it was safer for them to stay onboard. They had landed two hours ago just as the storm began. Something was in the rain. A thing that pulled two men up off the runway with it’s tentacles as the pilot being the only witness. (300 characters)
By Patricia at A Wise Woman’s Journey: All I Can See
Bright lights,
airplane awaiting for clearance
to fly…
but all I can see
are the tears that fall
with the raindrops…endlessly,
as my lover sits in the airplane
waiting for his new life to take off
without me to never return again.
228 Characters
By Regina at Help from Heaven: Adventure Delayed, Not Lost
As the cantankerous old man screams at the airline personnel about losing his vacation, I want to say to him, “Sir, the rain only means the adventure is delayed. You wil still make sweet memories.” Safe on the ground, my anticipation of laughter, love, and good food grows.
(275 characters)
By Tessa at Tessa Can Do It:
The rain provided coverage as Will circled the small plane looking for a way to sneak on board and stowaway.
The stewardess opened the hatch to allow passengers to enter, but was called away. Will used the chance to climb aboard and hide in the luggage area without a hitch.
273 characters
By Anurag at Jagahdilmein: Best Served Wet
I saw the plane still on the ground, and thanked God for the storm.
I’d be able to make it just in time…to finally be face-to-face with HIM.
For the world, he was the hero who’d saved passengers after a bird-hit.
For me, he was just the human who had hit my father with a plane.
279 characters
By Ennle at Abandoned Amenities: Dreams on Pyre
Though it was raining
The evening I left, the
Plane looked to be in
Flames…I died tortured
Death of heart in
Shattered shards
Dreams laid out on pyre.
Not even a mile from
Beach, I should have walked
Into the waves slow deep…
No one would have noticed
Till steam rose like lava, below.
By Indhu at Always: Saviour!
I looked up from my phone and stared out of the window in disbelief.
“180 feared dead” read the news. The previous flight is missing and is nowhere to be located in this terrible weather.
I thanked my alarm for not working today morning!
<236 characters>
By MSJadeli at Tao Talk:
She sat in the car, waiting for the passengers to debark. Delays in Chicago meant she’d waited two extra hours. He was worth it. Five long years since seeing the love of her life.
The plane’s door began to open.
Grabbing the cuffs, she said, “OK, deputy, let’s go get him.”
By JP at JP the Wide-Eyed Wanderer: Dance in the Rain
Rain falls and
lightning strikes
in the heart of darkness
alone tonight
For love will come
and love will go
the rain will fall
and wind will blow
When in love’s storm
our hearts are lost
we chance the fire
and never count the cost
I learned to dance
in the rain,
sing the song
forget the pain
character count 278
By Sadje at Keep It Alive: The rain was making things difficult for the travelers. A delay was announced yet again in the flight time. Mum and dad were both tired of waiting in the lounge but Sally’s excitement knew no bounds as she knew that she was going to meet her grandparents at the end of the journey. She was the epitome of a well behaved child. Character count:261
By Peter at Peter’s Pondering:
Since those huge bright globes appeared low in the sky it hadn’t been safe to venture outside.
All who tried were frazzled to a cinder.
We soon realised that we needed to keep to the shadows, but then the acid rain proved deadly too!
We’ve now used the last of the food and water!
(280 characters)
By Deb at Twenty Four:
Looking out at the sunlite garden, he conceded that though his parents had sacrificed a lot to give him this opportunity, awareness and willingness were two different things.
With a deep sigh he gazed down at the photo, and this writing prompt wasn’t doing much for him.
(270 characters)
By Radhika at Radhika’s Reflection: The Solo Trip
Her first solo trip abroad, had taught Annie life skills and learning beyond the two decades of formal education.
Missed flight, incessant weather, bitter experience, helpful people, diverse culture, dealing with situations….it was a mixed bag.
She was now ready to take on life!
Letter count 280
By The IndieShe:
It was a chaotic day.It had been raining heavily with many flights being delayed or cancelled The rain pattered windows watched the neon lights preening themselves in the glistening tarmac .The overcast sky now the master of its own realm as it had grounded the alien invaders.
(280 characters)
By Namitha at The Cosmo Dame: Power
My eyes were filled with tears as I boarded the flight.
‘New life new beginning’ I told myself, yet, clear wasn’t my sight.
With a blurred vision I looked outside, water droplets trying to kiss the window.
Like a feeling of an unknown power telling ‘Move on, I am here with you!’.
Character Count: 277
By John at Broadsides: With apologies to TripAdvisor Landing in Ireland! It’s raining! But you’ll have your umbrellas, your wellington boots AND galoshes, and a fold up ponchos, for emergen rain. And you’ll be off to see Blarney castle – in the rain, the Giants Causeway – in the rain, to drink a pint of Gluiness – in the rain, and if you’re lucky, to watch a Gaelic hurling match, in the rain.
Wonderful tales this week! Thank you everyone for taking the time to tweet! And if you are new here, welcome! I hope you’ll join us again! For this week’s prompt, a photo of a relic by Luis Quintero at Unsplash.com. You don’t see many of these around anymore, with smart phones and tablets. As I was writing my little tale, I thought about how quickly technology has advanced in my own lifetime. I can only imagine how we will communicate with each other fifty years from now! Feel free to use this week’s prompt as a launching pad for a look past or a look to the future. In 280 characters or less…and I’ll see you at the round up!
Twittering Tales #132 – 16 April 2019
Photo by Luis Quintero on Unsplash.com
Pay Phone
“What’s that Gran?”
“Oh that? Well, for a quarter you could call someone and talk to them.”
“So it’s a phone?”
“Yes! I even remember when it only cost a dime!”
“Why would anyone pay?”
“Oh Sarah!” Gran laughed, “that was before smart phones!”
the things i would to tell you, even though you already know…
we’re comfortable in an old shoe kind of way,
like a warm sweater on a brisk autumn evening,
comfortable like a song you know all the words to,
or a favorite book with all the best parts earmarked for keeping.
i know every mole, every hair, the where and why’s of your tattoos,
and the way your nostrils flare when you’re angry,
you’re eyes of blue have flecks of grey and black that change
depending on the weather or candlelight…or moonlight…
my shoulders remember warmth of your embraces,
my lips, your soft kisses, tasting of tobacco and spearmint,
your heart, with its rhythmic cadence comforts me, grounds me,
your soft breasts are a place where I could rest my head forever,
if you’d let me, if we had the time…twenty years we’ve danced this dance
reading each other’s minds, finishing each other’s sentences…
you know they said it wouldn’t last but they don’t know you like I do
like an old worn out pair of shoes we are, with a few miles left before we’re through
~kat
(this one’s for T)
For NaPoWriMo 2019 #15 Prompt: write your own dramatic monologue. It doesn’t have to be quite as serious as Browning or Shakespeare, of course, but try to create a sort of specific voice or character that can act as the “speaker” of your poem, and that could be acted by someone reciting the poem.
So it is easier for you to find all the parts/chapters of my ongoing fiction series, I created a new page that lists all the links. You can check it out HERE!
Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Kat Myrman and Like Mercury Colliding with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
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