Category Archives: Challenges and Writing Prompts

June 26, 2016

Shi Sai Sunday’s Week in ReVerse – 26 June 2016

Photo by Kat Myrman

Happy Sunday! I certainly did not expect this week’s Shi Sai to make sense, the week was rather nonsensical, but in an odd turn of the pen it actually does. What a strange, unsettling time it has been for so many in our world.

In my corner of it there were incredible highs and inconsolable lows. And through it all, a stream of silver lining weaved its way to my heart giving me hope.

I have hope because I was able to witness a band of underdogs finally tasting victory! And it was just as sweet, I’m betting even sweeter than they imagined it would be.

I have hope because even in the face of frightening uncertainty I still had busy today’s demanding my attention…bright sunrises and a fat, full heart-shaped moon that kept me grounded in the present moment. There where fragrant blooms, tasty kitchen creations and victories to be savored.

I have hope because I am finding that even in the midst of calamity, often of our own doing, more and more people are coming to their senses, realizing how naked the emperors are. Yes, there is hope for us all yet!

So here then is a quick look back to revisit the words and lines that tumbled onto the page this past week. I won’t dwell on it for too long though, because today, with its fresh slate of possibilities awaits and I have a hankering for shortbread. 😊

Sweet daydreams to you as always and Happy Sunday!

Shi Sai Sunday’s Week in ReVerse – 26 June 2016

take a walk on the wild side
there will most certainly be
casualties,
when ripe for pricking
thus doomed to repeat history
take heart, remembering that LOVE never fails…
lean toward the extreme
the crowd does not always know the way
’til dinner is served
Let me see your happy faces!

~kat

The Shi Sai, (formerly known as a ReVerse) is a form created by Kat Myrman in April 2016. It is a poem created by taking one line of verse from several poems of an author’s own collection. The shi sai is done as a review of a series or collection of poems and therefore, each line should flow in chronological order of the dates the poems were written (from oldest to new). The lines chosen should be the author’s favorite from each poem. This form works best if the author resists the temptation to read the full new poem before all the verses have been added. (It helps one to resist the impulse to change a line to make it “fit”)

6 Comments | tags: hope, mindfulness, Shi Sai, week in Reverse | posted in Challenges and Writing Prompts, Digital Art & Photos, Essays, Life Lessons, Poetry, Random Thoughts and Musings, Social Issues, Spirituality, Week in Review

June 25, 2016

History Repeating

By Kat Myrman

“Let me see your happy faces,”the artist was clearly frustrated with his subjects. Never had he met such disagreeable children.

Behind him their mother sat in the corner of the parlor sipping tea, her pinkie finger raised perfectly. She was clearly apathetic to the artist’s plight, sighing incessantly from boredom.

When her tea grew cold she bloviated, “Come now children, smile for mommy. Chocolates for each of you when we finish.” The two sulked, barely complying.

Hours later, when the artist presented the mother with the portrait, she tossed his fee on the table without even the courtesy of a “thank you”.

Decades later, these children grew up to become dreadful adults. The girl is now a self-absorbed shrew who spends her time on perpetual holiday amongst the elite, and the boy? Well, I heard that he is running for president.

~kat – 25 June 2016
(142 Words)

For Jane Dougherty’s Microfiction Challenge #1. I am afraid that life and work limited my writing time last week. But this half written story begged a finish, even if it is a bit late to the party. There is already another wonderful prompt waiting to inspire. Be sure to visit Jane’s Blog for a good read or to enter one of her challenges!

16 Comments | tags: children, disagreeable, jane dougherty's microfiction challenge, portrait | posted in Challenges and Writing Prompts, Flash Fiction, Under 300 Words

June 24, 2016

Endsville ~ Friday’s Word of the Day Haiku

By Kat Myrman

Is it Friday already? Actually I had hoped it was Friday days ago! It’s been a long week! But here we are with the calendar finally matching the day. And of course it is time again to peek at dictionary.com for today’s word of the day. Endsville. At first glance it sounds like no place I would like to be.

The entomology and definition of this word in cyberspace is quite scarce, which might make one think that it is a made up word…but then, aren’t all words made up by someone somewhere?

Here’s dictionary.com’s definition:

1. (sometimes lowercase) Slang. most wonderful or exciting: a rock band that was regarded as Endsville in the late fifties.

2. (sometimes lowercase) Slang. (of a location, circumstance, etc.) most isolated or undesirable.

Origin of Endsville

Endsville is an extension of the slang expression the end, meaning “the ultimate; the utmost of good or bad.” It entered English in the 1950s.

At any rate, my google search did reveal that endsville is the name of a rock band from the 1950’s, a movie, a poem, a sculpture, the title of a series of stories and a fictional place, as well as being an adjective. If I were going to make a word up, I think I might like it to mean a variety of things. How versatile this silly slang word is! Which of course calls for a silly haiku!

Endsville ..The Haiku

To be the be all
or the endsville of a thing
lean toward the extreme!

kat ~ 24 June 2016

6 Comments | tags: endsville, Haiku, word of the day | posted in Challenges and Writing Prompts, Essays, Haiku, Poetry, Random Thoughts and Musings, Word of the Day Haiku

June 24, 2016

No Words – A Trilonnet

By Kat Myrman

For Jane Dougherty’s latest poetry challenge to write a Trilonnet beginning with the opening phrase, “the light is gone…”

Struggling this week to find the Muse midst overwhelming workplace drama and our nation’s polarizing rage. I think I might need to stop watching the news and reading company memos. Ignorance is bliss!

The light is gone, there are no words
as grief’s consuming shroud descends
and swelling tears cascade like rain

The reaper’s sickle sweeps again
more innocents will meet their end,
our vain laments will go unheard

the aftermath’s familiar dirge
as liberty clouds common sense,
unanswered why’s and how’s remain,

no consolation for the pain,
resigned there’ll be no recompense
for terrorism’s bloody scourge.

A consequence of apathy,
thus doomed to repeat history.

kat ~ 24 June 2016

19 Comments | tags: Challenge, grief, history, lament, no words, Poetry, Trilonnet | posted in Challenges and Writing Prompts, Life Lessons, Poetry, Random Thoughts and Musings, Social Issues, Trilonnet

June 21, 2016

Cactus Haiku

By Kat Myrman

Got TJ’s Househild Hauku Challenge, prompt word: Cactus. (Confess in my eagerness to complete the challenge I missed the word Dry! So much so that I went the opposite direction! But here is my first take!)

I read that the prickly pear variety of cactus are quite delicious. A legend of herbal folklore the prickly pear gained accolades for a number of medicinal applications including treatment for burns, indigestion, diarrhea, inflammation and ulcers, as well as new studies exploring their use in lowering cholesterol and blood sugar. I have never tasted this delicacy, but I’m tempted to add it to my to-do list, noting one must be wary of its sharp spines in the harvesting!

Surly succulents,
Prickly pears cure many ills
when ripe for pricking!