like mercury colliding...

June 2, 2017

Sinker ~ Friday’s Word of the Day Haiku

Happy Friday! Today’s word of the day at dictionary.com is “Sinker”. It’s a fun word. It’s one of those words with several meanings:

1. a weight used to sink a fishing line or sounding line.

2. BASEBALL a pitch that drops markedly as it nears home plate.

3. a type of windsurfing board of insufficient buoyancy to support a person unless moving fast.

4. US a doughnut.

5. A cesspool.

6. a (silver) dollar

7. a person or thing that sinks.

8. a person employed in sinking, as one who sinks shafts.

from Dictionary.com and the Fine dictionary.

And you might also be familiar with the idiom, “Hook, Line and Sinker”, a fishing term that incorporates three essential pieces of fishing tackle in angling. Also, in English language, the phrase ‘to swallow something “hook, line and sinker” ‘ is an idiomatic expression to describe a situation where a person or group accepts wholesale and uncritically an idea or set of beliefs. (From Wikipedia) .

There isn’t a whole lot to say about its etymology. It is a very popular word with several spikes in usage through time based on its application. It pretty much means what it implies in all of its incarnations…something that sinks, as in drops or dips low. I have a few Haiku for you today. Have a great weekend!

underground stinkers
vile cesspools called sinkers
an oligarch’s den

hook, line and sinker
how the gullible gobble up lies
of a deceiver

sweetens the palate
sinkers dipped in morning brew
AKA donuts

~kat

2 Comments | tags: dictionary.com, Haiku, Poetry, sinkers, word of the day | posted in Essays, Haiku, Poetry, Random Thoughts and Musings, Word of the Day Haiku

June 1, 2017

Octo-Cat

By Kat Myrman

For Sonya’s Three Line Tale Challenge based on this photo by Timothy Meinberg via Unsplash.

He showed up at their front door one stormy night, flea-ridden, battle-worn, sopping wet and one who had likely used up at least eight of his nine lives.

They called him Scamp, took him in as one of their own, gave him the finest food and a plush pillow to sleep on.

But the old Tom could not be domesticated, escaping often the comfort and safety of home to roam the docks where he had his fill of fish guts and the salty taste of freedom.

~kat

12 Comments | tags: 3linetales, Challenge, Flash Fiction, Photo Prompt, Three Line Tales | posted in 3 Line Tales, Fiction Series

June 1, 2017

The Crucible

By Kat Myrman

This week Rochelle gave us a rather bleak photo prompt for her Friday Fictioneers challenge. I ruminated over it for a day, fighting my first impression; one of heartache, loss and destruction because, quite frankly, I am weary of of reality this week. Every day small fragile men find new ways to trample on the things we hold dear. Today, not content to destroy just our nation, our horrible leader took steps to ravage the earth our home. So I needed a bit of hope.

PHOTO PROMPT © KARUNA

The Crucible

The massive brush fires expanded their reach into neighboring homes licking at their foundations before ravaging the stick frames that held them together. Fire doesn’t discriminate once it contorts into its frenzied surge, consuming furniture, clothing, family photos and other treasures.

Precious though they may once have been, they are dross, but the tempest has no power over memories that emerge in the hearts of those left behind.

Memories remain, cherished all the more by living survivors who realize while sifting through the ashes, that they, and those that they love, are the greatest treasure of all.

~kat
(97 Words)

13 Comments | tags: 100 Words, Challenge, essay, Flash Fiction, Friday Fictioneers | posted in 100 and Under, Essays, Flash Fiction, Random Thoughts and Musings, Spirituality

May 31, 2017

Thin-Skinned Deep

By Kat Myrman

Today was The Great Unveiling. Crorrarq glanced at himself in the mirror. It had been seven years since the occupation. Seven years of blending in under a layer of celluloid, masking his true nature. Crorrarq was one of millions.

The Elders had vehemently opposed the event. “It’s much too soon. We’ve been observing these humans,” they said. “How can we expect to be accepted for who we are when they don’t even accept their own? You’ve seen them. Building their walls, hoarding their riches from the poorest of their kind. Killing each other for money and resources. Turning away those who are weak or different. No,” they warned, “humans are far too barbaric and uncivilized to accept us as neighbors.”

But the decision was made. Votes were cast. The Great Unveiling would go on as planned.

At noon on that fateful day every alien on the planet revealed themself to the humans they had grown to love and who claimed to love them. It was a dreadful day. The humans saw only monsters where once they saw friends. Every alien was rounded up, imprisoned and ultimately executed.

The Elders had been right all along. It was much too soon.

~kat

(199 Words)

For Sunday’s Photo Fiction Challenge based on this photo by our host Al.

12 Comments | tags: 200 words, aliens, Flash Fiction, Photo Prompt | posted in Challenges and Writing Prompts, Flash Fiction, Life Lessons, Under 300 Words