Call of the Wilderness

Curbar Edge by Les Wilcockson

Brief conversations in wild arias sung in ancient voices where grass and heather whisper the echoes of the wind on the horizon.

The lothario lover used to stand on that rock recalled heather aromatically

Even stone can smile in thoughts of love when the young alpha chased his damsel for a kiss.

Their pups would frolic in twilight, their play watched only by the wild hills grass murmured in its memory

And the stone sighed, recalling the coming of Man in a stench of death and extinction.

Winds howled, their sorrow too much to bear

Yet ears that do not listen only hear silence.

© JG Farmer 2013

Prompt: http://theboipoet.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/words-at-weekend-12-13-october.html

Monday’s Masterpiece 11 November

The idea of these challenges is to use the given prompts to create a piece of flash fiction (100-500 words) or a poem

Today’s challenge is to take inspiration from a work of art and write from it.

The masterpiece choice for today is:

Dark Night of the Soul by Alana Lake

View more of  Alana's work at:

https://www.artfinder.com/artist/alana-lake/

Please leave a link in comments or pingback if you join in the challenge

No Reason

Black eyes crowded in mystery shield the magical imaginations of an old man. Each furrowed line of his ancient skin a different path in his destiny of transformation.

Alchemy is an odd thing he mused for no reason in particular, since no one cared to listen.

Oh he knew they heard him and how they assumed he was just a wittering old man. The higher perceptions of the old ways were no use to them with their smart shiny computers. 

A harmless old man practicing a long dead craft, he couldn't hurt a fly they said.

Arcane wisdoms whispered into the wind just an old man’s mutterings but how they wailed when the power went down for no reason in particular.

© JG Farmer 2013

Inspired by: 

http://www.trifectawritingchallenge.com/2013/11/trifecta-week-102.html

Words at the Weekend 9/10 November

The idea of the challenge is to use any one or more of the given prompts to create a piece of flash fiction (100-500 words) or a poem.

For the weekend I am going to give four prompts that can be used individually or together depending on how the creative juices flow. There will be a single word with its definition, a word bank, three phrases and a photograph – all are random so may not connect in anyway but as is the way of randomness they may connect in the creative thought – you never can tell!

This week’s prompts are:

Photograph:

Greatrigg Man by Gerard Tohill

Word:

Gemutlichkeit
Pronunciation: (guh-myoot-lish-KYT, -likh-, -MOOT-)
Meaning: noun: Warm friendliness; comfortableness; coziness.

Phrases:

• question of worthiness;

• always home;

• until I say goodbye

Word bank:

questioning; plate; farm; stand; rent.

If you create something please link back to here

Three on Friday 8 November 2013

The idea of these challenges is to use the given prompts to create a piece of flash fiction (100-500 words) or a poem

The challenge today offers three quotations to inspire the creative muse, using one, two or all three as a prompt.

The quotations for this week are:

The first sentence of every novel should be: Trust me, this will take time but there is order here, very faint, very human. Meander if you want to get to town - Michael Ondaatje

We pay for the mistakes of our ancestors, and it seems only fair that they should leave us the money to pay with - Don Marquis

If you think education is expensive, try ignorance - Derek Bok

"

If you take up today’s challenge please leave a link in the comments

Draw Near

It is that time of year when I feel that familiar presence.  As the winter days beckon and the nights close in my eyes watch the flames with more intensity. Flames that dance in a non-existent breeze as I seek the tell-tale signs you have come home.

On the rug in front of the fire I inhale the first delicate wisps of Rive Gauche and I pray this time I will feel your touch engulf me like it used to before the darkness came between us. Now there are just ‘if only’s’ left and they are no comfort on a cold winter’s night.

In the hazy firelight I think I see you smile and hear your laughter in the crackle of burning wood. I reach out but you are gone. The tendrils of sweet perfume are rapidly replaced by the aromatic burning pine and emptiness as once again I am alone.

© JG Farmer 2013

Prompt: http://theboipoet.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/muse-to-music-10-october-2013.html

Muse to the Music 7 November 2013

The idea of these challenges is to use the given prompts to create a piece of flash fiction (100-500 words) or a poem

The prompt for this challenge is a piece of music, the idea being to share where the music takes you.

This week’s piece is: I Don't Speak Human by OMNIA

If you use this prompt please link back

Whimsical Wednesday 6 November 2013

The idea of these challenges is to use the given prompts to create a piece of flash fiction (100-500 words) or a poem

As a poet I read a lot of poetry and some more on top. I also find one line taken out of context can lead to a whole new dimension of creativity. The idea of this challenge therefore is to create what comes to mind from lines of poetry.

This week’s lines of poetry are:

Where a lover turned and smiled and did more than kiss - Tale of Two Cities by Mark Jarman

As if you could get the last sip of champagne - Borderline Mambo by Rita Dove

striking rock—the spark - Song of Smoke by Kevin Young

If you use this prompt please link back

Tuesday's Thinking 5 November 2013

The idea of these challenges is to use the given prompts to create a piece of flash fiction (100-500 words) or a poem

Today’s prompt is:

Write a post inspired by the word: Coffee

If you post a write from the prompt, please post a link in comments or pingback

Monday’s Masterpiece 4 November

The idea of these challenges is to use the given prompts to create a piece of flash fiction (100-500 words) or a poem

Today’s challenge is to take inspiration from a work of art and write from it.

The masterpiece choice for today is Rembrandt's Lady Friend by Jack Bagley

View more of Jack’s work at:

https://www.artfinder.com/artist/jack-bagley/

Please leave a link in comments or pingback if you join in the challenge

Words at the Weekend 2/3 November

The idea of the challenge is to use any one or more of the given prompts to create a piece of flash fiction (100-500 words) or a poem.

For the weekend I am going to give four prompts that can be used individually or together depending on how the creative juices flow. There will be a single word with its definition, a word bank, three phrases and a photograph – all are random so may not connect in anyway but as is the way of randomness they may connect in the creative thought – you never can tell!

This week’s prompts are:

Photograph: Greenwich Park by Massimo Vitali 

Word: Blitzkrieg

Pronunciation: (BLITS-kreeg) Meaning: noun: 1. An intense campaign, for example, an ad blitz. 2. A swift, sudden military attack, especially aerial bombardment. verb tr.: To attack or destroy in a sudden campaign.

Phrases:

dark night of the soul;

foundations of faith;

the mindful brain

Word bank: freak; justice; emptiness; dealer; hardware.

.

If you create something please link back to here

Only Words

The ink that flows freely from a writer’s pen stalled that day. Every word seemed wrong and out of place and each one felt like a lead weight dragging down on my heart. The salutation was too formal but a familiar cheery greeting would have been inappropriate.

This letter had to be clear and concise. No pretty waffling decorating the page and clouding the issue. Slowly behind me the pile of screwed up balls of paper grew, each one evidential of my inability to communicate simple facts.

The silver fountain pen drank heavy on another intake of viscous black ink and I started the process again. Once again fighting the urge to give up my pen struggled to write.

Later my hand shook as I put the envelope in the red box outside the Post Office before I drifted home to the safety behind the closet door.

Job done!

© JG Farmer 2013

Prompt: http://theboipoet.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/tuesdays-thinking-08-october-2013.html

Three on Friday 1 November

The idea of these challenges is to use the given prompts to create a piece of flash fiction (100-500 words) or a poem

The challenge today offers three quotations to inspire the creative muse, using one, two or all three as a prompt.

The quotations for this week are:

The artist is a member of the leisured classes who cannot pay for his leisure – Cyril Connolly

Decency must be an even more exhausting state to maintain than its opposite. Those who succeed seem to need a stupefying amount of sleep – Quentin Crisp

To be no part of any body, is to be nothing – John Donne

If you take up today’s challenge please leave a link in the comments

Muse to the Music 31 October

The idea of these challenges is to use the given prompts to create a piece of flash fiction (100-500 words) or a poem

The prompt for this challenge is a piece of music, the idea being to share where the music takes you.

This week’s piece is: North Star by Mike Oldfield

If you use this prompt please link back

Whimsical Wednesday 30 October

The idea of these challenges is to use the given prompts to create a piece of flash fiction (100-500 words) or a poem

As a poet I read a lot of poetry and some more on top. I also find one line taken out of context can lead to a whole new dimension of creativity. The idea of this challenge therefore is to create what comes to mind from lines of poetry.

This week’s lines of poetry are:

• Has shone in the water for ages - Late August on the Lido by John Hollander

• simmering like wasps - The Old Flame by Robert Lowell

• but the anarchists now occupy - The Barcelona Inside Me by Robin Becker

If you use this prompt please link back

Tuesday’s Thinking 29 October

The idea of these challenges is to use the given prompts to create a piece of flash fiction (100-500 words) or a poem

Today’s prompt is:

Write, using the prompt word: brave.

If you post a write from the prompt, please post a link in comments or pingback

The Portal

The Squealer by Al Forbes

The blast of dated muzak drowns out the excited echoes from below as each spin turns faster and higher. You and I look at each other knowingly. The time of destiny is coming. Our time with the squealing Earth dwellers is at an end. They call us carnies, gypsies and travelers as they look for a quick thrill.

Indeed we are travelers. As the spinning gets faster we feel the vortex approaching. The air turns cold as the ride reaches its highest point. It is then we feel the grasp of the portal take us through time, flying into a distant dimension. At last we are going home.

© J Farmer 2013

Prompt: http://kattermonran.com/2013/10/13/photo-fiction-the-squealer/

Monday’s Masterpiece 28 October

The idea of these challenges is to use the given prompts to create a piece of flash fiction (100-500 words) or a poem

Today’s challenge is to take inspiration from a work of art and write from it.

The masterpiece choice for today is Summer Dawn Haze by Jill Griffin

 

Summer Dawn Haze by Jill Griffin

View more of Jill’s work at:

https://www.artfinder.com/artist/jill-griffin/

Please leave a link in comments or pingback if you join in the challenge

Words at the Weekend 26/27 October

The idea of the challenge is to use any one or more of the given prompts to create a piece of flash fiction (100-500 words) or a poem.

For the weekend I am going to give four prompts that can be used individually or together depending on how the creative juices flow. There will be a single word with its definition, a word bank, three phrases and a photograph – all are random so may not connect in anyway but as is the way of randomness they may connect in the creative thought – you never can tell!

This week’s prompts are:

Photograph: Circumspection by Delia Lendecski

Circumspection by Delia Lendecski

Word: kulturkampf
Pronunciation:  (kool-TOOR-kahmpf)
Meaning: noun: A cultural conflict, especially one religious in nature.

Phrases:

• decorating life

• light of the party

• we know you are a spy

Word bank: ambivalent; stockpile; attorney; bout; phone.

If you create something please link back to here

Three on Friday 25 October

The idea of these challenges is to use the given prompts to create a piece of flash fiction (100-500 words) or a poem

The challenge today offers three quotations to inspire the creative muse, using one, two or all three as a prompt.

The quotations for this week are:

Write how you want, the critic shall show the world you could have written better – Oliver Goldsmith

There will come a time when you believe everything is finished. That will be the beginning – Louis L’Amour

The day of the sun is like the day of a king. It is a promenade in the morning, a sitting on the throne at noon, a pageant in the evening – Wallace Stevens

If you take up today’s challenge please leave a link in the comments