September 26, 2016

Quadrille for dVerse and New to Me Poetry: Cold

Shadow

Lost in the dark

No smiles soar my spirit

The light bent to your grace and whim

‘Til one day you flew away and things changed

Now my face warms from stolen sun

Yet joy eludes my thoughts

I liked the cold

Shadow

For Quadrille Monday at dVerse. The challenge is to write a poem using 44 words and I decided to do it in Rictameter Verse. The style is explained here, but it is a relatively simple form. However the trick, as always, lies in the execution. The only requirement is a strict syllable count: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 8, 6, 4, 2 with the first line repeating as the last line. The style can be rhyming or not depending on how you feel. I went with non-rhyming and I hope you enjoy.

J. Milburn

September 23, 2016

FFfAW: Infinity

photo by Joy Pixley

“Come, follow me,” she breathed.

“All the way up?” A pain shot through my neck as I craned it back to look at forever.

“Of course. Where else?” She laughed and her dark hair flew behind her as she raced up the steps two at a time.

I tried to keep up, but she kept getting farther and farther away. My legs turned to lead and I leaned against the banister, gasping for breath. “Wait for me! I can’t make it!”

Her voice echoed down, tinged with sadness. “It’s okay. I thought maybe we could go together, but now I know it isn’t allowed.”

“When will I see you again?” I cried out.

Her full-throated laugh floated to my ears. “When it’s your time, love. And I’ll be here waiting to see you at the top. Now go.”

I trudged back down the stairs, my heart heavy and eyes wet.

Word Count: 150

Written for Priceless Joy’s Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers prompt. For more stories by talented writers click the blue frog button.

September 23, 2016

Daily Prompt: A Generous Spirit

“Mind if I sit here?”

I looked up from my ham sandwich and chips to see a pretty brown-haired girl with sparkling blue eyes, and a smile that seemed impossibly wide and bright. I sat stunned anyone would talk to me, much less sit by me, so I didn’t answer other than to nod.

She set her tray down across from me and stuck out her hand. “I’m Jen. And you are?”

I took her hand slowly, wandering if this was some haze the new guy trick. “John.”

“Nice to meet you, John. Just moved here, huh?”

I glanced around the lunchroom, seeing others throw stares and whispers. I frowned and turned back to her. “Is this some kind of trick?”

She looked surprised and hurt. “What are you talking about?”

I gestured toward my body, tall, overweight and unattractive. “Pretty girls just don’t talk to guys like me.”

She grinned. “You think I’m pretty?”

“Uh…”

She swung her hand in a grand gesture which encompassed the entire room. “Look, I grew up here and know all these people already. I love meeting new people and getting to know them. I’m not trying to trick you or anything, I just like making new friends.”

I could feel my face flush. “Sorry,” I mumbled.

“It’s fine. I can understand if you want to be alone.” She grabbed her tray and made to leave.

“No. Wait!” I gestured to her seat. “Please. I…I don’t have any friends here. I would like it if you stayed and talked.”

She smiled at me and I felt my face respond. She sat back down and grabbed her milk. “Okay, but you’re wrong you know.”

“What?”

“You’re wrong. You have at least one friend here.”

***

10 years later

“Mind if I sit here?”

I stand beside a new hire sitting in the break room by herself while everyone else chats with people they’ve known for years. She nods her head and I plop down in the seat across from her. I can see the confusion and suspicion on her face as I stick out my hand. “Hi. I’m John and I like to meet new people.”

_________________________________________________________________

My contribution for the WordPress Daily Prompt. The one-word prompt for the day was Generous. I have had the good fortune to meet many generous people this past year as I go through nursing school and I’m proud to call them friends.

via Daily Prompt: Generous

September 21, 2016

Friday Fictioneers: Essence

I’m a little rusty after being away so long, but I hope to shake it off soon. One way to do that: Friday Fictioneers! Every week Rochelle posts a picture for inspiration and a bunch of talented writers tell a 100 word story about it based on what they see. The photo below, a very beautiful picture, is from Roger Bultot. My story follows and I hope you enjoy.

PHOTO PROMPT © Roger Bultot

“What’s that?”

I glance over at my son, so lost and alone. Guilt lashes me as I’m the reason for his loneliness, but maybe I can fix that. “You remember what I told you about Essence? Watch.”

I stand at the foot of the staircase and push the button on a silver device the size of a paperback.  Pinpoints of light burst into being above where we saw her last. “She’s not gone, just organized…differently.”

“She’s pretty.” Tears streak a face too young to hold so much pain. “She was prettier before.”

I hold him close, my tears mingling with his. “I agree.”

Word count: 103

My inspiration came from a recent loss of a friend and something another friend sent me to help me through:

Thank you for this, AT and thanks to all my friends for coming together.

I love you all.

J. Milburn

http://www.inlinkz.com/new/view.php?id=663286

September 19, 2016

Fly High, Pretty Girl

Bright smiles always lifted my heart,

and a soul drawn to healing art,

laughter, friends, music, adventure,

made me privileged to know her.

Stolen away during the night,

now my days have too little light,

while my emotions remain numb,

and my tongue feels heavy and dumb.

Our time with you was far too short,

but now your essence will hold court,

over all these lands you will roam,

just remember to stop by home.

All over this now darkened world,

friends now say “Fly high, pretty girl”.

 

My attempt at a Cyhydedd Fer Sonnet. I found the information on the structure at The Poet’s Garret. I hope you like it.

J. Milburn