It’s here!!!
The first annual Kidlit Fall Writing Frenzy Contest is here!
Your chance to share your writing, interact with other writers, get inspired, and hopefully win some super awesome prizes is here!
So what do you do to enter???
First
Remember to thank our generous donors by visiting their websites, sharing about them, buying their books, requesting them from your library, and reviewing them.
Also, don’t forget, October is an amazing month for kidlit opportunities. If you haven’t checked them out, here’s a few awesome one:
#PBCritiqueFest
Susanna Hill’s Halloweensie Contest
#Inktober
#10Queries
Second
Make sure to review the rules before you submit (like word limit 200, due by Oct 11th 11:59 PM PST, one entry per person, etc. etc.). The same post has all 51 prizes listed, too! (like picture book critiques, first chapter MG/YA critiques, signed books, and more).
And if there’s any issues, let me know. Especially typos. I am a Typo Queen. Seriously, I need to make a crown.
Third
Post your story. You can post it to your own blog or in the comments below.
Or, if you’d prefer being anonymous, use the contact form at the bottom, and I will add you to the form a “Anonymous.”
Fourth
Submit your information to the orange-red Kidlit Fall Writing Frenzy form below (unless you’re going anonymous).
Fifth
Use the spreadsheet below to check out other entries, support each other, be constructive, add new writers as your Twitter/Facebook if you like their style, and again, support the prize donors.
Finally, stay busy while Lydia, the donors, and I select the winners.
When will they be announced? Great question! This is the inagural year, sooo we’ll find out.
Remember: ONE entry per person, please.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Lydia Lukidis or me using the form or via Twitter.
Lydia: @LydiaLukidis
Kaitlyn: @KaitlynLeann17
Submissions (One entry per person)
Note: when you enter your “contact” info it is able to be seen in the spreadsheet below. If you do not want your email shared, please use Twitter Handle or Facebook name.
Note: if you are posting in the comments, it may take up to 24 hours to appear.
Entries
(I’ve hidden some columns, so don’t worry if they don’t show up here.)
If you’d like to be anonymous or have a question you’d like to ask, please use my Contact form.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you for putting yourself out there. I am absolutely amazed at the wonderful response to this contest. The kidlit community never ceases to amaze and inspire me. I can’t wait to read all of your wonderful creations!
Sincerely,
Kaitlyn Leann Sanchez
Here are the images again for your viewing pleasure:
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PS. Can’t wait to see what numbers we come up with too!
The chill air died against the flickering brightness the children held. Soon, they would invade the restless carcass that was my remainder. I had watched as they tore me from my mother, ripped out my guts, and carved shapes into my flesh.
Now, they intended to burn what remained. The sparklers thrust their sharp ends into my soft interior. They placed my skullcap upon my top once more. Smoke poured from the holes they had created as the heat blackened my insides.
“Oh my gosh,” gasped a child. “It’s gonna go up!”
And so I did.
LikeLiked by 15 people
Wow, what a cool perspective! And your descriptions were intense and beautiful, thanks so much for your entry and good luck!
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Wow. I never want to carve another pumpkin. I love how you’ve turned this activity entirely around as we view it through his point of view. So creative!
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I agree: I feel a little traumatized by this story. BUT IN A GOOD WAY.
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Wow. Very creepy.
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Such a cool perspective to take and so dark. Nice!
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Poor pumpkin! I never thought of it this way before.
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Haha right?!
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I really like this. Gruesome
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Morbid and macabre, so you know, perfect for Halloween. Well done (in more ways than one!). @AnneLipton
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I like your point of view! Good Luck!
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I love how you created something so unexpected and different. Very cool perspective!
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Wow what powerful personification. Love it.
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Interesting perspective!
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A Change of Seasons – Jennifer Matarese
She waved her hand and a sharp cool wind blew through…
“Look, Daddy, it’s fall now!” Autumn said.
Daddy’s eyes widened as a wave of shock washed across his face.
“Autumn!” Daddy said, “That’s very dangerous, you shouldn’t change the seasons!”
They stood in the pathway of the old park, fall on one side, summer on the other.
“Your sister Summer is still playing,” Daddy said.
Autumn knew what she did, but she loved feeling the crisp, cool breeze and seeing the colorful leaves sprinkle down. She had longed for fall.
But then, the leaves began to change from green to golden on Summer’s side of the street.
“Summer, SUMMER!” Autumn yelled, “Run, quickly, I’m sorry!”
“It’s too cold for her too quickly! She needs to be with Mother Nature when the seasons change,” Daddy said. “You’re lucky I’m Father Time.”
With a wave of his hand the leaves all turned back to green.
“Just wait until Mommy hears what you did to your sister,” Daddy said. “When the seasons change as they should, we’re fine, but when you tinker with them it’s nothing but trouble.”
Autumn nodded her head, as she plodded home towards Mother Nature.
LikeLiked by 16 people
A very creative spin.
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Cute sibling story!
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I agree–a fun take on seasons and sibling rivalry. 🙂
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Such fun creativity, Jennifer! I’m so glad you entered!
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This story reads like a modern folk tale. I love the contrast of the contemporary dialogue/feel with the magical, fantastical elements. The “leaves sprinkle down” line is beautiful and fitting with Autumn’s perspective, both as a season and a child. @AnneLipton
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Well said!
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So fun! Good Luck!
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Such a creative take on the change of seasons.
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Such a fun and creative perspective!
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The leaves fall down
A crunchy sunset
In orange yellow and red
Like a warm roaring fire
you watch
snuggled up in bed
Or a marshmallow
charring
on the end of a stick
Falling into crisp piles
you just have to
kick
Fall means it’s time
to bundle up
nice and warm
To stay inside
under a blanket
below a thunder storm
Fall means hay rides
through a foggy
pumpkin patch
It means leaves falling
like snowflakes
you just have to catch
Fall is dressing up in costumes
and asking for candy
door to door
It’s picking apples
baking pies
and cider you just have to pour
Fall is a feeling
inside
of being warm through and through
It’s a cozy knit blanket
wrapped tight
around you
The best part about the season
is it’s easy to
call
You just have to wait
for that
first
crisp
colored leaf to
fall
LikeLiked by 11 people
Nice visual memories of fall
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You’ve captured some of my favorite fall memories and experiences!
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Thanks for these wonderful images. I love s’mores and totally forgot about camping, thanks for the tasty reminder of another fun Fall past time!😋
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Ooooh I love Fall
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Very nice! Good Luck!
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I feel warm and cozy and ready for fall.
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I love “a crunchy sunset”! That’s probably how I’m going to think of piles of leaves from here on out, haha. Wonderful visuals
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A lovely reminder of all the things that make me love fall!
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I love this description.
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Fall Fashion (196 words)
By
Glenda Roberson
Down the tree-lined road I wander. I can sense the subtle change.
Leaves decaying smell amazing. Does that make me sort of strange?
Endless shapes of gold and orange, falling gently to the ground.
Dancing in the morning shadows, when the wind blows them around.
Days have shortened, sunshine slanted, and the nights have clearly cooled.
Fickle fall you feel like summer! Winter’s coming, I’m not fooled.
Pink and crimson clutch the twilight, lose their grip and let it go.
Fade to black, the night has fallen. Soon the moon will join the show.
Rising slowly, looming larger, nearly full and glowing bright.
Tranquil lake shows moon’s reflection, like a mirror in the night.
Quiet woods erupt in music. Crickets join the frogs in song.
Gentle winds begin their sighing. Moon’s reflection now is gone.
It’s replaced by spectral shimmers. Water-diamonds full of light!
Shining like a thousand beacons, just to decorate the night.
Dawn now frigid, frost abundant. It reminds me what’s to come.
Snow and sleet and rain that freezes. Toes and fingers going numb.
Bitter cold is most unwelcome! Lovely fall, please stay awhile.
Fashion forward, vibrant colors, you display it all in style.
LikeLiked by 16 people
I love it!
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Thanks so much, Lara! I had fun writing it.
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Wow! Glenda this is wonderful! Great rhythm and I adore this part especially, “Pink and crimson clutch the twilight, lose their grip and let it go.
Fade to black, the night has fallen. Soon the moon will join the show.”
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Thanks Kaitlyn! Your comment means a lot. I HATE WINTER! Fall can stay till spring, as far as I’m concerned.
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Hahahhaa!
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Haha, Kaitlyn, I said wonderful too! She has such a way with words!
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Lovely, Glenda! Since we’re expecting snow later this week in Colorado, these stanzas resonated with me. I’m hoping our fall will stay a bit longer, too. 🙂
“Dawn now frigid, frost abundant. It reminds me what’s to come.
Snow and sleet and rain that freezes. Toes and fingers going numb.
Bitter cold is most unwelcome! Lovely fall, please stay awhile.
Fashion forward, vibrant colors, you display it all in style.”
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love to hear that, so cool (pun intended) to see what resonates with whom
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Thanks so much! Snow? Eekkk! Not ready for that, for sure!
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Ooooh fantastic. I love it. You are so clever and the rhythm is delightful. I love ‘fickle fall’. It’s so true.
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Thanks, Laura! I appreciate your comment and compliment.
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My mom always said winter wasn’t a fashion show, but Fall—what a performance! I love the premise of your story, and your descriptions are lovely, apt, and original.
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Your mom and I think alike! Thank you.
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Beautiful descriptions. I especially love “…spectral shimmers. Water-diamonds full of light!”
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Thanks a million! So appreciated!
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Beautiful and fun to read aloud. Great imagery!
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Thank you!
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Wonderful! Good Luck!
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Thanks so much!
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Beautiful and lyrical!
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Awwww thank you!
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Beautiful imagery! I am not a fan of winter, either.
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Thank you! I hate being cold. Yuk!
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I already love fall and this makes me love it even more.
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Thanks so much!
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Ooh I love this especially the title.
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“Don’t go!” When a gust of autumn wind snatched Brother Leaf from the branch, Little Leaf shook on his stem.
“It’s part of life. Don’t fear,” said Brother Leaf, fluttering away. “I’ll see you again.”
By and by, Little Leaf turned crisp and vibrant red. He knew a wind was coming to take him away, but he wasn’t ready. He held on TIGHT.
WOOSH!—came a wind.
Snap!—went Little Leaf’s stem. He billowed out, screaming, away from the tree he knew.
Fluttering on the wind, Little Leaf saw Tree in full splendor: He had never known Tree was so tall or wide or full. Tree brimmed with amber, yellow, and browning leaves, more than Little Leaf could count, and more beautiful than he had ever realized.
Awestruck, Little Leaf landed on the autumn grass.
“Little Leaf,” said Brother Leaf, brittle beside him, “I knew we’d meet again.”
Little Leaf was overjoyed. “What now?”
“The cycle goes on. We give. We turn into strength that Tree takes up to give life to new leaves in new seasons that come.”
Contented now, Little Leaf rested on the grass, and—full of understanding—gazed upon Tree as he wrinkled, curled, and dried.
LikeLiked by 14 people
Oh, so beautiful and bittersweet. This is a lovely life cycle piece that could also serve as a bit of bibliotherapy for children grieving a loss.
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Thank you, Jolene! I’m all about bibliotherapy!! ❤ What better place to explore tough issues than in a parents' arms, listening to their voice, and looking at beautiful art?
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I felt bittersweet too! Poor Little Leaf. But great descriptions.
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Wow this is like a modern day folklore telling of why leaves fall. Did you see my blog post for my CP Annemarie’s Why Evergreens Keep Their Leaves?! I think you’d love it and hopefully find inspiration from her to send this out to agents/publishers.
https://mathiseverywhere439319476.wordpress.com/2019/09/26/giveaway-and-author-interview-with-annemarie-riley-guertin/
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Love this Theresa! We had similar perspectives! Good Luck!
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Aww. It’s the leaf cycle. It feels like a modern folktale.
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So sweet and sad at the same time.
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Howling Kitty
Maureen Morrison
Image 5
96 word Rhyming PB
Mama Mama can’t you see?
Up there it’s perfect, that’s my tree!
I want to climb and do it soon.
I want to howl up at the moon.
Howling?
No. No. No!
Not allowed!
You are a cat, and cats meow.
Who made these rules? I don’t see why,
I can’t just howl up at the sky.
Midnight, my friends. What will they say?
They’ll think my daughter might be…… stray.
When I howl mama, I feel free.
A howling kitty, that is me.
Follow your heart, mama cat sighed.
And watched her daughter howl with pride.
LikeLiked by 12 people
OMG, this made me laugh out loud.
“They’ll think my daughter might be…… stray.”
well done!
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Thank you!!! It’s the first thing I’ve written that made my husband laugh too.
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So much fun! I thought it was the cat’s meow. 😉 I also laughed at “They’ll think my daughter might be…… stray.”
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Hahahhaha
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Yay for howling kitty! And for her mama to let her go.
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very nice work
I enjoyed reading it
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Ha, I love that the cat wants to howl! Thanks so much for sharing your sweet mother-daughter story!
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A lovely poem which skillfully weaves themes of passion and acceptance with clever humor and sparkling voice. @AnneLipton
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I absolutely adore this!!! Be you. Great message.
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Thank you!
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LOVE this! Great rhyme!
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Such lovely rhythm!
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Oh my goodness, that is a great compliment. I’ve been working on stress and rhythm lots!
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Photo Prompt 10
by Phyllis Harris
___________
If these walls could speak…
A house once lived, now asleep.
Never empty.
Was there love here?
Windows like eyes of the soul.
Rooms full of laughter.
Little footsteps.
Keeping secrets.
Sunlight fading.
Walls whisper… “Remember me.”
If these walls could speak…
LikeLiked by 7 people
Oh, so beautiful, Phyllis! “Little footsteps” brought tears to my eyes. ❤
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You are so sweet, Jolene! Thank you!
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I always wonder what abandoned houses would say if they could talk. You captured that longing perfectly.
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Thanks so much, Susan.
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Walls whisper, that got me! Beautiful, thank you for sharing this with us!
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Thanks for the invite! 😊❤️ You’ve had amazing participation! Congrats!
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You’re welcome, and thank you!
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That spooky house is just misunderstood and so full of beautiful memories. Lovely.
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I agree. Every time I am in or around an abandoned old house, I always wonder what its story is. 🏠
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I was thinking similar things last year when we moved from our long-term house. Great writing. Good Luck!
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Thanks so much!
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First I wriggled down a handful of worms.
Those silly worms slithered and squirmed so I gobbled up frogs to eat the worms.
Those feisty frogs wouldn’t stop hopping so I swallowed the fish to chase the frogs that I gobbled up to eat the worms.
The fish splished and splashed so I munched on bears to catch the fish that chased the frogs that I gobbled up to eat the worms.
The sleuth of bears rumbled and roared so I reached in the bag but, “oh no!” it was empty.
There was only one thing that could stop all the rumbling…a tall glass of water.
I drank down the water to get rid of the bears that caught the fish that chased the frogs that I gobbled up to eat the worms.
“Phew!” Finally, my tummy feels back to normal, but that’s the last time I’ll snack on a gummy zoo.
LikeLiked by 10 people
Image #8
Word Count: 158
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I love this! So many fun words! And if you read it out loud, like you definitely should, and speed it up at each line, it’s a tongue-twister of gross (and awesome). 🙂
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Cute!!!
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What a cute gummy adventure! It reminded me of “There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly.” 🙂
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Such a cute story! And no wonder your tummy was rumbling if you ate a whole gummy zoo!
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Ha, cute! I loved the cumulative story style, one of my daughter’s faves right now is Chimpanzees for Tea. I also enjoyed the surprise ending, I was totally hoping it was gummy worms, but I was drawn in by the devouring and thought this has to be real, then surprise, it’s funny worms again! Very fun! Thanks for sharing!
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Fun! Great job!
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Really cute!! Good Luck!
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A fun and great surprise ending!
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Inspired by Tejas Prajapati’s Image #11 (Two Crows)
Word count: 87
GHOULash Delight
By: Audrey Day-Williams
Beware of the sky
With the pumpkin-spice glow
That whispers your name
When the autumn winds blow
Two silhouettes now
But do worry, there’s more
When crow follows crow
There’s a murder in store
Ghost wisps chill the air
And the witches they toil
The recently dead
Clamber out of the soil
Twelve strikes of the clock
Time to cook-up our stew
A GHOULash delight,
All we’re missing is…YOU
Beware of the sky
With the pumpkin-spice glow
That whispers your name
When the autumn winds blow
LikeLiked by 11 people
Wonderful rhythm, rhyme, and language! My favorite lines: “When crow follows crow/
There’s a murder in store.” Love, love, love! ❤
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Thank you so much!
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Yes! This line was chilling.
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This was my favorite too ❤
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Pumpkin-spice—nice! This poem is fantastically funny, spooky, clever, and cool. I’d say more, but I think I hear my name—gotta run! @AnneLipton
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Haunting and fun!
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Love this! It really drew me in from the start and has a musical, almost cult-sounding feel to it like the dead are speaking. Thanks so much for the rhyme-filled chills!
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Oh, so spooky and wonderful!!!
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“A GHOULash delight,
All we’re missing is…YOU”
Great line!
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Thank you!
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I agree! That is a great line!
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Five Little Witches
By Kelly Swemba
PB
Image #5
Word Count: 74
Five little witches zoom through the sky.
The first one says, “Oh my, I love to fly!”
The second one says, “There are children everywhere.”
The third one says, “My candy bag is bare!”
The fourth one says, “I’ll cast a spell on you.”
The fifth one says, “Well that won’t do.”
Then whoosh went their wands
And the moon glowed bright.
And the five little witches cackled out of sight.
LikeLiked by 11 people
cute take on 5 Little Pumpkins!!
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Thank you! 😊
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So much fun! I love the rhythm and rhyme!
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Great rhymes! This is such a fun story, especially the cackle! Thank you so much for sharing!❤️
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Aww, thank you for saying that! You came up with such a fun theme with lots of inspiration🎃
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So fun!
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Thank you!
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Image 5
SUN CAT, MOON CAT
by
Aixa Perez-Prado
Sun cat stretches in the light, licks his whiskers, clean and bright.
Moon cat prowling in the night, shows her claws, prepared to fight.
Gato sol, gato luna, gato sin casa ninguna.
Sun cat meows, sun cat purrs, sun cat shows off his fine fur
Moon cat hides, moon cat creeps, moon cat climbs up high and leaps
Gato sol, gato luna, gato sin casa ninguna.
Sun cat drinks a bowl of milk, licks his paws as smooth as silk.
Moon cat searches through the trash, looking for some meat and mash
Gato sol, gato luna, gato sin casa ninguna.
Sun cat moseys through the street, meowing at the people’s feet,
Moon cat wanders through the park slipping off in to the dark.
Gato sol, gato luna, gato sin casa ninguna.
Sun cat on a window sill, sleeping, keeping very still
Moon cat on a twisted tree, seeing all there is to see
Gato sol, gato luna, gato sin casa ninguna.
Sun cat purring, “Take me home, I don’t like to be alone.”
Moon cat yowling, “Leave me be, I am purrfect on my own.”
Gato sol, gato luna, gato sin casa ninguna.
LikeLiked by 18 people
I love the rhythm of this so much. It is both lyrical and haunting. Well done.
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Omg Aixa, love this! Lovely visuals and juxtaposition, not to mention rhyming with Spanish and English 😍 you are wow!
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I love the differences between sun cat and moon cat–a beautiful yin and yang! And the Spanish adds a beautiful layer as well! ❤
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Lovely. I’m super impressed by the mix of English and Spanish – in RHYME! Nicely done. 🙂
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So much to love about this poem. And the Spanish! Wow…
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after the first stanza I started singing it in my head
lovely tune
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Gorgeous! The contrast of the sun/moon, light/dark, and the two very distinct cat personalities heightens the emotion, and the Spanish refrain adds rich nuance. @AnneLipton
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Wow! So impressed with your rhyme and the addition of Spanish is such a fun addition, too!
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Entry for Dina Towbin:
Alone in the House
By Dina Towbin © 2019
My grandmother sat by the fireplace alone with her thoughts. She remembered winters past when she watched the flames as they leapt up the chimney. The light in the room was a patchwork quilt. Golden orbs surrounded by dark shadows. Out of nowhere a shadow of a hand appeared on the wall—stopping her train of thought.
She stood up slowly and walked around the room looking for the hand or whatever had created the shape. Glancing back at the fireplace, she thought she saw the shape of her tabby, Abby, in the shadows. But on closer inspection, she could see that Abby wasn’t there. There was only a long-dead log covered in spider webs.
“Where has everyone gone?” she wondered. “Ted?” she called out her husband’s name. “Are you there?” She scanned the room. Touching her hand to her arm, she realized that she had disappeared as well.
LikeLiked by 12 people
Creepy, but very gripping within seconds!
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Holy cow, that last line! Shivers. Nicely done!
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Great twist ending. Fun build up and suspense.
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Wonderful! Gave me goosebumps!
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The words quicky get me hooked on the scene! I feel for the grandmother! The scene makes me want to jump right in and hug her and protect her! She must be so afraid,!
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Ooh, very interesting! Beautiful language and the twist ending was lovely.
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Thank you!
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Ha, we said almost the same thing, we must be CPs or something 😁😘
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What?! She became a ghost?! So cool. Love the assonance/rhyme thrown in and intense descriptions
Thanks for sharing! Sounds like you had fun writing this.
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Yes, it was fun to write. Thank you.
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Such a unexpected and creepy ending! The build up and suspense was nicely done, too!
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October Leaf
By Pierson Pflieger
Inspired by Image 13
Awake,
O sleeping
October leaf!
There is
new life
to be found.
Your color
&
beauty,
vibrant
&
entrancing,
no blemish
to confound.
Freed from your
binding branch,
defiantly
dance
across
the
ground
and give autumn one, last breath before winter snows abound.
LikeLiked by 8 people
Oh no! It didn’t let me keep the formatting! 😦 Can I send you an email?
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Of course!
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So beautiful, with or without formatting. I love “one last breath”. Thanks so much for entering!
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Beautiful!
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So beautiful! I love “give autumn one last breath before winter snows abound.”
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Peter Pumpkin-Pickle by Kiley Orchard
I am Peter Pumpkin-Pickle.
Have you heard my story?
No? Well, let me tell you.
It’s not even one bit gory!
It started in my youth.
I wasn’t like the other gourds;
waiting to be picked by kids
with tiny carving swords.
The day I saw the advert
for the county pickle prize
I knew just what I had to do
(and it involved some lies…).
I had the lumps and bumps;
I just needed to be green
to impersonate a pickle
on the county pickle scene.
I took great care to paint myself
the perfect pickle hue
and slimmed down so I wasn’t round
and looked like pickles do.
And when the contest finally came,
that crisp first day of fall,
I earned the first-place medal.
I had fooled them, one and all!
At first I felt a bit of guilt
I’d won in a disguise.
But then I saw my brethren
and their creepy, hollow eyes…
They’d been carved, and I had not—
guts spooned out with a scoop.
So I’ll pretend to be a pickle
(‘til the day I turn to goop).
LikeLiked by 15 people
Clever pumpkin!
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This is hilarious! A pumpkin with an identity crisis. 😀 Great rhythm and rhyme, too!
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I just love this poem! It was engaging, fun to read, and had me rooting for Peter from the start!
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HaHa! Great Story! Good Luck!
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Ha! What a creative, clever and funny rhyme! So glad Peter decided to stay pickle until he turned to goop, great decision!😂 Thanks so much for sharing your fun story!
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So clever and funny.
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Great rhyme and great fun!
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I like it very cool….
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Thank you!
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The Lucky Black Cat by Denise Koprich Shirazi
Witches, werewolf’s and goblins—oh my! Every Halloween the spookiest creatures come out to haunt and howl. But, one black cat named Ashtrix, sits alone in Hallow tree, missing the hocus-pocus of the night.
Ashtrix tried to fit in. But, a good luck black cat isn’t scary. So, while the other cats prowl and enjoy the bewitching night, Ashtrix waits for a spooky friend.
Ashtrix expected to spend Halloween alone again, however, something wickedly wonderful was about to happen.
Another misfit…a witch named Sam, spent Halloweens alone too. Her broomstick had no sense of direction, her spells backfired and worst of all, she failed to find a black cat in time for the witches’ coven.
With a dash of hope, Sam jumped on her broomstick and headed for the coven, even though she knew she would probably be cast out as usual.
Naturally, her broomstick steered wrong. She crashed into Hallow tree shaking Ashtrix out of the tree and into her lap.
Sam couldn’t believe it—her luck had turned! She scooped Ashtrix up and put him on her broom. “You’re who I’ve been looking for,” said Sam as she hugged Ashtrix.
Ashtrix and Sam never spent Halloween alone again.
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I’m so glad Ashtrix and Sam found each other!
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Awwww so sweet. I love a good parallel story, in fact my WIP is parallel 😍. So happy they both got lucky that night
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Love this story.
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Samantha Gassman
Image 5
Word Count: 184
Country: USA
I’m worried my newly launched blog will somehow malfunction, so here’s my entry just in case!
The “Mix” Up
See, I’m a black cat. That’s a full moon.
Cliché obliges me to choose tonight to start plotting my revenge against Molly. It’s not that she’s a bad human, you must understand.
It’s just…
…she gave me party mix treats instead of my favorite.
Sure, it might not seem like a big deal to you. After all, you’ve never had chicken and waffle treats, have you?
Didn’t think so.
They are more delicious than slightly chilled lump crab pieces covered in herb-spiced rotisserie chicken slathered in gouda.
Those treats are the only reason I bother getting up from my perfectly comfy spot on the sofa.
Sure, it could have been a simple mix up. I suppose the bags do look similar. I would leave it there.
But the thing is she also gave me…
…skim milk. SKIM. She knows I only drink whole milk. She must think me a savage feline.
According to the High Order of Domesticated Cats of which I am a senior member, I must retaliate. Puking in her shoes won’t be enough this time.
No, this requires much, much more.
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Too funny! What a vengeful cat! 🙂 Great description, language, and humor!
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Thank you!
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I love the voice in this!
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Thank you so much! It was easy to write as it’s based on a real kitty. 😉
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what a funny feline. 🙂
I think you did a great job with characterization.
And the hook is there…I’m am left wondering what cat will do.
WHAT is work than cat puke in shoes?
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Hi Linda, thank you!
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Ha! Glad I don’t have any cats to contend with.
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Haha, this story was based on our kitty, Blackjack. 🙂
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Leah Stecher
Image 10
Word Count: 200
Country: USA
When I was fourteen, I went to live with Auntie Mae. She squeezed me when I arrived, fingers leaving ten identical bruises around my upper arms. She said I looked as “pale as a porcelain doll,” and made some tea. Her own “special brew.”
It tasted like rot.
I didn’t notice anything odd until I started finding myself in the chair by the fireplace several times a day. Legs bent at perfect right angles, arms heavy against the armrests, I had no memory of how I got there.
Then the furniture began to move. One night my bed was under the window, the next night against the far wall. One morning the kitchen table was gone—I found it in the attic, sitting prettily on a carpet that had once been in the living room.
On the thirteenth day, Auntie Mae didn’t call me down to afternoon tea.
Fear gripped me.
The doors, locked.
My screams, unanswered.
My pale fists pounded against the living room window in desperation.
Her voice, when it arrived, was impossibly loud. “See,” Auntie Mae cooed. “My newest doll.”
A stranger’s eye appeared in the window. It blinked, with eyelashes longer than my fingers. “She’s precious.”
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Oh, chilling. This is deliciously dark and twisted! I love it!
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Ok for real Jolene, are our minds connected? Everytime I wrote my comments then read yours they’re like the same hahaha
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This gave me chills!
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Wow. I really loved this story.
Great work, Leah.
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Creeeeeepy!
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OoOo very creative! I had a thought as a kid when playing with my doll house: “are we dolls in some bigger creature’s doll house?” That’s totally what I thought of here. Very chilling and great foreshadowing. Thanks for sharing!
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Jack Of the Lantern (For YA Audience)
by Dave Goodale (199 words)
This is the world that Jack roams.
This is the lantern that lights the world that Jack roams.
This is the turnip* that Jack carved to form the lantern
That lights the world that Jack roams.
This is the burning coal
Within the lantern
Carved from a turnip
That lights the world that Jack roams.
This is the Devil who gave the burning coal
Within the lantern
Carved from a turnip
That lights the world that Jack roams.
This is God who cast out the Devil
Who gave the burning coal
Within the lantern
Carved from a turnip
That lights the world that Jack roams.
This is the place, the home of God,
Who cast out the devil
Who gave the burning coal
Within the lantern
Carved from a turnip
That lights the world that Jack roams.
This is the man who cannot enter the place
The home of God
Who cast out the devil
Who gave the burning coal
Within the lantern
Carved from a turnip
That lights the world that Jack roams.
This man is Jack.
Our world is the world that Jack roams.
Forever.
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This should be at the bottom to explain the asterisk:
*People didn’t carve pumpkins into jack-o’-lanterns until the tradition came to America.
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I like the bit of history you’ve woven in in regards to turnips and how they were carved by the Irish prior to coming to America as well as the nod to “The House that Jack Built.”
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Whoa, what a deliciously dark flip to the House that Jack Built. Thanks so much for sharing this cool twist on a classic.
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Image 2
Happiest by Hollie Wolverton
Parents are silly creatures.
See my shirt? It’s from our trip to some place called Disneyland. The happiest place on Earth, they claimed it was.
It took forever to get there. Then we kept standing in lines, waiting and waiting…and waiting.
I got hot.
I got tired.
I got cranky.
“Smile with Mickey!” they said, camera at the ready.
A giant mouse is nothing to smile about, especially when you’re hot, tired and cranky.
But this, THIS right here, is.
A cool fall day. Colorful leaves in my own yard. Time to play.
This is the happiest place on Earth.
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I’m glad your nature-loving character found their most happy place. 🙂
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I feel the same way!
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Awe, so sweet! Love the minimalist view, don’t all kids start this way? “Give me a box and I’m happy” thanks for bringing us back to that and for sharing your writing with us.
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Inspired by Image #3
YELLOW IS…..
by Jyoti Rajan Gopal
(95 words)
Sunflower yellow
stretches high
a sun kissed disk
of happiness
Yellow is a mango…
Juice trickling down
Fingers, sticky sweet
with goodness
Turmeric yellow
In a warm cup of milk
Soothes and heals
A mellow yellow
Marigold yellow is a garland
Musky and heady
Flowers soft and silky
a wreathe of love
Delicate circles
forged in fire
Are golden yellow,
clinking gently on wrists
Mustard yellow waves in the wind
A pungent, spicy sea
of brazen wilderness
Yellow pops in laddoos
And barfis,
dessert-laden trays tempting,
festive and jubilant
Vibrant
Bold
Zesty
Joyous
Is
YELLOW
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Yellow is such a beautiful fall color, and I love the images, foods, and flavors evoked by your poem. 🙂
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I loved both the sound and the visual of “pungent, spicy sea of brazen wilderness.”
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Nice celebration of yellow
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What a beautiful tribute! Thanks so much for sharing your writing and lovely descriptions with us!
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This isn’t possible. Crumbling bricks, boarded up shacks, and dust is clinging tightly to the town. It doesn’t look like anyone’s lived here in decades, so how could it be hidden here? I look down at my phone again…yep, the geocache is about twenty feet ahead, to the right. Looking up, it looks like twenty feet ahead and to the right is a decrepit building that would blow over if I sneezed.
After twenty deep breaths and a slow swivel to the right, I’m staring at a set of stairs leading to where the front door should be. Not a single ray of sunlight pierces inside, though there are plenty of gaps and holes visible on the outside walls. I walk slowly up the wooden steps, praying they won’t crumble under my weight. Once I reach the porch, I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. Glancing at my phone again, it confirms that this is the correct place.
Why am I doing this? Why is this geocache so important when there are millions out in the safe sunshine. Curiosity barely trumps fear and logic, and I take the first step across the threshold.
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Forgot to mention this was inspired by Image #12.
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Oooh, what a cliffhanger! I’d love to know what happens inside those dark and dangerous walls. 🙂
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Nice! Well written. It’s funny because we were both inspired by the same picture to write a story about a game with a suspenseful cliffhanger. Mine’s Capture the Flag, though. 🙂
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Lovely descriptions. What a cliffhanger!
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What a great build up here. I’d love to read the rest of this story you’re developing here! Thanks so much for sharing your writing with us and letting us into your MC’s mind!
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The Yellow Leaf
YA, 194 words
Inspired by image #13
Mandy watched from her bedroom window as a yellow leaf fell to the ground.
Mandy felt like that yellow leaf—slowly floating to the ground just to be stepped on by someone with mud-caked
shoes. What was once bright yellow, would soon be dirty and broken.
Even though the leaves were falling, and the limbs would soon be bare, the tree remained strong. Just like her.
She examined the tree. It still held up the treehouse that she and her sister Margot had saved for and bought with
their own money.
She missed her sister. They had been best friends and done everything together.
Mandy tried to shake off the dark thoughts that began to take hold. She desperately wanted to see hope in front of
her.
But still—could she ever be the same after this? What would her friends think? Would they understand? How could
anyone else understand when she couldn’t.
She glanced at the clock on her bedside table.
It was almost time. She let out a heavy sigh as the doorbell buzzed.
She walked down the stairs, peeked out the side glass and opened the door.
“Come in, Detective Hunter.”
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Very intriguing! I’d love to know what happens next!
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This is the beginning of a YA novel I want to read.
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I really like the sentences “Mandy felt like that yellow leaf—slowly floating to the ground just to be stepped on by someone with mud-caked shoes. What was once bright yellow, would soon be dirty and broken.”
But what did she do to her sister????? I am worried and need to know more!!
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This definitely gave me the feels, it pulled me along as I desperately wanted to know what was happening, and I still do. Did she do something to her sister, is she covering for her, is she being accused of what she didn’t do? Thanks so much for sharing this dark tale and pulling me into your MC’s mind.
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PUMPKIN PICKING
For a PB audience
197 words
Inspired by image 7
It’s an exciting day for Emmeline,
She’s picking a pumpkin for Halloween.
There are hundreds to choose from, it’s so much fun.
But Daddy has said: “you can only pick one!”
“But Daddy,” she groaned, “how will I choose?”
“There are too many pumpkins for me to peruse:
There are
Round ones,
Squashed ones,
Ones with little lumps,
Speckled ones,
Spotty ones,
Ones with bulbous bumps.
Some that are MASSIVE,
And some teeny-tiny,
Some that feel rough,
And some sheeny-shiny,
Some that are green,
And some that are white,
Some that are heavy,
And some that are light…”
Emmeline plucked one away from the pile.
“THIS is the one that is making me smile!”
“Good,” Daddy said, “Now let’s go and pay.
And then we can scoop all its innards away!”
Back at their house, they cut into its skin,
They carved evil eyes and sliced out a grin,
They filled it with candles, and sparked them alight,
They carried it out to the dark, Autumn night.
“Wow” Daddy said, “It looks great, Emmeline.”
“In fact, it’s the best pumpkin I’ve ever seen!
Those trick-or-treaters will sure get a fright,
When they come calling on Halloween night!”
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Twitter handle @WritesSue
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This Pumpkin Picking story is superb! Love the rhymes. Well done! If I was a prize donor, I’d pick you!
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very nice…like:
carved evil eyes, sliced out a grin! good, strong verbs add to the appeal.
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I love the rhyme. It reads beautifully! Great job. 🙂
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So much fun, and you’ve captured the joy of picking a pumpkin. I loved the descriptions of all of the different types of pumpkins. 🙂
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Well done! I can imagine textured/interactive pages as she searches for the perfect pumpkin.
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Great rhyme, rhythm for you fun story! I especially loved sheeny-shiney with teeny-tiny! Thanks so much for sharing your writing for the contest!
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Order of the Crow
By
Mawiyah Kai EL-Jamah Bomani
nine deep dark husky women
still, travel the backwoods of Louisiana
swamps have names and stories of retribution buried beneath moistened flesh
if you find cause to believe nothing else I say believe that at one minute past midnight
the order of the crow will honor crossroads tween life and death digging into earth’s black massive universal womb
with bare hands
chanting in the familiar tongue of their mothers
who now soar above ground squawking
believe if it bleeds these women done kilt it
leaving trails of libation feeding petrified wounds
chile my grandmamma told me on more than one occasion
if you live long nuff you just might earn the right
to hear bout the order of the crow how they were first conjured out of nothingness
these women who keep vengeful spirits tucked beneath locked cast iron cauldrons buried
nine feet into an abyss
women who were created to pull babies from the nether reaches and into our world
women who drag satan along with all his minions one white bastard at a time
back to the hell from whence he sprang
women who conjure nough hoodoo to crucify klans of ungodly white men
women nine deep dark husky servants of Ogou
slither with cockeyed disgust women who strut through marsh wearing nothing but
skirts
iron clad machete pleats clanging a rhythm
older than the first coos out of Oduduwa’s mouth
believe if it bleeds these women done kilt it
look over yonder
that’s where they chain them spirits
to what comes after birth listen
Yemonja ago kabasieye ago Yemonja
ago kabasieye, Yemonja ago kabasieye
ago Yemonja, ago kabasieye
once upon a moon
there was a man white as the cotton shroud he wore
his calling card
the stench of whiskey and polecat nectar
swelled alongside
the familiar sighs of azaleas and night jasmine
them sheets of his’n why they whipped through the wind with a kinda heinous affinity for fear
them sheets an almost leather strap
bludgeoning blackness that on night’s like these wouldn’t budge for even the protruding
ghost of bleakness
a ghost riding through night air
gliding through night air
sailing through night air
no woman was safe not the mothers not the daughters not the blind
not the crippled
not the infirmed
nobody knew what to make of this sonofabitch besides the obvious
he was light years past crazy
no woman with even half a vagina would survive the wrath of this this evil man
so evil his teeth couldn’t stand to live in the foulness that was his mouth
so they jumped ship
course by the time the order of the crow come to release the pressure
from his eye sockets
the mutiny was over his mouth was ninety nine percent naked
except for the one bottom middle tooth
it stayed probably because it didn’t have the nerve to leap
terminal misfortune
had become everything associated with this this vile creature
this haunt D.C. Makenwood took pleasure in pillaging the soil of black women
for everyone he’d rape he would burn his initials into their be-hinds branding them like cattle
D period C period M period
and when he was done cooking their meaty backsides
and when he was done with the business of deflowering
he’d slice (with his teeth) a sliver of soft pink flesh
stolen from the insides of their butterfly wings and he’d chew
chew like an animal going through its final season of rabies the season before death
the season of fluid madness
remember me telling you how his teeth left him high and dry
well he’d come to resolve that problem too
when he had no teeth to slice with he turned to a paring knife
for this vile man
mutilation became artistry
and every opened labia became a canvas where torture and depravity
would no doubt
conjure the order from their sleep
one
two
three
four
five
six
seven
eight
nine
hollowed whispers of earth
nine crows circled overhead and the stronger the cries of the young woman who fought D. C. Makenwood grew
the faster these crows swooped tearing the earth away
the more voracious were their chants
Ogou rele, neg panama eh!
Ogou rele, neg panama eh!
Ogou rele, si neg la frape mate,
ou pap konnen sam peze!
and when the last of them was resurrected
the crows found nine shoulders to perch upon
whispering into the ears of the order
he likes them pregnant, pregnant women hold rivers of sugar between their thighs
he baptizes himself in their rivers but his sins are not washed
he is the unclean bearer of poisonous venom
we must right his wrong
tonight we feed Ogou
there was a rumble of deafening thunder
night creatures seduced by howling winds chanted the secret names of each crow woman
then the trees bowed as the moss stretched out her feeble arms to cover the faces of the nine
the living must not see
it is taboo the living must not witness this ebo
must not witness the offspring of caos conceived in their eyes
the crows whisper
when saving the mother
makenwood must be the only casualty
as the nine trudged toward’s what Makenwood called his honey shack
a great rain fell upon the swamp
the order tightened their ranks and gripped their machetes closer to their bosoms
Atibon Legba open the gate for me!
Open the gate for me, Papa, so that I can pass,
Atibon Legba
when I return, I will thank the lwa.
with bare breasts and clenched teeth
they surrounded the hunched hut weakened by disease
an infestation of dementia had settled into the wood
whatever this place use to be was long since forgotten and there was no happy here
no sunshine no one in their right mind ventured this far into melancholy except the moon
and this this vile man chasing rivers of honey
Ogoun bebe o fawo!
Ogoun bebe o fawo!
Sa ki fe mwen byen, bay yo lavi pou mwen!
Sa ki fe mwen mal, lese sang yo koule!
Ogoun bebe o fawo!
Those who do me good, give them life for me!
Those who do me bad, let their blood run down!
the wind’s laughter sliced the door from its hinges
and the nine entered one deep dark husky woman at a time
Makenwood his pants slouched at his ankles
his penis dripping from pre-ejaculate
turned peering over his shoulder
What nigger fucker done followed me
Who you old bitches think you are
and before he could stand to situate his torso
the wind invited herself in
Turn child said the wind look away ogou is here and he is hungry for blood
They are the order of the crow and they have work to do
Turn chile look away now you are safe
and with that the wind excused herself from the premises dragging along with her the ill-mannered spirit of sound
no one heard Makenwood’s cries only the hoot of an owl and the crows circling their daughters
with satisfied squawks of contentment filled the swamp air
and with that nine machetes were fed and when the mouths of each machete drooled over in blood
the wind sashayed a cool breeze of restitution from her lips
the nine called out to the young mother trembling in the corner DIDE!
and as she stood they pointed to the head of Makenwood
a head relieved of flesh the room now soaked in Makenwood’s blood
the walls plastered from ceiling to floor in his flesh
one of the nine picked up his eyes strewn in a corner of the hut and they handed them to the mother
who squeezed them in the palm of her hands until they oozed a stream of liquefied hate slipping through the porous cracks of her fist to some unattended afterlife
beneath the floorboards
she picked up the head and followed the nine
when they came to the resting place the mother bent over in pain fell at the feet of the order
who reached inside the young mother’s womb and delivered the child unto her
then they took the placenta and the umbilical cord and wrapped it around the skull of Makenwood
then they pounded their fists upon the earth until the earth spread her legs and in they hurled the demon and his master
chained together for an eternity
chile my grandmamma whispered there is never no parting of the two
the spirit of Makenwood will serve that child from new moon to new moon until the end of never
the family will pass the demon down and he will become an heirloom of sorts
how the slaver becomes the slave
it is what happens in the swamp when babies are born
in the backwoods of Louisiana
and crows circle overhead watching waiting for the rounded out belly of a coquettish moon waiting for the order of the crow to rise again
Ogou
Those who do me good, give them life for me!
Ogou
Those who do me bad, let their blood run
Run
Run
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I can’t wait to read, but remember, if you want to be entered for prizes, you piece must be 200 words or less😊
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.Same image but new writing. I was too long-winded on the other one.
cleansing
tonight, I disregard ambition
walk one extra mile whisking dust tracks
to the edge of town
blood stains my hands and strangles my heart
why woman
why woman
tonight I am a man leaving earthquakes
as I chase a hungry moon’s trickery
in the shotgun one bed
are the remains of a discarded paper mache figurine woman in a nylon dress
two-headed butterflies sewed to imperfection
mating across her chest
at a quarter past midnight
I borrowed the neighbor’s shovel
dug a hole six feet past china
diligent handyman retrieving long jones
and a lonesome woman’s psalm
with these muddy hands
I skived life from a gorgeous woman
a woman I thought I loved with the violent thrusting of twin hearts
she is dead now
a dead angelic comely black witch
seek her out for yourself
no woman gon hoodoo me and live to spill my tale
a witches spell broken
seven years of bad luck hot on my trail
a mirror used to prune her throat from ear to ear seeks retribution
I am aware my days are numbered
as heaven opens
it’s one good eye to my sin
I walk destined to out smile the moon
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Some of my favorite lines from your shorter piece–you have some powerful language and imagery: “blood stains my hands and strangles my heart,” “tonight I am a man leaving earthquakes,” and
“I borrowed the neighbor’s shovel/ dug a hole six feet past china”
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Agreed, bloodstained gripped me. Very intense , Mawiyah, thanks for sharing your writing with us. And great job shortening so quickly!
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MOON by Stacy Burch
wc 164
Image 5
She hadn’t meant to break the moon.
She’d only placed her thumb in front of the bright bulb and closed one eye to block it out, just as her father had done long ago.
Then – POP! – it burst like juicy candy, staining her hands with its oozing orange glow.
The night went black. A meow echoed in the distance.
And a cackle rang out in the stillness.
“Foolish child. What have you done?” came a voice from the dark.
“I didn’t mean to do it!” she cried. “But…I can fix it!”
And just as her father had done long ago, she shaped the orange light of words that scorched her tongue. The burnt bubble floated up and out, hanging once again beyond the branches.
“I returned the moon!” she said. “Except for the cat trapped inside.”
“That was no cat,” the voice whispered, retreating into the shadows. “That was no moon.”
The sudden light slapped her face. Too bright, too harsh.
Full and empty.
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I love this twisty take on the image. 🙂
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Beautiful–lyrical and haunting. I want to know more.
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Love the imagery, especially the oozing. Done great mystery built up here too. Thanks so much for sharing your intriguing piece with us!
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Some* not done, sorry typo!
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Tracey Cash
Image 5
Word Count – 199
PB
USA
“Cat’oween”
There is a magical night
Just before Halloween
When eyes glow in the shadows
That by most go unseen
As the sun slides from the sky
And the night dons its dark cape
If you pay close attention
You might recognize a shape
Is that a fluffy tail
Maybe a pointed ear
And then right before your eyes
The creatures begin to appear
At first, they are mostly watchful
As they sit upon their thrones
Surveying the scene around them
That the moonlight allows to be shown
The Balinese, the Bengal, the Maine Coon, and Burmese
They’ve all show up for the bash
The Ragdoll, Bobtail, Persian, and Siamese
Are here to ensure it’s a smash
Long hair, short hair, and some that have no hair
Are all represented and proud
They have come to play and for the night stay
To be silly, frisky and loud
Headbutts and cuddles and so many snuggles
Are now sleeping piles of fur
Purring and licking and whiskers tickling
As they rest without even a stir
The sun peeks out shyly to welcome the day
And the rooster struts and crows
Cats say farewell to the Cat’oween celebration
As felines everywhere doze
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Cat’oween is such a cute concept! I have a student who adores cats–I need to share this with her. 🙂
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Catoween, very creative! I really liked this description “As the sun slides from the sky
And the night dons its dark cape” what a fantastic way to welcome the night with words. Thanks so much for sharing!
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So well described ! I would like to read more. This so full of heart and soul. I loved it.
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Hi Vivien, are you talking about my poem “Cat’oween” with your comment? I don’t want to assume in case you’re not, but if you are, thanks so much!
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Anonymous entry:
RAKE AND BAKE
194 words
Image #2
On this chilly day, Danny wanted nothing more than to bake his world famous apple cider doughnuts.
“No baking until the leaves are raked.”
“But I need to make more doughnuts! There’s only one left.”
“Rake, then bake! Take Gizzy out while you’re at it.”
On this chilly day, Danny wanted to do anything other than yard work. So, on this chilly day, Danny became an announcer.
“Attention: Kids of Windsong Drive! Join me for the first annual RAKE AND BAKE!”
“Arf arf!”
“Each one of you will take a section of yard. Whoever rakes their leaves into one pile the fastest wins…drum roll… my LAST world famous apple cider donut!”
“Yum!”
“I call the middle!”
“No, I want the middle!”
“On your mark, get set, RAKE AND BAKE!”
One kid raked slow and steady.
Another sabotaged his opponent’s pile.
A third made snow angels in the leaves.
“A race for the taste, folks! My doughnut isn’t getting any warmer!”
“Arf arf arf!”
“Done!”
“No fair! I didn’t know we had to say ‘done’!”
“Done – sort of.”
“The RAKE AND BAKE winner, who finished at an inhuman speed, was… Gizzy! Good boy, let’s bake.”
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I’m so glad Danny finished his chores so he could move on to his baking! Yum!
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Yum! I want the doughnut and to jump in those leaves. I was definitely the announcer kind of kid too ha. Thanks for sharing your story!
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Patrick Hopkins
Image 7
198
PB
USA
I’m pregnant.
With a concept for a jack-o-lantern.
I can’t see your face, but you can’t be trying to hide your disappointment with more medium dick energy than my stepfather.
He wants grandchildren.
He wants to “experience” the pregnancies he missed because he met Mom when I was six and Taylor was three.
He wants to fawn over us as we “glow” — a man-appeasing term for bangs-to-toenails rage at a parasite that pesters you all day because you committed the grievous error of allowing a tablespoon of biological material to enter your vagina before your cervix rightly slammed the door.
Fuck what he wants. He’s getting a hollow-toothed pumpkin with eyes of fire, a question mark of a nose and a (faaake) bloody knife for a stem.
But that’s not the fun part.
I’m giving it a custom heat sensor. Trick-or-treaters will watch it turn as they walk past it, and they will freak. the. fuck. out.
I’m also having a Halloween onesie delivered. When he sees the package and his face lights up, I’ll tell him it’s for my jack-o-lantern. Maybe that’ll deliver the clue my tubal ligation couldn’t get through the door to his thick skull.
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Such intensity makes me feel like there’s some darkness in the background for your MC. I hope she’ll be okay. Thanks for sharing!
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Herbert and Lura
(196 words, Image #11)
“Caaaaaaaaaa….. Caaaaaaaaaaaaaa”
“Herbert what are you doing?” asked Lura.
“Singing,” Herbert said. “CaaaAAaaaaa….”
“Stop that!” said Lura. “We’re crows! We caw-caw-caw. Short loud CAW-CAW-CAW!”
“Caa-AAA-aaaa”, sang Herbert. “No, I want to be an opera singer.”
Lura moved over on their limb. She rolled her eyes. She put her head under her wing.
“CAW-Caaa-Caaaaaa!”
“NO HERBERT! We don’t sing opera!”
Herbert hung his head. He had wanted to be an opera singer since he was a little chick.
Opera made him feel so many emotions. The swell of longing, the heartache, and the touch of love that conquers all.
Herbert just knew opera was the way to Lura’s heart.
“Caaa-AAA-Awww.”
As he sang, Herbert thought of Lura’s sleek black feathers. Her light-colored bill. He must sing a love song as beautiful her!
“Caa-AA-aaa-AWWW.”
The next day Lura flew in and landed on their favorite branch. Herbert stood up straight and opened his beak.
“CAW CAW CAW!”
“Herbert, that was beautiful!” Lura said.
Herbert squooshed closer to Lura.
“Do you want me to sing it again?” he asked.
“I do Herbert.”
“CAW CAW CAW!”
Herbert knew it wasn’t opera. But it was love, and that was close enough.
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This is a touching and imaginative story, and managing to write a character arc in such a short amount of space is impressive. Herbert may be the opera singer but Lura is quite the diva! I hope she appreciates what he’s sacrificed for her.
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Me too. 🙂 Thanks for your kind words, too.
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Herbert is so sweet! I hope he’s eventually able to fully realize his dreams of singing opera. 🙂
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An opera singing crow is so original. I hope one day Herbert can have love and dreams.
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Omg, my heart strings ❤️ Herbert is such a hopeless romantic. Thanks for sharing his story with us!
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MOON RISING
Photo # 5 – 173 words
Shadows play
across the floor,
as the breeze
dances with trees
under
the rising moon.
Ears twitch
Listening
to footsteps
beyond the great door,
Waiting,
for the right moment.
The key turns
and the hinges screech
like a night owl
in flight.
The moment is now!
GO!
Fur twists between ankles.
Someone screams
as a darting tail
slips through cold fingers.
Freedom!
A shooting star
streaks across the sky –
Then, it’s gone.
Eyes glow
like two half moons
through tall grass and weeds,
Crouching low,
Watching
fireflies
in treetops.
Claws grip
a rugged trunk
Pulling,
Stretching,
Climbing,
to that first branch
swaying in the breeze.
So different
than shadows
playing on the floor.
Higher and higher,
Leaping
from limb to limb
through falling leaves
and scolding birds,
to treetops
undiscovered.
Fireflies dim
as a tail swishes
nearby.
No hidden treasure,
or tasty treats.
Just a large moon
Rising.
Home waits,
So far below –
Where shadows play
Across the floor
and the breeze
dances with trees,
against
a wanderer’s silhouette
and the rising moon.
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Love this! Great images.
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The language in this is gorgeous.
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Such beautiful language! This is a sensory adventure–thank you for sharing.
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What a beautiful, lyrical exploration. The half Moon eyes especially grabbed me anf love the coming full circle. Thanks for sharing your writing with us!
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Thank you for hosting this Kaitlyn! I had so much fun playing with the images and words to see what came out in just a few days.
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Season Shift
By: Melissa Flinn
Word count: 105
Summertime is quickly coming to an end.
But fall is nearing, so fear not my friend.
The leaves turning orange from their beautiful green,
In the light of day is a sight to be seen.
Summer leaves cling to their branches so tight,
While fall leaves wait for their turn to take flight.
They fly to the path where feet walk around,
Signaling fall with their rustling sound.
Passerby’s gawk at the scene up above
As the leaf canopy shows a sign of God’s love.
The great line of trees is a sight to behold
With the summer trees change for the fall to unfold.
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Lovely fall poem.
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Thank you so much for sharing! The leaves in my neighborhood are changing and falling now, and that rustling/crunching sound when walking through them is one of my favorite things. 🙂
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What a lovely portrayal of the transition from summer to Fall. Thanks so much for sharing your writing with us!
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HALLOWEEN NIGHT FRIGHT 147 words
by Dianne Moritz
I look in the mirror and what do I see?
A cute gorilla staring at me.
I run out the door and what do I see?
A wicked witch glaring at me.
I skip down the walk and what do I see?
A skeleton skipping with me.
I trip through the leaves and what do I see?
A silly clown tripping with me.
I stop at the curb and what do I see?
A hairy monster stopping with me.
So I hop around and what do I see?
A hairy monster hopping with me.
I hop. It hops.
I stop. It stops.
Yikes! I race away and what do I see?
A hairy monster racing with me.
Now, I’m back at home and what do I see?
No hairy monster! There’s no one with me!
It was only my shadow following me!
HA, HA, BOO!
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
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I love your Halloween poem! It reminds me of “Brown Bear Brown Bear what do you see?”
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Thank you, Susan! That was my inspiration…to write for the holiday!
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This is a fun and relatable story that highlights a child’s imagination, sense of humor, and cognitive development so well. @AnneLipton
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Thanks, Anne, I appreciate your thoughtful words.
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Haha, a great the twist ending and fun rhymes! Thanks for entering the contest!
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Thanks, Kaitlyn….a fun contest.
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You’re welcome! Thank YOU for participating and putting yourself out there
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So cute! I love the twist at the ending and the nod to Bill Martin, Jr.
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The Queen of Halloween
By Anne Lipton (@AnneLipton)
A witch gazed in her magic mirror and asked, “Who’s the Queen of Halloween?”
The mirror reflected the witch in her black dress and-her black cat, Boo, in a sparkly collar.
“Whoo-hoo!” said the witch. “I’ll be the Queen of the Halloween Ball this year.”
The witch asked her smartphone “Who’s the Queen of Halloween?”
“Cat’s got my tongue,” said the phone.
The witch glared at her screen. “You know, phone, sometimes you’re too smart for your own good. What CAN you tell me about the Queen of Halloween?”
“Beautiful jewels encircle her neck.”
“Whoo-hoo!” said the witch. “Soon I’ll wear a fabulous necklace along with my crown.”
The witch flew to the Halloween Ball with Boo clinging to the broomstick by her claws.
A vampire rose to the ballroom stage, announcing: “This year’s queen dresses all in black.”
“Whoo-hoo!” The witch raced her broom around the chandelier. “I knew I’d be crowned queen.”
“This year’s queen,” continued the vampire, “is a cat you all know . . . Boo!”
“Who?” cried the witch, veering into a tailspin.
“Me-ow,” said Boo, putting out a royal paw to save the witch from falling off her broom and to her Halloween doom.
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nice story
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Thanks, Linda!
@AnneLipton
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So funny! I love the playful words/sounds and internal jokes. 🙂
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Thanks, Jolene!
@AnneLipton
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Hi Anne! I finally found it. Very clever. Silly witch, everyone knows that cats steal the show.
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Poor witch. Foiled again. Fun story!
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Thank you!
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I have submitted a Halloween poem and I don’t see it. It has been more than 24 hours.
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Lu Pierro ( my poem is having a hard time posting. I am going to try here. I would like a pb critique if it is chosen. ty!
HALLOWEEN TONIGHT
Mystic yellow moonlight
floods the frosted sky,
and silhouettes the witches
that come riding by.
Teeny tiny ghosties
in Halloween array
go shrieking door to door
searching out their prey.
Masked, marauding ghoulies
enough to cause you fright,
Yell, “trick or treat” to neighbors
for it’s Halloween tonight!
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This tightly-written poem captures the essence of Halloween while packing a big punch in terms of imagery and description. I especially like “[m]ystic yellow moonlight” and “the frosted sky.”
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nice meter and the alliteration and rhyme make it fun to read
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I love the rhythm, rhyme, and fun language! Your opening lines for each stanza are my favorites. 🙂
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Great rhyme and rhythm and wonderful imagery! Thanks so much for sharing with us!
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Autumn is the perfect time to run away.
Autumn Secrets (Young adult based on picture 13 the leaves and the bench)
Autumn was a perfect time to run away. The red-gold blanket of leaves would hide my footprints. No traces.
My school bag felt heavy but it seemed wrong to leave it.
With dozens of emails, thousands of messages and one whispered phone call, our plan had been set. Blade and I were soul mates, and we would run away together, even though we had never met.
True love.
The full moon was rising, early but beautiful. The air was bitingly cold.
From my perch on the ancient bench I could see a figure.
Blade.
My pulse quickened. I nibbled my cherry cola flavoured lips in anticipation.
He was breathtakingly handsome.
I stood up and began to wave.
My love.
But…
Something was wrong.
He was limping. Struggling with something from the inside out.
Writhing.
A cold horror gripped me. I couldn’t breathe.
His eyes were wide with fear.
Desperation.
He started to run on all fours.
Transforming.
Hair and skin became fur.
My internet hero with death in his eyes.
Desperate to stay a boy.
The wolf inside winning, he howled.
I stumbled, leaving my bag. A trace.
Autumn … So many leaves.
No footprints.
‘RUN!’ Blade gasped.
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The way this story turns…true horror! Love it.
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Thanks so much that’s really kind. Its a very different style of writing from my normal
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This is awesome! I totally got goosebumps! Love it!
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Whoa! YA Wolfy love story. Well done.
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Wow, what a twist! Great job!
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So unexpected and intense! The ending circling back to the beginning was great too! Thanks for sharing!
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Prompt #10- (122 words)
Doorway Silhouettes
On this night she holds her breath.
Maybe this year they’d skip this
empty echo of a home.
Voices. Laughter. Steps.
Closer, closer….
clank,
clank,
clank
Brass knocker reverberating through rooms.
Children replaced by goblins, ghouls, ghosts—
hungry,
insistent.
Once they were simply birthday guests.
Pillow fighters.
Playdates.
clank,
clank,
CLANK!
It hurts to look at them.
Growth spurts.
Gapped teeth.
Clank,
CLANK,
CLANK!
She still feels him—a haunting of his hand in hers.
“Just a minute!” she’d yell when he called for her.
Time squandered.
She seeks comfort in the shadows.
In the doorway— silhouettes of what might have been.
CLANK,
CLANK,
CLANK!
Hungry beasts must be fed.
But not by her.
“GO AWAY!”
SLAM.
Lock.
Only memories are served here.
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Wow. Nice, Sara! This is both creepy and poignant. You never really think about why the creepy old lady in the “haunted” house in children’s stories is so grouchy and aloof. But this is a perfect explanation.
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This is…amazing. And what a thoughtful interpretation of the photo.
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Ooof this gave me chills. Well done.
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I like how you invoke images of everyday life and then merge it with a very real creepiness factor. Nicely done!
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Love it, Sarah! The repetitive, escalating sound effects are a great touch. Good Luck!
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Such a beautiful sadness held within these words.
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This is so beautiful! As many others have already said, it’s both creepy and emotional–it brought tears to my eyes.
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I am literally crying. Thank you for this powerful piece and now I’m off to spend time with Kiara!
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PUMPKIN
185 words/Image #5
(I accidentally left the page before the posting was complete. Hope this isn’t a duplicate!)
Pumpkin belonged to no one and everyone on Maple Street. He ate breakfast at Mrs. Franklin’s, dinner at the Johnsons’, and at night he liked to climb the big old tree at the corner of the block. He especially liked to do this when the moon was full. The bright moon rising behind him would make him look black instead of orange, his true color. He always wanted to be a black cat, and whenever he’d hear passersby say, “Look at that black cat up in the tree!” Pumpkin would smile.
One sunny afternoon in autumn he found a great big pumpkin on Mrs. Franklin’s stoop. He rubbed against it, then sat down beside it. A little girl walking with her mother pointed to him and said, “Look! That pretty cat is orange just like the pumpkin!” That made Pumpkin feel good, and he stayed there until dinnertime. Then he rose, stretched proudly, and walked next door to the Johnsons’ backyard to eat the food left out for him. When he was all done, he took very special care to clean his pretty orange fur.
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So sweet. My daughter loves orange tabbies.
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I love the first line. I think that’s every cat in my neighborhood!
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Sweet story. I love the happy ending.
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I’m so glad Pumpkin grew to love himself as he is. 🙂
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I’m glad pumpkin learned to appreciate his true color. Thanks so my for sharing your story with us!
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Post for Susan Summers
It is a nod to Frankenstein’s monster. 100 words. For picture 10. YA.
A Broken Mirror
By Susan Summers
A broken mirror hides the stitches.
It releases me from the onslaught of pain.
Who am I now?
One part Charles, one part Eliza, another part Martin, and many, many others.
The voices and memories of people I don’t know call to me.
How do I answer?
The world beckons, but never welcomes me.
I run, I hide.
Always rejected, never loved.
I fear the storm, the burst of electricity.
It made me, yet I hate it.
I am not a monster!
My heart cries out in despair.
Doctor, what did you do to me?
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Haunting. Good job.
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Powerful and sad. Nice job.
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Very powerful. I love the comparison to modern medicine and Frankenstein. I especially liked the electricity and”it made me but I hate it” part. Thanks for sharing your creative writing with us!
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So haunting and sad. I love “A broken mirror hides the stitches.”
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Image #2, 115 words
ORANGE, GREEN, YELLOW AND RED
By Penny McNally
Crunch, bunch, laugh and fall
Orange, green, yellow and red
One, two, three,
Throw as high as I can,
Against a blue October sky
Colors rain down on me
Again, again!
In my hair, on my clothes
Mickey and I don’t care
You rake and clear
Orange, green, yellow and red
I can help too
One, two, three,
Throw as high as I can
Against a blue October sky
Fewer and fewer around me now,
Your pile is so high
One, two, three
Run
Jump!
Me and Mickey lie on a mountain of orange, green, yellow and red
And watch the colors rain down
Orange, green, yellow and red
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Such a fun fall tradition that you captured perfectly.
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I enjoyed the repeated lines in this fun piece. Good luck in the contest.
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Playful, sweet, and fun to read aloud.
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Love this joyful story.
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Thank you for sharing the joy of fall leaves with us!
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What a perfect representation of the picture and great descriptions. Thanks so much for sharing your writing with us!
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Jack ‘o Lantern
It’s true, a chill is in the air,
And ghouls and ghosts are everywhere.
But I am here to keep them back,
To keep you safe, if they attack.
So don’t be scared, just hold on tight,
I’ll hold them all away tonight.
You do not need to run and hide,
Just listen to my simple guide:
First, take your tools and carve a face
(Make sure you have a plan in place),
And scoop all of my insides out,
I’ll keep my smile, I will not shout.
Next, put my stringy flesh aside,
And with it, make a tasty pie.
Then use my stalk to make a handle,
Open up, pop in a candle.
And watch my shadows dart and dance,
Please do it now, don’t take a chance.
Then last of all, outside your door,
Place me gently on the floor.
Then run off to your cosy bed
And hop right in and rest your head.
‘Cause while I may look really mean,
I’ll keep you safe this Hallowe’en.
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Sweet. I like your Halloween guard.
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Love the POV here. Nice message.
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Such a clever premise and great story concept, especially for kids who are scared of the dark or what might be lurking there. @AnneLipton
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I love the balance of scary and sweet. And the rhymes are fantastic!
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Super sweet. I love the idea of the Jack’o’Lantern as the protector.
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I like the idea of Jack o’ lantern as a sort of guardian angel. 🙂
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What a fun way to think of a jack o later, and now that I think about it, is that why people made them in thr first place? You ha e fantastic rhythm and rhyme. Thanks so much for sharing your fun writing!
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Touched by Autumn’s Magic
An autumn breeze zips by
Inviting leaves to dance
Tempting them to abandon the comfort of their branches
Weeping willows
Kiss the ground with their drooping boughs
Shedding silent tears of yesterdays
Pine evergreens
Deposit their cones of sturdy, brown petals
Providing pleasure for squirrels at play
Mighty oaks
Swing their multicolored, outstretched palms
Waving wondrously like United Nations’ flags
Twilight awaits the moon
Who appears, smiling a crescent grin
Signaling nightfall is soon to arrive
The whirling wind’s voice turns to a whisper
Now, even the trees may sleep
As we hope another day’s dreams will thrive
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Love this. I think my favorite line is “shedding silent tears of yesterdays.”
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Many lovely word choices here. Love the weeping willow stanza.
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So beautiful. I love that you visit trees that I don’t always think of when I think of autumn. My favorite lines: “Weeping willows
Kiss the ground with their drooping boughs
Shedding silent tears of yesterdays”
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Wow, beautiful imagery. It brought me right in from the start and just kept getting better. You’re a wonderful wordsmith thanks so much for sharing your writing with us!
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The Changing Season
PB | 199 words | Picture 1
Long before Acer’s grandpa Magnolio had been a seed, a quarrel divided the maples. Friendships spanning the wooded road were forbidden ever since.
Acer couldn’t understand why.
The green trees seemed friendly enough. Their whispers in the wind were gentle and their branches billowed in familiar ways. If they were so similar, and so near, why couldn’t they be friends?
Acer dropped a single red flame of hope onto the wide, empty road. The leaf glimmered, alone.
Grandpa Magnolio rustled a melancholy sigh.
“Trees rarely change as swiftly as seasons, Acer.”
But an emerald friendship offering took to the wind in return. It hesitated in pocket of warm air for a moment, then nestled next to the Acer’s red leaf. Two glistening gems smiled up at the trees from the center of the road, their complementary hues gleaming in the autumn sun.
A laugh bubbled up from the green side of the road.
Soon, leaves of all hues floated freely from both sides of the path, dotting the sky and blanketing the soil in dashes of radiant color.
“Trees can change swiftly in autumn,” Acer murmured.
Grandpa Magnolio quietly agreed. Together, he and Acer lent leaves to the breeze.
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Love the changes you made!
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You already know I told you it was brilliant but I’ll say it again. Gorgeous language and imagery!
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Amazing story and writing. Enchanting and captivating. Love it!!
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What gorgeous language and imagery. So lovely. My favorite passage: “But an emerald friendship offering took to the wind in return. It hesitated in pocket of warm air for a moment, then nestled next to the Acer’s red leaf. Two glistening gems smiled up at the trees from the center of the road, their complementary hues gleaming in the autumn sun.”
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Devin, you captured my attention quickly with “a quarrel divided the maples.” And I enjoyed hearing your MC’s reasoning, then “a red flame of hope,”— so great! And “trees can change swiftly in autumn”— ha, very nice. Thanks so much for sharing this story with us!
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CAT THINGS TO DO ON HALLOWEEN
Climb a tree that reaches for
the murky golden moon
Furball curl and swish your tail
and wait for someone scream
Slink through shadows, slip through doors
and try to trip them up
Screech and spit, and scratch their face
when your tail is stepped on
Watch through narrowed eyes when
pumpkin trails are swept out
Paw the carved up pumpkin and
pose for a spooky picture
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I knew cats were trying to trip me! Thank you for confirming that! Super cute cat poem.
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I like the alliteration of some of your stanzas, particularly the s sounds in the 2nd stanza!
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I love “murky golden moon” what a unique description! Thanks for sharing you fun cat story with us!
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Entry for Kirsty Rorke
Picture 5
Owl cat
Me-Owl sat on a branch and regarded the moon.
He enjoyed being an owl.
He had a talent for seeing in the dark,
catching mice,
perching in trees,
and flying.
Especially down.
He was excellent at flying down.
An owl landed silently beside him.
Me-Owl hooted in greeting, “Me-owl,” he said.
“HOOO,” cried the owl in alarm, and flew away.
Me-Owl sighed.
His hooted hello tended to have that effect on other birds.
A shape slinked towards him in the darkness.
“Me-owl,” the slinky shape said.
Me-owl was thrilled.
At last another owl that sounded just like him.
“You’re an owl? Me-owl too!”
“I not an owl,” Slinky said.
“Can you see in the dark?” Me-Owl asked.
“Of course.”
“Can you perch in a tree?”
“I usually call it sitting.”
“Can you fly?”
“Certainly not.”
“It’s like this,” Me-Owl leapt from the tree.
“You mean jumping? That’s easy.” Slinky landed nimbly nearby.
“Yep you’re definitely an owl,” Me-Owl purred.
“I’m a cat.”
“You’re an owl.”
“Cat.”
“Owl.”
“Cat.”
“Speak then,” said Me-Owl.
“ME-OWL!” said Slinky crossly.
“You see?” said Me-Owl. “I knew you were.”
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Cute! My daughter used to think she was a cat. She would have loved this one. I bet it would have super cute illustrations, too.
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This is adorable!
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Love this, Kirsty! It’s funny and adorable 🙂
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Super cute!
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So funny–I love this cat and owl odd couple. 🙂
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Hahahhaha! Love it, your humor is adorable, you had me from the start a kept getting better. I like that the end is almost like a joke. Thanks for sharing you’re creative and funny piece with us.
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Hahahhaha! Love it, your humor is adorable, you had me from the start a kept getting better. I like that the end is almost like a joke. Thanks for sharing you’re creative and funny piece with us.
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Picture #2/141 words/PB
It’s Fall! by Elizabeth Bogart
It’s Fall, it’s Fall! Hooray, hooray!
I’m going out in the leaves to play!
My Dad made a huge pile just yesterday.
I jump, I stomp and I throw all the leaves.
I love watching them fly around in the breeze.
I see my Mom watching from the kitchen window.
I’m sure she’s enjoying my magical leaf show.
I roll and roll and roll down the hill.
I never knew leaves could give such a thrill!
As my Dad pulls up, I jump up in the air!
He sees all the leaves and gives me a stare.
I realize I’ve messed up the work he had done.
But how could I resist? It’s just too much fun.
He gives me a smile and my hair a quick shake.
Then says, “I’m glad you had fun,” as he hands me a rake.
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I’m glad your main character was able to enjoy the leaves (even though it means they have to clean up the mess they made). 😉
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Ha! Perfect dad moment at the end!! Thanks for sharing your fun rhyme with us!
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A Broken Mirror
By Susan Summers
YA
WC: 100
Picture #10
A broken mirror hides the stitches.
It releases me from the onslaught of pain.
Who am I now?
One part Charles, one part Eliza, another part Martin, and many, many others.
The voices and memories of people I don’t know call to me.
How do I answer?
The world beckons, but never welcomes me.
I run, I hide.
Always rejected, never loved.
I fear the storm, the burst of electricity.
It made me, yet I hate it.
I am not a monster!
My heart cries out in despair.
Doctor, what did you do to me?
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SHADOW FAIRIES
By Maggie Brown
155 Words / Image 10
Beware the shadow fairies!
The creeping, fluttering, mischief-spreading shadow fairies.
Lurking in the dark, the corners, the basements.
Peeking through the cracks; watching, waiting.
The shadow fairies come out when the sun hides and the shadows crawl in.
They thrive on your nerves, your sleeplessness, your fear!
If you tiptoe around in the dark of night and feel a flutter on your cheek, or in your hair—BEWARE!
For a shadow fairy’s kiss means you are in for a most unwelcome surprise.
It could be a bit of mischief, something lost, something found.
But tomorrow you will see, an uninvited disturbance is coming for you.
Sometimes you won’t even know they’ve touched you, and sometimes you will. You’ll think: This isn’t me! Why am I saying strange things? Tripping over my feet? Giving all the wrong answers?
And the shadow fairies will watch from the eerie, shadowy sidelines…giggling, and waiting…
…for their next opportunity.
Tonight.
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Very creepy and engaging.
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Creepy, especially your ending line! Eek, they’re coming again tonight!? 🙂
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Maggie, this piece was very alluring, your descriptions pulled me in and kept me wanting to know more. “Lurking…peeking” drew me in and old-timey phrases like “beware the” and “most unwelcome” gave it a sort of reverence for me. Thanks for sharing with us!
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*I tried to submit, but it prompted me to reset my password and I never had any type of confirmation that the post went through. I’m submitting it again, just in case. I apologize for the confusion!
Name: Laurie Carmody
Twitter Handle: @LaurieECarmody
Image: #11
Word Count: 199
Age Level of Prize (Preferred): PB
Country: USA
THE COLOR OF PITCH
By Laurie Carmody
Britney ran her hands through a cobalt blue puddle at the end of the driveway. Each splash of water became a dove that flew toward a small gray house down the street.
It wasn’t a particularly looming type of house, so she walked toward it, curious about the doves. She could see several of the birds perched together on the roof, waiting to fly down the chimney.
One of the doves cooed as it flew overhead and smoke rained down, smothering her face and making her cough. She covered her eyes with her sleeve. It was pink with lace trim like a nightgown she used to wear to bed. When she looked back at the house it had changed into a towering structure of turrets covered in gargoyles the color of pitch.
She didn’t want to go closer, but the gargoyles were waiting, their wings undulating as they touched the clouds, heavy with rain.
With each step the gargoyle’s wings stretched farther, their necks craning to expose eyes glowing like small red coals. They pushed off the crumbling roof with muscular forearms and shrieked, swooping down.
Wake up, she thought. But the wings enveloped her anyway. They always did.
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This story reminds me of a surrealist painting with its gorgeous dream-like imagery, and the ending is haunting. Beautifully done. @Anne Lipton
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Thank you so much, Anne!
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I ADORE the magical realism of “each splash of water became a dove”. It instantly intrigued me!
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Thank you for the kind words!
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So interesting! I love the title, the concept of gargoyles, and wow, the ending lines! “Wake up, she thought. But the wings enveloped her anyway. They always did.”
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Thank you! Was trying to capture that elusive dreamscape! I appreciate the kind words very much.
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Wow, that was very intriguing and intense. The beginning was so different, I had to keep reading to figure out what was happening, then I felt satisfaction when you subtly revealed using imagery of the night gown that she night be sleeping, the the ending was so powerful. Thanks so much for sharing!
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Thank you so much for the comment, Kaitlyn!
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You’re welcome, thank YOU for the story
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THE LOST LITTLE MAPLE LEAF
By: Jocelyn Watkinson
Word Count: 193
Picture Book
Age: 3-8
Image # 13
*Indicates Illustration Note
Twirling, swirling, autumn breeze,
Maple Leaf falls from the trees.
Lost and looking for a home,
Maple Leaf begins to roam.
Floating by the tall, green spruce,
Leaf snags* onto friendly Moose.
Moose explains he’s on a quest.
Won’t rest ‘til he’s a southern guest.
Despite the cold, Leaf hangs on tight,
While Moose treks through each cold, dark night.
Cold and quivering, Leaf is shivering
Moose arrives and is delivering
Leaf to its new destination;
The capital of one big nation.
“Time for rest now,” Moose implies
Sets down Leaf and shuts her eyes.
Snuggled in a cozy sweater*,
Maple Leaf feels so much better.
They’ve been hiking for so long
To find a home where they belong.
Awakened by a cheerful Member
Of Parliament in late September.
“I’ve found it! Yes! This is the vision.
We all must make a big decision.”
Brought to the building on the hill,
Maple Leaf lays very still.
People staring, smiles seem caring,
“Looks like they love the shirt I’m wearing!”
“All in favour?” “Aye!” “Aye!” “Aye!”
Maple Leaf is hoisted high*.
Moose smiling wide with much relief
He found a home for Maple Leaf.
*Snags: Leaf caught in Moose antlers
*Sweater: Sweater is coloured like the Canadian Flag (sleeves are red and torso is white)
*High: Up a flag pole
Back Matter:
This story is intended to provide a cute and fun interpretation of how the Canadian flag got its’ maple leaf. In 1964, Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson formed a committee to resolve the ongoing issue of the lack of an official Canadian flag, sparking a serious debate about a flag change to replace the Union Flag. There were three choices provided:
– A Red Ensign with the fleur-de-lis and the Union Jack
– A design that included three red maple leaves
– A red flag with a single, stylized red maple leaf on a white square.
Ultimately, the red flag with a single red maple leaf was chosen. The flag made its first official appearance on February 15, 1965; the date is now celebrated annually as National Flag of Canada Day.
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Creative story and back matter!
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Your rhythm and rhyme is spot on and I really love that this ties in to the Canadian flag AND that you’ve given us back matter that goes along with it. I’m a big fan of back matter. 🙂
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Thank you so much! I’m an Ex-Pat and certainly missing home these days! This writing helped!!
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Ha, I love this interpretation! So cool that you were able to draw in your roots for this and share some fun history. Your rhythm was great and such a fun story! Thanks so much for sharing!
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FRIENDS ‘TIL THE END
By Rebecca Gardyn Levington
155 words
Day after day, I sat in the pumpkin patch…
waiting.
Kids picked me up, then put me down:
“Too flat in the front!”
“Too bruised in the back!”
“Too stumpy and…eww, too bumpy!”
No one saw anything good in me.
No one saw my potential.
Until,
you.
At first you ran right past me —
your long brown hair, flying behind you as you laughed.
But then,
You saw me.
Really SAW me.
You looked beyond my flattened front and my bruised backside,
beyond my bumpiness and stumpiness, and you pointed at me, yelling:
“That’s the ONE!”
Holding out your soft small hands, you hugged me tight and stroked my stem.
You called me your “perfect pumpkin.”
You placed me on the front stoop, next to the mums, and said:
“Welcome home!”
I couldn’t believe it.
I finally had a home
and a friend.
I’d never felt so happy.
And that’s when…
you brought out the knife.
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LOVE this! 😀 ❤
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ha ha ha This ending made me LOL. Cute POV and voice. I enjoyed it.
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Ha! Love the twist o’ the knife ending! @AnneLipton
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poor pumpkin
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Haha! Great ending!
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Oh, no! Poor pumpkin. I was so happy he found a home. . .and what a twist!
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Lmao, so sweet then that ending😆 be careful what you wish for seems to ring true here. Thanks so much for sharing with us!
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Song of the Seasons 54 words image #13
By Mona Pease
Autumn leaves float down.
Strong limbs rise up toward the sky.
Pond reflects the scene.
Winter settles in.
Fish retreat beneath the ice.
Skaters glide above.
Springtime sings new life.
Mothers bring their young to drink.
Birds keep newborns warm.
Summer trees lend shade.
Skaters lean and soak their feet.
Fish try nibbling toes.
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Such a lovely poem, gorgeous imagery.
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very nice, Mona. And only 54 words!
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What a lovely poem with great scenes from each of the seasons!
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What lovely imagery, Mona. I especially love the string opening. Thanks s much for sharing your season’s song with us!
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Autumn Harvest
Word Count: 191
Image #3
Gretchen Pitluk
Cora’s fuzzy feet landed on a leaf blanketed in frost. Winter was creeping up on Autumn.
Her hive would be hibernating soon. The sunflower crops had dwindled and the honey supply was low.
If she couldn’t find more flowers, they would not see another Summer.
A fragrant breeze danced through her antennas. Sunflowers. Cora buzzed with anticipation as she glided Northwest.
Golden petals bobbed up and down. It was the largest sunflower she had ever seen!
Touching down on the surface, she attempted to gather pollen.
“This flower feels differe–”
The flower stalk shook violently.
A tiny voice shrieked, “Bee!” as a gust of wind knocked Cora to the ground.
She shook herself off and took flight disoriented.
Cora dodged around monsters, princesses, and superheroes swatting at her. Even the sunflower batted her away.
Making her escape, she landed atop a fence post. Warm hues painted the sky and Cora soaked in what might be her last sunset.
A familiar scent tickled her senses. The Northwesterly wind lured her to follow.
Gathering her strength, Cora flew to the highest treetop.
Over the horizon, shades of amber and yellow waved back. Sunflowers.
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So beautiful! Love the story, the imagery, and how I feel as if I’m there in the wind with Cora!
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Thank you! It helps when you have two awesome CPs! 🙂
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Beautiful story and creative premise.
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Thank you!
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What a beautiful, bittersweet story. I love that you’ve woven important facts throughout.
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Thank you so much!
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So well done, Gretchen. I felt for Cora and hope this time, the flowers were real. Thanks for showing how our traditions can actually confuse the wonderful creatures that help keep us alive, what a timely pice, my friend. Thanks so much for sharing!
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Thank you! This contest was super fun!
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Yay yay yay!! So glad to hear!
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Image #7 (198 words)
ON THE PUMPKIN PATCH
by Vashti Verbowski
“Pick me. Pick me,” exclaimed Pumpkin.
But other pumpkins were hugged, balanced atop heads, and taken home.
Pumpkin would be patient.
“I’m going to pick the biggest pumpkin.”
“I’ll find the scariest pumpkin.”
“I want the weirdest pumpkin.”
Pumpkin tried to look plumper.
Pumpkin put on a creepy face.
Pumpkin’s yellow streak was pretty peculiar.
But the sky turned darker, the ground grew cooler, and no one picked Pumpkin.
Pumpkin would try harder.
Pumpkin pulled up more water. And concentrated. Grow! Grow! Grow!
But pumpkin stayed small.
Spiders are scary, thought Pumpkin. With stem and leaves, Pumpkin helped the spiders spin their webs.
But Pumpkin decided that spiders were much too frightening, and rolled over.
Maybe I’ll stand out if I’m upside down, hoped Pumpkin.
But no one noticed.
It was almost Halloween.
“Time to go.”
“I’m still looking dad!”
Fog crept into the patch. Pumpkin would be hidden in seconds.
“I’ll be fine on my own,” whispered Pumpkin as misty droplets rolled to the ground. “At least I’ll have a spooky Halloween.”
“Wow. Wow. Wow. That’s it! The one with the lightening bolt.”
[Child hugs Pumpkin]
Pumpkin’s insides turned to mush, “You picked me!”
“The perfect pumpkin.”
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Pumpkin is so sweet–I’m glad he found a home! 🙂
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What a sweet story of effort and triumph, so glad pumpkin found what Pumpkin wanted, and after finally deciding things would be fine as is. Sometimes the acceptance ends up seeming to lead to what we want. Thanks so much for sharing!
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Name: Jenny Buchet
Entry Photo Number: 5, 150-w
(Thank you kind judges & amazing Kaitlyn! Looking forward to reading everyone’s work–and love that it’s of all age ranges! Alright, here goes. All other info in spreadsheet as requested 🙂 )
“Waiting”
Atop the tallest tree,
Under the hallowed moon
Fiddlesticks watched and waited
To ride with her witch on a broom
From the nub of her nose
To the tips of her toes-
Fiddlesticks stayed statue-still
Tail twitching
Whiskers swishing,
Fiddlesticks studied the sky
As time ticked-tocked on
And the night grew long
The cat bided her time
But waiting is tough
And really quite rough
For a cat who wants to fly!
Tail twirling,
Body bending,
Fiddlesticks squirmed with hope
Heart yearning
Mind churning
Fiddlesticks wriggled with need
If no witch…
If no broom…
Then no flight by the moon?
Head scratching
Plan hatching
Fiddlesticks had an idea!
The moon beckoned and
So the cat reckoned
That she would wait no more
Tail stretched
Body flexed
Fiddlesticks leapt with faith!
Around the tallest trees,
Beneath the hallowed moon
A witch cheered for her cat
As she sailed without a broom
~~
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nice story. I like the wording and the rhythm of the text.
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Thanks Linda!
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Jenny, I love the great words you’ve used! I like that Fiddlesticks has goals and hope she lands on her feet! 🙂
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Thank you! I’m slowly wending my way through all these fun & spooky tales myself 🙂
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Oh fiddlesticks!😂 Couldn’t help myself. What a cute story and great rhyme and assonance. Thanks for sharing Fiddlestick’s take with us😉
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It was so much fun to write & reawaken the inner muse 🙂
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I’m so glad!! That’s exactly what this is all about, thanks again for sharing
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A GOOD WITCH, PERHAPS
By: Jillian Holmes
Image 7 (hands holding pumpkin)
196 words
Hello… excuse me? Jack, is it?
Just a minute. No need to be frightened. I
was just stopping by with this gift. From my garden.
See, it was just lying there. So perfectly round, so deliciously orange. And I thought, I bet that nice boy Jack might like this pumpkin.
Especially after his friend . . . Bryce, I believe? Yes, Bryce. Especially after clumsy Bryce dropped poor Jack’s pumpkin on my front stoop. Pumpkin bits all over.
I saw the whole thing from my window. A shame, really.
Well, I thought you might like a new pumpkin.
You could make a Jack O’Lantern. Or a pie. Or smash it to smithereens, if you’d like. It’s yours now.
It’s always nice to be friendly with your neighbors, isn’t it Jack?
You see, my boy, there is such thing as a good witch. Some witches are kind. Generous. Neighborly, even. Some of them.
Well, here you are then. I must be going. If you need anything I’m just across the way. Goodbye now.
And Jack? Next time you see Bryce? Be a good neighbor and send him my way, would you? I’ve got something for him as well.
Thanks Jack.
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Oh, beautiful! So well done–I had goosebumps the entire time I was reading, waiting for the other shoe to drop. Poor Bryce. I’m worried about what the witch will give to him.
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Hahaha! So much feeling under those words. I’d love to know what she has in store for Bryce lol. Thanks so much for sharing this fun with us!
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Entry for Jillian Holmes
A GOOD WITCH, PERHAPS
By: Jillian Holmes
Image 7 (hands holding pumpkin)
196 words
Hello… excuse me? Jack, is it?
Just a minute. No need to be frightened. I was just stopping by with this gift. From my garden.
See, it was just lying there. So perfectly round, so deliciously orange. And I thought, I bet that nice boy Jack might like this pumpkin.
Especially after his friend . . . Bryce, I believe? Yes, Bryce. Especially after clumsy Bryce dropped poor Jack’s pumpkin on my front stoop. Pumpkin bits all over.
I saw the whole thing from my window. A shame, really.
Well, I thought you might like a new pumpkin.
You could make a Jack O’Lantern. Or a pie. Or smash it to smithereens, if you’d like. It’s yours now.
It’s always nice to be friendly with your neighbors, isn’t it Jack?
You see, my boy, there IS such thing as a good witch. Some witches are kind. Generous. Neighborly, even. Some of them.
Well, here you are then. I must be going. If you need anything I’m just across the way. Goodbye now.
And Jack? Next time you see Bryce? Be a good neighbor and send him my way, would you? I’ve got something for him as well.
Thanks Jack.
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Love the witch’s voice in this!
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Very engaging! I agree that the witch has a great, distinctive voice. And what an ominous ending!
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Natalie Cohn
E-mail: mady123@live.com
Twitter: @CohnNatalie
Prize: PB, Country US
Image # 10, Words: 194
A Room of Shadows
Ivan Inkwell, the sorcerer’s apprentice, collects kid’s shadows for fun. He loves to play with them to keep him company. Until one day, a kid name Davey sees him in action.
Knock!
Knock!
SquEEAk!
“Who are you,” Ivan asks?
“I’m Davey. I know what you did.”
“So!”
“Well, shadows make a person whole. I’ve seen you at school. You are not normal,” Davey says.
“My mom wants me to be regular, but it’s hard.” Ivan felt terrible; he loves playing games with the shadow kids. “Please, do not tell my mom about the room of shadows. I hide the room from others. Come on, Davey, I’ll show you.”
“It’s creepy in your house, but that’s pretty neat.”
Ivan perks up. Inside the room, shadows wisp around us.
“Watch, I’ll show you what the shadow kids can do.”
Whoosh! Swoosh!
“No one ever visits me. Would you like to play with the shadows?”
“Sure,” Davey says hesitantly. The shadow kids bring Ivan and Davey together.
Ivan realizes now, shadows are essential.
With help from Davey, Ivan releases the other shadows back into the world.
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I’m so glad the shadows were released back into the world!
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A Mouse’s Only Weapon is Love
by: Brenda A. Harris
Image 5: cat in tree at dusk
Words: 192
Late CB
In a tree crouched Rodo, tail swinging, invisible to two mice in the midst of a furious fight.
“You tripped me!”
“You started it!”
“Did not!”
Rodo landed noiselessly. His front paws surrounded the fighting hairballs. A triumphant chuckle ensued.
Sis and Bro instinctively stopped. As their eyes took in the enormous beast, their tails grasped each other tightly.
Rodo grinned.
The mice stood petrified.
“Lucky me! A double serving of my favorite snack,” said the cat. Delicately, he dug his sharp claws into the mice. He lifted the wide-eyed siblings to his mouth.
“I could be greedy and eat you both at once?” He smirked. “A mouthful of fresh meat and crunchy bones would be lovely.” He raised an eyebrow. “Or, perhaps eat one first and enjoy the musical squeaks of fright coming from my second victim?” Rodo thumped his tail. “Oh, choices, choices.”
To Rodo’s surprise the mice began to argue.
“Sis, you’re revoltingly dirty. Nasty! Even the town cats are afraid of getting food poisoning from you.”
“Well Bro, you bathe in cat poop! Finding maggots in your coat is repulsive.”
Aghast, Rodo covered his nose and took off.
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HA! Sounds like Rodo’s potential meal wouldn’t have agreed with him 😉
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So funny, and it sounds like some siblings I know–I’m glad their arguing ended up saving them, though. 🙂
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Hehe, sibling rivalry has its benefits for sure! Thanks for sharing this cute tale with us, so glad Bro and Sis escaped!
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Name: Amanda Davis
Twitter @amandadavisart
Email: amanda@amandadavisart.com
Image: #9
Word Count: 158
Age Level of Prize (Preferred): PB
Country: USA
Laughter in the Shadows
By Amanda Davis
Souls awaken.
They cross the many miles.
Hear their laughter as they near.
One stands tall. Well-dressed. Elegant. A lady like no other. She leads the pack as they approach. Marigolds sprinkled in front of her. One step. Two steps. She draws near. Her smile is unrelenting. A grinning skull filled with joy.
My sweet, sweet Catrina. I’ve been waiting. Your hallowed scent encases me. Your eyes shine bright through the gloom of night. They speak to me. They tell me your story.
A story of a soul that was taken too soon. Poisoned by disease as it swam through your veins. Without mercy. Without regret. A story of joy beyond the darkness. Of light amongst the deep unknown. You do not fear the shadows. Instead you laugh. Hard and loud. Right in death’s face. You cackle. A strong, stony cackle. Without ever saying a word, I take your cold hand, and we venture to the other side.
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I love La Catrina and the celebration of Day of the Dead. Thank you for sharing!
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Thank you! Glad you got the reference! A little twist on La Catrina!! 🙂
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Thelia Hutchinson
Email: theliah@hotmail.com
Image #1
Words: 104
SEASON OF YOU
In the midst, I see you.
Yet you are far away.
The shadows are surrounding and the light is a glare.
The breeze is slightly chilling,
The foliage in full bloom.
The road to everlasting, and our destination is soon.
I want to meet you halfway, so you can hold my hand.
I want to have you next to me, so you can understand.
The trees alongside, the distance between.
The vision of coming together, the journey to be seen.
The steps we make will take us, but together we must choose.
The season is among us and the road will lead us through.
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My favorite phrase: “The road to everlasting.” Lovely.
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Thanks so much for sharing this profound amd special poem with us!
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AUCTION-MOUSE by Genevieve Puttay
@GenevievePuttay
Inspired by Image 4
174 words
“Roll up, roll up!” A dapper sootish mouse with a permanently puffed-up chest and glint in his eye, tapped the edge of the Baked Beans can that he stood on, and cleared his throat. “It is the day after Halloween… And you know what that means? That’s right, Gentlemice! HOUSES FOR SALE!”
The town-mice edged closer; casting longing looks at the higgledy-piggledy pile of carved pumpkins lolling next to the wheelie-bin. They all wanted one.
“We’ve got big ones, small ones, ones with windows, ones with TWO windows…” the auctioneer rattled on, watching the eyes of his patrons grow wider.
“Five nuggets of cheese for the one with the crooked smile!” a portly mouse with a missing front tooth shouted from the back.
“TEN!” The old church-mouse narrowed her eyes.
“FIFTEEN NUGGETS OF CHEESE AND A BUNDLE OF FLUFF!” The tailor-mouse waved his paw, tripping over his mouselings who were hopped up with glee.
The auctioneer glanced at the pumpkins with their rictus grins. ‘Keep smiling’, he thought deliciously. ‘Halloween’s not over yet.’
“SOLD!”
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I love this. Great story concept and fun to read.
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That’s so nice of you to say! Thank you, you’ve made my day! 💙
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What an interesting look into the world of mice and their pumpkin auction!
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So kind of you to say! Thank you! 💙
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I really felt this mouse’s excitement/greed at the end and enjoyed how well he portrayed an auctioneer, starting from your great description from the start. Thanks so much for sharing this writing with us!
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Kaitlyn, you’ve put a spring in my step today with your lovely comment! I’m enjoying every second of this fab frenzy! Thank you again! 💙
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Yay!! I’m so happy 😍😁
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I love this story and I know my daughter (age 6) would too. This is incredibly marketable!!! I think you should finish it! Truly, great!
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Thank you so much! Your wonderful comment has me walking on sunshine! 😍
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One, Two, Three
By Lisa Lee Furness
Image 11
86 words
Perched high up on the branch, two watched.
Through the distant glaring sky, a house stood all ablaze.
Their feathers wilted from the heat while
Angry flames ripped through dark spaces that were once windows.
Once full of love and laughter,
The house succumbed to his unimaginable evil.
Impulse or calculated?
That night, one made a decision with traumatic effects
In the community where friends were made,
And where three were loved and nurtured.
No more.
Only one knows, while two watched, as three became angels.
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This is haunting. Wow.
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Thank you Laurie!
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Excellently spooky! Great job!
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Thank you! Glad you liked it!
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That last line is so hauntingly beautiful
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Thank you!
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Oh, my goodness. Haunting and beautiful. My favorite line: “Only one knows, while two watched, as three became angels.”
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Thanks Jolene!
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Wow very intense and sad, poor birds not being able to do anything as they watched the madness unfold.
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(I apologize if this is posted twice – I tried to comment last night but I’m not sure it worked because I had issues logging into WordPress.)
Two Lovebirds Under an Orange Sky
(Picture 11)
“Would you look at that sunset.”
“You know what they say about an orange sky, don’t you?”
“No. What?”
“It’s gonna be a hot day tomorrow.”
“Pfft. That’s an orange moon, not an orange sky.”
“Well, look at you, all scientific.”
“I did actually win first place in the science fair last year.”
“That was Tommy, you doofus.”
“With my help.”
“Ha. Sure.”
“I was his inspiration to recreate flight based on a bird’s wings.”
“And what did you get for it, hmm? A few bread crumbs? If you hang around Jessica’s house, you get pieces of doughnut.”
“All you think about is your stomach.”
“Well. That’s not ALL I think about.”
“…What a beautifully orange sky there is tonight.”
“Yes. Would you just look at that sunset.”
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I like this bird couple! 🙂 They remind me of an old married couple.
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Haha, thank you for introducing us to these comical love birds. Funny implications at the end, too!
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Entry for Vashti Verbowski
Image #7 (198 words)
ON THE PUMPKIN PATCH
by Vashti Verbowski
“Pick me. Pick me,” exclaimed Pumpkin.
But other pumpkins were hugged, balanced atop heads, and taken home.
Pumpkin would be patient.
“I’m going to pick the biggest pumpkin.”
“I’ll find the scariest pumpkin.”
“I want the weirdest pumpkin.”
Pumpkin tried to look plumper.
Pumpkin put on a creepy face.
Pumpkin’s yellow streak was pretty peculiar.
But the sky turned darker, the ground grew cooler, and no one picked Pumpkin.
Pumpkin would try harder.
Pumpkin pulled up more water. And concentrated. “Grow! Grow! Grow!”
But pumpkin stayed small.
“Spiders are scary,” thought Pumpkin. With stem and leaves, Pumpkin helped the spiders spin their webs.
But Pumpkin decided that spiders were much too frightening, and rolled over.
“Maybe I’ll stand out if I’m upside down,” hoped Pumpkin.
But no one noticed.
It was almost Halloween.
“Time to go.”
“I’m still looking dad!”
Fog crept into the patch. Pumpkin would be hidden in seconds.
“I’ll be fine on my own,” whispered Pumpkin as misty droplets rolled to the ground. “At least I’ll have a spooky Halloween.”
“Wow. Wow. Wow. That’s it! The one with the lightening bolt.”
[Child hugs Pumpkin]
Pumpkin’s insides turned to mush, “You picked me!”
“The perfect pumpkin.”
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You made great revision! Love the story, it’s super cute!
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Hi Kaitlyn! Thanks for thinking of this. It made me write a poem! 😊 And thanks too to the wonderful community of generous people/donors of critiques and goodies! I hope I get one! 😊
The Laborers
52 words
Picture 5
PB
The moon is a torch in the sky.
It clears the clouds, away they drift.
When the shroud is out of the way,
They will man the graveyard shift.
A bleeding moon gives again from its heart,
lighting up the laborers’ path.
Tonight they will work while others dream —-
The poet and her cat.#
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So lovely. My favorite line: “A bleeding moon gives again from its heart,
lighting up the laborers’ path.”
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Thank you. 🙂
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OoOo I really like this, short but powerful, so glad you were inspired, Ruth!
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Thank you. 🙂
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You’re welcome! Thanks for sharing with us!❤️
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Night Watch
By Janice Woods
PB | 146 words | Picture #5
Glittering green eyes stalk the autumn night.
Their mission is to ease your worry.
“Who is there?” they demand.
Not a sound can be heard. Not a whisper of a breeze.
Moonglow casts down on the old, bare tree.
Up, up climb the glittering green eyes.
Up to the lookout, the sentry scurries.
“Who is there?” they beseech.
Not a sound can be heard. Not a whisper of a breeze.
Glittering green eyes see nothing awry in the darkness.
Harvest aromas and deep night shadows play tricks on their sleepy senses.
“Who is there?” they implore.
Not a sound can be heard. Not a whisper of a breeze.
Rest easy and relax your fears.
Peaceful slumber is yours.
From the observatory above, glittering green eyes patrol the darkness below.
“I am here.” they declare.
Not a sound can be heard. Not a whisper of a breeze.
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Amazing writing! Such descriptive words. I love it!
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Thank you!!☺️
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Your words reach all the senses
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Awww, thank you! I appreciate that so much! ☺️
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Beautiful. I love the glittering green eyes and the refrain.
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Thank you so much!!
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That cat is one great night sentry. Thanks for sharing this lyrical story with us!
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Thank you, Kaitlyn! ☺️
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You’re welcome! Thanks again for putting your writing out for us to enjoy!
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Bevin Rolfs Spencer
Image #1 –11 words
Royal reception-
Colors of their clans displayed
Proud; before they drop
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Even though this is the shortest entry I’ve seen so far, you’ve packed a powerful punch–gorgeous language to go with the image!
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Wow so much in so few words, I really like “colors of their clans.” Thanks so much for sharing this strong piece with us!
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Fun to read aloud and cute characters!
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Boxed In (193 Words)
Image 12
By Kristina Castillo
When I said I was going to Sarah’s, I wasn’t lying. I just never made it.
She’ll think I lied. She won’t come looking for me.
Which leaves me here. In the dark. The cold. The silence.
If I only had a blanket. Or a sweatshirt. Something to keep my teeth from chattering.
He won’t come back tonight. Probably passed out drunk. He always drinks too much. And smells so rotten, almost sour. If he sees tomorrow, he may not want to remember what he did. I don’t.
There is a crack in the wood, at the roof. If you can even call it a roof. When I close my right eye, I can see the moon. It’s full. Which brings out the crazies and makes the crazies even crazier. I knew Al was nuts, but I didn’t know he was this twisted.
Mom probably won’t believe me. She will say it is another lie, crafted by my colorful imagination. But, who would imagine this?
If I did tell her, she would just crumble. Into tiny, tiny pieces. Which I would have to put back together.
Assuming I make it out of here.
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The voice in this is so well done and heartbreaking 💔
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Oh, no. I so hope that she can make it out.
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Very intense, so much pain and anguish, I definitely want to know this MC’s story. Thank you so much for sharing this story with us; I imagine it was difficult/painful to write.
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Superstitious
By: Maryna Doughty
Word Count: 200
Image #5
People call me a scaredy cat, but I’m not.
I just don’t like bad luck.
On Halloween, I take precautions to ensure a safe night—or year. Or seven years.
“Wendy,” I say, “no mirrors in the house.”
“But I’ve never broken any before,” she says.
“Quick! Bring me your broomstick. We need to knock on wood.”
Surely, I get into the Halloween spirit.
I decorate…
“What are you hanging up?” Wendy asks.
“A rabbit’s foot,” I say.
“So spooky!”
“Wendy, wait! Don’t walk under my ladder!”
I bake delicious treats…
“Mmmm…cookie dough!” Wendy squeals.
“Hold on, it needs a pinch of salt. Could you pass me the—”
Clunk.
“Oh no! Wendy, quick! Toss some over your shoulder!”
I even help Wendy get ready…
“Glitter?” I say. “You can be a sparkly witch.”
“But I’m that every year. Can’t I be something else?”
“No, Wendy. Then you’ll want to see what you look like.”
“What’s wrong with that?”
“Mirrors, Wendy. We can’t have any.”
“We need one.”
“Why?”
“It’s important you know what you look like. It’ll help you stop being such a scaredy cat.”
“I’m not—”
“Here, look…”
“Ahhh! A black cat! Why didn’t you tell me?!”
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Love this story! What a fun premise and great funny ending.
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So fun and funny! I love how you’ve woven in the superstitions.
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Hahahha so cute. I love their voices too, I read the MC deadpan and I cracked me up more. Thanks for sharing your funny story with us!
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This is great, Maryna! Love how you weave all the superstitions in there. The surprise ending is so fun!
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The Spooky Super Six
When the leaves fall from the trees and a cool breeze begins to tickle the air is when you will know that fall is coming, and with it the super six will become super extraordinaire.
The invisible skeleton, the flying owl, the magic clown, the super strong wolf with super speed and an equally super howl, the pumpkin with the power to make everything appear super sweet, and the vampire who can read your mind and lift you off your feet.
Keidra, Dawn, Keith, Tucker, Tammy, and Max were just six ordinary kids from Billowing Birch Tree Elementary, but today, on Halloween they are about to discover that they are anything but ordinary, they are super extraordinary!
On their way home, six friends cross Magic Meadow Woods. The friends sit to rest amongst a circle of six towering trees. In each tree there is a small whole, in each whole there lies a costume; a pumpkin, a wolf, a clown, a magician, an owl, a skeleton. Each child tries on the costume; they fit perfectly! But who knew these super suits would give them super powers on this day, the spookiest of days.
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It sounds like there will be lots of adventures yet to come for these 6 friends!
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Superheros! What fun! Thanks for sharing this fun story to describe image #6.
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Halloween
Entry for H.M. Sandlin
Image 4
197 words
I couldn’t figure out why we were sitting here, playing with sparklers, while our parents sat behind us, drinking pumpkin juice that kids couldn’t have. All the other kids were excited. Cutting faces into the pumpkins was fun, and I was happy, but at the same time, I was scared. I didn’t want to go out tomorrow dressed up as a princess. All my friends were going as werewolves and devils. I wanted to be something scary too. Then all the bad things would be scared of me.
My parents didn’t understand why I was scared. I had snuck out of my room last week. My parents were sitting on the couch and didn’t hear me come up behind them. A man in a mask was chasing a lady with a big knife on the TV. When my mom let out a small scream, I turned and ran to my room. I hid under the covers until morning. When I asked my mom, she said it was just Halloween, and I had nothing to worry about. She acted like it was only a movie. Of course, I don’t believe her, but why would she lie to me?
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I appreciate the peek into a child’s mind–I did something similar when I was little in that I watched part of Salem’s Lot when I was in Kindergarten. 😉 I had nightmares for a LONG time after that!
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I still don’t like scary movies after watching too many when I was little!!
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My husband’s favorite movies are the Halloween movies, I will definitely need to make sure to watch my words with our daughter of this ever happens. What a way to start Halloween for your character. Thanks for sharing this fun twist in misinterpretations with us!
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The Fire Trees and the Mist
by Melanie Singer
Image #1
Bree’s heart pounded as she scoured the mist for her little brother. She squeezed her eyes shut but couldn’t stop remembering.
“Out Little Pest. Did you not see the sign on the door?” She pointed to her brother’s photo, marked like a No Parking sign.
Wen slipped past her and jumped on her bed. “I’m not leaving until you tell.”
“It’s not for babies.”
“I’m not a baby. I’m five.” Wen grabbed her phone.
“Fine,” she said, sickly satisfied that she’d scare the pants off the Little Pest.
“Hundreds of years ago the Fire Trees and the Mist appeared on the path at the edge of Afton.”
Bree told the whole story, of the fire trees and the mist and the boy who disappeared. When she finished, Wen asked,”Are the trees really on fire?”
Bree tried to ditch him, but he asked a gazillion questions, “Would it hurt to touch them? Who was the boy? Can I go there?” She’d cracked. She took him there to shut him up, but he ran straight through the line of Fire Trees. She couldn’t stop him and when she tried to follow, the trees wouldn’t let her pass.
Wen disappeared.
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Oh, no! Poor Wen.
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Your first lines were incredibly gripping, definitely made me.want to read more. I hope she finds Wen. Thanks for sharing this intriguing cautionary tale with us!
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Fall Fiesta
By: Gina Smith
Word Count 77
Image 2
A Fall fiesta! See it there, outside the door?
A crunchy, crackly, place to explore
A swirl of color, don’t you see?
The leaves have fallen down for me
A Fall fiesta! Hurry, let’s play!
It’s right outside, come on! Hooray!
Grab your rakes, we need to flee!
The leaves have fallen down for me
A Fall fiesta! Jump on in!
One giant bound, roll, swim
Leap, soar, land, repeat!
The leaves have fallen down for me
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yay! A fall fiesta.
Love it.
Nice work, Gina.
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I love fiestas, and one with leaves as the confetti sounds wonderful to me! 🙂
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Yes! I want to dive and swim, too! Thanks for sharing this fun poem with us; it really captures the Fall feeling
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Entry for Natasha Khan
Image Number 1
Once upon a time, there was the Forest Green, and the Forest Red. A path lay between them, but no one had ever crossed it.
“I wonder who lives there?” A Red Dweller might say.
“Do they have fangs?” A Green Dweller might say.
“Would they eat us?” A Red Dweller would say.
“Oh, the Trees protect us!” A Green Dweller would say.
The Trees of Forest Red and Forest Green sighed at the foolish words they heard, for they remembered a time when there was no path, and green faded into red. So the Trees made a plan.
A Red Dweller peeked at the Edge of the Forest one morning. He yelled:
“The Trees! The Trees have gone over the Path!”
A Green Dweller stepped out of his house, took one glance at the Edge, and screamed:
“The Trees! The Path is gone!”
Red Dwellers and Green Dwellers came rushing from both sides. Suddenly, they stopped. There was no Path. Up above, the leaves were mixed – both Red and Green.
A Red Dweller held out her hand. “Pleased to meet you,” she said. A Green Dweller shook it.
The Trees showered leaves on them, both Red and Green.
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What a lovely blending of the Red and Green.
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What a beautiful way to interpret Image 1. Thanks for sharing this tale with us; I’m glad the trees knew what to do to bring people back together!
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The cedar-lined trail’s spongy moss absorbed Eliot’s measured footfalls. His controlled breathing was short and shallow. In the eerily still grove any sound, even the swishing of his padded woolen overcoat, loudly proclaimed his approach. Eliot glanced side-to-side. Summer’s stickiness sweltered off the thick woods on his right. To his left, crisp autumn air and brilliant red leaves radiated the onset of fall. Beyond the autumnal treeline lay a frozen stream and lifeless maples. Eliot hugged the summer side of the path, keeping himself far from the death that reigned across the waters.
He’d never trod the Procession of the Seasons alone. Few had. His sister Elia was the only Cartegian who could reason with the erratic Season Keeper, making her Cartage Valley’s reluctant ambassador. Without fail, Eliot accompanied Elia to the Procession’s entrance, then anxiously awaited her return. This time she hadn’t.
Crops withered. Storms raged. The absent ambassador was blamed. But Eliot knew better. She’d warned him. The Season Keeper’s overtures to detain her were becoming more aggressive. Rebuffing his advances grew more challenging. If she didn’t return…
“I’ll free you, Elia,” Eliot’s growl echoed about the grove. “Even if I have to kill the Keeper himself.”
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Oooh, we’ve been dropped into a story that I hope you continue writing!
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What an intriguing tale. Your voice is very passionate, Erik. I hope Eliot is able to save his sister. Thanks for sharing this story with us!
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I Love Fall
I love fall.
Leaves turn red and yellow and fall from the trees. The falling leaves cover the ground. I love playing in the leaves.
I throw leaves into the air. My dog Fred and I run though them as they tumble down.
My big brother Matt rakes the leaves into piles. I jump into the piles and roll. Fred rolls, too.
The leaves scatter. My brother tackles me and we roll together.
He says he is mad at me for scattering his piles of leaves but I know he loves to roll in the leaves, too. We laugh.
I get a rake to help but I can’t hold it like Matt does.
I get some bags. I can stuff leaves into bags.
Matt and I do a good job working together.
We go from the crisp fall air into our warm house.
Mom has baked a pie with fresh fall apples. Yum! It smells so good.
Mom smiles and cuts big slices for Matt and me. “Here’s a treat for my top workers.”
For me fall means fun in the leaves and fresh apple pie.
I love fall.
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sweet story, Ann.
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A very sweet snapshot of fall.
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Kaitlyn – Goodness gracious what a wonderful response you’ve had for this frenzy! Thank you for getting my butt-in-chair after an admittedly lazy week of writing:)
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Awe, Lauri, that made my day. I’m so happy this inspired you!!
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The Spookiest House on the Block
160 words- inspired by image#12
I’m not going to that house on the corner.
That’s the spookiest one on the block!
I’m not going up its creepy sidewalk.
The shrieks and screams shiver my bones!
I’m not going past its ghoulish graveyard.
There’s a skeleton sitting there!
I’m not going past that wicked witch.
She wants me for her brew!
I’m not going to the haunted pumpkin patch.
That scarecrow might be real!
I’m not going through the misty maze.
I’ll be snared in the spider’s web!
I’m not going in the haunted disco.
The monsters will get me with their mash!
I’m not going to knock on the door.
Who knows who will open it?
Creeeak
I’m not saying trick or treat!
Just throw it in my bag.
Run! I’m going home!
Past the monster mash
Past the spider’s web
Past the pumpkin patch and witch’s brew
Past the ghoulish graveyard
Down the steps –I’m safe!
I’m never going there again…
…until next year!
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So cute!!! Good Luck!
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So fun, and I love the little twist at the end! 🙂
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Haha, what a fun ending! This is definitely kid reasoning! Thanks so much for sharing this funny piece with us! I especially liked the monster mash.
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This story is so much fun.
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The Scare Crows
Inspired by Image 11
192 words
Sitting in the tree the scare crows looked down at the town. It was Halloween, and plenty of children were around, weaving in the dusky darkness.
‘Her…’ said the first.
‘Too many friends,’ replied the second. They hunched their wings, black cloaks beneath the orange moon.
‘Him?’ the first pointed with his beak. ‘So small.’
‘Small,’ said the second, the word chopped into tiny pieces of jelly in his beak.
‘He’s all alone…’ said the first, blinking hooded eyes as fathomless as black holes.
Beneath them the boy walked slowly, limping.
‘Injured!’ croaked the second crow, and both jumped about a little on the branch, laughing with the rasp of sharpening knives.
The boy paused to look up at the noisy crows, silhouetted in blackness under the giant moon, and shivered.
A breeze rustled the crisping leaves on the tree, and the crows dove out onto it, riding the cooling thermals like shadows down to the boy. He jumped a little as they landed before him, such big birds.
‘What d’you want?’ he asked, the little pumpkin canister swinging in his hand.
‘Your eyes,’ said the first. They flew at his face.
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Wow, chilling! Very well done.
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What an intense and shocking tale. Deliciously dark, so well-written, thank you so much for sharing your creativity with us!
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Image 4
Mick and Mac
120 Words
“Hey Mac, do you see they have sparklers this time?”
“Yeah, I know Mick. Just keep smiling as wicked as you can.”
“I don’t like it.”
“Me either, but we have to do it. It’s Halloween. Just try to look menacing.”
“They scare ME. I prefer my candle.”
“They will burn out in a second, Mick.”
“Oh good, there they go. They burned out. Whew.”
“Good, you still looking scary, Mick?”
“AHHH! They lit another one! They are poking it inside me! MAC HELP!”
“Just keep grinning Mick! JUST KEEP GRINNING!”
“MAAAAAAAACCCCCCCCC!”
Ssssssssiiiiiiiizzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
“Mick, you okay man?”
“Yeah, it’s over. I’m still creepy smiling.”
“Way to go man. Hey Mick?”
“Yeah, Mac?”
“Do you think they’ll smash us later?”
“Probably.”
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Creepy smiles. Definitely. 🙂
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Great ending!!! Good Luck!
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Oh, poor Mick and Mac! 😦
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Lol, love the ending, all that worry and then that, so funny! Thanks so much for sharing with us!
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My details are as follows: Emma Finlayson-Palmer, Twitter handle: @FinlaysonPalmer
I choose image number 11. The piece is 198 words.
Age level of prize I’d prefer would be either PB, CB or MG, and I’m in the UK.
Birds
I fast-walked, trainers squelching into the muddy path. My breathing quickened and my head felt light, dizzy, my legs grew weak. Whimpering I stared straight ahead, trance-like.
Breaking into a jog, pounding along, trying not to slip. Every little eye pierced into me from their perches behind the leaves, burning into my skin. I ran. Faster and faster.
The birds erupted into a deadly chorus. A deafening screech, all squawking at once. I covered my ears and stumbled, sliding on the mud and fell to the ground.
Why didn’t I just stay at the home? I’d probably never make it back.
I dragged myself up, mud caked around my nails. Birds filled the sky. Angry, sharp beaks coming towards me.
Faster, and faster, skidding on the muddy ground as the birds drew closer.
I heard screaming, then realised it was me.
Flailing my arms around my head as wings fanned towards me, pecking, pulling at the fabric of my hoodie, trying to get to the bare skin. I ran to the nearest building, a house just off the canal, and hammered bloody fists against the crisp, white door.
No answer except for the caws of the gathering crowd.
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Evil birds! Thank you for putting us right in the action!
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Thank you 🙂
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Wow very intense, I felt like I was there too! I feel safe saying that Alfred Hitchcock would be impressed. Thanks so much for sharing this scary story with us!
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Thank you 🙂 I love birds but I’ve always been wary since I saw The Birds as a child and later reading the book by Daphne DuMurier too, eek!
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My details are: Stacey Miller, email address: stacey25miller@yahoo.co.uk, I chose image 5 and wrote 200 words. I am in the UK and would love to win something PB related.
The broomstick darted down and the witches stopped and stared.
Elsie grabbed William.
“Please can we go home?” she whispered.
The tallest witch swooped over and tickled William under the chin.
“Ahh, sweet William…so this is the girl?”
“Purrrrr,” replied William.
“Pleased to meet you, Elsie,” croaked the Witch. “William has told us all about you!”
“So William is my cat by day… and your cat by night?” Asked Elsie shyly.
“That’s right” nodded the Witch
“Now I know why he’s always tired!” Elsie smiled.
Cackles rippled through the Coven.
“EEEEEEHHEEEEE!”
“Witches brew?” asked the Witch.
Elsie stared at the burping brew.
William lapped his up.
Elsie took a sip and her toes tingled.
“Yum,” she smiled.
Suddenly a roaring ripped through the sky.
VROOOOOOOOOM
Oodles of brooms shot down like shooting stars catapulting cats into the campsite.
Sparks from their whiskers rocketed into the sky.
ZOOOOOOOOM
From every corner of the campsite, they called to one another,
“MIAOWWWWWWWW!”
William joined in the cat chorus.
Paw to hand they danced with their witch friends.
William bowed and held out his paw.
“Thank you, William,” Elsie giggled.
They danced until dawn.
Suddenly the sun peeked over the hill.
The Witching hour was over.
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I love the thought that William the cat has 2 jobs and he’s united his owners on this magical night.
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Thank you so much.
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What a creative witching hour tale, that you so much for sharing William and Elsie’s story with us!
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THE LINE OF FALL by Kaylynn Johnsen Word Count 198
I know there’s a line; where one side is summer and on the other is fall. When I find that line, I want to stay on the summer side forever.
Summer’s the best. It’s warm pools, cool sprinklers, and water balloon fights. It’s long days outdoors on the grass, fireflies, and stars.
When the leaves change you know it is already too late. Homework, sweaters, and bedtimes. Long days indoors, runny noses, and crunchy leaves.
Fall is here and I never saw it coming. I didn’t see the line. I walked backward toward summer; I couldn’t catch it. It’s already gone. My nose runs; I wipe it on my sweater.
I give up, I head back home. I have leaves to rake. Endless leaves.
The sun sinks. It gets dark early. My leaf pile is almost as tall as I am.
“Honey, come sit with me,” said Mom from the front step.
She hands me a warm cup of cocoa.
“That leaf pile’s huge,” said Mom. “Can you believe Halloween is next month? Have you thought about what you’d like to wear?”
Cocoa, leaf piles, and Halloween. Maybe Fall is okay.
We jump in the pile and laugh.
kjohnsen66@yahoo.com
Image #1
PB
US
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I miss summer, too, but I agree–maybe fall is OK. 🙂
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Aw what a sweet realization that all things have their upsides! Thanks so much for sharing this sweet story with us!
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My details: Joel Chalmers, Twitter Handle: @PBWriterJoel, joel.w.chalmers@gmail.com, Image #11, Word count = 200, Age level of prize would be BB or PB and I’m in the USA.
THE CROWS CAVORTED
The barren branches meant change.
The bountiful summer filled with choice cherries, wondrous walnuts, and perfect peaches faded away.
The harsh, cold starve of winter lay in wait.
They had two choices: the long flight of migration or make a plan.
Last year’s forever flight ached in their wings at the thought.
The crows chatted and devised a scheme to stay full and warm all winter.
They cackled! Who’d open their door to deliciousness?
On Halloween Night, they swooped down to two unknowing, rowdy witch’s brooms landing weightlessly.
The excited witches didn’t notice the extra weight because they had just rang the doorbell.
The four eagerly waited at the door of old Ms. Charms house, they were all ready.
“Trick or Treat!” yelled the witches.
The crows cruised in while Ms. Charms handed out candy.
“Wasn’t there something on your brooms?” Ms. Charms asked.
The witches looked puzzled as they left saying, “Happy Halloween!”
Ms. Charms didn’t have any more candy to hand out after the crows hid it behind the corner chair.
Now when you look in the window at old Ms. Charms mantle, there they sit like statues warm and awaiting their next sweet snack.
Trick and treat!
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What smart crows! My favorite line: “The harsh, cold starve of winter lay in wait.” Lovely!
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What gorgeous descriptions of the seasons and a fun story about the crows’! Thanks so much for sharing with us!
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Judy Sobanski
jksobanski@gmail.com
Image 11 – 152 words
PB prize – US
TWO CROWS
In a bare oak tree sit two black crows,
one named Moses and the other one Joe.
“Everyone’s left, now we’re all alone.
They’ve all flown south to a temperate zone.
Moses,” said Joe. “Are you planning to go?”
“Nope,” said Moses. “I prefer status quo.”
“Maybe,” said Joe. “We ought to think twice.
Canada’s freezing, but Idaho’s nice.
Food will be plenty, the ground not as hard.
It’s so quiet here it’s like a graveyard.”
“Nope” said Moses. “I’m staying where I’m at.
Don’t need Idaho to be my habitat.
I treasure quiet, and bleakness and cold.
I’ve been to Idaho; it’s way oversold.”
“Okay,” said Joe. “I’ll stick it out, too—
just me and you and a few caribou.
The moonlight makes their feathers look wet.
Their shapes form an aviary silhouette.
In a bare oak tree sit two black crows,
patiently waiting for the first hard snow.
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I laughed! So cute!!! Good Luck!
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How adorable. Lovely ending.
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those crows will be sorry when a blizzard comes! cute story!!
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this poem has a nice story and good rhyme and meter.
Sweet ending but the poor things might regreat that decision. 🙂
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Really enjoyed the rhyme, rhythm, and voice–nice job!
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I hope winter isn’t too cold! What a fun poem! My favorite lines:
“The moonlight makes their feathers look wet.
Their shapes form an aviary silhouette.”
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What fantastic rhymes and great word choices. I especially loved”oversold” for humor, “silhouette” and caribou as great word choices for they’re rhymes. Thanks so much for sharing this creative story with us!
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Post for Crystal Lamb
@CrystalLambLit
Word Count: 194
The Last Dance
“Look at this leaf, Grandpa! It’s old and wrinkled like you!”
“So it is!” Grandpa laughed as Jessica glided and twirled.
“I am in the Fall of my life, and you are in your Spring.”
The leaf fell as Jessica stopped mid spin.
“But that means that Winter will come soon.”
Bright yellow leaves crackled and crunched under Grandfather’s cane.
“That is true….but look.”
“All around us is a symphony of color:
Apple reds
Cotton candy pinks
Purples as deep as a far away ocean.”
“They sing: ‘Here I am!’”
“See how the trees sway?
See how they bend to listen to the wind’s song?”
“I may not dance like you….twirling in the sun,
But I still sway to the music, dearest one.”
“I sway and listen for the winter wind,
whispering through the trees.”
“I wait for a blanket of white,
falling softly in the night.”
“I bend to watch the sun’s last rays,
reaching for a distant land.”
“I hope that you’ll dance with me until Winter comes.”
Jessica’s fingers traced the leave’s thin lines.
They were just like the lines on Grandpa’s hands.
Slowly, she twirled and bowed:
“Shall we dance?”
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Thank you!! 😀
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Also….ack! I thought I took a “that” out! My apologies! lol
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What a beautiful story/concept book about aging, seasons, and colors. Thank you for sharing.
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Thank you so much for your kind words!!!
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Fall
PEOPLE!
Levi the leaf here.
We need to talk.
I don’t understand your obsession with fall.
I don’t think you understand what fall REALLY means for a leaf.
Those colors that you like so much, just means my days are numbered…
FALL…
is the END.
And, if that wasn’t hard enough, I’m watching all my friends, those I know and love, holding on for dear life
and then FALL.
All the while… understanding that THIS is my fate too.
Even then, my life isn’t quite over.
I’m raked up, blown around, trampled on, tossed in the air and thrown away like garbage and don’t get me started on all the tourists! SERIOUSLY?
NO!
I don’t think you understand what’s ahead for me, so,
GET OFF MY BACK!
(Sigh)
Wait a minute…
Are those children playing and laughing because of me?
Hmm…
Maybe I, don’t understand what my life in fall is about?
Maybe, it is about finding joy in what I can BE for you!
Fall IS a beautiful celebration! A new season, with picturesque backdrops FULL of cherished memories!
My fall season was never about ending.
Hmm, I’m beginning understand now…
In gratitude,
A new Be-leaf-er
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Poor Levi! I’m glad he’s able to appreciate the joy that leaves bring humans in fall, though. 🙂
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😆😆😆 a new beleafer! Such a fun take on Fall, getting the leaf’s perspective!
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Photo #2 (boy playing in leaves)
word count: 196 words
The 15 Minute Free Write Prompt
by Linda Hofke
Normal is…
I peek at Jared’s paper. He’s written boring. To my left, Laura jots down undefinable.
I barely know them, but I know they’re both wrong. Normal is definable in ways. It’s standard, the most common. Everything I am not. Normal people don’t need to move every few months. Or adopt a new identity. Or constantly stay alert. This ain’t no life, but it’s the only way for a teenager like me.
I was four when I first displayed signs of being different. Kneeling, I gathered autumn leaves, tossed ’em, and waited for them to fall. But they didn’t. The energy from my upturned palms made ’em levitate. More and more leaves rose from the ground until I sat under a cloud of colored foliage. Mama scooped me up and hustled home.
As I got older, I used my abilities in other ways. Manipulating objects in Sunday school. Move #1. Elevating school bully. Move #2. Then government scientists caught on and moving meant survival.
Normal ain’t boring. Being normal means being safe. But I can’t write about that. Instead, I compile a basic list starting with five fingers per hand. .
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I put my info on the form but I see everyone else also added it here so I am adding it
@HofkeWrites
US/Germany
age level of prize: PB (for critiques), book prizes can be PB or MG
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This is an interesting start to what I hope becomes a longer work! I love telekinesis. 🙂
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Agreed! I want to read the rest, please, Linda!
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thanks so much, Jolene.
I normally write picture books but I’ve been wanting to try writing something longer. My muse gave me a starting point here. Tackling the rest will be another (lengthy) challenge.
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You can do it, Linda, we want to read it!😍
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I got the chills at the end, what an intense look into your MC’s life and mind, thank you for sharing this story with us!
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thanks so much, Kaitlyn.
And thanks for the challenge.
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You’re welcome!! Thank YOU for sharing this great piece with all of us ❤️
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Michele Ziemke
Image #2
WC: 157
BOO!
Grandma tired from chasing little Malik around the yard. She kneeled in the leaves, inhaling crisp air and the savory smell of autumn leaves…
Fiery red.
Bright yellow.
Vivid orange overhead.
“Are you ready to come inside?” Grandma Mimi said out of breath.
The little boy giggled, running in circles.
Grandma pretended she couldn’t see. “Where is my sweet little boy? The one who loves his Mimi!” Her hands waved into the empty space in front of her.
Malik skipped around the blazing maple tree…
Crackle.
Crunch.
Rustling leaves to tackle!
“Do I hear a leaf monster?” Mimi asked with her eyes closed.”
“GRRR! Come and get me!” Malik growled.
“But I can’t see you.” Mimi said before she crawled. “Say my name so I can find you.”
“Over here, Mimi!”
When Mimi got close, Malik tossed the leaves in the air.
“BOO!” He yelled.
“EEEK!” Mimi shouted. Then…
Snuggles.
Smooches.
These are Autumn wishes.
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What joyful, beautiful autumn wishes.
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Clarity
189 Words
Photo 13
By Ranessa Doucet
This spot by the pond was the one place she felt peaceful and safe. Without this place to escape to, she may never survive middle school. She sat at the old picnic table and watched the light glimmer through the falling leaves. Sun rays reflected on the motionless water, and the outside world faded. There was no drama here, no judging faces, no crippling frustration. The air was crisp and damp against her skin as the pain slowly washed away. Her shoulders lowered, and her hands unclenched. Hot tears suddenly streamed down her cheeks. Tears she held onto for what felt like years were finally set free. The walls around her reduced to rubble. Relief and calmness appeared like a blanket gently placed over her. She wished she could stay here forever, and live like an autumn fairy among the crimson leaves. With closed eyes, she breathed in a deep, cleansing breath that filled her lungs with strength. A squirrel scurried by her feet and jolted her back to reality. She stood and raised her gaze to the sky, then stepped back onto the path, now on sturdier legs.
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Such lovely descriptions. The language in this piece is beautiful.
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Thank so much, Monica!
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I’m so glad your character has a place where she can reconnect and heal. Beautiful.
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Thank you, Jolene!
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This is the first time I’ve read something like this from you. The language and descriptions make you feel what she’s feeling. I’m glad you were able to enter something.
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These places are so important for everyone, especially middle school kids. Great descriptions! Thanks for sharing this insightful piece with us!
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Thank you for this fun challenge! I’ll be back over the weekend to read through other people’s posts.
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Yay! You’re so welcome, Lydia, the donors, and I will be reading alongside you!
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Sarah Fiechtner
Worth It (Picture inspiration: a person walking in the woods) YA, Word count – 199
As she walks, the leaves whisper together, rustling a final greeting as they fall to their deaths, her steps soundless on a carpet of colorful corpses. Sweat crawls down her spine despite the fingers of cool air caressing her. One foot in front of the other, almost there…
They wait in the clearing, shadowed faces beneath dark hoods. Taking her hand, one leads her to the flat stone. A chant rises from the nine, voices rising and falling as her wrists chafe against the coarse ropes, tailbone going cold and numb against the rock.
The leaves rustle again, branches snapping beneath a heavy tread. Fear shoots through her and she squeezes her eyelids together. ‘Breath in, breath out.’ Suddenly, hot breath huffs against her cheek as a low growl fills her ears.
‘Remember: better a short life where everyone remembers your name than a long life of being alone.’
She opens her eyes to find blood-red eyes staring into hers. His mouth opens, revealing sharp fangs and a trickle of saliva drips slowly onto her shoulder as the monster growls again, a deep rumble that vibrates through her chest. She closes her eyelids and clenches her fists.
Worth it.
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Yay! It’s awesome! Good Luck!!!!
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I’m sad that she’s sacrificing herself, but your writing is beautiful. One of my favorite phrases: “a carpet of colorful corpses.”
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Wow wow wow! So intense, and such wonderful descriptions! Thanks for sharing this dark, worthy storywith us!
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The Shadowmen
Shannon Hall
175 Words
Image 10
The Shadowmen
The Shadowmen come but once a year
Inflicting their pain and doubt and fear
Existing on lingering, wayward souls
Their translucency playing a disastrous role
Hiding in walls and floorboards til night
On All Hallow’s Eve they’re ready for fright
Searching for souls to snatch unaware
Retreating to the underworld, the bodies laid bare
Shutter the windows and bolt all the doors
Seal off the fireplace, they scatter like spores
Hide all your children, and protect all your pets
Any souls will do, no one is safe yet
Parties and playgrounds, bookstores and shops
No place is safe, no one knows how it stops
Moaning and shrieking and creaking upstairs
A hazy-like figure, no one knows if it’s there
Quick, check the time, we’ve been at this all night
The only way to beat them is by bringing daylight
Out on the horizon, I see the sunshine
Grab a flashlight, these things here have no spine
Dim down the house, someone quick snuff the spark
Who knew these things didn’t exist in the dark?
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Thank you for sharing! If you’d like to be considered for the contest please fill out the form above titles Entries. If you have filled it out but it did not go through, please use the contact form to email me the info and I’ll add it to the form
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I’m just now seeing this. I did enter all of that info but I assume it didn’t go through. I’ll try using the contact form.
Thank you!
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Bummer, yeah send it to me!
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Thanks for sharing your creepy poem!
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What a fun, creepy tale. Love the rhyme and rhythm. My favorite lines: “Existing on lingering, wayward souls
Their translucency playing a disastrous role.”
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Vanessa Cain
184 words
picture 2
My Favorite Season
Winter. Spring. Summer. Fall.
I love Autumn most of all.
Red and yellow, orange and brown,
I throw leaves up and they fall down.
I rake them into one large pile.
When I jump in, it makes me smile.
Yellow, brown and orange and red,
Now bright carpet where I tread.
Nature’s blanket on the ground
I walk and make a crunching sound.
Orange and red and brown and yellow,
Dancing ‘round this dapper fellow,
Whirling, twirling – light as air.
Float to the ground without a care.
Winter. Spring. Summer. Fall.
I love Autumn most of all.
Red and yellow, orange and brown,
The trees now wear a fiery crown.
Air turns crisp and starts to blow
as Fall presents her yearly show.
Yellow, brown and orange and red,
Bear begins to make his bed.
Squirrel gathers nuts. The moon climbs high.
Ducks and Geese take to the sky.
Orange and red and brown and yellow,
My pumpkin’s smile is warm and mellow.
I give thanks. So many reasons
to celebrate this special season.
Winter. Spring. Summer. Fall.
I love Autumn most of all.
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Loved this line,
“The trees now wear a fiery crown.”
Brilliant! Good Luck!
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lovely description of autumn!
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Lovely! What a joyous, beautiful poem!
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FRANKIE MAKES A FRIEND
by Ashley Congdon
Image 6
WC: 177
“A heart, a brain, a . . .”
“Frankie, what are you doing in there?!”
“I’m making a list of what I want in a friend. The Friendship Day Festival is coming up. I need a friend to go with.”
“Okay . . . just checking!”
“She worries because I’m the great-great-great-great-granddaughter of Dr. Frankenstein that I might try to ‘make’ my own friend.”
“Ribbit. Ribbit.”
“I don’t have any friends, Frogg.”
“Ribbit.”
“Not Dracuella. Her heart is never in it.”
“Ribbit.”
“No, not Zombienee. He’s always trying to pick my brain.”
“Ribbit. Ribbit. Ribbit.”
“Mummyton, he’s too wrapped up in himself.
Werewolfster, he’s like two different people.
Ghostine, I see right through her lies.
Sigh. I don’t have any real friends.
One that listens, cares, or understands like you Frogg. I’ll have to go to Friendship Day Festival alone.
That’s it! You’ll go with me. You’re more than a pet, Frogg. You’re my friend. My best friend.”
“RIBBIT!”
Now, hand me those arms and legs. Let’s make this new friend.”
“FRANKIE!”
“Just kidding Mom!
Hehe. We got her. High-five, Frogg.”
“Ribbit. Ribbit.”
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this is SO CUTE!! love it! ❤ good luck!
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Thank you Vanessa for reading!
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I love all the non-friends! Hilarious:)
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Thank you Vashti for reading! I had a witch reference and possibly others that didn’t make it in. I had fun with this one. 🙂
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So cute and fun! Love it!
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Thank you for reading 🙂
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I adore this.
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Thank you for reading Monica! I had fun writing this one. 🙂
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So much fun! I love all of the classmates’ names!
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Thanks Jolene! I had fun brainstorming the names 😀.
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So clever, Ashley! I love it!
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Thank you for reading Ranessa. Thank for being a great CP.
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Ashley, this was so funny! I especially liked the ending, I sighed and high fives with them ha! Thanks fir sharing this creative story with us!
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Thank you Kaitlyn. Of course after the fact I thought I should’ve thrown in there, it’s alive! Lol. Thank for holding the contest and reading the entries.
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Hahahaha genius!
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And you’re welcome! It’s so much fun, thanks for entering!
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Katherine Klotz
klotzie@hotmail.com
Image: 4
Word Count: 195
PB
USA
The Little Pumpkin
The little pumpkin glared as another person walked by. He tried putting on his scariest face ever to scare them, but nothing happened. No cries, shrieks of terror or anyone running away in fear. What was wrong? Wasn’t he scary enough? After all, pumpkins were meant to scare people at Halloween.
He tried again.
Nothing.
And again.
Still nothing.
The little pumpkin glared with all of his might but he couldn’t make anyone afraid. Disappointed, he began to doubt himself. He must not be a very good pumpkin.
As another group of kids approached, the little pumpkin thought about trying again but then he saw one little girl who looked so very sad. Knowing how she felt the little pumpkin wanted to make her feel better. He began to make goofy faces at her. Seeing him the little girl began to smile and laugh. The little pumpkin was amazed! He loved making her smile and made more goofy faces. As she laughed and giggled the little pumpkin knew he didn’t have to be like all of the other pumpkins and scare people. He could be the best pumpkin he could be and make people smile.
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Cute little pumpkin!
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Aww super sweet! Thanks for sharing this lovely, heartwarming tale with us!
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Entry for Kerry E.B. Black
I Got a Rock
Written by Kerry E.B. Black
Gerta didn’t mean to poison children on Halloween.
She dressed in cellophane fairy wings and held her plastic jack-o-lantern bowl in hands trembling with excitement when trick-or-treaters arrived at her door. She returned their cheerful “thank you’s” as she closed the door to return to her paused holiday special.
“Who would give that poor bald boy with the hole-infested sheets rocks,” she wondered sadly and she listened for the next round of candy mendicants.
Gerta didn’t know an evil had infected her candy bowl, one that creeped through the wrappers and settled beside the dazzling crystals. An insidious powder had filtered every ill-intention of previous owners through the heavy oaken rafters of her ancient brownstone.
As darkness deepened and the time for tricks and treats ended, Gerta sighed. The Vince Guaraldi Trio punctuated Linus’ appeal for a sincere pumpkin patch.
“Maybe next year,” Gerta reassured Linus, and perhaps herself. Maybe next year she’d have friends and host a party, or a beau to snuggle beneath her crocheted blanket.
She unwrapped the unclaimed candy and munched, licking sticky goodness from her fingertips, until despair choked her insides. As her intestines knotted within her, Gerta repeated her hopeless reassurance. “Maybe next year.”
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Beautifully written. Poor Gerta (and poor Linus)!
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What a shocking start to a story, really draws a reader in. I definitely relate to maybe next mentality sometimes. Thanks fir sharing this piece with us!
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Entry for Patty Cooper
pattyjcooper@gmail.com
Sign of the Witch
Image 1
196 Words
Josie flattened the crumpled paper between her palms and read it for the millionth time.
“The lane of lost souls where trees bleed.”
A fat red drop plopped square in the middle of the worn note. The leaves rustled and groaned slashing violent streaks of crimson against her pale hands. “Bleeding trees. Check. Lost souls. Only me.”
She covered her head and ran. Ugh. Why did she wear her robin’s blue wool pea coat? From the post-crime-scene-like splotches, she knew it was ruined.
This wasn’t a fashion moment. It was the coat her mom gave her before she vanished. Dad said she left.
Josie grasped the scrap in her fist. She wouldn’t do that. She wouldn’t just leave without saying anything.
“Don’t cry, don’t cry, blood will get in your eye.” She slowed and brushed away tears.
“Keep going, Josie. One step at a ti-iiiiiiiiiiime!” she screamed as she flapped wildly and rolled like a tumbleweed down a small hill.
Through strewn bloody bangs, she saw a hand reach for her. It was attached to a tall slender dark haired young man with the most striking blue eyes she’d ever seen.
“We’ve been waiting for you.”
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So interesting! I want to know more!
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What an intriguing story; it definitely makes me want to read on. Thanks so much for sharing it with us!
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Susie Swayer entered on 10/11 but did to technical difficulties the comment did not show up. Here is her entry:
Author: Susie Sawyer
Twitter: @susiesawyer
Image #5 (Silhouette of cat over moon)
Word Count: 132
Age Range: 4-8
Prize choice: PB Critique
BLACK CAT WAITING
Black cat waiting,
contemplating,
twitching whiskers, glistening eyes.
Watching, wishing,
tail a-swishing,
waiting for the witch to rise.
Once awake,
he knows she’ll take
a midnight flight amidst the gloom.
Soon, at last,
like Halloweens past,
they’ll ride in tandem on her broom.
Side by side,
they’ll swoop and glide,
planning all the tricks they’ll play.
Teasing, taunting,
gleeful haunting,
looking for the perfect prey.
Lunging, lurching,
victim searching,
darting through the moonlit sky.
Casting curses,
vile verses,
causing chaos passing by.
So anxious now!
With soft meow,
he hopes she’ll wake from slumber deep.
A weary groan,
a witchy moan,
she slowly shifts and stirs from sleep.
She rubs her eyes
and starts to rise.
The black cat paces to and fro.
Yawning, stretching,
broom a-fetching,
finally she says…
“Let’s go!”
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Thank you, Kaitlyn! Actually, I entered on 10/11, but waited to see if it would show up until 10/12. I did meet the deadline!! 🙂 The formatting seems to have been lost, but thank you so much for getting my entry to work!
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Yes sorry that was a typo, I’m the queen of them and it was super early here in CA lol
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Fixed!
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I love the rhythm, rhyme, and great word choices!!
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Thank you, Jolene!! 🙂
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Fantastic rhyme and rhythm propelling this fun tale along! Thank so much for sharing this rollicking story with us!
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Thanks so much, Kaitlyn, for the kind comment, for helping me get the goofy thing to post, and for this wonderful contest!
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You’re welcome! Thanks for sharing such a great piece with us!!
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Post for Darci (entered on time, tech issues with the comments)
Darci
Picture Prompt #7
“Why does Toli get to crawl on the table?”
“Mom, look, she’s drooling all over my paintings!”
“You’ve ruined my stuff for the last time little sister!“
“Abracadabra, turn into a pumpkin!” cackled Jaitra with her best scratchy witch voice before flying off to her room.
After practicing some spells and brewing a couple of potions, Jaitra was calm. And hungry. She headed out to the kitchen.
Instead of her family, she found a single round pumpkin sitting just where her sister had been sliming Jaitra’s artwork.
What?! It worked!?
Wow! It worked!!! I did it!
Wait. I did it.
My sister is a pumpkin?
Oh no, no, no!
Jaitra climbed up on the table and examined the pumpkin gently.
The pumpkin had the same dimple Toli always had when Jaitra made her laugh.
Jaitra hugged the pumpkin and began to cry.
Just as a tear landed on the pumpkin, Jaitra heard a little gurgle-laugh behind her and then her mother’s voice. “What are you doing Jaitra?”
Jaitra jumped down and wrapped her sister in the biggest, witchiest hug ever.
“I’m sorry Toli! I love you so much! I’ll never turn you into a pumpkin again!”
And she never did.
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Yes! A sisterly love story; we definitely all go through those times right? Thanks so much for sharing your adorable, relatable story with us!
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So sweet! I’m glad Jaitra realized how much she loves and needs Toli! 🙂
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Beautiful writing! My favorite line: “I breathed in brine, earth, rot—mine, all mine.”
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Thank you!
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Gummies are my favorites, too!! I’m glad your main character was finally able to get some!
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Audra Brown
Autumn Falls
WC: 74
Image: # 5
AUTUMN FALLS
On black padded paws
With pumpkin moons
And coal dust skies
Her breath perfumed
By apple pies
She changes dress
From green to bright red
A crown of spiders’ web
Rests on her head
Licorice hair
Caramel chunk cheeks
Jack-o-lantern smile
Candy corn teeth
Hot chocolate mornings
Mulled cider nights
Leaf pile blankets
Candles for light
When harvest is over
She stretches and yawns
Autumn falls quietly
And quietly…….
She’s gone
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and I forgot to note that I did enter on October 11th, but due to technical difficulties my entry did not post. Thank you for the opportunity to post again!
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What a gorgeous personification of Fall! Thanks so much for sharing this lovely piece, Audra.
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Anonymous entry submitted October 9, 2019, but lost in the shuffle:
(IMAGE 2)
ALL ABOUT MICKEY
Darnell spent 5 magical days at Disney last May. Ever since he returned home, Darnell has been ALL ABOUT MICKEY! We’re talking… ALL… ABOUT… MICKEY…
In fact, Darnell was so enamored with the mouse, his other passions left him joyless. He was no longer all about hot dogs, trucks, superheroes, farts, or frogs—only Mickey.
Darnell’s parents were rightfully concerned, so they went to the doctor. Darnell was diagnosed with obsessive compulsive disorder, brought on by excessive mouse marketing. Some kids grow out of it. Some don’t…
One crisp fall day, Darnell slipped on his ALL ABOUT MICKEY t-shirt and scurried outside. But something was different inside Darnell. He was suddenly all about something else.
He was… ALL ABOUT LEAVES!
His new obsession was totally cool with his parents. A weeklong trip to Disney cost the family $5,000, easy. Playing with leaves didn’t cost a dime.
Plus, as Darnell’s dad put it, “Disney kinda ruined Star Wars for me. I mean, George Lucas screwed up the prequels, for sure, but the new Star Wars movies gave me A NEW HOPE… until I saw my dreams squashed inside a giant trash compactor.”
Well, at least Darnell has his leaves.
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Too funny! All about leaves is all-natural and far more affordable (as you mentioned)! 🙂
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Haha, definitely easy to get obsessed with Mickey and funny Star Wars parts, thank so much for sharing!
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What an intriguing ecxerpt, I’d definitely like to know more, where is she falling to, why did she know her? Great stuff, Mare, thanks so much for sharing with us!
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Thank you!
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“Wowza!” Ha that was hilarious. Fun characterization here, really showw the struggle some go through on Halloween. So glad they got their candy in the end. Thanks for sharing this Halloween story with us!
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Entry for Susan Burd, entered on time, technical difficulties with the comments section:
Witches and Giggles
Last night I put my costume on-
The kind for trick or treats,
And ran throughout the neighborhood
To gorge myself with sweets.
White-sheeted ghosts and ghouly kids
Who knocked on every door
Begged for handfuls with open bags
And shouts of more, more, more!
But ‘cause our greedy sweet tooths yelled
To get their sugar fill,
We ventured to the haunted house
On top of Windy Hill.
Us monsters leapt onto the porch
To reach our candy goal,
And there inside the entry way
The witch stood with her bowl.
That old hag giggled every time
She added to our loot,
Then winked and closed the creaky door
With her black pointy boot.
We felt a little silly as
We munched on her neat treats-
Long, sugarcoated gummy worms
That wriggled in our feets.
Those candies made us laugh so hard
And loud-we could not stop-
Their magic spell squirmed all around
Then slithered to the top!
Those jiggily worms slipped inside out
And turned us all to green…
So, now we know…
Don’t ever take fake candy from
A witch on Halloween!
Maybe…we should go back on Valentine’s Day?!
©2019 Susan Burd
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I really enjoyed the great rhyme and rhythm you established right from the start, and what a funny tale! Thanks so much for sharing!
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“A Place Our Own” by Elizabeth C Steiner, based from image 12 (originally left in the comments section of the “rules” page on Oct 11, 7:34pm). Sorry for the confusion, Kaitlyn Sanchez, but thank you for the guidance!
“OK, what do you think?” And she spreads her arms to the side, wide, and her lip dips a smile. “Melissa. Melissa, I said what do you think? I know it ain’t too pretty. But..”
“No, it ain’t too pretty.” I turn full circle, taking it all in. “Come Spring though that Maple will give good shade and we can plant gobs of zinnias. Butterflies love zinnias!” I hop from foot to foot showing what we’ll plant where and how we’ll paint to bring in some color. “Maybe steal some blue curtains from the Dollar General if need be,” I say.
“Right! Yes! I knew you’d love it! So this is where we’ll come.” Peering at me now in all seriousness. “And we ain’t telling a soul about it either! Not Momma. Not John. Not Grandma.This is OUR spot for getting away.”
“You ain’t gotta tell me. I won’t whisper a word to a soul. Not even a bee gonna hear me telling.”
“What should we call it? Call ourselves? Something official, right?”
I stand up tall now. Look her straight in the eyes. “Don’t need no other name for ourselves. Sisters. Sisters what we is.”
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Elizabeth, I adore this! It took me back to reading To Kill A Mockingbird and watching Shaw Shank Redemption,the accents, the secret plans, the comraderi of Now and Then. Thanks for sharing this great piece with us! Sorry for the tech troubles,that was 100% my bad, i originally said we’d post them on that blog post but changed my mind when so many of you already posted so many wonderful comments about being excited for the contest ❤️
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This is beautiful. I don’t know if this is part of a larger piece. If it is, I’m so glad, and if it isn’t, I hope it becomes the start of a new manuscript!
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Agreed!
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Thank you, Jolene! It’s not a larger piece (it was written just for the picture) but I’ll write some more and see where it goes! Thank you for the encouragement!
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Yes!! Please let us know if it becomes a novel because we’re for sure buying it
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