Written for Thursday Inspiration #310 –
“Oh Sherrie”. Here’s my response.
Tag: Helpless
The Tiniest Of Creatures
Written for The Unicorn Challenge
where we are encouraged to write a
story in 250 words or less using this
photo as inspiration. Here is my story.
The Struggle
Written for Ovi Poetry Challenge #68
where our inspiration word is “defeat”.
Here is my ovi.
There are times in life
Days full of stress and strife
Not just full but rife
And you’re ready to give up
Can’t tell friend from foe
A world teeming with woe
With no safe place to go
Living day-to-day is scary
People sleeping in the street
Begging for a bite to eat
No shelter from the searing heat
And no one lends a hand
The haves and the have nots
Big shots and little snots
Can’t connect the daily dots
The struggle is very real
Defeat may whisper in your ear
“Enough’s enough, come here my dear”
Ignore the voice and don’t go near
Bend gently in the wind
Life can be a slippery slope
Don’t lose your faith or your hope
Hang on tight to that safety rope
You will rise above
NAR©2024
This is “Don’t Give Up” by Peter Gabriel
All text, graphics and videos are copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk and The Rhythm Section and are not to be used without permission. NAR©2017-present.
Displaced
Written for The Unicorn Challenge where we are
encouraged to write something creative in 250 words
or less, using the photo below as inspiration. Here’s my story.
Covered in filth and mange, the horde of dogs and cats that survived the hurricane were crammed into military vans. Those once long-haired canines with soft billowy fur now resembled stone creatures encased in a shell of thick crust. Scrawny, flea-ridden cats no longer purred contentedly but howled in fear. Muscular pit bulls were reduced to skeletons, the outlines of ribcages clearly visible in emaciated bodies.
The relentless rain caused the levees to burst, resulting in flooding; homeowners lost everything. Many scrambled to their roofs in a desperate attempt to save themselves while others tried swimming to safety. Those lucky enough to own a rowboat floated on the flood waters, dragging people into their boats along the way.
A state of emergency was declared; first responders worked ceaselessly. Overlong, the levees were rebuilt and people relocated.
Tragically, family pets were forgotten in the frenzy or deliberately left behind. When the waters subsided weeks later, they were found chained to fences and porch railings. Some had climbed up trees or hidden themselves away in the attics of abandoned houses. They were scared, starving, sick. Innumerable were dead.
Helpless, hopeless pets were brought to makeshift hospitals. With unbelievable patience, veterinarians treated every surviving animal, gently cutting away matted crusty fur, administering antibiotics and vaccines, providing food and water, bringing those nearly dead back to life. The doctors never rested; they desperately hoped to save more than they did but the struggle was too great. Too many innocents didn’t stand a chance.
NAR©2024
250 Words
Authors Note: True account of Hurricane Katrina, August 23-31, 2005, New Orleans, Louisiana.
This is “When The Levee Breaks” by Led Zeppelin
All text, graphics and videos are copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk and The Rhythm Section and are not to be used without permission. NAR©2017-present.
The Elephant's Trunk 