π Nancy is a storyteller, music blogger, humorist, poet, curveballer, noir dreamer π
MUSINGS
Written for Eugiβs Moonwashed
Weekly Prompt, incorporating
her lines βlife in a fairytale worldβ,
βcotton candy cloudsβ, βsafe harbor
and βreset optionalβ. Image courtesy
of Mike Jackson @ Only Murders In My
Mind Weekly Writing Prompt. This is my take.
Written for Eugiβs Moonwashed
Weekly Prompt, incorporating
“appeal intertwined” and “natureβs
grasp of beauty”. This is my haiku.
Written for Eugiβs Moonwashed
Weekly Prompt, incorporating
βgentle dewβ and βnatureβs beautyβ.
This is my response, a haiku.
Written for Eugiβs Moonwashed Weekly
Prompt, incorporating βforests cloakedβ,
βundisclosedβ and βpurple hazeβ.
This is my response, an etheree.
Written for Eugiβs Moonwashed Weekly
Prompt, incorporating βfanciful schemesβ
and βnever one and doneβ. This is my response.
Written for Eugiβs Moonwashed Weekly Prompt,
incorporating βlet life peakβ and βtranscend
limitationsβ. This is my response.
Written for Eugiβs Moonwashed Weekly Prompt,
I have chosen her prompt βreach for infinityβ.
Written for Eugiβs Moonwashed Weekly Prompts.
Inspirations appear below. This is my Dectina Refrain.
Written for Eugiβs Moonwashed Weekly Prompts.
Prompt words appear below.
This is my reverse etheree.
Written today for Eugiβs Moonwashed Weekly Prompt.
The theme I’ve chosen is ‘simplicity summoned’.
This is my tanka.
Written for Sammiβs Weekend Writing Prompt #401
using the word βquagmireβ and Eugiβs Moonwashed
Weekly Prompt with the required word βdrizzlyβ.
In exactly 63 words, this is my story.
Written today for Eugiβs Moonwashed Weekly Prompt
where our inspiration word is βtangleβ. This is my Dectina.
Written for Kevinβs No Theme Thursday 10.24.24,
Fandangoβs Story Starter #172 (#FSS), Eugiβs
Moonwashed Weekly Prompt (pretend), and
Gerry C & Sue Wβs Weekly Prompts Wednesday
Challenge (fascination). This is my story.
Written for Di’s Three Things Challenge #M849 and
Eugi’s Moonwashed Weekly Prompt; this is my story.
Joe did it again.
This morning he found himself in the elevator with his boss; they were chatting amiably about the baseball post-season games. Joeβs boss was impressed (and a bit jealous) to learn that Joe had a home theatre set up in his rec room with a 96β Samsung smart TV.
Before he could stop himself, Joe invited his boss over for dinner, a little billiards and the baseball game that night β¦ without first checking in with his wife, Amy. This was not the first time Joe invited someone over without asking Amy; true, they were his friends and Amy didnβt mind because they just ordered pizza and played pool. But this was his boss and Joe was expecting Amy to cook a nice meal. And it was already 3:30 PM!
Joe sent Amy a text (because he was too chicken to call her in person!): βHey, babe! Boss coming to dinner. Big opportunity for me! Donβt care what you have to do, just make me proud. Luv ya.β
Amy stared at her phone in disbelief. A thousand thoughts raced through her head. Wishing to avoid an unpleasant conversation, she answered Joe’s text with a simple “OK” but her blood was boiling.
Two hours later when Joe and his boss opened the front door, they were greeted with the most mouthwatering aromas coming from the kitchen. Joe looked around in awe at his sparkling house and the beautifully set dining room table. Amy greeted them, all smiles and looking lovely.
βBabe!β Joe whispered breathlessly. βThe place looks fabulous and dinner smells amazing. Howβd you do all this?β
Amy blushed sweetly and whispered backΒ βIt wasnβt so hard, honey. I just hired Minute Maid Cleaners, a personal chef and a waiter.β
βYou did what?? We couldn’t possibly afford all that!β Joe barked.
βSure we could, honeyβ Amy laughed, βafter I sold the pool table and the TV.β
NARΒ©2024
Prompt words βmaidβ, βwaiterβ and βcleanerβ for Di
and βblushedβ for Eugi.
From the era of the caveman, this is βWives and Loversβ by Jack Jones
All text, graphics and videos are copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephantβs Trunk and The Rhythm Section and are not to be used without permission. NARΒ©2017-present.
Written for Ronovan Writes Ovi Poetry Challenge #55
where βjoyβ is our inspiration and for Moonwashed Weekly
Prompt of βfeathery bluesβ. This is my ovi poem.
Gardening is my source of joy
I talk to plants and they act coy
But then sprout like a teenage boy
Theyβre the center of attention
I have some lovely blue heather
Blossoms airy like a feather
Changeable as the weather
From baby blue to electric
My plants donβt ask much of me
Tender care I give willingly
And the best part is itβs free
Just a little of my time
I would like to be a plant
One to delight and enchant
Like a painting by Rembrandt
Sitting on a piano.
NARΒ©2024
This is “Love Is Blue” by Paul Mauriat
All text, graphics and videos are copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephantβs Trunk and The Rhythm Section and are not to be used without permission. NARΒ©2017-present.
Written for Moonwashed Weekly Prompt (“hope for”)
and Weekly Prompts Wednesday Challenge (“impatience).
Here is my Dectina Refrain followed by a Haiku.
Fret,
Worry,
Useless fears
Swirl in our brains
Dance of impatience
When all we should hope for
Is a peaceful mind and heart
Every day is its own journey
Our destination is preordained
Fret, worry, useless fears swirl in our brains
The journey is short
No time for useless worry
Be still, let in calm
NARΒ©2024
Dectina Refrain:
This refrain is written as follows:
1stΒ line β 1 syllable, 2ndΒ line β 2 syllables
3rdΒ line β 3 syllables, and so on for 9 lines;
the 10thΒ line is comprised of the first four lines
as one stand-alone line.
This is the extraordinary βBridge Over Troubled Waterβ by Simon and Garfunkel
All text, graphics and videos are copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephantβs Trunk and The Rhythm Section and are not to be used without permission. NARΒ©2017-present.
Written for Eugiβs Moonwashed Weekly Prompt – ‘Summery’
Gold
petals
amid the
lace of purple
lavender whimsy
dabble the lush spring grass
while the sunβs resplendent rays
herald the start of summer days
as birds and bees and bugs gently laze
Gold petals amid the lace of purple
as birds and bees and bugs gently laze
herald the start of summer days
while the sun’s resplendent rays
dabble the lush spring grass
lavender whimsy
lace of purple
amid the
petals
gold
NARΒ©2024
This is “A Summer Song” by Chad and Jeremy
A Reverse Dectina Refrain is written as follows: 1st line is 1 syllable, 2nd line is 2 syllables, 3rd line is 3 syllables, and so on for 9 lines; the 10th line is comprised of the first four lines as one stand-alone thought. Repeat in reverse starting with line 9. Rhyming is optional.
All text, graphics and videos are copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephantβs Trunk and The Rhythm Section and are not for use by anyone without permission. NARΒ©2017-present.
Written for Mindlovemiseryβs Menagerie Photo Challenge #513,
Weekly Prompts Colour Challenge (orange), Moonwashed Weekly
Prompt (hazy moon) & Weekly Prompts Wednesday Challenge (regret)
I was lost, a bit frightened and filled with regret for not making a note of the address. A hazy moon began to make her appearance in the evening sky, leaving the tiny Palermo street awash in a warm orange glow. Squinting in the darkness, I saw what appeared to be a tunnel at the end of the street; there was no way I was going to walk into the black unknown. Slowly I inched closer and discovered the tunnel was actually a stairway. Just as I quickened my pace, an arm shot out of a hidden doorway and pulled me inside, pinning me against a wall. A deep voice I knew intimately whispered in honeyed Sicilian tones “PicchΓ¬ ci haiu misu tantu tempu, amuri miu? Ti vogghiu beni!”ΒΊ Passionate kisses drifted down my neck. Breathless, I murmured “I’m here now, my love. Show me.”
Kiss me now, my love,
In the warm glow of the moon
You possess my heart
NARΒ©2024
ΒΊ“What took you so long, my love? I am burning for you.β
This is the Flamingos with βI Only Have Eyes For Youβ
All text, graphics and videos are copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephantβs Trunk and The Rhythm Section and is not for use by anyone without permission. NARΒ©2017-present.
Written for Weekend Writing Prompt #359 (tempest, 29 words)
Moonwashed Weekly Prompt (gilt-edged) and
Weekly Prompts Weekend Challenge (pointless)
Itβs springtime! I love to see my flowers growing but sudden storms wreak havoc on defenseless, gilt-edged blossoms.
roses madly thrashed
springβs wild tempest rains attack
my pointless garden
NARΒ©2024
29 Words
This is “Dead Flowers” by the Rolling Stones – Totally Stripped
All text, graphics and videos are copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephantβs Trunk and The Rhythm Section and is not for use by anyone without permission. NARΒ©2017-present.
Written for Eugiβs Moonwashed Weekly Prompt ~ Star-flecked
It seems I rarely think of the moon; sheβs just there, suspended in the sky in some kind of pretentious orbit around the earth. Unlike the sun with his blistering summer rays that our mothers warned us about, the moonβs ambient glow is somehow taken for granted. Iβm sure the moon is a she. We are inextricably linked, la luna and me, and I know she forgives me for not paying my respects more often. But she is present in the most unassuming of ways. It happens silently, softly in the very early hours of a new day as her lunar aura pirouettes across my lashes. My eyelids quiver open to see her peeking from behind the tree branches sprawled across the blue-grey sky. And I watch through smiling, star-flecked eyes as she gracefully disappears into the shadows.
mellow morning moon
quietly you slip away
into the stillness
NARΒ©2024
This is the delightful Cat Stevens with βMoon Shadowβ
All text, graphics and videos are copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephantβs Trunk and The Rhythm Section and is not for use by anyone without permission. NARΒ©2017-present.
Sammi at Weekend Writing Prompt
has challenged us to write something clever
in exactly 91 words, using the word βintentβ.
This is my response in exactly 91 words.
Angie eased into the bathtub.
Her once lithe and graceful body had been rebelling for a while; now it had declared mutiny.
She didnβt expect to have free time today so this moment of solitude was bliss.
Angie barely had time to relax when she heard the persistent nudging on the door; a black paw soon found its way into the narrow opening.
Sidney, the cat.
He was intent on getting into the bathroom to see what Angie was up to without him.
βSid!β Angie scolded playfully. βA little privacy, please!β
NARΒ©2024
91 Words
This is Rufus Wainwright with βAlone Timeβ
All text, graphics and videos) is copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephantβs Trunk and The Rhythm Section and is not for use by anyone without permission. NAR Β© 2017-present.
Sammi at Weekend Writing Prompt has challenged us to write
creatively in exactly 60 words, incorporating the word βvapidβ.
Using a few other prompt words, here is my 60-word response
in the form of a Dectina Refrain and a Haiku Duet.
Old
man with
vapid thoughts
and empty eyes
lives in denial;
puppeteers pulling strings
feeding hypnotic untruths
into flaccid, desolate brain
on the outskirts of insanity.
Old man with vapid thoughts and empty eyes
Gray, grayer smoke
above the clouds in the sky
no light shining brightly
Brown dying trees
dried leaves lay at the roots
no buds tacitly emerging
NARΒ©2024
60 words
This is βFool On The Hillβ by the Beatles
Dectina Refrain:
This refrain is written as follows:
1st line β 1 syllable, 2nd line β 2 syllables
3rd line β 3 syllables, and so on for 9 lines;
the 10th line is comprised of the first four lines
as one stand-alone line.
This portfolio (including text, graphics and videos) is copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephantβs Trunk and The Rhythm Section and is not for use by anyone without permission. NAR Β© 2017-present.
An oldie from 2017, revamped to
include several word prompts from
FOWC with Fandango,
Moonwashed Weekly Prompt and
Weekly Prompts Weekend Challenge.
Hard boiled egg whites, cottage cheese, skim milk. Day 1. Brian sighed.
Boiled rice, a mozzarella slice, lactose-free milk. Day 2. Brian cried.
Yogurt, tofu, almond milk. Day 3. Brian died …. just a little.
What a drag.
After receiving the diagnosis “ULCER”, Brian’s wife Ali had been lovingly, carefully packing his lunches. He checked the contents of his bento box: plain broiled cod, boiled cauliflower and coconut milk. βThis must be her White Periodβ,Β he thought, wistfully.Β
Sensitive and embarrassed coworkers averted their eyes as they passed Brianβs cubicle on their way to lunch. Gone were the cheerful calls βCβmon, Brian! Weβre going to Smokinβ Joeβs Hot Wings for lunch!β or βSalsa and nachos in the hospitality room, guys!β Oh, the humanity!
Brianβs computer pinged. It was an email from Ali: βHi, hon. Hope youβre having a great day. Did you find the Maalox I put in your backpack? Weβre having something special for dinner tonight …. poached chicken, brown rice and garbanzo beans …. hope youβre hungry! Love ya, babe! xoβ
βAh, Aliβs Beige Period.β Brian stared blankly at the computer screen. βI wonder how many beige foods there are …. oatmeal, boiled potatoes, matzoh….β
How long could he continue at this rate?
Depressed, fatigued and hungry, Brian put his head in his hands; a solitary tear fell through his fingers onto his khakis. Slowly the wet spot morphed into the shape of a slice of pizza. βWhat the …. ?!β Incredulous, Brian blinked and wiped his eyes. βWhatβs happening to me?!β Images of devilish, cramp-inducing, bowel-seizing delicacies danced βround his head …. jalapeΓ±o poppers, tacos, barbecued ribs.
The dreaded hunger hallucinations! Sweating, Brian texted Ali. βBabe. Last minute meeting with the deputy mayor. Sorry, Iβm gonna miss dinner. Love ya!β
Brian lied.
Grabbing the bottle of Maalox and a Smokin‘ Joe’s menu from his desk drawer, Brian bolted from his cubicle, giddy as a school girl at her first dance.
βOutta my way, boys, outta my way!!β
Brian knew he was taking a big chance but he just didn’t care. He was starving, dammit! And out he ran, laughing and joyfully shouting, “JalapeΓ±o-effing-poppers, baby!!”
NAR Β© 2024
Doing a great parody of Michael Jackson’s “Beat It”, this is “Weird Al” Yankovic with “Eat It”
This portfolio (including text, graphics and videos) is copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephantβs Trunk and The Rhythm Section and is not for use by anyone without permission. NAR Β© 2017-present.
Today Sadje is asking us
“What do you see?“
Using her image along with
Eugi’s word prompt “boundless”
and Fandango’s word prompt “back”,
this is my response.
I stand at the doorway and watch
as she stretches her legs from her car seat
in the back of her daddyβs car,
grunting with that Little Engine That Could determination
until her fur-trimmed black ankle boots finally reach the curb.
With the boundless spirit of a 3 year old,
she runs up the path to our front door,
stops for a second to wave at our North Pole decorations,
and gaily calls out βGrammy! Grampy! Itβs your Kukla! I’m here!” β¦.
my nickname for our youngest granddaughter, Colette.
She flings herself into my arms
and we share a big warm Kukla Hug.
Her hugs are the best and I don’t want to let go.
Eyes smiling, she excitedly tells me
she saw Santa and the elves outside
and asks if we can bake Christmas cookies today.
Every day with her really is
the most wonderful time of the year.
NAR Β© 2023
This is Pentatonix with βThe Most Wonderful Time Of The Yearβ
Please join us today
for a very special
holiday edition of
“Be Our Guest”.
https://rhythmsection.blog/
Today she would find out if her entire life was a lie.
βWhere to, Mrs. Carmichael? Shall I call for your car?β asked her ever-attentive doorman, Harold.
βNot today, thank you. Just walking up to Brooks Brothers to buy an anniversary present for my husband. Itβs our 15th.β She remembered she also needed to make a stop at her psychologistβs office.
βCongratulations, Mrs. C! You have yourself a nice day.β
Claire Carmichael smiled at Harold and walked the short distance to her therapistβs office on Earl Street. Ringing Dr. Brinkβs doorbell, she waited for his ubiquitous snobbish greeting of βEnter!β
βWelcome, Claire. Last time you were here we discussed your suspicions that Jeremy was having an affair. Why donβt we pick up from there?β he suggested.
Clearing her throat and adjusting her skirt, she began. βIβm no longer convinced Jeremyβs cheating on me. Iβm not saying that heβs never had affairs but something is different. Things have changed between us. Theyβre better. Jeremyβs calmer, more attentive, grounded. Heβs home every night by 6:00 and we enjoy our weekends together. No more overnight, out-of-town business trips and Iβm actually happy for the first time in years.β
βInterestingβ Dr. Brink acknowledged. βAnd to what do you attribute this change in Jeremyβs character?β
βWe had a long talk the other night and it wasn’t easy for Jeremy. He confided in me that heβs been having panic attacks for quite some time. He finally started seeing a psychiatrist whoβs helping him tremendously. Heβs on medication and takes an early lunch twice a week to see his doctor.β
βAnd you believe him?β
βI doβ Claire replied, uncomfortable with her therapist’s skepticism. And she did believe Jeremy; his explanation was credible and heartfelt.
βDid Jeremy happen to mention his psychiatristβs name?β
Feeling rather nonplussed she replied βNo, he didnβt and I didnβt ask. That would be prying β information I didn’t need to know. Now I really must get going. Itβs our wedding anniversary and I have errands to run.β
βGood luck, Claire. Ever vigilant!β he called after her.
When Claire stepped outside there was a chill in the air; the sky was mottled and gray. That session unnerved her and she lingered for a while smoking a cigarette wondering what Dr. Brink meant when he said βEver vigilant.β Muttering βshrinks!β, she wrapped her coat tightly around herself and quickly walked to Brooks Brothers. She chose a pair of monogrammed cuff links; they were elegant and ridiculously expensive but Claire wanted Jeremy to know how proud she was of him.
Leaving the store Claire decided to go across the street to their favorite French restaurant and arrange for a special anniversary dinner to be delivered to their apartment. Looking up Claire’s heart skipped a beat and she felt dizzy.
Exiting the restaurant was Jeremy, his arm around a captivating young woman. They were laughing, embracing and kissing as they walked.
Stunned, Claire threw the box from Brooks Brothers into a trash can and hailed a taxi.
βWhere to, your highness?βΒ The driver was uncouth with a big mouth, both physically and metaphorically. He chomped noisily on a cigar and Claire could smell his disgusting breath from the back seat. But he probably never cheated on his wife, she thought, acrid bitterness stinging the back of her throat.Β
βJust driveβ was all she said; the cabbie smiled greedily as he flipped the meter.
NAR Β© 2023
This is Nancy Wilson singing “Guess Who I Saw Today”.
Owl watches on high
Cowl hooded toadstools
Lark sounds his shrill chirp
Dark thoughts are dispelled
Magic home aglow
Tragic tales be gone
Cobbled pathway smooth
Hobbled gnomes seek rest
Stone bridge subtle curves
Lone frog soundly croaks
Lamp light leads the way
Damp mist fills the air
Safe warm rooms inside
Waif and stray embrace
Fog caresses trees
Log blazes on hearth
Fear naught in these woods
Hear the babbling brook
Soft surroundings drift
Oft autumnal nights
Cowl hooded toadstools
Owl watches on high
NAR Β© 2023
It was inevitable.
After months of being in cramped quarters with the 7 dwarfs, Snow White and Doc started having feelings for each other.
It all began when Snow White developed backaches from stooping to get through the front door and hunching over whenever inside the house. She even had to curtail dancing with the dwarfs at their weekly hoedowns, Βsomething they all enjoyed.
There wasnβt enough room in the dwarf’s bedroom for any more beds, especially one large enough for Snow White, so she continued sleeping on all seven dwarf beds pushed together while the little men found places to spend the night downstairs. It was not ideal, however, and soon Snow White started complaining of pains in her neck, too.
Doc began to treat Snow Whiteβs aching back and neck with warm compresses, deep massage and ice packs which Dopey gleefully retrieved for Doc whenever he requested them.
All the dwarfs had a deep affection for Snow White and she felt the same way about them but the more time she spent with Doc, the more their feelings became harder to ignore … and resist. Soon their relationship was obvious to the others.
Docβs twice-daily massages were a relief and Snow White looked forward to them. She began to yearn for the feel of Docβs small but mighty hands on her body. Doc, too, tingled with delight whenever his hands came in contact with her soft skin.
Snow White and Doc started spending more and more time together; chores went undone and Doc rarely spent time with the guys like he used to. One night none of the other six little guys got any sleep because the sounds of pleasure emanating from upstairs kept them awake. Thatβs when they decided to take action. As much as Grumpy, Happy, Sleepy, Sneezy, Bashful and Dopey all loved Doc and Snow White, the time had come for the paramours to move out. Besides, the dwarfs wanted their beds back.
Grumpy, as the unofficial leader of the pack now that Doc was otherwise occupied, met with a group of forest friends who ran the real estate business βGnome Sweet Gnomeβ. He explained the delicate situation to the gnomes and they set out immediately to find the right house for Doc and Snow White.
When Rumpelstiltskinβs little cottage went on the market after he was banished from the forest, the gnomes quickly acquired it and put the good fairies Flora, Fauna and Merryweather to work sprucing up the place with their special magic touch. In no time the romantic hideaway was ready for Snow White and Doc; they bid farewell to the 6 dwarfs and took up residence in their very own love shack.
And there they lived happily but not ever after as Snow Whiteβs eye caught a glimpse of the handsome stranger on a white horse and he was just her size. π
NAR Β© 2023
The Elephant's Trunk 