Weekend Writing Prompt – The Elephant's Trunk

Noble Spirit

June 29, 2024June 29, 2024 The Sicilian Storyteller

Written for Weekend Writing Prompt #370,
incorporating the word ‘pirate’ in a story of exactly 74 words.
Also for Thursday Inspiration #234 – ‘No Matter What/Nothing’,
What Do You See #242 (#WDYS) and Weekly Prompts –
The One-Day Prompt (3). Here is my story in exactly 74 words.

The fiery battle raged for days; in the end Evalyn, the Pirate Goddess, was victorious … but at what cost?

While fighting on deck, there was a sudden cannon retort followed by grapeshot finding its mark … Evalyn’s beautiful face. Her eyes were spared but she was disfigured.

That one day changed Evalyn into a stronger woman. For her, nothing else mattered.

Fashioning a mask of solid gold, she became Evalyn, the Noble Pirate.

NAR©2024
74 Words

Weekend Writing Prompt #370 – Pirate

Thursday Inspiration #234 No Matter What

What do you see # 242- June 24th

Weekly Prompts -The One-Day Prompt (3)

This is “Nothing Else Matters” by Metallica

Flash

Bad Medicine

June 25, 2024June 23, 2024 The Sicilian Storyteller

Written for Sammi’s Weekend Writing Prompt #369
where we are challenged to write something clever
in exactly 33 words using the word “spoonful”.

Identical medicine bottles was how my non-English speaking grandfather almost killed my grandmother.

Alone for 15 minutes resulted in administering a near-fatal spoonful of massaging oil of wintergreen instead of dextromethorphan for coughs.

NAR©2024
33 Words

Weekend Writing Prompt #369 – Spoonful

This is “Bad Medicine” by Bon Jovi

Flash

Inquiring Minds

June 19, 2024June 18, 2024 The Sicilian Storyteller

Written for Weekly Prompts Weekend Challenge
and Weekend Writing Prompt #368 where we are
asked to be creative in exactly 100 words incorporating
the prompt words “sleep” and “quaint”. This is my story.

We visited the Poe Cottage this week, former home of the poet Edgar Allan Poe. It’s about a 30 minute drive from my house and I thought my two teenage grandchildren would enjoy the walk-around since they’re both reading the works of Poe in school.

It’s a quaint old place with small bedrooms, a common kitchen-parlor-dining room downstairs and an upstairs loft. My 6’ tall grandson questioned how a grown man could sleep in the tiny bed.

At one point I realized my grandson had gone missing. Imagine my embarrassment when he was found napping in Poe’s bed!

Inquiring minds.

NAR©2024
100 Words

Weekend Writing Prompt #368 – Quaint

Weekly Prompts Weekend Challenge – Sleep

This is “I’m So Tired” by the Beatles

Flash

Love Happens

June 11, 2024June 9, 2024 The Sicilian Storyteller

Written for Weekend Writing Prompt #367 using the required
word “party” in exactly 88 words; Weekly Prompts Weekend Challenge,
with the required word “peak” and Weekly Prompts Wednesday
Challenge using the required word “sunset“. Here’s my flash.

Yesterday was our anniversary, wed 52 years. No party necessary.

None of our friends who married around the same time are still together. How sad is that?

People have asked “What’s the secret to a long and happy marriage?” For us it’s pretty simple: respect, communication, honesty, having a sense of humor.

When you combine those ingredients, love happens. You can manage the lows and celebrate the peaks, watch the dawns and the sunsets, walk hand-in-hand through the ordinary and make it extraordinary.

That’s us. Uncomplicated. Happy together.

NAR©2024
88 Words

Weekend Writing Prompt #367 – Party

Weekly Prompts Weekend Challenge – Peak

Weekly Prompts Wednesday Challenge – Sunset

This is “Happy Together” by the Turtles.

Flash

Check List

June 3, 2024June 3, 2024 The Sicilian Storyteller

Written for Sammi’s Weekend Writing Prompt #366
where we are to get creative using the word ‘Monday’
in exactly 25 words. Here are my 25 words.

Garbage out? ✓
Clean sheets? ✓
Toilets swished? ✓
Kitchen mopped? ✓
Pain Management appointment? ✓

Trigger point injections and back massage? ✓

Lather, rinse, repeat next week! ✓

Routine Monday maintenance. ✓

NAR©2024
25 Words

Weekend Writing Prompt #366 – Monday

This is “Yakety Yak” by the Coasters

All text, graphics and videos are copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk and The Rhythm Section and are not for use without permission which I usually give when asked. NAR©2017-present.

Flash

Fanning The Flames

May 26, 2024May 26, 2024 The Sicilian Storyteller

Written for Weekend Writing Prompt #365
and Weekly Prompts Wednesday Challenge.
Our write must be 61 words exactly and include
the words ‘pause’ and ‘heroism’. Here’s my flash.

**Cambridge American Cemetery and Memorial**
**Cambridge, England**

This weekend in the US we pause to honor all Americans who died in any war while serving in the US Armed Forces.

There have been 108 wars involving the US, including 11 major wars, 4 ongoing. That’s a lot of fighting, bloodshed, death, heroism.

If war is hell, why do we keep fanning the flames? When will we ever learn?

NAR©2024
61 words

Weekend Writing Prompt #365 – Pause

Weekly Prompts Wednesday Challenge – Heroism

This is “Where Have All The Flowers Gone” by the Kingston Trio

Flash

Pointless

May 22, 2024May 21, 2024 The Sicilian Storyteller

Written for Sammi’s Weekend Writing Prompt #364
where we are asked to be creative with the word
“squander” in exactly 11 words. Here is my creation.

Squander not your thoughts
on the predestined;
it is useless worry.

NAR©2024
11 Words

Weekend Writing Prompt #364 – Squander

This is “Why Worry” by Dire Straits.

Flash

More Time

May 13, 2024May 13, 2024 The Sicilian Storyteller

Written for Weekly Writing Prompt #363
where we are asked to write something in exactly
42 words, incorporating the word “cabinet”.
This is my story in 42 words.

When the landlord came calling for the rent, she pleaded for more time.

He refused and viciously slapped her across the face.

She fell against the cabinet and a rage grew in her like never before.

Grabbing the hidden gun, she turned.

NAR©2024
42 Words

Weekend Writing Prompt #363 – Cabinet

This is “The Landlord” [UNCENSORED]

Flash

Picture Perfect

May 8, 2024May 7, 2024 The Sicilian Storyteller

Written for Sammi’s Weekend Writing Prompt #361;
we are asked to get creative in exactly 57 words and
include the word “classic”. This is my response.

“Oh, baby, you gotta see her! She’s a real beauty!
What curves, what style!
And the color is perfect …. it’s called Marina Blue and the paint job is amazing!
Brand new dash, broad grille, quad headlights and a tail sporting a fan-shaped alcove on both side panels.
I’m telling you, honey …. this one’s a classic!”

NAR©2024
57 Words

Author’s Note: That’s what my husband sounded like when he called to tell me about his ‘new’ vintage car …. a 1958 Chevy Bel Air. That was back in 1969 and he was still my boyfriend at the time. He was crazy about that car and took such good care of it. After about 8 months, someone stole it right off his driveway; that was one of a handful of times I’ve seen my husband cry.

Weekend Writing Prompt #362 – Classic

This is “Movin’ Out (Anthony’s Song)” by Billy Joel

Flash

Demons And Wizards

April 28, 2024April 29, 2024 The Sicilian Storyteller

Written for Weekend Writing Prompt #361;
93 words exactly using the prompt word ‘pilgrimage’

A rare alternate album cover of Heep’s “Demons and Wizards”

It was the early 1970s and the four of us scored tickets to see Uriah Heep in Allentown, PA. It was the dog days of August … the kind of sun that blisters your skin in minutes … and the concert was outdoors. The drive was 3 hours each way in scorching temperatures but we were going to that concert come hell or high water. Allentown became our Mecca and the road trip our personal hard rock pilgrimage. The details of that day are a little sketchy but the concert was freakin’ awesome.

NAR©2024
93 Words

Weekend Writing Prompt #361 – Pilgrimage

This is “Easy Living” by Uriah Heep

© NAR – Uriah Heep, Allentown Fair Grounds, Aug. 26, 1973

Flash

Steady Eddie

April 21, 2024April 20, 2024 The Sicilian Storyteller

Written for
Mindlovemisery’s Menagerie Saturday Mix Story Starter,
Weekly Prompts Weekend Challenge ‘flow’
and
Weekend Writing Prompt #360 ‘expire’.

There was no way he was doing it. And that was that.

He was a creature of habit, never deviating from the norm.

Let the cat out at 7:00 every morning.

Thermostat set at a constant 68º.

Teeth cleaned every four months without fail.

Just as rivers flow downhill, his course was ever steady.

No goddamn way was he going to let his parking meter expire.

NAR©2024
66 Words
#StoryStarter

Story Starter – Saturday Mix, 20 April 2024

Weekend Writing Prompt #360 – Expire

Weekly Prompts Weekend Challenge – Flow

This is The Outsiders with “Time Won’t Let Me:

Haibun, Poem

April Showers: A Haibun

April 14, 2024April 14, 2024 The Sicilian Storyteller

Written for Weekend Writing Prompt #359 (tempest, 29 words)
Moonwashed Weekly Prompt (gilt-edged) and
Weekly Prompts Weekend Challenge (pointless)

It’s springtime! I love to see my flowers growing but sudden storms wreak havoc on defenseless, gilt-edged blossoms.

roses madly thrashed
spring’s wild tempest rains attack
my pointless garden

NAR©2024
29 Words

Weekend Writing Prompt #359 – Tempest

Moonwashed Weekly Prompt – Gilt-edged

Weekly Prompts Weekend Challenge – Pointless

This is “Dead Flowers” by the Rolling Stones – Totally Stripped

Flash

The Cruel Mother

April 8, 2024April 7, 2024 The Sicilian Storyteller

Written for Weekend Writing Prompt #358 ~ Superscript

Just like something out of the evening news.

Did the attractive young woman, a former nurse and mother of one toddler, actually feed her little boy bleach or was it just a dreadful accident?

How could any jury not believe the clean-faced white woman in the proper skirt and blouse as she tearfully recounted the events of that horrific morning?

But they did believe her and only the most perceptible viewer in the courtroom or the living room caught the slightest cold-blooded superscript curl of her top left lip.

NAR©2024
89 Words

Weekend Writing Prompt #358 – Superscript

This is Emily Smith with “The Cruel Mother”

Flash

Lovin’ From The Oven

March 31, 2024March 31, 2024 The Sicilian Storyteller

Written for Weekend Writing Prompt #357
using the word “temperature” in exactly 37 words.

Oven temperature set for 425ºF.

Brush turkey liberally with melted butter. Sprinkle with salt and drape bird with bacon strips. Place in oven and go watch the Macy’s Parade.

Return to heavenly, scrumptious golden-brown deliciousness.

Happy Easter!

NAR©2024
37 Words

Weekend Writing Prompt #357 – Temperature

This is “Easter Parade” by Frank Sinatra

Flash

Fire Dance

March 24, 2024March 24, 2024 The Sicilian Storyteller

Written for Story Starter – Saturday Mix and
Weekend Writing Prompt #356 –
prompt word ‘froward’ – 46 words exactly

In a fit of rage, she smashed her champagne glass on the marble floor and stared defiantly at him.

“I dare you!” she challenged, her breasts heaving.

How he adored this obstinate, froward redhead he’d married. He pulled her to him, hungrily kissing her swollen lips.

NAR©2024
46 Words

Story Starter – Saturday Mix, 23 March 2024

Weekend Writing Prompt #356 – Froward

This is “Fire Dance” by Rainbow

Flash

Catch Of The Day

March 17, 2024March 16, 2024 The Sicilian Storyteller

Sammi at Weekend Writing Prompt is challenging us to
get creative with the word “adventure” in exactly 76 words.
This is my response to that word challenge.

You ever have that feeling you get when you meet someone for the first time …. and you know?

That’s what happened to me when I first met Bill …. almost 56 years ago to the day. It was our first date, the dreaded blind date, but we had chemistry and we still do.

Sure, we’ve had our misunderstandings …. who hasn’t? …. but what an adventure our life has been.

He’s the fisherman but I caught a keeper!

NAR©2024
76 Words

Weekend Writing Prompt #355 – Adventure

Weekly Prompts Wednesday Challenge – Chemistry

Weekly Prompts Weekend Challenge – Misunderstanding

These are The Marvelettes and this is “Don’t Mess With Bill”

Flash, Poem

In The Dark

March 11, 2024March 9, 2024 The Sicilian Storyteller

A Dectina Refrain and a short poem
for Sammi’s Weekend Writing Prompt.
Word requirement is 65, prompt word is “tap”.

Tap
tapping
on my door.
Who can it be?
It’s too dark to see
but the noise just won’t stop.
I get up from the sofa
and tippy toe to the front door;
peek through the window but no one’s there.
Tap tapping on my door. Who can it be?

Noise from outside.
It’s too dark to see.
No place to hide.
Stop watching me!

Weekend Writing Prompt #354 – Tap

This is Billy Squier with “In The Dark”

Flash

Purification

March 3, 2024March 2, 2024 The Sicilian Storyteller

Not
a peep
did she make
in her white dress
receiving the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

NAR©2024
15 Words

Weekend Writing Prompt #353 – Spirit

Weekly Prompts Colour Challenge – White

This is Dalai Lama meditation, “Purification”

Flash

A Little Alone Time

February 26, 2024February 25, 2024 The Sicilian Storyteller

Sammi at Weekend Writing Prompt
has challenged us to write something clever
in exactly 91 words, using the word “intent”.
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 didn’t 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.

“Sid!” Angie scolded playfully. “A little privacy, please!”

NAR©2024
91 Words

Weekend Writing Prompt #352 – Intent

FOWC with Fandango — Privacy

Weekly Prompts Weekend Challenge – Expect

FOWC with Fandango — Lithe

Moonwashed Weekly Prompt – Bliss

This is Rufus Wainwright with “Alone Time”

Uncategorized

Here’s A Howdy-Do!

February 18, 2024February 17, 2024 The Sicilian Storyteller

Sammi at Weekend Writing Prompt is asking us to
write something original in exactly 38 words,
using the word “gregarious”. This is my response.

Look at that old skinflint!

He’s always been the cheapest, nastiest SOB in town.

Now he’s all chipper, greeting people with friendly smiles.

I’ve been wondering where this sudden gregarious attitude is coming from.

Two words: employee discount!

NAR©2024
38 Words

Weekend Writing Prompt #351 – Gregarious

This is Chris Cagle singing about that “Wal-Mart Parking Lot”

This portfolio (including text, graphics and videos) is copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk and The Rhythm Section and is not for use by anyone without permission. NAR © 2017-present.

Poem

In Denial

February 12, 2024February 12, 2024 The Sicilian Storyteller

Sammi at Weekend Writing Prompt has challenged us to write
creatively in exactly 60 words, incorporating the word ‘vapid’.
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

NAR©2024
60 words

Weekend Writing Prompt #350 – Vapid

FOWC with Fandango — Denial

Moonwashed Weekly Prompt – Hypnotic

Weekly Prompts Weekend Challenge – Desolate

FOWC with Fandango — Outskirts

This is “Fool On The Hill” by the Beatles

Dectina Refrain:
This refrain is written as follows:
1^st line – 1 syllable, 2^nd line – 2 syllables
3^rd line – 3 syllables, and so on for 9 lines;
the 10^th line is comprised of the first four lines
as one stand-alone line.

Uncategorized

From Eden

February 5, 2024February 5, 2024 The Sicilian Storyteller

Sammi at Weekend Writing Prompt has challenged us to write
a poem or prose of exactly 97 words, including the word ‘anfractuous’.
I’ve added a few other prompts I had laying around, namely from
FOWC with Fandango, Weekly Prompts Colour Challenge and
Weekly Prompts Wednesday Challenge. This is my 97-word story.

They lived in lush green perfection of ripe fruit and pristine water. When their misadventures and disobedience angered the Maker, they and their sons were cast out.

One son, a farmer, made an offering of paltry wheat; the Maker was displeased.

The other, a shepherd, offered his firstborn lamb, which pleased the Maker.

In a panic, the jealous farmer killed his brother.

Enraged and saddened, the Maker banished the murderer, condemning him to a life of endless wandering.

Anfractuous paths covered the land. The farmer roamed for years, until blindly falling from a cliff to his death.

Weekend Writing Prompt #349 – Anfractuous

Weekly Prompts Colour Challenge – Green

FOWC with Fandango — Roam

Weekly Prompts Wednesday Challenge – Misadventures

FOWC with Fandango — Panic

This is Hozier with “From Eden”

Flash

Jumping The Shark

January 28, 2024January 28, 2024 The Sicilian Storyteller

Two prompts today:
Weekend Writing Prompt and
Weekly Prompts Weekend Challenge ~
to include the words ‘bridge’ & ‘turmoil’,
all in 53 words. Here is my story.

There are certain lines that exist in society, even among the closest of friends, lines not meant to be crossed.

She not only crossed the line …. she hurtled the bridge and jumped the shark.

And why? She’s only human and carelessly, regrettably didn’t think things through; now her brain is in turmoil.

Weekly Prompts Weekend Challenge – Bridge.

Weekend Writing Prompt #348 – Turmoil

This is Billy Joel with “You’re Only Human”

Flash

Home Cooking

January 24, 2024January 23, 2024 The Sicilian Storyteller

Sammi at Weekend Writing Prompt
is challenging us with the word “note”;
in exactly 72 words, this is my response.

My mother was a terrific cook; her specialty was, of course, homemade Italian food – manicotti, arancini, etc.

She left me her ‘recipe book, which was really nothing more than scribbled notes. Her ‘detailed‘ cooking instructions read: “some cheese” and a “glass” of water.

I can remember the glass she used to add water to whatever she was cooking; it was an old Flintstones jelly jar.

How I wish I had that jar!

Weekend Writing Prompt #347 – Note

This is “Come On-A My House” by Louis Prima

Flash

High And Dry

January 22, 2024January 22, 2024 The Sicilian Storyteller

Sammi at Weekend Writing Prompt
is challenging us with the word “note”;
in exactly 72 words, this is my response.
🍸

After thirty minutes and two martinis I began feeling paranoid. It was painfully obvious, at least to me, that everyone who saw me sitting by the bar thought I was either an elegant call girl just past her prime or a lonesome, tedious housewife who had been stood up.

I became aware of someone approaching. I looked up expectantly, smiling; it was just the concierge. Whispering discreetly, he handed me a note.

Weekend Writing Prompt #347 – Note

This is “The Queen of the Blues”, Dinah Washington, with “Drinking Again”

Flash

Step Right Up

January 18, 2024January 18, 2024 The Sicilian Storyteller

Sammi at Weekend Writing Prompt
has challenged us to write a piece
of exactly 87 words, making sure to
include the prompt “appointment”.
This is my response to that challenge.

“Do you have an appointment?”

“An appointment? I didn’t even know I was coming!”

“Haha! You should have seen your face! You looked like you were gonna die!”

“Funny! You’re a regular Jerry Seinfeld!”

“Listen, toots! You barely made it up here so don’t push it. HE remembers everything!”

“Up here? So I made it? Oh, thank God!”

“You’ll get your chance.”

“Gatekeeper, can I put in a good word for a friend?”

“No saving seats.”

“Can I tell you her name?”

“No need. HE already knows.”

Weekend Writing Prompt #346 – Appointment

From the soundtrack of The Aviator this is Rufus Wainwright with “I’ll Build A Stairway To Paradise”

Poem

Finger Lickin’ Good

January 8, 2024January 12, 2024 The Sicilian Storyteller

This is my 45-word response to
Sammi’s Weekend Writing Prompt
incorporating the word “guide”.

Our guide,

he truly tried

to hide

from the cannibal tribe

but they circled wide

and would not be denied

eating our group fried

at the feast for chief’s bride.

We offered a bribe.

With whisky plied

they let it slide.

Bright side:

nobody died!

Weekend Writing Prompt #345 – Guide

This is Mark Knopfler with “Cannibals”

Flash

Dizzy Miss Lizzy

January 2, 2024January 12, 2024 The Sicilian Storyteller

It’s a hat trick!
Melissa’s Fandango Flash Fiction Challenge,
Fandango’s One Word Challenge and
Sammi’s Weekend Writing Prompt.
🎄 👓 😉

In my tree
winking at me.
Can you see?
No?
You need glasses!

Melissa’s Fandango Flash Fiction Challenge #248

FOWC with Fandango — Glasses

Weekend Writing Prompt #344 – Wink

This is “Dizzy Miss Lizzy” by the incredible Colt Clark and the Quarantine Kids. Of course it is!!

This portfolio (including text, graphics and videos) is copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk and The Rhythm Section and not for use by anyone without permission. NAR © 2017-present.

Flash

VERNAL EQUINOX

December 27, 2023December 27, 2023 The Sicilian Storyteller

As I sit here in my recliner looking out my bedroom window, wondering where Christmas has gone, I ask myself if I should venture out for my walk.

“It’s a bleak-looking day and awfully chilly. Stay inside where it’s warm and comfy.”

But then I remember that my wonky knee could use the exercise and time is fleeting. In just 83 days the beautiful blushing bride of nature will arrive and winter will be nothing but a distant memory.

This is Felix Mendelssohn’s “Spring Song, Op. 62 No. 6″

Weekend Writing Prompt #343 – Window

Flash

LIFE IS STRANGE

December 18, 2023December 18, 2023 The Sicilian Storyteller

This weekend our challenge was
to write a poem or a piece of prose
in exactly 21 words using the word “ocean”.
Here’s mine.

Life is strange.

I’ve lived years on
one continent
only to find a friend
across the ocean

who became
my sister.

Weekend Writing Prompt #342 – Ocean

This is Lucy and Ethel singing “Friendship”

And from the 1954 movie “White Christmas”, this is Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen singing “Sisters” (co-stars Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye).

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