Written for Sadje’s “What Do You See” #315
Here’s where the photo prompt took me.
Tag: What Do You See
Time Out
Written for Sadje’s What Do You See #314
and Esther’s Laughing Along With A
Limerick #257 using the word ‘snacks’.
Here’s where the photo prompts took me.
Silent Witness
Written for Sadje’s What Do You See #311.
Here’s where the photo prompts took me.
The Arrangement
Written for Sadje’s What Do You See #309.
Here’s where the photo prompt took me.
Alpine Nights
Written for Sadje’s What Do You See #307.
Here’s where the two photo prompts took me.
On Mulberry Street
Written for Sadje’s What Do You See #306.
Here’s where the photo prompt took me.
To Love And Be Loved
Written for Sadje’s What Do You See #305.
Here’s where the photo prompt took me.
Tomorrow Never Knows
Written for Sadje’s What Do You See #303.
Some of you have read this, originally written
several years ago as I recounted a true story
about events experienced by me in the hospital
after surgery. The hallucinations were
very real and I remember every detail.
Did You Know?
Written for Sadje’s What Do You See #297.
This is where my imagination took me.
Time Unfolds
Written for Sadje’s What Do You See #291
and Sue & Gerry’s Weekly Prompts –
The One Day Prompt (13) This is my response.
Muted Moments
Written for Muse On Monday,
where the theme is ‘lost in a fog’.
Also for Sadje’s “What Do You See?” –
#284 and the two corresponding photo
prompts shown below. This is my story.
Pitiful Picnic
Written for Esther’s Laughing Along
With A Limerick #226 using the word
grim’ and for Sadje’s What Do You See?
#283. The photo prompt shown below
is our inspiration. This is my limerick.
Up In Tall Trees
Written for Sadje’s What Do You See # 282
and Esther’s Laughing Along With A Limerick
with the inclusion of the word ‘chill’.
This is my limerick response.
Stuck
Sadje asks us What Do You See?
in the image below. This is my response.
Psalm 23 Redux ~ A Dectina Refrain
This is my response to Sadje’s
What Do You See #261 prompt.
Transformation: A Reverse Dectina
Written for Sadje’s What Do You See # 259.
This is my response … a Reverse Dectina.
To Kiss Your Lips: A Dectina Refrain
Written for Sadje’s What Do You See # 258,
this is my Dectina Refrain response.
Come,
my love,
lie with me
on the cool grass
beneath the pear tree,
Read love sonnets to me
till I grow warm with desire.
Now the wine has gone to my head
and I ache to feel your lips on mine.
Come, my love, lie with me on the cool grass
NAR©2024
#WDYS
This is “Shut Up and Kiss Me” by Mary Chapin Carpenter
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.
Love Lost
Written for Sadje’s What Do You See # 257,
this is my free verse response.
In the 58 years since my birth, we were never close … just one of those sadly unfulfilled relationships between mother and daughter.
If she ever loved me, she didn’t show it. And, God forgive me, I did not love her.
Yet here I was visiting her at the nursing home.
Why? Was I driven by misplaced guilt?
Was I still seeking her approval?
Invisible. That’s the only word that came to mind when my mother turned to look at me.
Her eyes were blank, her expression impassive.
And when she reached for my hand, I couldn’t stop my tears.
NAR©2024
#WDYS
This is “Mother” by John Lennon
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.
I’ve Given Up: A Dectina Refrain
Written for Sadje’s What Do You See #253
Out!
Go on!
Take your stuff
and hit the road.
You are not wanted
around here anymore.
You broke my heart with your lies.
I abhor the feel of your mouth.
My bed is not big enough for three!
Out! Go on! Take your stuff and hit the road.
NAR©2024
#WDYS
This is “Don’t Come Around Here No More” by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
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.
Noble Spirit
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
This is “Nothing Else Matters” by Metallica
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.
Forever Home
Sadje is asking us What Do You See – #241
Here is my response.
It’s 8AM at the humane society and all the residents are enjoying their freshly cleaned digs, and that means nice crisp newspapers lining the floor, just in case. Accidents happen, you know!
Today they’re in for a special treat; the papers are opened to the birth announcements page!
All the pups are besotted by the photo of a beautiful baby with big blue eyes. Sure looks like a playful and happy little tyke! They stare longingly at the baby’s photo, wistfully talking among themselves about the greatest thing that could happen to them, the one thing that would change their lonely doggie lives …. to be adopted and to find themselves in a new forever home with a special friend to play with and grow up with …. just like this little guy.
“It sure would be swell, wouldn’t it?” they ask each other, visions of blankets, chew toys and bouncy rubber balls swirling in their heads. “Maybe today will be our lucky day!”
At 9AM the humane society opens its doors to the public and a few families start streaming in. Most of the parents are being tugged by eager kids hoping to find a best friend to share their home and their lives. Everyone is optimistic and excited.
Today is a big day …. maybe it will be their lucky day!
NAR©2024
#WDYS
Shelter dogs react to being adopted. Don’t shop …. adopt!
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.
Nancy, Enchanted
Written for Sadje’s What Do You See #240
Come in, little one. You’ve nothing to fear from me. Don’t be shy now. Come away from the door where you are peeking and step inside. This is my enchanted place, my special magic space.
That’s it, child, one step at a time. Look around to your heart’s content. There’s nothing bad here. But I must caution you not to touch anything. The time will come for that and you must be patient.
Ah, I see you’ve noticed my book. It’s lovely, isn’t it? I don’t suppose you’ve ever seen one quite like it, have you? You have many questions, little one. They’re in you eyes, in the slight tilt of your head and the almost imperceptible upturn of your lips. It’s pleasing, is it not, this little book of mine?
It’s magic, you know. But then again, in the right hands, all books are magic. Yes it’s true. You hold the key, child. Not in your pocket or inside your shoe but in your mind and in your heart.
Come closer, child. Read from the book, listen to what it tells you. Enchanting, isn’t it? No need to touch, my dear. The pages will turn themselves.
I know what you’re thinking. Where can you get such a wondrous book? Am I right? I knew it! They’re all around you, child! Everywhere! But I have something special to share with you. Come close to hear my secret. Let me whisper in your ear.
My dear, not only can you read these beguiling pages. You can write them! Imagine the places you will visit, child.
There’s nothing to fear, little one. Simply step inside the blue bubble and all will become clear to you. That’s it, child. Step inside the magic land of books and dreams and amazing ideas. It’s a captivating place. Enchanting, isn’t it?
NAR©2024
#WDYS
Dedicated to my 7th grade teacher, Mrs. Romana Paschal, who encouraged me to write and whispered in my ear to reach for the all the dreams, little and big.
This is “Dream Weaver” by Gary Wright
All text, graphics and videos are copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk and The Rhythm Section and are not for use by anyone without permission. NAR©2017-present.
Feeling Mortal
Written for Six Sentence Story (“grain”)
and What Do You See #237
Why do I feel so pointless
As a broken vessel to be cast away;
My mark fades now on this true Earth
These eyes are turning from blue to gray.
Why do I feel so shattered
As a window looking far into the Sun;
My words sinking away to the shadows
These eyes beholding the kingdom come.
Why do I feel so useless
As a bag torn and spilling grain;
My mouth confiding forbidden secrets
These eyes downcast in shame.
Why do I feel so helpless
As a bird with a broken wing;
My heart becomes hollow and empty
These eyes searching for a soul to cling.
Why do I feel so unloved
As a beast of burden before the blade;
My hands are cut to the bone and bleeding
These eyes they close in a dream of shade.
Why do I feel so mortal
As a child who is born only to die;
My tongue it tastes the salt of the shore
These eyes have drowned in tears to cry.
NAR©2024
This is “Broken Wings” by Mr. Mister
All text, graphics and videos are copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk and The Rhythm Section and are not for use by anyone without permission. NAR©2017-present.
I’m Sorry: A Dectina Refrain
Written for Sadje’s What Do You See #232
I’m
sorry
for the things
I said and did.
There’s no greater pain
than brothers grown apart.
How I have prayed for this day
when we put our anger to rest
and cried “I love you, my dear brother”.
I’m sorry for the things I said and did.
NAR©2024
#WDYS
This is “I’m Sorry” by John Denver
Dectina Refrain:
This poem is written as follows:
1st line – 1 syllable, 2nd line – 2 syllables
3rd line – 3 syllables, and so on for 9 lines;
the 10th line is comprised of the first four lines
and is a stand-alone 10-syllable line.
All text, graphics and videos are 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.
Transgression
Written for Sadje’s “What Do You See” #230 – March 18, 2024
The young man, rail thin and incredibly tall, ran through the courtyard like a gangling, indelicate giraffe. One hand planted firmly on his head kept his cap from flying off …. a common occurrence .… while the other hand jutting out to his side performed the function of a human rudder keeping him on course. An over-large cowl flapped disobediently from one shoulder to the other. On his feet he wore simple sandals and his spindly legs took giant strides in an exaggerated attempt to keep them on his feet.
From a distance he could have easily been mistaken for an apoplectic ostrich.
A quick glance at the sun and the shadows cast by the stone columns confirmed what the young man already knew – he was late. Again. He quickened his pace, awkwardly darting between the pillars, and spied the grated entrance to his right. He flew toward it, nearly falling flat on his face onto the cobblestones beneath his feet.
The young man flung open the gate and quickly entered, hunching over to prevent his head from hitting the doorframe. He stood for a few seconds in the shadows to collect himself, then quietly opened the chapel door and slipped into the one empty space at the end of the stone bench.
None of his brothers dared acknowledge his late arrival but he knew he would be called to task for this transgression.
NAR©2024
NB: When I saw Sadje’s photo prompt, I was immediately reminded of The Cloisters in the Bronx, NY, an extension of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It’s a fascinating place which I have visited many times. To take a look inside The Met Cloisters, click here.
#WDYS
This is Gregorian Chant Music – “Monks of the Monastery”
All text, graphics and videos are 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.
KUKLA HUGS
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 daddy’s 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 “Grammy! Grampy! It’s your Kukla! I’m here!” ….
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 © 2023
This is Pentatonix with “The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year”
Please join us today
for a very special
holiday edition of
“Be Our Guest”.
https://rhythmsection.blog/
IT’S A JUNGLE OUT THERE
Today Sadje is asking us “What do you see?”
Here’s my take on this photo prompt.
“Hold it right there, Bitsy. Where are you going with Sissy’s lion?”
“I don’t wanna talk ‘bout it.”
“Ok, but it might make you feel better if you do.”
“Nuthin’s gonna make it better.”
“Nothing, eh? Well, that sounds like a mighty big problem.”
“It is, Grammy.”
“You know, big problems become small ones when you share them with someone.”
“Really?”
“Oh, sure! Why don’t you share your problem with me?”
“Mr. Lion’s ear came off.”
“I see. And you’re afraid Sissy will find out, right?”
“Right.”
“Can I take a look at Mr. Lion?”
“No. I don’t want you to.”
“Not even if I can fix his ear? Remember when I fixed your bunny’s tail?”
“I’m just gonna hide Mr. Lion.”
“Ok, that’s a good idea, Bitsy …. until Sissy comes home from school.”
“Sissy’s gonna be real sad.”
“I think you’re right about that, Bitsy.”
“Can you really fix him, Grammy?”
“Well, I won’t know until I take a look.”
“Ok, here.”
“Hmm. You know, I think I have this color thread in my sewing box.”
“You do?”
“I think so but I have a big problem, Bitsy. I have trouble seeing the eye of the needle to get it threaded. Can you help me?”
“I can do that!”
“Great! Mr. Lion will be good as new.”
“And Sissy won’t ever know!”
“Now just a minute, Bitsy. You still have to tell Sissy.”
“But why, Grammy?”
“Because you were playing with Sissy’s lion behind her back. That’s sneaky and not a good way to behave. You understand, Bitsy? It’s important.”
“I guess.”
“Ok. Let’s work on this together.”
“Grammy, can we have ice cream?”
“We sure can …. just as soon as Sissy gets home.”
NAR © 2023
What do you see # 212- 13 November, 2023
This is “It’s A Jungle Out There” by Randy Newman:
Please stop by
The Rhythm Section
today as we celebrate
Birthday Thursdays.
There will be ice cream!
🍨
https://rhythmsection.blog/
BARREN FIELDS
I’m writing this letter to you, Mother, knowing it will never be sent; you’re gone now so there is no one to send it to but still, some words needed to be said.
We scattered your ashes by that old tree that stands alone in a barren field, the tree you always compared yourself to whenever we drove by; how many times did I have to hear you make a comment about that damn tree?
It was rough growing up thinking I was unloved by you and there were times I hated you for that; for years I thought it was something I had done but now realize it was something you couldn’t do – let your guard down and your emotions out and show me a mother’s love.
My teen years were the turning point for me because I got out of the house and freed myself of the strange power you had over me; how I resented you and your aloofness …. so many years wasted …. and now as I look back, I feel sorry for you because you chose to keep yourself deeply rooted behind the walls you built.
I remember once overhearing a fight you had with Dad, an argument about how it was – as you put it – ‘unmanly’ of him to dote over me; that was the only time I saw Dad get angry, shouting at you that he had to shower me with the love of two parents because you were unable or unwilling to express your love.
Well, Mother, I’m happy to say I have a warm and loving family, I’m nothing like you and I will not spend my life wondering how things could have been different if you had torn down those walls you hid behind; now you’re gone, your ashes cast into the wind, and I will be the one who will rest peacefully.
NAR © 2023
This is an AI Midjourney version of the song “Barren Field”:
IN TRANSIT
Bob was having a bad day.
“Great! Just great! First I drop my phone in the toilet; now I can’t find my Magellan! Where is that dang GPS? I coulda sworn I put it in the glove box a couple of years ago. This aughta be fun, trying to figure out how to get to my sales meeting without directions. Lemme take another look.
Nope, it’s not in here but there’s my jumper cables. Thought I lost them the time my engine died on me the night of the office Christmas party. Hot damn, that was a wild shindig! Who woulda guessed Uptight Tina from R&D could be such a temptress?
Let’s see what we got here … napkins, ketchup packets, pencils, pencils, more pencils, a menu from Panda Pavilion, a roach clip. No GPS. Now hold on just a second. What’s this? Oh man, do my eyes deceive me? A cassette tape! Right on!! Ah, that explains all the pencils! Oh man, from the days when music was good.
Hmm, looks like one of my old homemade jobs. I wonder what’s on it … writing’s all smudged so could be anything. Well, I’m good and lost but at least I’ll have some company on the road. I’m just gonna slip this baby in and see what develops.
🎶🎶 🎸 🎶🎶
Far out!! ‘Free Bird’!!”
NAR © 2023
GOING FOR FIVE
Her parents were good people; they were just too damn young to be raising a family. They didn’t do anything wrong unless you call falling in love wrong. Should they have had unsafe sex? Of course not, but listen – we’ve all gotten caught up in the heat of the moment for many reasons. Their passion resulted in an unwanted pregnancy.
For two 14 year old kids, they made a very mature decision: they put their baby girl up for adoption. They could have chosen any other avenue but they chose the right one for them and their daughter. There are so many good options available to pregnant girls and women who are not ready, not willing, not able to keep their babies. Then there are also illegal abortion mills with doctors willing to rip a fetus from the mother’s womb for a price. How do those people sleep at night?
My husband and I weren’t looking for another child; we already had three, all strawberry blondes with dove-like skin and blue eyes. Just like us. It was my sister who wanted to adopt. Desperately. When she got the call, she wept for joy … until she learned Zoe was black and not a newborn but three years old. My sister said no. Flat refusal. I couldn’t believe this was the girl I grew up with. What happened to her open mind and arms, her loving heart. They’re still there but only for babies that look like mine.
Zoe hid behind the skirt of the lady at the adoption center. When I kneeled down and opened my arms, she looked at me very tentatively. I smiled, nodded my head and she took off like a little rabbit running straight into my arms. And we hugged like our lives depended on it; in a way, they did.
She is our daughter now and the fit was seamless, like those lovely Russian nesting dolls. Our biological children love Zoe and she loves them. And us. We’re crazy about all our kids and wonder why we didn’t do this sooner. Zoe is our fourth daughter; we already decided we’re going for five.
One very large bedroom with three sets of bunk beds. It’s messy and noisy and all over the place but it’s a happy, beautiful thing.
NAR © 2023
#WDYS
Won’t you join me today
for another round of
Name That Tune?
It’s a good one!
https://rhythmsection.blog/
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