Saturday 31 July 2010

Let him without sin…

Drug rap priest


As the choir sings Soul of My Saviour, I am handed a blurred photo that shows, through a gap in the curtains, a face, dappled by stained-glass colours, and a hand, cupping smarties like drugs.  With a shock. I realised it is Father Thomas, clearly singing from the wrong hymnsheet.

Random Word: Ignominious



 


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Six Word Saturday#20

Describing your Saturday life on Show My Face at the moment of writing in a phrase using just six words.

Rosie

Up at dawn because of dog**

** Rosie sleeps in the bedroom (long story) and in summer wakes me up at daybreak for reassurance that she isn’t alone. Funnily, never my wife who can sleep through an earthquake sleeps soundly. I, if I have had at least 5 hours sleep, is then very awake. For I’m that annoying guy from the hotel or camp who is chatty, smiley, full of get and go while you struggle to sip coffee and the world is in slow motion cotton wool for at least three more hours. So walk the dog says you (or tackle that garden you moaned about last week – please no need to turn abusive). I would walk her but then she goes back to sleep and gives me the ‘Why are you disturbing me look’, if I even venture to say walkies. So at 5.30am it’s catch up on the news, surf the net, do some writing and drink tea until someone surfaces. Given it’s nearly 9.am the solitude may end soon, honest. But 6WS on Show My Face isn’t even up yet. Sigh, it’s another cup of tea then.


Friday 30 July 2010

What bit of NO is unclear?

Gagged

 

 

He wrote,‘My singing is like birds at dawn, my old mum said, but here on stage again, I’ll be even better once you’ve taken the gag off.#vss

 

 

 

Random Word:Weltanschauung


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‘Let air keep you bare’ – gravityless crockery at it’s best

 

 Visit Mr.Knowitall to post your own 55 word story or poem!

Atarian

 

‘Oops’

Captain Har grabbed at the rising berrysmoothie but it broke into balls heading towards the Ambassador. Ambassador Zawrl twitched, never a good sign in an Atarian. Feck gravityless crockery, Har thought, as he shouted, ‘Pucker up and suck the fruit.’

Historians claim that the subsequent mistranslation was the cause of the Atarian Cold War.

 

Random Word: Smoothies


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Thursday 29 July 2010

A kind of loving

Teenage angst
You see I fancied her,
with her long legs
and went to talk
she wouldn’t,
and I couldn’t
so I didn’t

I asked a mate
our Tom
to put a word in
but he wouldn’t
and I couldn’t
so I didn’t

In the end
it was  Peggy
who loved a lot
so she would
and I could
so I did.


Random Word: At Last


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Harlots are Satan’s daughters waiting for the touch of love

Tarts and Vicars

 

 

 

Preacher Brio struggled down the cliff footpath. In London he saved fallen women. Here, he looked forward to the maid he was about to fell.

 

 

 

 

Random Word:Turpitude


Wednesday 28 July 2010

Wortharead Wednesday #12

These are the Twitter (#vss) stories that caught my eye this week. Click on the link by the image if you want to visit the story site. Or on the date stamp to go direct to the story.

Gaye Beargardenbuddha

As a child, he thought he could grab hold of the stars, they looked so small. As a man, he made the same mistake with women. #vss #theprompt

5:47 AM Jul 23rd via web


Simon KewinSimonKewin

The zombie slouched into the Space Bar. ‘Yes?’ asked the bar-droid. The zombie looked round, confused. ‘Sorry,’ it said. ‘Wrong genre.’ #vss

12:31 PM Jul 23rd via Google


AnkeAnke

Arson got tired of having to explain that his mother liked Orson Scott Card, and had thought "creative spellings" were a good idea. #vss

1:12 PM Jul 23rd via web


Guy Randallgrandall_93

'I think we are all ignoring the elephant in the room' he said. Everyone looked around and there it was, hiding in the corner. #vss

Sun Jul 25 2010 20:06:22 (GMT Daylight Time) via web


Before mobile phones

Telphone Flood

 
 
‘Hello, hello is that the rescue folk? It’s Alfonso up Cliff farm, the one…well by the cliff. You can’t miss it, as you hit beach if you do. It’s Buttercup, she’s horned the water pipes. I’m standing on her now for’t call. You what? I don’t see owt funny.’

Random Word: OnStar 
 
 


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Tuesday 27 July 2010

A Summer’s walk

walking


 

leaves flutter
to curl crisp yellow
for my feet
to whisper through
as the breeze cools

 

 

 

 

Random Word: Walkies


The tide is out and the moon is down

Bored Couple

Image Maker: Annemiek van der Kuil

to him,
the ticking clock,
black and ivory faced
from IKEA,
said work was slow

to her,
it said a wasted life,
he put food on the table,
and starved her in bed

she wanted
the splash of an ocean wave
and for him to build a boat
but the clock
ticked on

Random Word: They belong together


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Monday 26 July 2010

To the future, and dreams that sleep on

Ghost town

They sat avoiding each other. Finally, the silence broke. He said,’ I’ve a ticket for out of here.’Her touch said yes, but her eyes said no. The suitcase was put away.

They died, she first, then him and the town. His lost future would have saved it, and her.

 Random Word: Justiceburg




 


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Sunday 25 July 2010

The lonely wear masks

Sunday Scribblings  ask if you remember on Sesame Street when they said that today's episode was brought to you by the letter M? Well, the prompt today is brought to you by whichever letter you choose!  I have chosen the letter L for lunch, loneliness and absent love.

Untitled

Random Word: Anathema


Saturday 24 July 2010

Six Word Saturday#19

Describing your Saturday life on Show My Face at the moment of writing in a phrase using just six words.My GardenWho has time to do gardening? **
** Yes it is my garden and no I’m not setting you up for a ‘before we had the landscaper’s in’ shot. Although we had arranged to get one in before the money set aside went on a very expensive vet bill. And yes all the neighbours have neat lawns and family barbeques on Sundays. Your point is? Actually for about six weeks the grass is long and green and it looks like a wild meadow as long as no heavy rain. But for the rest of the year it’s a ‘let’s not talk about it’ mess. Being English we don’t, apart from the heavy hints from neighbours about would we like to borrow the lawn mower – ‘it’s so easy to use.'
The excuse for this year’s inaction is that the neighbour’s wall on the right fall down and has just been rebuilt after a six month delay. So in the next few weeks the talk is about getting in a strimmer and then a rotovator to allow the landscaper to wave his wand. But apart from my back-neck problems( you don't want to know), the wife refusing her cancer treatment exploring alternative health treatment, the possibility of becoming unemployed ( and no this would not give me more time for the garden ), having to pay for my son’s passage through University and very frail parents whose care arrangements are in deep doo-doo, I can’t think what would stop us getting it straight this year. But I’m working on it.

Friday 23 July 2010

In solitude or in merriment shall I listen

Listening

 

Mark looked at the mirror and finally said, ‘Hi, God.’

His wife sighed, and dug around for his pills, but God made sure they weren’t found.

 

Random Word:Omniscient 

 

 

 


The pillow grows cold

Visit Mr.Knowitall to do your own 55 word story or poem!

eggs sit on my desk
shells broken
with toast half eaten
it’s yet another morning
cold like all the others
 
the phone blinks unwanted
as a fly rests
and is watched
while tea is sipped
an old comfort
 
downstairs no radio
now blares music
the letter sits discarded
and the clock is silent
forever stopped
 
Random Word: A cold one


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Thursday 22 July 2010

The future is here when it arrives

The Future

Maud disliked the hotel room, it’s bare walls and plain bed, screamed cheap to her way of thinking. But the horoscopes she got here made sense of her life. Putting a twenty down, she said, ‘Do us one that’ll get old Bradley to open her purse and you’ll get 10%’





Random Word: a fools money


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Hunger makes a thief of any man…

Smashed

 

 

 

 

It was late, the machines at rest.I peered through at the vending-machine,full of sweetness,once a distraction,now as out of reach as a job.

Random Word:King's Ransom

 

 

 

 

 

   


Wednesday 21 July 2010

Wortharead Wednesday #11

This is a Twitter (#vss) story that caught my eye this week. Click on the link by the image if you want to visit the story site. Or on the date stamp to go direct to the story.

I tried again w/ the same results. Disappointed, I dismantled the time machine I'd built. It was useless. It only travelled to Mondays. #VSS

9:38 AM Jul 19th via Gravity

    ZeeMabuza
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    We fear what returns us to the soil

    Looking back, getting on a tube, a crowded one, full of commuters that wear suits and dresses as status badges, with your pockets full of insects, crawly insects, to save on postage, was perhaps a bad idea. Although it was the bending to kiss Susan that released mine…and hers.

    Random Word: Instinctive


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    Tuesday 20 July 2010

    The Devil’s Apprentice

    Letter

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Rison knew he had the fool either way.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Random Word: Cicerone


    At sunset, the mirror stops reflecting

    Image Maker: Anne GordonImage634152424802031250The dragons danced as you died, or so they taught

    the foot-bound students of the east and west lands

    as those from the south never came

    whilst the north, they say, was dead

    except to those with true sight,

    which because the dragons

    had come to dance,

    you find again.

    Random Word: Dancing at the funeral


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    Monday 19 July 2010

    By moonlight they sing of me

    Blood Bath

     

     

    The tree spoke to me. It’s leaves crackled who was peering from windows to touch and pry secrets. In my bath, leaking blood dyes the warm water to a rosé glow. The appreciation of soft delicacy ruined by the thumping door but they are too late – she is saved.

     

     

    Random Word: How long


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    Sunday 18 July 2010

    Oh fallen sons of the morning


    Fallen[4]

     

     

     

     

    As he fall, air whistled by, and the star above him slowly closed. The music born with him, faded. He knew this time he’d gone too far.


    I so wanted a star not for me
    but for her
    not for love
    but because I once cared

     

     

     

     

     

     

     


    Saturday 17 July 2010

    Six Word Saturday#18

    Describing your Saturday life on Show My Face at the moment of writing in a phrase using just six words.

    Gone Fishin

    ** Rediscovered work but prefer not to!

    ** Been exceptionally quiet at work for weeks but I had my first normal work week – didn’t like it. I couldn’t write or read. I mean just give me the money. I don’t mind.


    Only the dead have seen the end of war

    crying soliderWe set out early that morning knowing we’d never return. Oh someday arms will reach out as we march down home streets. And we’ll hear fancy folk chatter about a museum for the glory days but it’ll be to men trying to find the lost boy who someone once loved.

    Random Word: Air Show


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    Friday 16 July 2010

    So when did you realise the marriage wasn't working?

    Visit Mr.Knowitall to do your own 55 word story or poem!

    You know when it itches and you have to scratch even if the wife's interviewing some z-list has been. I mean it gets all packed up. Fellows, am I right or what? I don't complain when I'm asked for the zillion time, " What looks better..." So to come at me with the knife, not cool.

    Random Word: Urge

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    The Honey trap

    Honey trap[6]

     

    ‘The waiter will advise.’

    ‘Oh, it’s all so posh.’

    Sidney smiled. He was so in for a bunk-up.

    Bella distracted with cleavage to spike his drink.

     

     Random Word: Sommelie


    Thursday 15 July 2010

    Customer Training

    replicator

     

     

    I want double shot and hold the cream

    please REPHRASE

    Jesu— Coffee, black. Strong

    please REPHRASE

    OK. Strong black coffee, please

    Thank you sir

     

     

    Random Word: Dark Horse  


    Wednesday 14 July 2010

    K.I.S.S.

    Listen here

     

    ‘What? That’s stupid man,’

    ‘Sergeant, arrest this man.’

    ‘Er…sir, he’s a civilian.’

    He has accursed me of being a drunk.’

    ‘Leave it to me sir.’

    Once the Captain had staggered off, the Sergeant turned angrily to the driver. ‘Always report to me. He’s kept pickled to stop a worse SNAFU.

    Random Word: Beware  


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    Wortharead Wednesday #10

    This is a Twitter (#vss) story that caught my eye this week. Click on the link by the image if you want to visit the story site. Or on the date stamp to go direct to the story.

    Rebekah Webb

    Story_Tweets

    "My darling, could you please make my heart sing again by passing the salt?" Julie sighed and mentally filled out divorce papers.

    Wed Jul 14 2010 07:17:56 (GMT Daylight Time) via web


    Tuesday 13 July 2010

    The cost of a free press

    Reporter

     

     

    I didn't understand at first. He was just the Bath-tub Killer. Then I figured out why. I’ve the truth here but pay right and it’s spiked.

    Random Word:Grub Street

     

     

     


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    The other view

    Hand reaches out

     

     

    The sound of a penny-whistle lilted and danced around the gravestones before being cut short.

    ‘That was appalling,’said Ghoul Howlic ( 2nd order). Trainee Ghoul Screechy (10th order) trembled. Those able to raise a hand from the soil signalled that they agreed. 

    ‘It wasn't bad enough to wake the dead.’

      Random Word: Come on, Bud

     

     


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    Monday 12 July 2010

    Leave tomorrow to its fate

    Sick Children

     

     

    Paul sat down and watched the young boys play.‘I want to stay.’

    The old man sighed, ‘It’s not what I’ve taught you.’

    ‘Why shouldn't I  dream?’

    Tired, he struggled to wake up. But he now knew he must make each day their best day for as long as they had.

     

     

    Random Words: For the boys


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    Saturday 10 July 2010

    Six Word Saturday#17

    Describing your Saturday life on Show My Face at the moment of writing in a phrase using just six words.

    Casualty[9]

    Son is an extra on Casualty**

    **Casualty is a weekly television show broadcast on BBC One, and the longest running emergency medical drama television series in the world.


    Friday 9 July 2010

    To everything there is a season

    Visit Mr.Knowitall to do your own 55 word story or poem!
    Fallen[16]




    He had remortgaged so the play’s failure made him homeless. Over the years, he hadn’t worn well so the receptionist, once as famous as he, unknowingly handed over his medication and he left untouched by the love she had to give.
    Watching them, a writer sketched out a play that was to make him famous.
     
     



    Random Word: iatrogenic

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    Once bitten, twice shy

    After the end

     

     

    Running in with bare feet shocked the elders and amused the outsiders. All in vain, for true cost of his ‘new’ found electricity was known.

    Random Word:Fire-Sale

       

     

     

     

    Image Maker: Hisaharu Motoda


    Thursday 8 July 2010

    You’d think a father could advise

    Run while you can

     

     

    Look out there. Love him as much as this view. Think of each day as a new dawn. Don’t make my mistakes and you’ll have a good…where she go?

     

     

    Random Word: Belvedere

     


    How to teach animal welfare

    Hands

    The family sat in shock until cousin Elgin, asked, ’Say again.’

    The lawyer sighed. ‘To keep it plain, the cat gets the lot.’

    Cousin Elgin slumped down.

    ‘If the cat dies young, the Humane Society gets it. If the cat dies old, you’ll get it.’

    Hands offering help shot up.


     

    Random Word: Apples to Apples


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    Wednesday 7 July 2010

    So both man and woman were of God

    Merged Gender

     

     

     

    Josh was tired of waiting. He had lived by the good book so knew, he deserved the righteous place ahead of women folk. They did their best but as the Word said, they kept a man from getting on. But when he saw God, Josh knew he were in trouble.

     

     

     

    Random Words: Too many girls


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    Wortharead Wednesday #9

    This is a Twitter story that caught my eye this week. Click on the link by the image if you want to visit the story site. Or on the date stamp to go direct to the story.

    4 hungry Vikings sat around the bonfire: Blood Axe, Strong John, Steel Scull and Ivar the Boneless. 3 Vikings sat around the bonfire. #vss

    11:30 AM Jul 3rd via web

    InsaneHulder


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    Tuesday 6 July 2010

    Shake that…

    touch[9] 

     

    It wasn’t the guy having a great tush that bothered her – at 70 she still window shopped. It was a niggle about her fellow’s helping hand.

     

     Random Word: Callipygian

     


    When the cat is missing, the mice dance

    cuckold

     

     

    Perry was slow, they whispered. Only fit for a cuckold song, they sniggered. Not that he had disturbed his wife with any of her lovers – she was far too smart. Or so she thought. Who do you think was sleeping with the neglected wives. They liked him being slow.

     

    Random Word: Pink

     

     

     


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    Monday 5 July 2010

    Leave me wrapped

    Mask

     

     

    George didn't like to lie so he wore the mask. It was useful for his museum job, which was taking family photos with the dinosaurs or mummies.  Kids always laughed at the mask. When they asked, George would joke he looked worse without it – only it wasn’t a joke.

     

    Random Word: George

     

     

     


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    Microfiction Monday #38

    140 Character story meme thanks to Susan at Stony River

    Space Needle

    It was a curious case, girls went monochromic.The police thought phones and Russians but behind me I saw a colour bleed and knew – Aliens!


    Saturday 3 July 2010

    Six Word Saturday#16

    Describing your Saturday life on Show My Face at the moment of writing in a phrase using just six words.

    Rosie

    Rosie recovering from (expensive) emergency hysterectomy**

    **We were told that she was only hours away from death unless an emergency operation so bang went the garden fund. Think Stepford wife's gardens – carpet lawns, flowers polished daily, sheds from Homes and Gardens photo-shoots and weekly garden parties for the children. Got the image? Well that’s the neighbour’s gardens. Our acres  are…well…natural – wall height grass, brambles along crumbling walls, rusting clothes lines, weed infested  plant covered patio and so on. It has taken us 20 years to decide what do ( and I’m useless at anything practical) but to be fair, call us old fashioned, we thought  that paying for the son’s education came first. So let’s not even begin to talk about the state of the kitchen or bathroom – French peasant rustic I think it’s called. But after working two jobs, funds were counted in and a garden doer-upper commissioned who was to start next month. So yes I could be out of work in the next six months from Government cuts. And yes my wife is refusing to complete her cancer treatment. Oh, and yes, her father has just had a stroke, which leaves the care arrangements for her severely demented mother in tatters. But let's hear three cheers for Rosie being able to woof and chew her squeaky toys for a few more years. By the way,anyone up to popping in for a bit of weeding, tree surgery, planting…


    Friday 2 July 2010

    Don’t call us…

    Visit Mr.Knowitall to do your own 55 word story or poem!
     On a Cloud

    ‘Adnan sits on a cloud sorta bored - you can only see so many empires rise and fall.’

    ‘Where’s the Bristol's? Feels like a pufa’s film.’

    ‘He, ahem, becomes a mortal and falls for a poodle trainer.’

    ‘Poodles?’

    ‘The big ones that fight lions.’

    ‘Jocuronomous!’

    Alan got the feeling that his pitch was in flames.

     

     

    Random Word: No Telling


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    Thursday 1 July 2010

    The past is a foreign country

    Oops

     

     

    Every May the photograph would arrive. Always in a plain envelope but postmarked from different cities. It told him that someone remembered the day of the opening when he arrived drunk with his trousers around his ankles. He put it with the others – a thank-you that he was still ‘clean.’

     

    Random Word: Thank-you

        

     

     

     

       


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    Hunting season starts

    shocked vicar

     

    The man dripping mud asked the vicar, ‘I’m after me dog.’

    ‘Animals have no place here.’

    ‘Ee fellow before ye said nowt when he buried us.’

     

    Random Word: Misoneism