Home » 2015 (Page 13)

Yearly Archives: 2015

Unconditional Love

Posted on by | 10 Comments

image

Inspirational Sunday Prompt #9

https://therattlingbones.wordpress.com/2015/06/07/inspirational-sunday-prompt-9/

Posted on June 7, 2015

Blessed Sunday, fellow writers! I hope you’ve enjoyed your weekend. It’s the first Sunday in June. What a glorious day!

Today’s prompt will be an inspirational quote. Use the quote to create a poem, journal entry, short story or even an art piece, maybe take a photograph… let your imagination soar!

image

Image (c) Copyright ~ John and Margaret

REAL LOVE

TO SEE A CLOUD IN THE SUNSHINE OF LOVE,

WHEN THE FIRES ARE FIERCELY BURNING.

TO PENETRATE THE THREATENING DARKNESS 

UNMASK THE POWERS OF DOUBTFUL FEAR

THAT SURROUND THE REALITY OF NOW?

~

TO ACCEPT THE LOVE AND LOVE REGARDLESS,

THEN  REVEAL THE PERSON WHO HIDES INSIDE

THE CLOUDY BLACKNESS  OF THEIR DARKNESS.

 TO LOVE IS TO BEGIN TO UNDERSTAND WITH UNCONDITIONAL CARE,

WHEN YOU RIP THE DARKNESS AWAY!  

YOU BOTH HAVE MUCH LOVE TO SHARE.

Copyright © ~ Written by John Yeo ~ All rights reserved.

MYSTERIOUS ISLAND (26)

Posted on by | 17 Comments

I am taking part in Mondays Finish the Story 01/06/2015, which is a challenge that provides a photo prompt and the opening sentence to your story. The rules indicate that the story you come up with must be between 100-150 words, not including the given opening sentence.

The link below takes you to Part Twenty-Five

MYSTERIOUS ISLAND (25)

image
© 2015, Barbara W. Beacham

Finish the story begins with:

“What a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive”

Bella reflected on her role in the organisation after her double agent fiasco and now the proposal of marriage she had received from Alberto. She desperately wanted OUT!

Having promised many things to many people, her life was now a tangled web of possibilities.

Marg had been in constant touch with sympathetic advice and support, but Don Fernando had intimated that something very big was in the offing that would involve the entire family.
Marg now in London, was on leave after a very concentrated series of meetings and briefings. Hillary had done a splendid job of controlling the detective agency and Marg was set to offer her a partnership.
News came from the Brigadier that the Brazilian operation was going ahead, sadly without the late Colonel Tom, who’s death from a heart attack came as a complete shock.
Marg prepared herself to do battle with the devious Dickus brothers yet again.

(150 words)

To be continued

The link below takes you to Part Twenty-Five

MYSTERIOUS ISLAND (25)

mondays-finish-the-story-2

https://mondaysfinishthestory.wordpress.com/

Copyright © Written by John Yeo ~ All rights reserved

Picture it and Write ~ SPIRAL INTO OBLIVION

Posted on by | 4 Comments

This is the latest Picture it and Write prompt from Ermilia’s blog

Picture it & Write

image
As usual the image is supplied and credited by Ermilia

SPIRAL INTO OBLIVION

by John Yeo

Climbing high in the screw society is always very hard.
Falling from grace can be incredibly easy.
The clouds are an awesome backdrop to the fragile almost immaterial escape from the rough reality inside a world where a harsh everyday life for some is played out in the fight for survival in a modern go-for-it society.
The period of adaptation is deceptive. A carefree, careless, playful youth passes swiftly, almost imperceptively by, leading to the inevitable responsibilities of a structured existence. A job, a mortgage, a family, the list of cares leading up to endless stress takes a destructive toll on the once carefree pliable mind of youth.
Then, one of a myriad of apparent escape routes hovers into view. A spiral staircase escape route. A downwards spiral of escapism into an addiction to a substance or a behaviour that appears to mask reality when life becomes temporarily bearable. For some the escape becomes unbearably worse than the reality. The finality of departure from the shaky spiral descent by embracing the cloudy unknown of the final escape, into oblivion.

Copyright (c) Written by John Yeo ~ All rights reserved

ESMERELDA

Posted on by | 23 Comments

Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers ~ Writing challenge. The goal is to write a story between 100-150 words (give or take 25 words) based on the provided photo. 

image

This week’s photo is supplied by PricelessJoy

ESMERELDA

by John Yeo

The village church was sinking, substinence was having a devastating effect on the foundations. The venerable priest was desperately trying to raise funds.
Many of the villagers had found peace and comfort here. For several generations their families shared many memories of the little church. Travellers and the needy were always welcomed and some even depended on the church for help and sustenance.
Esme, a very unkempt elderly lady who somehow resembled a large bundle of rags, sat on the church steps every Sunday. Sadly she was reviled and shunned by some who ignored her pleas for mercy and a few coins for food. The priest always arranged for a little food and water to be left for her, sometimes a few pieces of used clothing.
One very cold day in winter Esme was found dead on the church steps. When they searched her meagre possessions, a very dirty envelope was found addressed to a local solicitor. To the amazement of all, Lady Esmerelda Pierce was a very eccentric wealthy writer, she had bequeathed her entire estate to the little village church.

(174 Words)

Copyright (c) Written by John Yeo ~ All rights reserved

This is in response to a challenge hosted by Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers. If you would like to participate in this challenge or need more information, please click the following link:

https://flashfictionforaspiringwriters.wordpress.com

image

MYSTERIOUS ISLAND (25)

Posted on by | 18 Comments

I am taking part in Mondays Finish the Story 25/05/2015, which is a challenge that provides a photo prompt and the opening sentence to your story. The rules indicate that the story you come up with must be between 100-150 words.

The link below takes you to Part Twenty-Four

MYSTERIOUS ISLAND (24)

image

© 2015, Barbara W Beacham

Finish the story begins with:

“The only residents remaining in the small town of Miners Hill are spirits.” 

This remark in response to Marg’s question was the clue to an extraordinary puzzle. Why had the place been evacuated? How had they managed to convince the people to leave? The Brigadier was outlining the plan for an assault on a little known mining area in Brazil. Reports clearly indicated the abandoned houses concealed a vast underground complex, including a sophisticated lab with a centre for the production and distribution of pure cocaine.

There was a sudden noisy interruption as the sad news came of the loss of “Angel Flame”! Torpedoed with no survivors, the sub had managed to release an on board missile in retaliation, which had sadly missed the target. Maxwell Dickus had departed at full speed without waiting to ask questions. Despite many calls of alarm with demands to stop, a brief cryptic response came from the fleeing vessel. “We have a brig waiting for the Brig!”

(150 words)

To be continued 

The link below takes you to Part Twenty-Four

MYSTERIOUS ISLAND (24)

mondays-finish-the-story-2

https://mondaysfinishthestory.wordpress.com/

Copyright © Written by John Yeo ~ All rights reserved

REVERENCE ~ 100 Word Challenge ~ Verbal Verbosity

Posted on by | 5 Comments

100 words on the word “REVERENCE” in response to the latest challenge from VELVET VERBOSITY

http://www.velvetverbosity.com/blog/2015/5/18/100-words-423-reverence

image

Image Copyright (c) John and Margaret

REVERENCE

by John Yeo

The Wild Man was renowned for his fighting ability. A bare-knuckle bruiser, then a fairground fighter who got famous by taking on all comers. Much blood had flowed from the effects of his iron fists, his own blood and the blood of his challengers. Broken bones and mashed up faces were a usual sight after one of his battles. He made a name for himself big time in the boxing world until he came up against, “The Reverence” a thin fast man who made the weight by virtue of his extraordinary height. Then the wild man became reverent.

(100 Words)

Copyright (c) Written by John Yeo ~ All rights reserved

IMG_5656

IN A MONASTERY GARDEN

Posted on by | 30 Comments

Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers ~ Writing challenge. The goal is to write a story between 100-150 words (give or take 25 words) based on the provided photo.

image

This week’s photo prompt is supplied by Dawn M. Miller

IN A MONASTERY GARDEN

by John Yeo

The gazebo stood in a monastery garden. The wooden structure was aged and set in a copse. The trees in early winter were leafless and there was a thin coating of early snow on the roof. Silence reigned as the monks were at prayer.
A man appeared from the north side of the gazebo carrying an oblong case marked with the name Brother George in capital letters. Then with a cheerful greeting two other men approached and climbed into the gazebo from the east and the west sides, Brothers John and Paul arrived together. Another man arrived from the South side and began to set up an impressive set of drums. “Hi Friar Ringo!” Was the cry from the others and the quartet was complete.
The hallowed silence was broken irreparably as the music drew many young people. The monks were stunned, although one or two were observed swaying to the loud musical beat. Tents sprang up everywhere as an illegal rave began. A collection of money from the fans was donated to the monastery.

(175 words)

Copyright (c) Written by John Yeo ~ All rights reserved
This is in response to a challenge hosted by Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers. If you would like to participate in this challenge or need more information, please click the following link:

https://flashfictionforaspiringwriters.wordpress.com

image

MYSTERIOUS ISLAND (24)

Posted on by | 18 Comments

I am taking part in Mondays Finish the Story 18/05/2015, which is a challenge that provides a photo prompt and the opening sentence to your story. The rules indicate that the story you come up with must be between 100-150 words.

The link below takes you to Part Twenty-Three

MYSTERIOUS ISLAND (23)

image

© 2015, Barbara W Beacham

Finish the story begins with:

“The crew of the Angel Flame received orders to head out.”

 The submarine slid into the water fully loaded with provisions and the required arms and explosives. The Brigadier had ordered an assault on a huge armoured luxury yacht owned by Dr Dickus’s billionaire brother Maxwell, moored within striking distance of the island.
 Maxwell Dickus was a very shady character, it was rumoured, he had amassed his fortune buying and selling arms to supply some very impoverished African States.
 Marg had left Bella with Don Fernando to be cared for by her relatives, the wounds were superficial and would soon heal with time and care. Marg was to remain on the mysterious island, and after a debriefing would enjoy a well-earned rest.
During this intensive interview, the Brigadier hinted there was a huge operation imminent and Marg’s recent experience and the loyalty she had demonstrated would be well rewarded. Then came the awful news, the submarine was reported sunk and lost…….

(150 words)

To be continued

The link below takes you to Part Twenty-Three

MYSTERIOUS ISLAND (23)

mondays-finish-the-story-2

https://mondaysfinishthestory.wordpress.com/

Copyright © Written by John Yeo ~ All rights reserved

Picture it and Write ~ THE SHAMAN

Posted on by | 15 Comments

 This is the latest Picture it and Write prompt from Ermilia’s blog

image

As usual the image is supplied and credited by Ermilia

__picture it & write

THE SHAMAN

by John Yeo

The shaman had many tricks up his sleeve to help him perform his healing miracles. He was a travelling healer practising his trade with the use of herbs and complex spells to communicate with the spiritual world. One day he came to our village with a following and began to have visitors from the surrounding area as his fame spread rapidly. When an important lady from our village, the wife of a hunter, became very sick the shaman was called to work his magic to make her well. The shaman spent many minutes in a trance before he began, suddenly he shouted at the top of his voice! “Everybody leave at once!” The people were in awe of the reputation of this man, they responded immediately, leaving the shelter, except for her son little Oki, who hid in a corner behind some skins. The shaman chanted prayers and prepared ointment that he rubbed on the woman’s brow and heart. Oki was shocked when he produced a shiny knife from beneath his cloak and began to sharpen the edge of the blade, then to his horror his mother groaned as the knife cut into her chest. Oki leapt from his hiding place and shouted: “Stop!” The shaman, who was in a trance and unable to respond turned to Oki and lashed out with his ceremonial knife. Oki sustained a lethal wound, but in his death throes he took the dagger and plunged it into the shaman killing him instantly. Several hours later the villagers discovered three dead people in the shelter and burnt it to the ground.

Some time later the shiny multi-coloured knife was discovered in the ashes.

Copyright (c) Written by John Yeo ~ All rights reserved. image

THE BENCH

Posted on by | 20 Comments

Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers ~ Writing challenge. The goal is to write a story between 100-150 words (give or take 25 words) based on the provided photo.

image

This week’s photo prompt is from pricelessjoy.

THE BENCH

by John Yeo

Potts, the park attendant was an overbearing man, a stickler for rules and regulations. He came down hard on dog-walkers who allowed their pets to foul the footpath. Litter louts were frowned on and ordered to place the despised rubbish in a bin.

 Several notices around the lake requested people not to feed the ducks. Every day Potts caught sight of a little old lady on a bench by the water-side with a bag full of bread feeding the ducks. Potts would continually remonstrate without effect as she would completely ignore him and feed the ducks. One day Potts sat next to her and tried to reason with her. “The bread attracts rats and vermin which are a danger to children, who are vulnerable to disease.”

 The old lady turned to him with a wry smile and said: “Son, you will never make me stop, these birds are my family, I have nothing except the cancer that is eating away my soul. Hard-hearted Potts wept as his Mother continued to feed her ducks.

(174 words)

Copyright (c) Written by John Yeo ~ All rights reserved.

This is in response to a challenge hosted by Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers. If you would like to participate in this challenge or need more information, please click the following link:

https://flashfictionforaspiringwriters.wordpress.com