APRIL~”POEM-A-DAY”~DAY TWELVE ~ DAMAGE POEM

For today’s prompt, write a damage poem. Since my baby brother is a storm chaser, my mind usually jumps straight to storm damage. However, there’s more than the physical damage created by things like hurricanes, trains, and war planes. There’s also the emotional and psychological damage we inflict, survive, and conceal. The bright side of any damage is that it can be transformed into a poem.

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Image © John and Margaret

SELF ESTEEM

by John Yeo

Invisible damage had shattered his nerve
The rider had nightmares and flashbacks.
He insists he will never ride again.
Now, the unseen healing begins.

~

“What is the damage to your self esteem,
When you do something to care?
Caring is responding to feelings,
Thoughtfulness learning to share.
There are many other points of view
Ways of sharing the world.
No damage to your self esteem
In fact you have nothing to lose.
You are unique and very smart
The key is locked in your heart.”

~

The motorcyclist was shocked,
The incredible crash had occurred.
Racing to the hospital, taking risks
Carrying emergency blood.
With a sudden swerve he skidded
On an oily patch in the road.
No physical damage to his body
Just a dent in his self esteem.
Three lives were on the line today
One outcome saved all three.

~

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

Written for Robert Lee Brewer’s Poetic asides blog on “Writers Digest”

http://www.writersdigest.com/whats-new/2015-april-pad-challenge-day-12

AFTERNOON TEA

Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers

Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers ~ Writing challenge week 8. The goal is to write a story between 100-150 words (give or take 25 words) based on the provided photo.

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AFTERNOON TEA

by John Yeo

Esmeralda was having afternoon tea with the members of the local sewing circle. It was a wonderful afternoon and they settled down on her porch to chat and enjoy the occasion.
There was a very loud roar as two motorcycles revved up and roared around the block to screams of delight from the riders. That pesky gang from around the corner were out on their bikes, roaring round and round the block, racing and laughing to one another.
Esmeralda and Olivia dropped their needles in anger, picked up a couple of broomsticks and flew across the road to confront the Hells Angels. Esmeralda marched up to the biggest rider and demanded he call his friends together and get the hell off her doorstep and clear off.
The shock in the bikers eyes was a sight to behold and he called his friends together, In a moment of bravado, he spat on the ground as he said to his gang, “Let’s get out of here before these Witches put a spell on us.”

(172 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

MYSTERIOUS ISLAND (18)

I am taking part in Mondays Finish the Story 06/04/2015, 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 Seventeen

MYSTERIOUS ISLAND (17)

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© 2015, Barbara W. Beacham

Once upon a time in a land far, far away.”

The children were enthralled, it was storytime, nearly bedtime, “Mummy the telephone is ringing!” exclaimed Sarah. Hillary sighed, “People pick the most awkward times.” Hillary snapped to attention at the breathless voice of her boss Marg. “Sorry to trouble you, cannot explain now, I need help, urgently. Please collect the emergency cash from the office and wire the money to me here in France.”
Marg had been rescued from the jaws of death by a local diver, Colonel Tom was still missing. The Brigadier sent Angelo to meet her a week after the rescue. Sadly they were now stranded after Angelo’s pocket had been picked in a local bar. After the second explosion, a boat packed with explosives was sent down the river and detonated to block the landing on the river island where Dr Dickus was believed to be located.
Angelo suddenly exclaimed on the bank. “There he is………..

(150 words)

To be continued………

The link below takes you to Part Seventeen

MYSTERIOUS ISLAND (17)

mondays-finish-the-story-2

https://mondaysfinishthestory.wordpress.com

Copyright © Written by John Yeo ~ All rights reserved

Picture it and Write ~ BEDTIME

This is the latest Picture it and Write prompt from Ermilia’s blog
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White nights by (Juanfer Penagos)

As usual the image is supplied and credited by Ermilia
https://ermiliablog.wordpress.com/2015/04/05/__picture-it-write-104/

BEDTIME

by John Yeo

The magic is in the mind, always in the mind. I can grow these globes in the garden of time. With enough effort we can fill a whole sky with populated globes. I can conjure chemicals to mix with other chemicals and cause them to rain on these sterile globes. Some will seed and evolve into life forms, some will continue to revolve around my globes, mixing and merging, populating and depopulating. These new life forms will expand and the fittest will survive……
…….
“God!”
“Yes Mother.”
“Will you please put your toys away and go to your room, it is late.”
Oh Mother! Please can I just have another couple of eons.

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

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TEARS

Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers

Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers ~ Writing challenge week 7. The goal is to write a story between 100-150 words (give or take 25 words) based on the provided photo.

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Thank you to pixabay.com (free to use photographs) for this week’s prompt photos.

TEARS

by John Yeo

The acid attack was horrific, Joey screamed, penetratingly loud, as pain raced through his head. Skin was burnt to shreds from the structure of his face, Joey’s crowning glory, his hair, was burnt off in seconds. He passed out and was raced to the burns unit at the local general hospital.
One year later after many operations by plastic surgeons some semblance of normality returned. Joey refused to be seen in public and became a recluse. He left our town and disappeared, it was rumoured he had joined some gypsies and was travelling the countryside by caravan.
One day Lisa our daughter, came home from school very excited, “Daddy the circus has come to town!”
Saturday night we had the best seats in the big top and Lisa was laughing merrily at the antics of Joey the clown. He came to speak to her and Lisa asked “How did you become a clown Joey?” His painted smile never altered hiding the tears of a clown.

(165 Words)

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Copyright  © 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

MYSTERIOUS ISLAND (17)

I am taking part in Mondays Finish the Story 30/03/2015, 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 Sixteen

MYSTERIOUS ISLAND (16)

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© Image provided by Barbara Beacham ,

“Pizza anyone?”
Mozzarella cheese melted over beautiful black olives, succulent tomatoes, mouthwatering mushrooms, with chili peppers and meaty pepperoni. The dough was as light as a snowflake or the fluffy white clouds that were visible as she was drifting, clutching tightly to a floating log. Fear suddenly overtook her dreamy hallucination when Marg realised she was miraculously alive. Just!
Her head was hurting from the severe shock wave that hit from nowhere. The Brigadier immediately sent out search parties after a frantic call from a survivor who had reached the riverbank. Colonel Tom and Marg were still missing. Don Fernando raced to the scene and deployed a further team of men to hunt down Dickus on the river island.
Marg drifting along the rocky rapids desperately kept herself from losing consciousness.
The Brigadier frantically leading the search from a helicopter, adjusted his binoculars as another huge explosion sounded further down the river…….

(150 Words)

To be continued.

The link below takes you to Part Sixteen

MYSTERIOUS ISLAND (16)

mondays-finish-the-story-2

Copyright © Written by John Yeo ~ All rights reserved

Witty ~ 100 Word Challenge ~ Verbal Verbosity

100 words on the word “WITTY” in response to the latest challenge from VELVET VERBOSITY
http://www.velvetverbosity.com/blog/2015/3/23/100-words-418-witty

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Image from the net

APRIL FOOL

by John Yeo 

Our landlord passed away very suddenly yesterday. He was a very witty man, always playing practical jokes. He will be well remembered by everyone, always good for a laugh to cheer everyone up. The other day we all got a letter to say our rent would be doubled. My wife and I were shocked until we realised it was April fools day, and he was only up to his old witty tricks. The police came to arrest our neighbour George today, he also received a letter. Some people have no sense of humour. Landlord’s funeral is tomorrow
What’s for tea?

Copyright © Written by John Yeo ~ All rights reserved

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SAFETY SHOCK

Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers

Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers ~ Writing challenge week 6. The goal is to write a story between 100-150 words (give or take 25 words) based on the provided photo.

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Thank you Vanessa Rodriguez for this week’s prompt photo.

SAFETY SHOCK

by John Yeo

We live at the top of a very steep hill in the centre of town. Although the crime rate in this locality is low, Father had fitted a burglar alarm above the door, clearly visible from the road and we had a steel gate in front of our front door. Our neighbours in this very quiet road had never been burgled, always smiled at Father’s over-enthusiasm for security.
I will never forget the night of the break-in. There was a sound of breaking glass from the rear of our house, Father went to investigate carrying a baseball bat and he was quickly overpowered by three men wearing balaclavas. Mother and I hid in the bedroom, she had called the police who were on the scene in minutes, sirens blaring and lights flashing. The robbers fled, having tied Father up, and escaped with nothing.
From that day, although our security is strong, we have never felt safe in our house again. Our private space was irreparably violated.

(167 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

MYSTERIOUS ISLAND (16)

I am taking part in Mondays Finish the Story 23/03/2015, 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 Fifteen

https://johnandmargaret1607.wordpress.com/2015/03/17/mysterious-island-15/

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© Image provided by Barbara Beacham ,

When the team heard the dam explode they knew they had limited time to make it to safety.

A raging torrent hit the assault craft, Colonel Tom pushed the button on his radio phone and called for help.
Things had moved fast since the casino raid and two teams were on a mission to rescue Bella, who had miraculously survived the carnage after Dr Dickus escaped. A ransom message had been found written in blood on the wall of the warehouse.
Colonel Tom and Marg’s team were aboard an assault craft heading for a secluded river island. The water becoming rougher became a raging torrent. Perhaps it was fate mused Marg as she stared death in the face, pictures of her life flooded through her mind.
The Brigadiers team raced to the rescue, to their horror they came upon the craft upside down, caught up in a floating tree. There was no sign of Colonel Tom, Marg or the team.
Then the Brigadiers cell phone sounded……………
(148 words)

To be continued.

The link below takes you to part Fifteen

https://johnandmargaret1607.wordpress.com/2015/03/17/mysterious-island-15

mondays-finish-the-story-2

https://mondaysfinishthestory.wordpress.com/

Copyright © Written by John Yeo ~ All rights reserved

PARADISE

Pen n tonic Creative Expressions

Each week on Tuesday Pen’n’Tonic will post a word, a phrase, a picture, or an idea that will constitute a prompt from which to submit a poem, a flash fiction piece (not longer than 250 words), an original photograph, an original artwork, or a combination of these things that you think applies to the week’s theme.

“This week, I give you another of my own original photographs.”

https://penntonic.wordpress.com/2015/03/17/creative-expressions-14-caribbean-island/

Image © penntonic.wordpress.com

PARADISE

by John Yeo

We have been here now for ten long years.
The sun rises daily in a clear blue sky
We are privileged to be here,
We have all we need.

Fish from the depths of a warm blue sea
Fruits of the earth are plentiful and sweet.
Cut off from the hustle and bustle of life.
Time passes slowly.

We rely on the boat for news and supplies,
The weather is usually kind and clear
Tornadoes or cyclones are threatened
Sometimes very near.

Our way of life is envied by many.
We are lucky to be living in paradise.
The grass is always greener over there.
Before the boredom sets in.

I would sit and dream of a carefree life
When on the beach passing time.
A life full of labour saving machines.
Cashpoints, the city and super cars.

Theatre, cinema and fast moving lives,
Clubs and shops full of luxury goods.
Fashion and interesting super malls,
With people everywhere.

Education, opportunities, time to save
Rushing from home to the office,
Mixing with folk from around the world.
Enjoying life to the full.

Then I would turn and look into your eyes
Stretch and leisurely take your hand,
Smile sweetly and say
“Perhaps we will book a holiday in the city.

Some-day”

Copyright © Written by John Yeo ~ All rights reserved