This is a response to a Flash Fiction prompt from ‘The Last Post on WordPress’
Prompt ~ PARTAKES
INFLUENCES
by John Yeo
There will be a moment of excitement, When the visitor finally arrives. We have awaited this astral event, The omens have been here throughout our lives. A shining star form is approaching us; A journey lasting many centuries; Relentless, exciting and glorious, Through an endless path of wild stormy skies. Freely, through seas of ice, darkness and light, Of turbulence and fiery icy fields. Bringing extra dimension and insight That the beginning and ending reveals. When the Earth partakes in a magical moment As a fiery comet enters our firmament.
This is a response to a Flash Fiction prompt from ‘The Last Post on WordPress’
Prompt ~ PARALLEL
Who would you like to have to spend a day with and what do you hope you’d learn from the experience?
JIM
by John Yeo
Everyone calls him Jim, who really cares? He stands with his hand out every day Never says a word, just stands and stares
On the same corner of the highway I always put a coin in his hand as I pass, He never smiles, just stares straight ahead. I often wonder about his life in the past One day I caught his eye and I said.
~ ‘I know who you are, It was a mystery. I think you are certainly out of place I have weaved your life into a history The fall must have hurt but it’s no disgrace.’ Jim looked shocked and angry. For the first time ever, he actually spoke. ‘I have to beg for food as I’m hungry! I was wealthy once but now I’m broke.’
~ The voice was nervous, and cultured Betraying the roots of fine living. I had guessed a good life was ruptured Destroyed by cruel fate, unforgiving. ‘I have written a new turn for your story.’ I said, as I put a coin in his hand. ‘You will now be covered in glory I am a writer you understand.’
~ Everyone called him Jim, who really cared? He stood with his hand out every day Never said a word, just stood and stared. On the same corner of the same highway. The original Jim was a sad mystery An unhappy life confined to history.
This is a response to a Flash Fiction prompt from ‘The Last Post on WordPress’
Prompt ~ UNKNOWN CALLER You receive a call from an unexpected person. Who is it, and what is the conversation about? Go!
HALLO, WHO’S THERE?
by John Yeo
’Hallo! who’s there?
Sorry, I’m a little hard of hearing lately, since my husband passed away. Can you speak up please dear?’
‘What’s that you say you’re not selling anything? That’s OK! I have nothing to spend my money on, I don’t need much.’
‘Oh! You say you want to make lots of money for me. I don’t need any more cash at the moment thanks.’
‘You sound like a nice young man. I bet you are wealthy, if you can show people how to get rich quickly. Are you married?’
‘It’s so good to have someone to talk to. I get lonely here on my own. I spoke to someone this morning and we had such a lovely long chat. He wanted to sell me something nice, I asked for more details. I explained my situation clearly, so nice to have a friendly ear. He asked for my bank details in such a nice helpful way.
I asked him if he was married and how things were with him.
He finally got exasperated and rudely slammed down the phone.’
’Hallo! who’s there?
You say my computer needs a new service plan!
Tell me more, sounds interesting, so nice to have a chat.
What is your name and where do you live? I would love to meet you and get serviced by you. Are you a married man?’
‘You would like to have my bank details to start the service plan?
Great to hear a friendly voice. Give me your bank details first! We can then plan a future together.’
‘So nice to have someone to talk to. What’s your name and where do you live?’
‘Hello! Hello! Oh, he’s gone, I thought I heard the phone slam down only I’m a little hard of hearing now.’
’Hallo! who’s there?
“Hello! Yes, Double Glazing? That sounds so interesting .
I would love to hear more about that, you have such a friendly voice.
What? You haven’t got time for a chat? I love the sound of your voice. Who knows we could become really good friends. I might even buy some new windows, in a few years time.
Are you really going to cut me off before we get to know one another?
Call me again, just say hello. I promise to never hang up the phone;
It’s so good to have someone to talk to, I get lonely here on my own.
This is a response to a Flash Fiction prompt from ‘The Last Post on WordPress’
Prompt FRET
ANTIMATTER
by John Yeo
Antimatter should have annihilated all of the matter in the universe after the Big Bang. An example of the fight between Good and Evil. Certainly a reason to have a bit of a fret.
~
When love arrives, in a thin disguise, Things worth caring for should really matter.
Does it really matter if I fall in love with antimatter? When matter meets antimatter all dreams must shatter. Matter can be warm and wonderful. Could this be a reason to have a bit of a fret.
~
When antimatter meets matter they immediately annihilate into energy. Explosive energy that can be cruel. Antimatter can be explosively cool. Now that’s a reason to have a bit of a fret.
~
Antimatter is closer to you than you think. Bananas produce antimatter, I love the taste of Bananas Radioactive molecules that emit antimatter
Particles are used for P. E. T. imaging. Reflections of illness within the bodies of infinite caring. Certainly a reason to have a bit of a fret.
Bananas produce antimatter, releasing one positron—the antimatter equivalent of an electron—about every 75 minutes. This occurs because bananas contain a small amount of potassium-40, a naturally occurring isotope of potassium. As potassium-40 decays, it occasionally spits out a positron in the process.
This is a response to a Flash Fiction prompt from ‘The Last Post on WordPress’
Prompt CRANK
ROBIN HOOD
(A villanelle-style poem) by John Yeo
I was out strolling in the market square A cranky bandit could clearly be seen Soon a large crowd had gathered there.
People stopped still and stood to stare This was an event that couldn’t be a dream I was out strolling in the market square.
He was handing out cash with more to spare To the needy poor in a steady stream Soon a large crowd had gathered there.
People started jostling to get a share Of free money from the cranky villain
I was out strolling in the market square.
The cranky villain appeared from nowhere
With his men all matched in Lincoln green
Soon a large crowd had gathered there.
Robbing the rich to feed the poor, unaware Of his crimes he was rushed off the scene. I was out strolling in the market square Soon a large crowd had gathered there.
This is a response to a Flash Fiction prompt from ‘The Last Post on WordPress’ ~
Prompt ~ CRANK
CRANK-SHAFTED
by John Yeo
‘I tell you he’s a cranky old buzzard! Every time one of the local’s dogs pulls on the lead and steps onto his front lawn, he races out of the front door yelling his head off; cursing and waving his arms around. Why doesn’t he invest in a fence alongside the path? In my view, he ought to be locked up before he resorts to violence!’
Mrs. Manners was annoyed and sounding off at PC Bott.
‘Hmm!’ Said the Constable thoughtfully: ‘You say he charges out of his door shouting? Has he ever made any direct threats of violence, or actually attacked anyone?’
‘Not that I know of,’ replied Mrs. Manners. ‘I will certainly ask around; lots of the neighbours here are fed up with the old rascal.’
‘Well, Mrs. Manners, I will have a word with him about this threatening behaviour and see what he has to say, but that is all I can do.’
‘I hope you won’t mention my name Constable, I don’t want any trouble, he’s probably mad at me since my husband went for him with a car crank handle. Purely in self-defence, you understand.’
‘Your husband did what? Exactly what do you mean by self-defence?’ asked the police officer, suddenly stern in his manner.
Mrs. Manners hesitated for a moment before she said with tears in her eyes. ‘Well, it happened this morning: Our little doggie Poochie, pulled on the lead as we passed the property, and did his business on the old man’s lawn. I always pick the droppings up with a plastic bag. There was the usual terrible reaction as the old man came charging at me shouting and swearing. My husband had been trying to start the car with a crank handle and as the madman came rushing towards him he hit him with the crank handle.’
‘Don’t worry Mrs. Manners, I’ll deal with this: Is your
husband home? I will need him to be here.’
‘Yes Constable: He’s indoors, he will be a great help with your enquiries.’
The policeman took a deep breath and picked his radio up!
This is a response to a Flash Fiction prompt from ‘The Last Post on WordPress’ ~
Prompt ~ SONG
MY SONG
by John Yeo
My natural song is music to my ear Resounding around my comfortable chair, My song will begin and end as I sit here.
~
The magic of the song swirls far and near, Harmony soaking through melodic air; My natural song is music to my ear.
~
Smooth melodies drifting sweetly clear, Sounds around my chair answer a prayer; My song will begin and end as I sit here.
~
Life becomes love becomes music clear; A dreamy soulful symphony where My natural song is music to my ear.
~
Trance becomes a pre-hypnotic tear, Memories sing of a future I will share My song will begin and end as I sit here.
~
The music with my chair wings steer My mind to crystal clarity without care. The natural sound of music to my ear My song will begin and end as I sit here.
WEDNESDAY 14th APRIL 2021 ~ FLASH FICTION ~ POETRY
This is a response to a Flash Fiction prompt from ‘The Last Post on WordPress’ ~
Prompt ~ WHAT ARE YOU THINKING ABOUT?
S/he said Pause whatever you’re doing, and ask the person nearest you what they’re thinking about (call someone if you have to). Write a post based on it.
WHAT ARE YOU THINKING ABOUT?
by John Yeo
The person seated next to me responded with ‘I’m reading the newspaper.’ Which happened to be an online version of the ‘Daily Mail.’ I am aware that one of the prime reasons for this choice of newspaper is the crossword puzzles and mind games that go some way to the alleviation and defence against dementia. The news is almost a bi-product of the investment in purchasing the newspaper. I then asked,
‘What would you be reading if it wasn’t for the puzzles and mind games? In that particular newspaper?
The unsurprising reply came as, ‘I’m not sure, probably The Independent.’ This reply was obviously based on the more serious aspect of buying a newspaper as an independent slant on the news.
This response got me thinking about the influences that shape the mind. Most people’s habits of thought and inspiration come from the newspapers that we tend to devour on a daily basis. A constant flow of opinion and the slants on what is happening in the world is ingested and percolated from our reading habits. Usually our choice of newspaper is not so much dictated by our parents, but largely influenced by their choice of newspaper. Until we get to our further education establishment where we develop our own instinctual choices.
The wide variety of news sources today allows us to ingest the news in many different ways including the single daily take of our regular morning newspapers.
WHAT ARE YOU THINKING ABOUT?
by John Yeo
‘What are you thinking about?’
‘The trail is very obscure, Many twists and turns Millions have come this way The path is very well worn.’
~
‘What are you thinking about?’
‘Across the seas, another shore, There are many signs, Many corners, many directions, Many examples to follow.’
~
‘What are you thinking about?’
‘One door unlocks another door, The instinct quickly learns The only way is forward, Be kind, be gentle, be firm.’
~
‘What are you thinking about?’
‘Your trail began at birth, Already the myriad clues and signs Were building a pattern to follow. The learning never ends.’
ANTIMATTER
johnandmargaret1607 