APRIL~”POEM-A-DAY”~DAY FIFTEEN~ ADJECTIVE-TITLED POEM:

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For today’s prompt, pick an adjective, make it the title of your poem, and then, write your poem. If you’re feeling stuck on this one, go back through your poems earlier this month and find adjectives you used–if any. Or crack open a dictionary. Or scan other poems for ideas

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Image (c) Copyright John and Margaret

“SILENT”

by John Yeo

We were gathered around the hospital bed.
He had been in a coma for a year.
There was no need for speech
Our faces and thoughts said it all.

~

The family were brought together
In the throes of silent grief.
Remembering a life that was all too short
Well lived, well loved, too brief.

~

The Doctor switched off the life support.
There was a ripple of silent shock
As the reality hit the family hard,
I offered up a silent prayer

~

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-15

THE INVASION

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Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers

Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers ~ Writing challenge week 9. 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 for your public use photos and our prompt photo.

THE INVASION

by John Yeo

Our solitary island of birds sits alone in the midst of a sapphire blue sea. Our nests are located in the beautiful low-growing green leafy bushes and foliage covering our lovely homeland. We have no enemies to compete with us for food or space. We fish for food flying high, then diving into the clear blue ocean waves, catching many small fish, before returning to our nests to feed our young. This is our island paradise.
One day a strange craft appeared on the horizon and men arrived in a tall sailing vessel. Men landed on our shores to collect food and fresh water. They fished by casting nets from the side of their ship. Two black rats landed on the shore and began to steal the eggs from our nests and then they ate our chicks. They quickly bred and we had no defence.
Our only hope of survival was to find another home far away, and leave this infected island of rats. We have left and they will starve.

(171 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

APRIL~”POEM-A-DAY”~DAY FOURTEEN ~ HONEST and/or DISHONEST POEM:

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Today is our second “Two for Tuesday” prompt(s), and here are your options:

Write an honest poem. Or…
Write a dishonest poem.
*****

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Image (c) John and Margaret

REALLY?

by John Yeo
~
Vote for me and I’ll be there for you
Dependable, honest, reliable, true,
Voracious, totally telling the facts
Without pretension.
~
Honestly, never dishonest.
My three year old believes in me,
Fairies, goblins, witches and elves,
Even Father Christmas.
~
Dependable, honest, reliable, true,
Without pretension.
Our NHS, education, transport, too,
Without invention.
~

My drug of choice is a happy pill,
Take one three times a day.
You will feel better, I know you will
If you cast a vote for me.
~

Honesty is a purple flowering plant,
The pods make for decoration.
The ideal political reflection,
Colourful, decorative, honest, and true?
~

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-14

MYSTERIOUS ISLAND (19)

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I am taking part in Mondays Finish the Story 13/04/2015, 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 Eighteen

MYSTERIOUS ISLAND (18)

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“The neighbours were not happy about my choice of yard art”

This incredible e-mail came through on Marg’s iPhone shortly after Angelo had spotted Colonel Tom on the river-bank in France. Marg was both puzzled and annoyed about this as she had never had any “art” as grotesque as the two pictures Hillary had forwarded. Marg called Hillary, who was also mystified, and reported they had been delivered the previous day in a large white van. Leaving Colonel Tom with Angelo in France, Marg caught the next flight to London, to investigate.

Arriving home, Marg was greeted by two even more grotesque objects than she had imagined. All became clear when she had opened a huge pile of personal mail. The two objects were a legacy from the late Diamond Jack’s estate and had been shipped from the USA by the executors of his estate.
Marg was about to dispose of them when an urgent message arrived from the Brigadier.
“GUARD THEM WITH YOUR LIFE”

(149 words)

To be continued………

The link below takes you to Part Eighteen

MYSTERIOUS ISLAND (18)

mondays-finish-the-story-2

https://mondaysfinishthestory.wordpress.com

Copyright © Written by John Yeo ~ All rights reserved

Picture it and Write ~ TALKING PENS

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

Pens

As usual the image is supplied and credited by Ermilia

https://ermiliablog.wordpress.com/2015/04/12/picture-it-write-58/

TALKING PENS

by John Yeo

The eccentric billionaire Maxwell Dickus, hosted a worldwide annual literary competition. The first prize was £100,000 with £50,000 going to the runner-up. The competition is open to all and sundry and is hotly contested around the world. The winner and runner-up are chosen by a public vote in the world press, with television and radio shows collecting the votes. The prizes are presented by some very influential business men and entrepreneurs, who are presented with a very ornate fountain pen, that is as highly valued by the recipients, as the prize is by the writers.

The world financial community became aware of some very serious business leaks of sensitive information, that could only have originated from inside sources. Insider trading was suspected and many private security firms were called in to investigate, without turning up the cause. A separate investigation was made into the wheeling and dealing billionaire Maxwell Dickus without any results.

One day a well respected firm of private investigators, headed by the intrepid famous lady sleuth, Marg, discovered a bugged fountain pen in the office of a dot/com millionaire, who immediately informed the authorities. All the literary prize pens were collected by police, and Maxwell Dickus was arrested for financial fraud. The case against Dickus is underway but proof is virtually impossible as he denies all knowledge of these bugs and pins the blame on the manufacturers who are Chinese in origin.Pens

Copyright © Written by John Yeo ~ All rights reserved

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

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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

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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)

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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

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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

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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