The Prompt: Write a piece of dialogue only (no description) and under 500 words between 2 people who are waiting for something that never arrives. One of them knows why it won’t. The other keeps guessing wrong. Each guess should get closer to the truth but never quite reach it. “What time is it now?” “Three-fifteen. They’ll be here … Read moreThe Force Might Not Be With Us
As many large things do, this one started small. Those working to lose weight noticed the pounds coming off more easily. Parents noticed carrying their babies and toddlers didn’t tire their backs as quickly as before. Hairdressers’ feet hurt just little less than usual at the end of the day. These and thousands of other … Read moreLIGHTWEIGHTS
The car horn had been going off and on for days. Intermittent without external stimulus. Neighbors called the police who tracked down the owner and knocked on the door. “Is this your vehicle doing the honking?” “Oh yeah, sorry about that. I’ve been meaning to fix it.” “You need to fix it now. Getting lots … Read moreGame Over
In a fog of diesel fumes machines surrounded the bushes, shaking their bases and whapping their stems with spinning tines to loosen every morsel of fruit. Blueberries bounced into hoppers and down a funnel to the flats waiting below. Bush told Bud this day would come. &&& “The Great Gatherer returns each year to collect … Read moreFaith in the Trenches
Prompt: Use the onion headline “Unexamined Life Lived” as a tile and you piece. Write a story of 850-1200 words that takes this headline literally. Constraints: The protagonist has reached a natural pause point (end of a job, relationship, era, or routine). Reflection is available but actively avoided –no journals, therapy sessions, confessions, or mono … Read moreThe Unexamined Life, Lived
Strong claws Hard shell Tiny arms feed my Sharp mouth As I devour tender tidbits An itch on my back Then my leg Then everywhere A rising fire Ocean-bottom pressure builds Within me A crack Breaks me open A small relief Jerking and twisting From my petrified suit Like escaping a glue trap Pulling and … Read moreBigger Not Better
My book of days and weeks and months Only reads backwards For me, at least It’s all in there Birth, living, death Time ticks I make my way Just another protagonist Unable to see beyond the now Which makes every day A new adventure If adventure is going into the unknown Where anything and nothing … Read moreTime’s Person of the Moment
Reaching out To those hurt by Life’s Big Bad moments Feels like putting my hand In a blender What to say What to do Google poems About loss Not much help Flip through Emily Post To learn the proper manners So sorry for your loss Feels colorless And small Like canned peas I’m also not … Read moreDon’t Speak
I want to open a restaurant. Where? Halfway between Boise and Lucky Peak. What’s the name? The Crow Inn. So, it’s a motel? No. That’s sort of confusing. Maybe you’re right. I’ll call it Ben’s Crow Inn. What’s the specialty? Specialty? Yes. Why do people stop? I’m going to serve clams. Clams? In the desert? … Read moreRisky Business
Crispy crunchy crusty Zesty sour musty Smooth succulent sticky Hearty juicy fizzy Smoky nutty chewy Flakey fluffy gooey If you want to be a winner Printing food is what’s for dinner No haste no waste Just load the peptide paste Choose from sweet, salty, Sour, bitter, umami Combine them all You’ll have a ball At … Read moreMealtime Morality