50 Word Thursday #79 – Clear Orders.

And the words: “My orders are clear. Eleven o’clock was the deadline.” – The Moon is Down – John Steinbeck.

 

This story was written for the 50 Word Thursday challenge. It isn’t too late to take part, click on the link below. You have until tomorrow evening to enter.

https://talesfromthemindofkristian.wordpress.com/2020/07/02/50-word-thursday-79/

 

 

 

It seemed an unlikely venue, a quiet lodge up in hill country.

The instructions were clear. They always were. He never left any room for ambiguity and he wanted the job done quickly.

I glanced at my watch, it was ten to Eleven. Strange, these things were usually done at high-noon in the old westerns but my orders are clear. Eleven o’clock was the deadline. 

An anonymous looking black van pulled up and two men got out.

I walked over, taking my time. I wasn’t going to rush for them.

“Hey, you!” One guy called to me, “Are you gonna take all day?”

I didn’t walk faster, I slowed down.

“OK, have you got the Ruby?” I shouted.

“Yeah, have you got the cash?” the guy called back holding up a small velvet bag.

I waved the briefcase at them.

“Well come on. I can feel myself ageing here!” the man said. He wore a finely tailored suit. Exquisite taste.

I walked the final steps and held out the case.

“At last, I don’t want to age another minute!” the guy said.

“Happy to oblige” I replied and shot them both dead.

Ruby acquired and no cash outlay. Mission accomplished.

 

[200 Words]

 

I have also included the following word prompts:

https://wordofthedaychallenge.wordpress.com/2020/07/07/aging/

FOWC with Fandango — Taste

https://onedailyprompt.wordpress.com/2020/07/07/your-daily-word-prompt-oblige-ydwordprompt-July-7-2020/

https://ragtagcommunity.wordpress.com/2020/07/07/rdp-tuesday-ruby/

 

 

 

 

The Day The Tin Foil Hats Broke – Revealing the truth.

I thought it was time for another outing for this poem I wrote a while back 🙂 

 

 

 

It was something that I’d come to dread

That every thought within my head

would burst from my mouth, as it spoke,

the day the tin foil hats broke.

 

My Uncle said “What is it son?”

For I had turned quite pale and wan,

my face was screwed up really tight

while my thoughts were picked up by satellite.

 

“My tin foil hat has broken!” I cried

My Uncle just looked smug and sighed

“Well, Nephew I wouldn’t worry a jot,

with your brain, it’s not going to reveal a lot”.

 

I had a longing for something that

would keep my thoughts under my hat

My tangled mind, tortured and petty

had spilled its contents like boiling spaghetti.

 

A tangled jungle of vine and fern,

revealed that I had failed to learn,

my head was empty of meaningful things

but I knew by heart the Lord of the Rings.

 

Like a boiled egg, my mind was bare

without any useful facts in there,

My Uncle said “Now you have a mission

“you should become a politician”

 

But still I worried, how could that fly?

When I couldn’t ever tell a lie.

but thankfully, and rather shocking,

a new foil hat was in my Christmas Stocking.

 

This poem was written for A Guy Called Blokes Challenge, see here:

What’s My Story Then #3

I have also included the following word prompts:

https://ragtagcommunity.wordpress.com/2019/04/20/rdp-saturday-egg/

https://swimmersweek.wordpress.com/2019/04/20/satelite/

https://wordofthedaychallenge.wordpress.com/2019/04/20/longing/

https://lightmotifs.wordpress.com/2019/04/19/three-things-challenge-pl65/

Today’s prompt: nephew, fern, spaghetti

 

https://wordofthedaychallenge.wordpress.com/2020/07/06/worry/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

50 Word Thursday #78 – Without due Caution.

And the words:

“She launched herself at their leader.” – Lorraine Heath’s When A Duke Loves A Woman

This story was written for the 50 Word Thursday challenge, hosted this week by Deb Whittam:

https://debbiewhittam.wordpress.com/2020/06/26/50-word-thursday-78/

 

 

The lake was beautiful and tranquil, an oasis of peace in the middle of a busy zoo.

You could hear in the distance the occasional roar of a lion or the chatter of monkeys, but that didn’t detract from the stillness of that place.

Then a gang of youths appeared, shouting at each other, boasting and taunting.

On the edge of the lake swam some baby swans. One of the kids picked one up and then threw it at one of his friends who caught it.

The Mother swan came out of nowhere and she launched herself at their leader, squawking loudly with a frantic beating of her wings.

Now it’s an empirical fact that Mother swans have been known to kill to protect their young.

It’s a shame that those kids hadn’t known that or maybe they would have shown more caution and then they’d still be alive today.

[150 Words]

 

I have also included the following word prompts:

https://wordofthedaychallenge.wordpress.com/2020/06/30/zoo-3/

FOWC with Fandango — Empirical

https://onedailyprompt.wordpress.com/2020/06/30/your-daily-word-prompt-caution-ydwordprompt-June-30-2020/

Saturday Song Lyrics – Rivers

The Word of the Day is River

and so I instantly thought of these songs,

https://wordofthedaychallenge.wordpress.com/2020/06/27/river-2/

 

1. Billy Joel – The River of Dreams

 

2. Christie – Yellow River

 

and finally, a little something from me. A version of the classic song Moon River, sung by me. 🙂

 

50 Word Thursday #77 – The Birthday Wish

 

And the Words:

“It is a puzzle. How can life go on its stupid course on such a day?” – Tortilla Flat, John Steinbeck. 

This story was written for the 50 Word Thursday Challenge:

https://talesfromthemindofkristian.wordpress.com/2020/06/18/50-word-thursday-77/

 

As she wandered through the parterre the neatly clipped box barely caught her eye and the lavender with its perfume failed to penetrate the thoughts that kept her occupied. She paused to admire the bronze statue, a paragon of manly virtue. Her eye took in each curve of muscle. She’d led a sheltered life, staring at this statue had been the extent to her experience of the carnal. She had just turned forty and a lonely spinster who had inherited a fortune but had no one to enjoy life with. Despite her birthday, she was in no mood for celebration. Instead, she stared longingly at the familiar statue and made a wish.

Suddenly there was a flash that temporarily blinded her and a loud metallic noise like the sounding of a gong. Her heart raced and she was afraid that something momentous had happened. The statue had come to life its dark bronze patina replaced by tanned flesh.

It is a puzzle, How can life go on its stupid course on such a day?

As the man climbed down from his plinth, she caught sight of something and realised that despite huge muscles other things appeared to be quite diminutive.

[200 Words]

 

I have also included the following word prompts:

https://wordofthedaychallenge.wordpress.com/2020/06/24/celebration/comment-page-1/#comment-33090

FOWC with Fandango — Diminutive

https://onedailyprompt.wordpress.com/2020/06/24/your-daily-word-prompt-afraid-ydwordprompt-June-24-2020/

https://ragtagcommunity.wordpress.com/2020/06/24/rdp-wednesday-paragon/

 

Newly? Newley? Close enough :-)

The Word of the Day is Newly, and for some reason, this made me think of a Singer and Actor, Anthony Newley.

He was married to the Actress Joan Collins and had quite a few hits in the UK charts in the ’50s and early ’60s including this song: Why.

This song always makes me cry a bit, my Mum used to sing it to me when I was little as a lullaby.

 

 

https://wordofthedaychallenge.wordpress.com/2020/06/15/newly/

50 Word Thursday #76 – A Secret from the Past

And the words:

“Sometimes, it’s not your secret to tell.” ― Stephenie Meyer, New Moon

This story was written for the 50 Word Thursday Challenge. Click on the link below to take part, you have until Wednesday to post your own story.

https://debbiewhittam.wordpress.com/2020/06/12/50-word-thursday-76/

 

I grew up on the coast but it wasn’t a popular stretch of beach, the weather was far too changeable. The waves were too rough for swimming. Sometimes a group of surfers would come and use the beach, but mostly it was just dog walkers who trod that lonely stretch of sand.

It was commonly said that the beach was haunted. Everyone in that part of the world knew the tale of a woman found strangled on the beach but how her ghost still walked the shore on quiet nights calling out the name of her lover. It had been nearly a hundred years ago, but still, that legend haunted me. I felt some strange connection to the story, possibly because the name the people heard her call out was the same name given to me at birth, Lawrence.

It was my Uncle who gave me the opportunity to explore the past. He was a mad scientist who had discovered the secret of time travel, although you could only go backward through time never forward.

Sending me back to find out what had happened to that woman murdered on the beach had seemed the only way to stop thinking about it.

However, I found out more than I could cope with.

I could never share what I had discovered, sometimes it’s not your secret to tell, but it had been my fault. It was me who was responsible for that woman’s death and why her ghost called out my name.

[250 Words]

 

I have also included the following word prompts:

 

https://wordofthedaychallenge.wordpress.com/2020/06/12/backward-2/

https://onedailyprompt.wordpress.com/2020/06/12/your-daily-word-prompt-responsible-ydwordprompt-June-12-2020/

https://ragtagcommunity.wordpress.com/2020/06/12/rdp-friday-uncle/

 

50 Word Thursday – Strange Allegiances

 

And the Words: “Nobody can be held responsible for the pranks of destiny.”
― Joan Lindsay, Picnic at Hanging Rock

This story was written for the 50 Word Thursday challenge. If you want to take part, you have until Wednesday evening (GMT) click on the link below:

https://talesfromthemindofkristian.wordpress.com/2020/06/04/50-word-thursday-75/

 

There were a few of us in the wedding party and we decided to make the most of our time together before we all went our separate ways.

It seemed apt to take them to the quiet spot where Alice and I had met, on a walking tour. This was where it had started.

The gorge, normally dry had been transformed by the recent rains into a watering hole.

Alice enjoyed swimming and I knew she could not resist the sight of that cool water on that gloriously hot day.

It was two days after our wedding and already I had begun to think it wasn’t worth it. Sure, she was an heiress and was simply rolling in money, but she was one of those clingy types.

My cousin, his wife, my friends John and Laura and Alice’s Uncle George made up the rest of the gathering. We all looked on as Alice waded into the inviting waters.

There is no honour amongst thieves, so the old adage goes, and I have the distinction of being one of the best. Up to that point, I’d only indulged in the odd bit of bribery and blackmail, but if this paid off, I’d get my hands on a goldmine. My Allegiance was to myself alone.

I remember we were tucking into some cooked chicken when Alice started screaming, needless to say, we were too late.

Nobody can be held responsible for the pranks of destiny, at least that’s what the Judge said.

[250 Words]

 

I have also incorporated the following word prompts:

https://ragtagcommunity.wordpress.com/2020/06/09/rdp-tuesday-distinction/#like-9054

FOWC with Fandango — Apt

https://onedailyprompt.wordpress.com/2020/06/09/your-daily-word-prompt-allegiance-ydwordprompt-June-9-2020/

https://wordofthedaychallenge.wordpress.com/2020/06/09/honor/

 

 

 

Sunny – Yesterday my life was filled with rain.

 

The Word of the Day is Sunny and that made me think of this song by Boney M from 1976.

I hope you enjoy this reminder of a different time back in the 1970s.

https://wordofthedaychallenge.wordpress.com/2020/05/30/sunny/

The lyrics are as follows:

Sunny,
yesterday my life was filled with rain.
Sunny,
you smiled at me and really eased the pain.
The dark days are gone,
and the bright days are here,
My sunny one shines so sincere.
Sunny one so true, I love you.

Sunny,
thank you for the sunshine bouquet.
Sunny,
thank you for the love you brought my way.
You gave to me your all and all.
Now I feel ten feet tall.
Sunny one so true, I love you.

Sunny,
thank you for the truth you let me see.
Sunny,
thank you for the facts from a to c.
My life was torn like a windblown sand,
And the rock was formed when you held my hand.
Sunny one so true, I love you.

Sunny

(Instrumental)

Sunny,
thank you for the smile upon your face.
Sunny,
thank you for the gleam that shows its grace.
You’re my spark of natures fire,
You’re my sweet complete desire.
Sunny one so true, I love you
Yes, I love you, baby.

Sunny,
yesterday my life was filled with rain.
Sunny,
you smiled at me and really eased the pain.
The dark days are gone,
and the bright days are here,
My sunny one shines so sincere.
Sunny one so true, I love you, yeah.

I love you.
I love you.
I love you.
I love you.

Kreative Kue – Not a time for Kisses!

 

This poem was written for Keith Channing’s Kreative Kue challenge:

https://keithchanning.wordpress.com/2020/05/25/kreative-kue-264/

 

All I want to do is play with my duck

but it seems as though I’m just out of luck

I’ve been picked up and squeezed by hands so strong

I don’t like it, I think it’s so rude and so wrong!

I’d tell them to stop it, but I’m tiny and young

and I can’t seem to get the right words off my tongue.

And now they are pushing me into a face

Can I not have some dignity in this place?

I know you’re my mother and she is my sister,

but can’t you understand, I don’t want to kiss her?

It’s definitely a nightmare rather than a dream

so all I can do is to start crying and scream.

 

Copyright: Kristian Fogarty 30th May 2020

https://wordofthedaychallenge.wordpress.com/2020/05/29/duck/