© Ayr/Gray
A magical new weekly writing opportunity from me – Jenne Gray – and him – C. E. Ayr.
Visit this blog every Friday, read an amazing story from each of us, and then post your own even better effort in the comments below.
Or on your own blog and stick the link down in the comments.
The rules are:
Maximum of 250 words.
Based on photo prompt above.
That’s it.
[…] magical new weekly writing opportunity from her – Jenne Gray – and me.Visit her blog every Friday to see the photo prompt, and post your amazing story in her […]
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Who’s the man?
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In a departure from normal practice, I’m going to publish here in the Comments this week. I have also allowed myself to be tempted by the siren call of some past poesy of mine that seems apt.
Reflections
For you and I,
all things seem possible when we look across blue water
from the solid shore
Peering towards the horizon,
we conspire towards a thousand buoyant courses.
Imagining a receding shore and a rising tide,
we do not weigh our stamina against the undertow
nor the wind strength against our craft;
we have enough gods
to warrant speculation.
But there are those who stand upon the solid shore
who are already at the end of this world
(and the next)
and our imagined journeys
are their fated drownings.
For them,
as they squint anxiously across the water
imagining a receding shore and a rising tide,
sailing into the blue
seems a truly godless journey.
So they sit watching us,
like hermit crabs,
waiting for us to set out,
assuming we are unlikely to return,
and picturing life inside our empty shells.
I’d rather be in an Other Place
Other people always seem on course,
Full Ahead to somewhere on the Sea of Life.
I am forever losing the compass
and forgetting how to drop anchor,
permanently adrift in an Other Place.
Occasionally I see harbour lights beckon
but I’ve decided
they’re probably home to the Pirates of Love.
Out here alone,
amidst the rocks and icebergs and whirlpools,
I still need essential supplies
but I have nothing to trade,
except for some shells which,
when placed against the ear,
whisper cryptic messages
from an Other Place,
just in case
other people
are in an Other Place
too.
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A departure from normal practice twice over, Doug.
Intriguing and rather haunting piece, I especially liked ‘… life inside our empty shells…’
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“I am forever losing the compass
and forgetting how to drop anchor”
The story of my life.
I love this departure.
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Thought-provoking and beautiful poesy, Doug.
I’ll have one of your whispering shells, please – what can I trade for it?
It’s the belief that there are others in an Other Place that gives me hope.
Excellent rebel piece in content and position.
Ha, I’ve just noticed that the Crystals are belting out ‘He’s a Rebel’ in the background here!
How about that?
Or is it Big Brother monitoring my posts…
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No, just the Fates. 😉 Thanks, Jenne
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Wonderful images and feeling. I love this. I like how you’ve moved from the huge seascape with winds and tides to the tiny whispering interior of a shell.
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Thank you, Margaret. These two are favorites from my modest collection.
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You have left me somewhat breathless and at a loss for words, Doug.
This is a side of you I don’t get to see often; pity …. it’s a most attractive one.
As CE mentioned, I also was quite taken with the phrase “life inside our empty shells”; a brilliant piece of writing. Bravo!
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Thank you so much for the fulsome praise, Liz.
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A poignant piece indeed, Doug. I often listen to my conch shell, I believe it’s where my muse hangs out.
What is it about this week’s picture that took us both to the serious side?
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Many thanks, Keith. The grey sea perhaps?
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Two beautiful poems, Doug. If I had to vote I think the second one is my favorite but only by a narrow margin. I’d love to listen to the cryptic messages.
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[…] submission to this week’s Unicorn Challenge, whose only requirements are base the story on the picture and limit yourself to 250 […]
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My humble attempt at a bit of myth.
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Here’s mine.
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Here’s my far-fetched tale: https://wp.me/pVkLb-8PT
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[…] 250 word story is for The Unicorn Challenge, hosted by Jenne Gray and C. E. […]
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Here’s my story.
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[…] time once again forThe Unicorn Challenge;this is my […]
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[…] Write a story in 250 words or less about the picture for The Unicorn Challenge. […]
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Buongiorno, tutti! Io sono qui:
https://theelephantstrunk.org/2023/12/09/le-cygne/
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[…] Thanks to Jenne Gray and C.E.Ayr for hosting The Unicorn Challenge […]
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Here’s mine –
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[…] the Unicorn Challenge More words, more fun. jenne and ceayr‘s ‘hop is a photo prompt, making it even more […]
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[…] Jenne Gray and C.E. Ayr’s photo prompt, The Unicorn Challenge (12/08/23). No more than 250 words in length. Otherwise, let your creative flag […]
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Finally catching up. Here’s my take on the photo prompt, and I’ll bet you’re not surprised…
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[…] Jenne and C.E. is The Unicorn Challenge for December 8, […]
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I have one over here: https://michaelsfishbowl.com/2023/12/09/an-afternoon/
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[…] The Unicorn Challenge is a weekly writing challenge, inspired by a picture prompt, with a max word count of 250. […]
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