1369 - Dame Mary

 

Dame Mary Gilmore - by Sir William Dobell.

Elephant's Child presents 5-10 words for us to use in a creative writing piece.  

This week's words are:

Extra, Wisdom, Memories, Corner, Imposing, Dark, Shoulder, Femininity, Strength, Manners, Green

Dame Mary

Tall. Imperious,

An imposing figure—

Expressed in dark tones,

Black and green.

You sense the wisdom

Born of the ages.

The strength is apparent

But feminimity is present too.

Her demeanor conveys

A will of iron

Cloaked in good manners 

And a frilly collar.

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1368 - The Divide

 

The Divide

A walk in the rain.

It's only on the outside—

An inner sunshine.

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1367 - Layers

 

Layers

Stripped of all layers,

Cold, naked and terrified—

Foetal position.

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1366 - Lone Pine

 

 Image by ChatGPT

The Sunday Whirl presents twelve words for us to use in a creative writing piece.  

This week's words are:

flashy, facades, free, takeover, destruction, power, despots, low, hope, heart, hold, how

Lone Pine

"Old men declare war. 

But it is youth that must fight and die." 

-- Herbert Hoover

The bugle plays ‘Last Post’.

Many wear medals—

Pinned over their hearts,

Not flashy, just proud and reflective.

Some of them hold photos,

All remember.

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He stands apart,

Pondering the destruction

That lead to the scene

Unfolding before him—

The loss of lives,

The façade of righteousness,

The display of power,

The despots fought and beaten.

But what leader is not a despot

If given the chance?

They attend these events,

Take over the role of defender

With platitudes of hope and freedom—

But are less forthcoming

On how we arrived at this point,

This low point of human failing.

Few remember.

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A minute’s silence.

The bugle moves the soul,

But not the memory.

Reveille.  

But we sleep on.

The errors repeat.

Few question why.

Best we remember.

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1365 - The Companion

Image by ChatGPT

Elephant's Child presents 5-10 words for us to use in a creative writing piece.  

This week's words are:

Brand, Veered, Afternoon, Impromptu, Holiday, Unaware, Companion, History, Paintings, Solace.

The Companion.

The train was gone.

Nowhere to be seen.

The platform empty.

The ticket office shut.

An impromptu stay,

A holiday of sorts.

An afternoon to fill.

The gallery was open.

Paintings lend solace—

An escape, immersion,

Into another world,

A history on canvas.

He is not alone.

She is not unaware

Of his presence

But looks ahead.

The next train is due.

He looks at her.

She looks ahead.

Decision time.

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1364 - The Fish Market

 

Elephant's Child presents 5-10 words for us to use in a creative writing piece.  

This week's words are:

gentle, organic, standards, odour, moisture, “20 years”, noses, pregnant, gloves, high

The Fish Market

Memories of Hoi An 2008.

The streets are a jungle—

A constant dance between

Eager sellers and reluctant buyers.

Suits? Shoes? Watches?

Less-than-subtle pressure.

“You want a coffee, Mister?

Euphemism.  Caveat emptor.

Step into the fish market—

A different world.

Like a jelly fish, you glide

Unseen and unwanted.

The nose sees it first—

Odours, fishy but fresh.

Organic in the best sense.

Vendors, mostly women,

Sit cross-legged on the floor—

The young, the old, children—

In gloves, aprons, 

Classic bamboo hats.

Lots of running water,

Everything is wet.

Fish are scaled, filleted 

Stacked and sold.

The tourist is invisible.

None buy fish 

So none are noticed.

They drift, observers,

In a different world.

Outside, pleading eyes

And sugared words

Await their return.

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1363 - The Songs of Dusk

 Image by ChatGPT

The Sunday Whirl presents twelve words for us to use in a creative writing piece.  

This week's words are:

races, wear, hound, brawl, song, hood, blend, heroes, flick, shoot, trip, beams

The Songs of Dusk.

Races down the street. 

Duck—weave—don’t trip. 

Wear them down. Tag!

Cops and Robbers.

Shoot’em up, 

Shoot’em down.

Bang! Bang! You're dead!

Beware the Death Star.

Light sabres drawn.

Laser beams at the ready.

Robin Hood—yay!

The Sheriff—boo!

Hide and seek. Shhh!

The woods are alive.

Sleuths, like hound dogs.

Reality and dreams blend.

Every one’s a hero.

The odd scuffle.  Sure.

Not quite a brawl.

Dust down, flick off‚

“Play on!” is the call.

And they do.

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