Wisps of Gold Emily stood beside the piled leaves, peering around the garden for any that might have escaped her notice. It had taken far longer than she’d expected to scrape the mound together, each breeze threatening to undo her work, but she’d been determined to gather every golden scrap she could find. “Well?” she called. “How’s … More Wisps of Gold
They huddle beneath the sheltering branches, hidden from view by tangled growth. Soon they’ll have to move – their pursuers won’t have given up so easily – but for now they sleep in restless slumber, recovering their strength for the struggle ahead. Their dreams are haunted by dark figures who laugh as blood cascades over a … More Trees
She’d always complained that there weren’t enough hours in the day as she dashed from task to task, her to-do list never shrinking. Then fateful words caused her world to shatter. Suddenly she had all the time she’d ever needed, but nothing could fill the interminable hours as they dragged on into an increasingly bleak future. This post … More All the Time in the World
golden brown touches subtle hints of Time’s caress life’s wheel turning on
Seven PM Edmund stood on the shoreline. Waiting. It was something he was good at. As a child he’d waited for his father, watching the ticking clock. At seven pm, daily, the man would hear the governess’ report, granting him a fragment of his time: a smile, a question, a word of praise… if the report was fair. On days when … More Seven PM
He’d collected many tools of the trade over the years, as he moved from job to job in search of a career that fulfilled him. Each time he’d thought he’d found it, thought that this time he’d be happy – only for boredom to soon set in. But this time… this time would be different. This post is for … More TLT: Tools of the Trade
If you listen carefully, you might hear them on the steps, their laughter echoing in the summer air. They climb ever higher, curiosity drawing them onwards. Look. There. Can you see them – twisting in the sunbeams? This post is for Cee’s Which Way Challenge. I’ve really missed this challenge – paths, staircases and signposts are some of my … More Cee’s Which Way: Stairways and Sunbeams
Sidelines Jenny hurried past the sports field with her head down, eyes fixed on the path before her. The hubbub of the players stirred memories she’d rather ignore. Plus, he was there. She could hear his voice, bellowing orders over the field. She could feel the weight of his knowing gaze. She’d spent so many hours standing on the sidelines, cheering … More FFfAW: Sidelines
The Children “For your disregard of our laws-” “Father, please,” Lia said, tears flowing. But no trace of her doting parent was visible. It was the High Councillor who faced her: stern and forbidding as he passed sentence. “-you are hereby banished.” Her hand tightened on the pony’s reins, and she avoided looking at the children on the … More FFfAW: The Children
She’d always dreamed of a fertile union. In her youth she’d painted her lips cherry-red, desperate to attract a partner to fulfill her desires, only to be left with a sour taste as their rot spread through her life. Now her season was waning – maybe it was time to reach for the promised fruit alone. This post is for Sonya’s … More TLT: Fruitful
weary bloom withers past beauty soon forgotten life yet lies ahead crone’s wisdom cradled within next generation’s promise
The Birth of Ambition “This used to be one of the greatest gardens in the area.” The rough voice caught Finley’s attention as he stomped along the path. “Some day it could be great again.” Finley paused, juggling his armfuls of equipment as he peered at the old gardener who stood beside the path, leaning … More FFfAW: The Birth of Ambition
Over Gilded landscape Beneath watchful Moon’s gaze Take to the sky with vibrant wing And soar This post is for the Weekly Photo Challenge. This week’s theme is Cherry on Top, and we’re asked to share a picture with a feature that makes a good shot even better. Last week I was out for a walk during the … More Soar
On ephemeral wings she flits, never settling for long: never long enough to catch her, never long enough to bind her back into the cocooned existence she’s fled.
On damp winds they’re blown in, the thunder of their blades as they slice through the air echoing over golden fields. Stalwart defenders of the nation, here they’re far from war torn lands: no bombs or bullets to lay them low, only nature’s unpredictable buffets to keep them humble. This afternoon I was down at the … More Echoes of my Neighbourhood: Chinooks
Breathe Deep Feeling nature’s embrace, I Breathe deep. Cascading perfumes entwine, senses take to the sky, Feeling nature’s embrace, I Hear the buzzing, the singing; let it fade to a sigh, Welcoming a serenity indigenous to sleep, Feeling nature’s embrace, I Breathe deep. This is my first ever attempt at a triolet, a poetry form that intrigued … More Breathe Deep
The New Store Edith’s footsteps halted as she caught sight of the shop front with its jumbled array of items. How strange, she thought. She’d strolled down this road with her beau just last Sunday and was sure that no such establishment had been in existence then. Nor had she heard that a new shop was opening – … More Cee’s B&W Challenge: Store Front Signs
Waiting “Why are you here?” he asked, even though he knew the answer. “I’m waiting for you.” Her heels clunked against the cabinet in a familiar rhythm. “I’ll wait forever if I have to.” “I won’t be long now.” Ephemeral fingers traced his aged cheek before she faded from view. This post is for Sonya’s Three Line … More TLT: Waiting
Air fills with movement Fleeting insects buzz, dart, dance A feast on the wing I had intended to share my monthly Changing Seasons post today but unfortunately I haven’t actually finished sorting through all of the photos I’ve taken. I’ve visited and photographed the meadow so many times over the past few weeks that I have … More On the Wing
This post is for Sonya’s Three Line Tales. The Runner He ran to escape the anger and fear that had dominated his life for so long, each stride distancing him from the demons of his past. He ran towards dreams of a bright future full of love and hope. He ran because he could – … More TLT: The Runner
This post is for Sunday Photo Fiction, a challenge that asks you to write a story of around 200 words inspired by the photo prompt below. Wildfire of Hysteria Mira slid through the shadows, each movement calculated to remain unseen. The inn was silent in the pre-dawn light but early risers might already be watching. Unfortunately, she … More SPF: Wildfire of Hysteria
This post is for Sonya’s Three Line Tales. Grandma’s Wisdom Grandma always said that the thing to aim for was elegance, sweetly understated; that the magic lay in the simplicity. The ingredients might be plain but when blended they created a perfection no one could resist. She always got the feeling that Grandma wasn’t just talking about cakes. … More TLT: Grandma’s Wisdom
His post is for Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers, a flash fiction challenge run by Priceless Joy, that asks you to write a story of 100-175 words based on the photo prompt below. This week’s prompt was provided by Nonnaci. Thank you Nonnaci. The Window Raen stood in the doorway and considered the benefit of retreat. … More FFfAW: The Window
This post is for the Sometimes Stellar Storyteller’s Six Word Story Challenge. This week’s theme is insult. Thick skinned? He’d had to be. I didn’t really know what picture I was going to use to illustrate this six word story until I went hunting around on Pixabay. Then I entered the search term ‘thick skinned’ and elephant pictures appeared. Perfect! One of … More Six Word Story: Insult
This post is for Sonya’s Three Line Tales challenge. To Shape the World She smiled as she walked away, her every possession carried in the bag on her back. For too long she’d allowed his derisive opinions to control her actions – but no more. From now on, her world would be shaped by her hands … More TLT: To Shape the World
This post is for The Sometimes Stellar Storyteller’s Six Word Story challenge. This week’s theme is dark. Within shadows he watches, waiting. Soon…
This post is for Priceless Joy’s Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers, a challenge that asks you to write a story of 75-175 words based on the photo prompt below. This week’s prompt was provided by TJ Paris. Thank you, TJ! Perfect Position Viordan clambered up the scaffolding with the ease of long practice, the familiar weight … More FFfAW: Perfect Position
This post is for Sonya’s Three Line Tales, a challenge that asks you to write three lines based on the photo prompt below. Tug-of-War With feet apart, teeth bared and fists clenched, they battled yet again for supremacy. Chloe turned away, dialling a familiar number on her phone. She refused to be the prize in … More TLT: Tug-of-War
This post is for The Sometimes Stellar Storyteller’s Six Word Story Challenge. This week’s theme is luck. Copper circle glints: fortune’s promise claimed. I have to admit that I was a little stumped at first when it came to this week’s prompt. I had a number of different ideas but nothing that really leapt out at … More Six Word Story: Luck
This post is for Sonya’s Three Line Tales, a challenge that asks you to write three lines in response to the photo prompt below. The Long Wait She’d held his promise to write close to her heart, waiting patiently each day for the mail to arrive. Disappointment failed to dull anticipation, even as weeks accumulated into … More TLT: The Long Wait
This post is for Priceless Joy’s Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers, a challenge that asks you to write a story of 75-175 words based on the photo prompt below. This week’s prompt was provided by Yinglan. Thank you Yinglan! Seeing is Believing “Did you see that?” “What?” “That sign – the dinosaur – it moved!” … More FFfAW: Seeing is Believing
This post is for Priceless Joy’s Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers, a flash fiction challenge that asks you to write a flash fiction of 75-175 words based on the photo prompt below. This week’s prompt was provided by S. Writings. Inconspicuous “They’re staring at us.” “Oh, I’m sure they’re not, boss.” Fingers pointed. Eyes clearly … More FFfAW: Inconspicuous
This post is for the Sometimes Stellar Storyteller’s six word story challenge. This week’s prompt is: paranoia. Skin itching; eyes peering; creatures lurking. I’m not sure I’ll ever manage to come back on this post -that spider picture is making my skin itch. Yes, this is definitely a paranoia that I have. If I see a … More Six Word Story: Paranoia
This post is for Baheya’s Miniature Writing Challenge. This week’s prompt is Freedom. For this challenge you are asked to write either an ultra short story (50-150 words), a haiku or a little poem. This week I decided to share a poem. Self-Doubt Ensnared in a churning morass of fear, insecurity, spiralling ever deeper. Not as good; … More Self Doubt
Blackbird serenades Serene glow of pregnant Moon Long night stretches on In the early hours of Christmas Day, just as I was settling down to sleep, I was drawn to my window by the sound of a blackbird singing. The light of the full moon made the sky strangely bright for 1:30 AM and was … More Midnight Birdsong
I was very happy to see that the Six Word Story challenge, run by Ben at A Hopelessly Wandering Mind, had made a return. I find the challenge of writing a story in only six words very enjoyable. Aptly, this week’s theme is return. The image I’ve included is from Pixabay. Young eyes open; old soul sees. To read … More Six Word Story – Return
Here’s this week’s entry into Monday’s Finish the Story flash fiction challenge, run by Barbara W. Beacham. This challenge gives you a picture prompt and the first line and asks that you finish the story in 100-150 words. The given line is in italics. Within Shadows Not knowing what to expect, he made his way … More MftS: Within Shadows
Here’s this week’s entry into Monday’s Finish the Story flash fiction challenge, run by Barbara W. Beacham. This challenge gives you a picture prompt and the first line and asks that you finish the story in 100-150 words. The given line is in italics. Interlude Now this is living the life of Riley. Axien blinked … More MftS: Interlude
This post is for the Six Word Story challenge, run by Ben at A Hopelessly Wandering Mind. This week’s theme is Help! Check out Ben’s blog to read the other entries. Years passed. Dreams of freedom faded.
Here’s this week’s entry into Monday’s Finish the Story flash fiction challenge, run by Barbara W. Beacham. This challenge gives you a picture prompt and the first line and asks that you finish the story in 100-150 words. The given line is in italics. Guardian upon the Tower Few knew about the castle hidden inside … More MftS: Guardian upon the Tower
The place where you can find out what Lillie thinks
Looking at life through blue eyes
: around the world :
Looking into why we do the things we do (and some crochet) each Monday
Amanda Tuke - nature writer and urban nature champion
A photographic journey.
Here and now, with all of it.
An Enchanted Place 