Books

Books

Trapped between

the covers.

Held captive by

the stories.

Led up and

down the pages

by the flow of

words and the

worlds they create.

After I feel both

the joy and sadness

of reaching the end,

I choose another

from the stack

and begin again.

Thanks to Kasie Whitener for this week's Wordsmith Studio Creative Prompt-Trapped.

Links

National Poetry Month

Author Page

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Hindsight

Hindsight

If I had known

what I didn't

would I have done

something different?

Would I have done

what I couldn't or

thought I shouldn't?

Would I have

gone in another direction?

North instead of South?

East instead of West?

Would all the rest

have changed

if I had known?

Thanks to Kasie Whitener for this week's Wordsmith Studio Creative Prompt-If I Had Known.

Links

ARTSPEAK RADIO presents, Sonie Joi Thompson-Ruffin and Bill McKemy

Author Page

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Stowaways

Stowaways

Gum on a shoe or

mud when it's wet

Hair on clothing

from us or the pets

A price tag we

forget to remove

A piece of tape

that sticks like glue

The feelings we hide

inside but can't let out

no matter how hard we try

Thanks to Kasie Whitener for this week's Wordsmith Studio Creative Prompt-Stowaway. 

Upcoming Events

ARTSPEAK RADIO presents Editors Adam Finkelston, James Meara, 

and Author/writer, Patrick Dobson

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Collaborative Story

Jessica quickened her pace. The cool air encouraged the increased speed. I'm surprised more people aren't out. She stumbled on a tree root, took a step off the trail to regain her balance,and came face-to-face with a hole in the rocks. It looks like a dog's head.

Thanks to Kasie Whitener for this Wordsmith Studio Creative Prompt-A Dark and Stormy Night. The challenge is to contribute to a scary story. I started it, now it's up to you to help finish it by contributing a few lines in the comments. What happens next?

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Here are a couple of other collaborative projects I'm involved with:

Slavic Arts Festival and Reading: A Celebration of Eastern European Culture

The Beauty of the Everyday 

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Morning Brew

The sound of the typewriter gave me away. Throughout school, I waited until the final hours to write any papers I was assigned and my Mother always heard me typing.

Mom didn't approve of the process. We had the same conversation over and over again. "Why do you wait until the last minute?" I gave the question some thought. Was I practicing for the career I dreamed of as a sportswriter? Did I need the adrenaline rush of a tight deadline to write my best? "I don't know." I shrugged my shoulders. Mom shook her head.

Senior year arrived and I hadn't mended my ways. At the end of the semester, I got up early to finish my last paper. I heard the squeak of the stairs through the click of the keys. Mom was on her way up to my bedroom. She inched the door opened. This time, instead of a reprimand, she brought me a cup of coffee.

Thanks to Kasie Whitener for this week's Wordsmith Studio Creative Prompt-Procrastination.

Do you procrastinate when it's time to write?  What's your drink of choice when you write?

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Rain Delay

Rain Delay

The front moves in.

Dark clouds all around.

Suddenly, the drops come down.

There are no flashes so

it's safe to wait 

beneath a tree.

Sheets of water

make it difficult to see,

but this is no long-term storm.

It goes as quickly as it came.

When play resumes,

the signs change to

"Cart Path Only"

for the rest of the day.

Do you have a story about a rain delay that you would like to share?

Thanks to Kasie Whitener for this week's Wordsmith Studio Creative Prompt-Waiting.

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Changing Tides

Changing Tides

The tide came in and

almost knocked

us off our feet.

We kept our balance.

The tide went out,

and left behind countless

pieces of broken shells.

I examined several

then decided I didn't

want any souvenirs.

Thanks to Kasie Whitener for this week's Wordsmith Studio Creative Prompt-Summer Romance.

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Sometimes a Photo Bomb May Be a Windfall

I was out on a morning walk and noticed the moon. I like to photograph the moon "sitting" on different things, like roofs or trees branches. This time, I wanted the moon to look like it was doing a high-wire act. When I downloaded the pictures, I saw that I had gotten photo bombed by a bird. Instead of ruining the shot, the bird enhanced it. That is a photographer's windfall.

Thank's to Kasie Whitener for this week's Wordsmith Studio Creative Prompt-Windfall. Tell us about your windfalls in the comments on the blog post.

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Prepared for Landing

Prepared for Landing

Seat belt buckled.

Seat back and tray upright.

Trash discarded.

 Carry-on under the

the seat in front of you. 

 The ground got closer.

 The wheels met the land.

You reached your final destination,

and the turbulence began.

Thanks to Kasie Whitener for this week's Wordsmith Studio Creative Prompt-Preparation. Are you prepared? If so, for what? Let us know in the comments on the blog post.

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Rivals

 

Natural Enemies

Vandals enter

the garden,

damaging plants and

causing leaves

to curl and dry.

Rescuers come in

like guardian angels,

Eating the pests as

fast as they can.

Aphids vs. ladybugs,

One of nature's

great rivalries.

Thanks to Kasie Whitener for this week's Wordsmith Studio Prompt-Rivals. What does the word rivals mean to you? Post a link in the comments to. Your thoughts about rivals.

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Autumn

 

Fall Garden

 

In the dusk of your
color when the trees
are in the dawn of theirs.
The falling leaves
create a carpet for
the season’s visitors.
The few remaining
blooms take a
backseat to seed pods
and drying stems.
Soon, the snow
will blanket you.
Snuggle under and
rest until spring sounds
it’s wake-up call.

 

 

Thanks to Kasie Whitener for this week's Wordsmith Studio Prompt. What does your autumn look like. Put a link to it in the comments on the blog post.

 

 

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Fright



High Hopes

 

Heights give

some a fright.

The distance

between top

and ground

makes the

heart pound.

The proverbial

advice is

“Don’t look down.”

Perhaps, look

around. The

beauty may

astound.

 

Thanks to Kasie Whitener for this week's Wordsmith Studio Prompt-Fright. What gives you a fright? Post a link to it in the comments on the prompt post.

 

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New

 

 

“No matter how busy you may think you are, you must find time for reading,

 or surrender yourself to self-chosen ignorance.” — Confucius

 

 

I bought a new book this weekend! It's It Happens in the Dark by Carol O'Connell, the latest in her Mallory series. It just came out in August so it really is a new book.

 

Do you make time to read?

 

This week's Wordsmith Studio Creative Prompt is New. So, what's new with you? Let us know by leaving a link in the comments on the blog post. Thanks to Kasie Whitener for this prompt.

 

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Milestones

 

Seasons

 

Spring arrives
Gardens grow
Summer colors
Blooms abound
Fall descends
Rich harvest
Winter snows
Dormancy
Spring arrives
Gardens grow

 

 

This week's Wordsmith Studio Creative Prompt is Milestones. Create your interpretation in your favorite genre and post a link to it in the comments on the prompt page. Thanks to Kasie Whitener for this prompt.

 

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Wish You Were Here

 

 

This week's Wordsmith Studio Creative Prompt is Wish You Were Here. The idea is to talk about your summer vacation.

 

Since I haven't gone out of town yet this summer, I'm going to tell you something about Kansas City, Missouri, that you might not know. It is just one of many reasons why Kansas City is a great place to visit and a great place to take a staycation if you live here.

 

Kansas City is known as the "City of Fountains" and has more operating fountains than any other city in the world, except Rome. Click this link to the city's website to see more beautiful fountains.

 

What's your response to the prompt "Wish You Were Here?" Post a link to it in the comments on the prompt page. Thanks to Kasie Whitener for this prompt.

 

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Tuesday Photo-Rain

 

Walking in the neighborhood the morning after a storm, I captured these raindrops on the leaves of a black  maple. This branch sags down over the sidewalk.

 

Wordsmith Studio is now doing a weekly creative prompt. What's your pleasure-poetry, fiction, photography? Check out the prompt and create whatever you like in response to it. Post a link in the  comments section of the prompt post. Thanks to Kasie Whitener for this week's prompt.

 

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