Friday, February 18, 2011

Hit and Run (From Ann's Writing Prompt)

Ann's writing challenge is to use the following six phrases in a story: 
Cracked plastic, waning moon, a scar, 4th floor, an old boiler, death on a bicycle

Hit.
Oh God! Oh God! He hadn’t seen her until it was too late. The waning moon cast shadows on the side of the bridge where she had been riding. He couldn’t help her now; she was gone. He had to help himself. Cover it up.

He rushed to the side of the old bridge and looked over the edge in panic at the rushing river. He could barely see the impromptu underwater garbage dump below – he was as high as four floors above it – but he knew it was there.

The old boiler parts caused the largest scar on the river bottom, surrounded by other decaying pieces of metal, fragments of cracked plastic and old glass. A place unobserved by most; a place unknown by many; now her place.

He pushed her mangled bicycle off the edge and watched it take its death ride, matching hers, into obscurity below. He ran back to his car and punched the gas pedal, screeching the tires as he sped away.

Run.

Friday, February 11, 2011

Maya Finds Her Purr


Born in a ditch
Just after dawn
The last kitten of the litter
Then her mother was gone

Rescued by an angel
Full of love and grace
Nurtured till she grew
Ready for a permanent place

Not once did she purr
In her young kitten life
Perhaps it was because
Of the initial strife

Adopted, she grew
And was loved with great care
Never again threatened
By danger or scare

The only sounds she made
Were a squeaky meow
And a faint whistle for a purr
At least until now

At 16, she’s 80
In people years
And this month a new sound
Has just appeared

A soft thwirring we hear
In her moments of demure
Our Maya has just found
Her sweet, musical purr.

Friday, February 4, 2011

Hillside Novel


“Troubles, my man?” said Hugo. 

“Rennie says my job’s on the line. If I don’t get the museum grounds in top shape, including the hiking trails and gazebo, the Board is recommending that I be replaced. I’m feeling the pressure," said Nate.

“Hey, Bro,” Hugo said, “No one loves that place more than you do. They can’t fire you. They won’t if they know what's good for them.”

“I think the Board may have someone else already in mind for the job.”

“Just keep goin’ forward. You can do it. You have the plans all there in your head. Give Riley more responsibility; he can handle it.”

"I’ve already overloaded him. No, these are things I need to do. I’m having trouble staying focused, you know. Keeping myself organized. I wish I didn’t have so many distractions,” said Nate. He leaned forward gripping his glass of beer.

“What other distractions?” Nate knew Hugo sensed there was something else on his mind.

“You won’t believe this. I can’t believe it.”

“You got me now. Give it up.”

“Do you remember the girl in the painting that's hanging at the entrance to the atrium? It’s been in the same place since I can remember.”

“Yeah, when I could see. I remember thinking she was a goddess with her cape and long black hair.”

“Well, she’s talking to me.”