#writephoto – Which Way Should I go? – #Haibun #Senryu

13 Saturday Apr 2019

Posted by Dorinda Duclos in Haibun, Poetry, Senryu, WritePhoto

Tags

clouds, decisions, dorindaduclos.com, green fields, nettles, Night Owl Poetry, path, photo prompt, possibility, sign, sky, Sue Vincent's Write Photo, way, WritePhoto, writing

The sky was a beautiful blue underneath white puffy clouds. I couldn’t help notice how green the landscape had become, after the harsh winter months. Walking along a path, I came across a sign, unmarked, and quite faded. It sent a tingle down my spine, as if it was sending me a message, although, it was surrounded by nettles. I couldn’t get close enough to see where it could send me, no matter how many different angles I approached it from. I could go in any of the directions it suggested, but exactly, where would I be going? Eventually, I decided to go east, to follow the sun, praying I had made the right choice.

Decisions to make
Endless possibilities
Ultimately mine

#writephoto – The Sign – #shortstory

16 Saturday Mar 2019

Posted by Dorinda Duclos in Poetry, WritePhoto

≈ 16 Comments

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#shortstory, child, clouds, daughter, dorindaduclos.com, moon, mother, Night Owl Poetry, photo prompt, sign, Sue Vincent's Write Photo, witch hat, witchcraft, WritePhoto, writing

“What did you do!!?”

“I, I did what you told me to do! Why are you so angry?” asked the little one.

“You did not do what I told you to do.” said Mama. “I give up, young lady. I don’t know why you can’t follow simple directions!”

Bewildered by her mother’s outburst, the little one sat, wistfully staring out the window. The moon was full tonight, her favorite time to watch it. “I don’t understand, Moon. She is so angry with me.” Of course, the moon didn’t answer. She just kept hanging around in a clouded sky. The little one just sighed. She had been doing that a lot lately. Mama expected so much from her, and she was only seven. Why wasn’t she allowed to be a child?

Born into witchcraft, Hailey was expected to be trained in the ways of the witches. But she had no desire to do so, and it showed. She kept messing up spells, and not listening when Mama told her what to do. She thought by now Mama would understand and stop pressing her. But it got worse. This time she had really done it.

“I don’t get it, any of it, “ she continued talking to the moon. “I don’t want to be a witch. I want to be a normal child. Do you think that will ever be? Oh, Moon, why won’t you talk to me?”

Hailey heard Mama coming back to the room, and she came to sit next to her. Hailey’s head was hanging down, and Mama gently lifted it with her hand. She saw the anguish in Hailey’s face, and realized, that perhaps, this life wasn’t going to work for her. She had dreamt of the day she would have a daughter, one to carry on after she had passed. But her daughter wasn’t like the others. She had a special quality about her, a glow none of the other children had. She folded her daughter into her arms, giving her a big hug.

“I’m sorry Mama…” Hailey began.

“Hush, child. It’s okay. I realize now, you aren’t meant to be a witch.”

“No, Mama, I don’t think I am. But I have a question. Why did you get so mad? I did what you told me to do.”

“Hailey, when I said take your hat and look for a sign, that wasn’t exactly what I had in mind!”

They both laughed, and the warmth of mother and child shined, a radiance like no other had ever seen.

#writephoto – Tranquil – #poetry

09 Saturday Mar 2019

Posted by Dorinda Duclos in Poetry, WritePhoto

≈ 26 Comments

Tags

dorindaduclos.com, Heaven on Earth, lavender, Night Owl Poetry, peaceful, peacefulness, photo prompt, secluded, Solace, Sue Vincent's Write Photo, tranquil, trees, water, WritePhoto, writing

Lavender shores paint the scene

Of a land sedate, and so serene

Where verdant grass and trees align

And form a vision, heavenly, divine

I have journeyed here, this very day

I think, perhaps, it’s where, I’ll stay

To watch the waters ripple gently

And listen to silence, quite intently

Let my mind wander, like the clouds

Far, far away from the noisy crowds

Yes, here is where I’ll find my solace

In this place, tranquil and flawless

#writephoto – The Invitation – #shortstory

04 Monday Mar 2019

Posted by Dorinda Duclos in short story, WritePhoto

≈ 21 Comments

Tags

dorindaduclos.com, garden, gates, humans, Invitation, leprechaun, Night Owl Poetry, Patty Picklepuss, photo prompt, queen, Sue Vincent's Write Photo, WritePhoto, writing

“Come on! Let’s go in!”

I’m not sure we should”

“But it’s open.”

“And what if we’re not welcome there. What if there’s a mean old hag behind that gate, What if..”

Reggie cut her off. “Always with your what ifs, Gina. Stop being afraid of everything, live a little.”

“But Reggie.”

“No buts. I bet there’s something magical behind those gates. And the only way to find out is to go in. If you’re not, I am. You can wait out here for me.”

Gina thought about it for a moment, then decided she didn’t want to be alone on the other side of who knows what. Better to stick close to her best friend, than possibly lose him, again. She nodded her head and took up steps behind Reggie. The gate was heavier than he had anticipated, so he asked Gina to help him. Together, they pushed against the iron structure, stopping each time it made a loud creaking noise. They agreed that if someone was on the other side, they’d know by now. They weren’t exactly being quiet. Finally opening the gate all the way, they stepped into what appeared to be a beautiful garden.

“Oh, Reggie, this is lovely! It’s like the Magic Garden. Remember? We used to play that all the time. Until I got lost in the woods, that is,” she said, putting her head down.

“That was ages ago, G. Come on, let’s check this place out.”

In front of them was a trail leading further into the garden area, and one off to the side that lead to an unpaved path of thick bushes. There was a rustling sound coming from the bushes, and Gina quickly found herself hiding behind Reggie. Out from the bushes came a small, odd looking man. Brushing himself off, he introduced himself.

“Good afternoon. I am Patty Picklepuss. And you are?” he asked.

“I’m Reggie and this is my friend, Gina.”

“I see. And do you have your invitations?”

They looked at the small man with confusion. “Invitation?” asked Reggie.

“Yes, yes.” The man was getting agitated. “You’ve come through the gates for the party, haven’t you? You can only get in with an invitation. So, let’s see them.”

Reggie and Gina shook their heads, and shrugged their shoulders.

“Ah, no invitation, eh. Party crashers, eh. Well, we’ll see about that!” And with that statement, Patty Picklepuss blew on a long horn he seemed to produce from thin air. The noise was ear shattering and quickly two men, much taller than Patty, were standing there. They must be guards, thought Reggie.

“These two, um, what are you anyway? Humans? Ugh! Take these to humans,” he said with disgust, “and put them in the thicket with the other party crashers.”

“Wait! What did we do wrong? We saw the open gate and thought it would be okay to come in. If you didn’t want anyone here, you should have closed the gate!” With that, Reggie stomped his foot and folded his arms across his chest. He wasn’t backing down. Gina knew this was always trouble, but she had no choice but to stand there and hope for the best. The guards seemed fascinated by this odd human who had the nerve to stand up to them. Looking at Picklepuss, they questioned as to what they should do.

“Hmmmm, a feisty one. Maybe we should bring them to the Queen. Let her decide. Perhaps her lions are a better choice, instead of the thicket.”

Gina looked horrified but didn’t put up a fight. She went willingly with the guard who had her by the arm. Reggie was right behind her and she prayed it would stay that way.

Entering the courtyard, they were brought before the Queen. Picklepuss walked to her and whispered something in her ear. She nodded, then turned her attention to Reggie and Gina. “I am told you have entered into my garden without invitation. Is this true?” she asked.

Gina began to speak but Reggie cut her off. She really disliked when he did that and shot him a look of disgust. He shrugged and continued, “We saw the gate open and we wanted to see what was behind it. If you didn’t want anyone coming in, why leave it that way?” he asked.

The Queen chuckled, then asked the guard to bring the female closer to her. As Gina walked nearer, she could see the Queen was not human. She had porcelain like hands and her face was perfect, not one mark nor blemish graced her skin. Gina just stood there, mesmerized. It seemed the Queen was equally so, as it took a few minutes before she spoke again.

“You are the one I’ve been waiting for. The one they told me would take my place. I’ve not long for this planet you call Earth, but I do not wish to have my legacy forgotten. They told me there would be one here, who would venture through the gates and be taken to me. She was the one I was to meet, and it appears the she is you.”

Gina was so confused. What on Earth was she talking about? Reggie looked just as confused. But before he could speak, the Queen ordered the guards to throw him into the thicket. Gina tried to yell, but Patty Picklepuss somehow stopped her. She had no voice. She had no idea where she was, nor where they had taken Reggie. All she knew was she was alone, again, lost inside a garden that she no longer felt was so magical.

To be continued…

#writephoto – Timeless – #poeticprose #poetry

25 Monday Feb 2019

Posted by Dorinda Duclos in Poetry, short story, WritePhoto

≈ 9 Comments

Tags

#poeticprose, dorindaduclos.com, lessons, Night Owl Poetry, photo prompt, questions, spirits, stone, Sue Vincent's Write Photo, timeless, WritePhoto, writing

What dare unearth this ground, shrouded in mysteries, untold; is there a message, timeless, profound, unlocking secrets, as day unfolds? Disguised as stone, do you see, the face of another come through; or perhaps, eagle’s wings, taking flight, to be free, or pursue?

And what of the markings down below, a hand print stained with time; drawing us closer, trying to show; this is no ordinary place, nor paradigm. This ground on which you stand, holds those who have long since passed, their spirits remain here, quite planned, blending with the trees, and vacant grass.

These are the questions begging to be asked, by those who do not know; to venture here, is no easy task, still, one you mustn’t forgo. Take heed to the teachings that await, for one day you may return; as a spirit, yourself, from beyond the gate, best make sure your lessons are well learned.