This meme was started by Delores a long time ago. Computer issues led her to bow out for a while. The meme was too much fun to let go, and now Words for Wednesday is provided by a number of people and has become a movable feast.
Essentially the aim is to encourage us to write. Each week we are given a choice of prompts: which can be words, phrases, music or an image. What we do with those prompts is up to us: a short story, prose, a song, a poem, or treating them with ignore... We can use some or all of the prompts.
Some of us put our creation in comments on the post, and others post on their own blog. I would really like it if as many people as possible joined into this fun meme, which includes cheering on the other participants. If you are posting on your own blog - let me know so that I, and other participants, can come along and applaud.
The prompts will be here this month
Here are this week's prompts.
- Sleeping
- Burnt
- Broken
- Undercover
- Swallows
- Universe
And/or
- Voyage
- Heart
- Diary
- Falling
- Star
- Samurai
Have fun.
This is the voyage of the heartbroken Samurai. He saw a falling star and noted it in his diary. It would be a long trip...
ReplyDeleteAlex J. Cavanaugh: A long trip indeed. I wonder what he is chasing...
DeleteGood job on catching those pesky words and summing them up neatly.
DeletePoor heartbroken Samurai. That wasn't his lucky star, I think but he took notice of it anyway.
DeleteWell done.
That's a quick way to tell a story!
DeleteNicely done. falling stars mean different things to different people.
DeleteHe who lives by the sword shall surely perish by the sword.
DeleteShort and sweet.
DeleteAlex has succinctness mastered ... well done - a falling star ...
DeleteVery good!
DeleteWell done!
DeleteLove this. It certainly said a lot with so little.
DeleteHave a lovely day.
Nathan was THE best undercover agent the world had never known. During the day he was a mild mannered accountant, and his diary would make dull reading. He still lived in the house in which he had been born, and had rarely travelled as much as fifty miles from home.
ReplyDeleteOr not while he was awake anyway. Sleeping, as saviour of the universe, he his tasks included almost constant voyages.
Last night he had been called on to fight a masterless samurai in the ruins of a burnt temple armed with only a broken chopstick. The swallowtail goldfish swimming lazily in the temple pond were the only witnesses.
The night before? He had caught a falling star and presented it, gift wrapped, to the woman who held his heart.
Tomorrow night? It could be almost anything, anywhere but it certainly wouldn't involve completing complicated forms for the government he hadn't voted for and didn't support.
Ooh.I love Nathan and want to hear more of his adventures.
DeleteIf we didn`t have our dreams we`d be in a sorry state.
DeleteYou'll never know who is working undercover these days. What great adventures Nathan had while sleeping.
DeleteAh, i like this man, i hope he has a lot of great adventures.
DeleteAgainst a Samurai armed with only a broken chopstick? Yikes! but of course he will triumph, that's what dreams are for.
DeleteOnly the impossible occurs in our dreams. Great stuff EC.
Delete*Smile* This story reminds me of a song by a Danish group, The man in their song is a waiter in the daytime, but sleeping, he's a hero, just like your Nathan.
DeleteGood for Nathan ... being the true Undercover agent ... he's coping with the odd world he lives in ... well done ... cheers Hilary
DeleteThis is good!
DeleteSound like Nate is top one to catch the bad guy
DeleteHa! Love it! Was his 'secret' name Walter Mitty, by any chance?
DeleteI LOVE your whole riff on being "undercover." Very clever. Poor guy. Not only were his days a bit of a snore, but he was being bored working for a government not to his liking... Thank goodness for dreams!
DeleteGreat job, Sue!
I love this! The world of dreams is so magical. I'd much rather have dreams than nightmares!
DeleteThe broken chopstick made me laugh. And I really like that he does these things in his dreams, kind of make me wish my dreams are that vivid.
DeleteHave a lovely day.
Taking the voyage of her heart, a cruise really, she leaned back in her lounge chair, diary in hand, and stared at the falling star that streaked through the night sky. Surely, it was a sign. On this wonderful ship anything was possible. Maybe she'd meet her prince or even a bold Samurai. She closed her eyes and, with a smile on her lips, dreamed.
ReplyDeleteSandra Cox: I love it - and firmly believe we all NEED to dream.
DeleteI could almost see me in that lounge chair. Something to dream about.
DeleteA lounge chair is a great place to find a dream.
Deleteyou choose your dream so I have been told. What your last waking thoughts usually are the start of a good dream. Now what fair damsel shail dream about. oh dear I am far to gone for hanky panky.
DeleteHi Sandra - that's the best way to dream ... well done - cheers Hilary
DeleteI love this!
DeleteThanks, all.
DeleteWonderful! Trips on ships or boats are always so relaxing.
DeleteSwallows sleeping undercover.
ReplyDeleteShe in her burnt house,
broken in the universe.
Linda Starr: Poignant and lovely.
Deleteshort and sweet.
DeleteTouches the heart.
DeleteSo concise Linda - loved it ... cheers Hilary
DeleteYou nailed it, Linda!
DeleteWell done!Haiku with these words gave such an image.
DeleteWow. The image is heartbreaking. Thank you!
DeleteSamurai voyage of the heart;
ReplyDeleteFalling like a star;
diary entry last word.
Linda Starr: I hope it isn't the last word. I would love to read more about a samurai's voyage of the heart.
DeleteI wonder what his heart is searching for in his voyage.
DeleteAgain, you nailed it.
DeleteOh, I hope his last word was because of a happy ending.
DeleteI like to see what people come up with for these. :)
ReplyDeletemail4rosey: So do I. Perhaps some day you will join us.
DeleteLovely words taking me on a journey before I could get them all written down.
ReplyDeleteUnder cover of darkness, heart pounding, she stared up into the diamond studded night sky tracing a star as it fell burning a trail through the universe until, burnt out, it disappeared from sight.
DeleteHer family were all sleeping now like the swallows in the sand banks behind the house. Her sleep, broken, the universe was calling her to join it in its nightly voyage, to be one with the stars.
Upstairs in her tiny attic bedroom with the pretty pink gingham curtains her diary awaited her arrival, thirsting for ink and words. She smiled. Her family thought she was just another preteen girl interested only in movie magazines and the latest styles but at heart, she was a Samurai Warrior wandering the night with the creatures of the darkness.
only slightly confused: I love this - and would really like to be that girl.
DeleteWhat an interesting story.
DeleteShe will have adventures, and many stories to tell.
DeleteGreat stuff but was her sword mightier than her pen.
DeleteSo real ... well done - I could imagine her ...
DeleteThis is grand!
DeleteOhh, well written - the stuff fairy tales are made of. I love it.
DeleteWonderful! The writing is both lyrical and imaginative. Well done.
DeleteLoved this!
DeleteOn my day off, I was planning on sleeping in this morning but the smell of burnt toasts and the sound of broken glass on the porcelain tiles made me jump out of bed. I ran to the kitchen and there he was holding the coffee carafe, smiling. "Want a cup of Java"? he asked.
ReplyDeleteHe took a couple of swallows and kissed me on the cheek and went off to do his undercover Job. I cleaned the mess and returned to bed. All is well with the universe.
Julia
Julia: This is lovely. I am glad that the undercover man has support at home.
DeleteAccidents happen, it's nice when there is someone to help clean up.
DeleteSeems that lover boy has an open licence to behave as he sees fit.
DeleteHi Julia - well done ... could so easily be like this ... cheers Hilary
DeleteSmiling. I could see it in my mind. Kudos.
DeleteThe cleaning up of the partner's messes is a love-thing.
DeleteNot even an apology? The wife of an undercover man is so unappreciated. I hope he improves.
Delete
ReplyDeleteWednesday, 12 June 2019
Words on Wednesday
These words this week were supplied by "Elephants Child" and are.
Sleeping, Burnt, Broken, Undercover, Swallows, Universe,
Titled 'Childhood summers'.
* Sleeping out on warm English Summer nights required a little forethought. A hot sun *burnt day quite often was followed by a shower or a good drenching of rain.
The small tent was erected on the grass strip (Lawn). which lay at the rear of the house, and the *Undercover of the eaves would provide some protection from any sudden downpour of rain. However, observing the stars in the *Universe would imply that rainfall would not occur on a cloudless night.
Having one's sleep *broken by unfamiliar sounds in the surrounds of the campsite would give young children a sense of fear making many a camp out a disaster.
Then it happened, A Tap Tap Tap on the canvas was heard; then another followed a continued tapping, nothing could be seen outside of the tent and a sudden fear of the unknown prevailed, who was tapping on the tent and giving us the shivers.
After a while, the tent was abandoned, it's campers fleeing indoors to the safety of their comfortable beds.
The following morning we discovered that the tapping noises were the result of our summer visitors the migrating *Swallows nesting under the eaves of the house who had a habit of not pooing in their own nest.
Vest Daily Gaggle.
at June 12, 2019 No comments: I have published my post on my blog as well.
Vest: Clever sparrows and a great use of the prompts.
DeleteE C, WOTSPARROS ?, nah thems be Swallows. Similar to sand martins and the larger swifts. Swallows build their nests under the eaves of houses and return to their same spot each year, the nests are a mixture of vegetation and Mud.
DeleteVest: You are right. My brain was obviously elsewhere (without me). Mea culpa.
DeleteFun! I was quite anxious to discover where the tapping sounds were coming from.
DeleteLoved this! I was expecting a ghost, not incontinent swallows!
DeleteMy vacation words are over here.
ReplyDeletemessymimi: I look forward to reading them.
DeleteWhile sleeping, my broken heart took an undercover voyage back to the land of the Samurai, where I had last seen the star of my universe, Mariko. Her image will forever remain burnt into my memory and upon waking, I write this latest dream into my diary...
ReplyDeleteRiver: This is lovely. Really lovely.
DeleteI agree with EC. This was lovely.
DeleteOh, so beautiful and heartbreaking that they can only meet in dreams.
DeleteI too recall the land of the Samurai, getting there was a problem - plus I was not dreaming.
ReplyDeleteMine is here... falling stars
ReplyDeleteCindi Summerlin: Thank you. I have been. I still have slightly damp eyes.
DeleteFirst lot:
ReplyDeleteThose swallows were stopping her sleeping; her throat tightness pulled at the burnt, broken scars … her undercover work was not meant to be like this … when will they allow her back into the universe she knows and understands. Swallow … swallow … swallow………. no more.
Not nice! Cheers Hilary
Hilary Melton-Butcher: This is truly sad. A great use of the prompts, but not nice at all.
DeleteI'll never look a swallow the same way again. They can be a nuisance.
DeleteYou are so creative. Great job.
Deleteoh my. well done. sad. but well done.
DeleteAlways enjoy the variety of stories that come from just a few words. The stories go in so many directions. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteMason Canyon: I am endlessly amazed (and delighted) at the different directions people's minds take them.
DeleteCertainly some undercover agent was Nathan..
ReplyDeleteMargaret-whiteangel: At least for some of the time he lives a rich and fullfilling life.
DeleteWell done everyone!
ReplyDeleteMagic Love Crow: There are some great stories aren't there?
DeleteI forgot to say Big Hugs EC!
ReplyDeleteMagic Love Crow: Thank you - and your hugs are given. We know you carry them (and spread them generously) where ever you go.
DeleteI love the idea of these but when I try to do them, I come up empty. I think I would do better with five pictures instead.
ReplyDeleteRick Watson: Some weeks the prompts ARE photos. I might challenge you to join us on one of those weeks.
DeleteMy story is over at my blog...https://peppylady.blogspot.com/2019/06/wednesday-pop-up-number-thirty-nine.html
ReplyDeletepeppylady(Dora): I am heading over to check it out now.
DeleteA very interesting story!
DeleteEnjoyed everyone''s stories!
ReplyDeleteRomance Book Haven: It is a heap of fun. Perhaps you will join us some week.
DeleteNow the next chapter in my story about Susan has benn published. Soo many different takes on your inspiring words. Thanks Elephant's Child for hosting this fun!
ReplyDeleteUglemor: As always I loved reading more about Susan. And I want a Do not Disturb spell of my very own. And a hedgehog.
DeleteWonderfully written! I'd love to own a magic wand ... and also a hedgehog like EC!
DeleteOn the days when the universe swallows him whole, he could be found sleeping, undercover, a broken shell of a man burnt out from a life that had been shattered by loss.
ReplyDeleteElsie
Elsie Amata: Love it. Such a succinct capsulation of life.
Deletewell done. very sad for the man, as I can relate to his feelings, altho no longer broken or shattered
DeleteSamurai's Diary: During our voyage we too see falling stars like Alex. Hand on heart, honestly its true. :)
ReplyDeleteSpacer Guy: Of course I believe both you and Alex. And thank you for joining us.
Deletenicely done!
DeleteArgh. Sorry, I gave this a try, but got stuck. Maybe next time my mind will be ready and witty.
ReplyDeleteTake good care, EC.
Rawknrobyn: Some weeks are like that. Not a problem - and take care of you. Please.
DeleteMy brain has frozen over and I have absolutely nothing to contribute at the mo to this fun Wednesday but I am enjoying what everyone has contributed.
ReplyDeleteXO
WWW
Wisewebwoman: I look forward to seeing you whenever your brain starts to thaw out - and love what you and everyone else brings to this meme. Thank you.
DeleteHi...jumping from blog to blog and found you and this cute write along blog via Lissa's blog. I have never seen this before. very nice. I have always wanted to be a writer but I don't think I am very good at it, so I will stick to my other talents!
ReplyDeletePam: Welcome and thank you. Many of us here would not classify ourselves as writers (me included). I hope you will join us some week.
DeleteDear EC, thanks so much for letting me know about the possible hacking. My niece is checking for me. It's good to be back visiting you. I've missed your words and your photographs and visits to places of interest in and around where you live in Australia!
ReplyDeleteNow to responding to the six words. How about this: "After I swept up the broken glass from the iced tea that would have completed my snack but which had slipped from my hand as I tried to extricate the burnt and smoking toast from the toaster, I went back to bed. While sleeping, I began to dream of the book I was working on. In my dreams I was working undercover as a Jewish spy in the first century. My work had taken me to the Galilee where the swallows swooped and soared overhead and when I followed their flight with eyes lit with wonder, I felt drawn into the whole of the Universe. Somehow the answer to my case lay there!" Okay? Peace.
Dee: Lovely to see you joining us again, and I am glad your niece can check the hacking for you.
DeleteI strongly suspect your words were fed by your current writing project which I look forward to reading (in the fullness of time).
Wonderful! I'me very intrigued!
DeleteSo sorry, Sue...my creative head has gone missing again! Lol.
ReplyDeleteI so enjoyed reading everyone else's efforts though...wow, so much creative talent! Very well done everyone!!😊😊
Have a super weekend!
Much love and hugs ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
Ygraine: Judging by the poem on your blog, your creative brain has been very, very busy.
DeleteEnjoy your time away. And huge hugs.
Hamish swallows a burnt and broken cookie, under cover of darkness. Meg is sleeping and he knows if he wakes her, there will be hell to pay. His universe exploded when Hamish dared to criticize her culinary skills. Another bite of the last cookie may redeem him. But most likely, not. Damn.
ReplyDeleteSusan Kane: Hamish is a gentleman. I suspect that under cover of darkness I would be disposing of those burnt and broken cookies (and not in my tummy). Yet another great and inventive take on the words.
DeleteFun! Broken cookies have no calories as they all escape in the breaking so those are usually my favorites.
DeleteMine was published here: falling stars
ReplyDeleteCindi Summerlin: I read it, and as usual I want MORE.
DeleteI really like how everyone uses 'samurai', though I didn't use that in my piece, the link is here -'the sleeping giant'
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely day.