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, and mixing and matching is encouraged.
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.
This week's prompts are:
- barely
- bird
- keep
- simply
- too
And/or
- breath
- calm
- silent
- soon
- wood
Charlotte (MotherOwl) has given us Dahlia Yellow as the colour of the month. If you can also incorporate it into your stories she (and I) will be grateful.
Have fun.
The autumn colours had barely begun when I started my daily routine earlier this month. Occasionally a tree exhibited the Dahlia Yellow of the autumn flower bed at home which was simply beautiful. It was enough to keep me walking for the remainder of the month too, in search of the other Dahlia colours among the autumn leaves.
ReplyDeleteMarie Smith: This is beautiful - and I would happily walk with you.
Delete"other dahlia colours," how lovely!
DeleteXO
WWW
Happy walking! When I think of all the different coloured dahlias in Seanhenge, I have no doubt that by the end of the month you will have discovered all their colours in the autumn leaves.
DeleteIt must have been a lovely walk.
DeleteJulia
Walking in places with such colors is a joy.
DeleteDelightful Marie - always lovely when the sun shines at Autumn time - the colours are so enhanced. Cheers Hilary
DeleteAs I was nearing my destination on an unfamiliar winding road on a hill, I barely saw that long legged low flying bird hitting my windshield as I had to keep my eyes on the road.
ReplyDeleteI lost control of my vehicle and ended up in the ditch. This was simply too much.
When the car came to a complete stop, I caught my breath, trying to keep calm. The engine went silent. I knew that it would soon be dark and that I had left my new Dahlia Yellow flashlight at home. So now I had no choice but go ahead on foot, hoping that I would not encounter wild animals coming out of the wood.
Julia
Julia: Well done - but I do hope that both your protagonist and the bird survive the night.
DeleteI sure hope you made it Julia without too much terror.
DeleteXO
WWW
Lifting my virtual hat, Julia.
DeleteI've been stuck on the side of the road, although not quite in such dire circumstances. It's never fun. Nicely told.
DeleteWell done Julia - I too hope the bird survived, as too the car was recovered and all was restored to normal life for the accident victim ... and she never again forgot her flashlight. Cheers Hilary
DeleteGreat job. Who would have thought about using Dahlia Yellow for a flashlight. Brilliant.
DeleteSandra sandracox.blogspot.com
Deep breaths make me calm and keep me silent too, for a while.
ReplyDeleteThe other day, in the park, I was so attracted by the Dahlia yellow color of leaves, that I barely noticed the funny bird that was trying hard to make a nest in the wood of one of the big trees.
DUTA: Autumnal colours will keep me entranced every time. I hope I can also see the birds though - and really enjoyed your take on these prompts.
DeleteI'd like to see that funny bird making its nest.
DeleteXO
WWW
DUTA, maybe it was an animal trying to imitate a bird. Birds usually make nests in the spring, maybe except the American Gold Finch who wait till later, sometimes even until September.
DeleteDeep, calming breaths as I walk through the trees can help. Nice use of the prompts!
DeleteHi DUTA - poor bird, I hope it succeeded in nesting. So easy at this time of year to admire the coloured leaves - cheers Hilary
DeleteYou are barely hanging on? Try this.
ReplyDeleteSimply breathe. Keep each breath silent and slow.
Now imagine you are sitting in dahlia yellow field with a soft green wood behind it. The air is warm and sweet smelling and is filled with bird song…
Calm will soon return.
Beautiful imagery and you found a way to use dahlia yellow. Woot. Woot.
DeleteSandra sandracox.blogspot.com
I need to remember this meditation, it is so beautiful.
DeleteXO
WWW
It sounds like a nice place to sit and just be.
DeleteJulia
;-) Just tried. Works perfectly, Sue.
DeleteAhhhh. Lovely. :-)
DeleteIt's a good way to get calm in a tense situation, and for me it also helps if I breathe a prayer or two.
DeleteHi EC - clever use of the words ... and one we all need to remember - breathe - silently and slowly ... calm will return - well done ... I'll be trying this later on - cheers Hilary
DeleteSimple and beautiful. You show us instead of telling us.
DeleteLove,
Janie
Simple words today!
ReplyDeleteAlex J. Cavanaugh: Deceptively simple.
DeleteDeceptive - good word!!
DeleteTake a deep breath. Be calm. Be silent. Be strong as hard wood. Peace is coming soon.
ReplyDeleteSandra sandracox.blogspot.com
Lovely meditation Sandra.
DeleteXO
WWW
More people should take this advice.
DeleteJulia
Sandra Cox: I wish. How I wish.
DeleteYour words in quite a few ears, Sandra!
DeleteSincerely hope - for all the world ... thanks Sandra - cheers Hilary
DeleteI do hope and pray you are right.
DeleteWith your encouragement, I am continuing the story of Edward and Dahlia which I had begun last week here.
ReplyDelete-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My dear Dahlia,
I would simply love to meet with you, the sooner the better.
Unfortunately, I have to keep a prior commitment on the mainland to meet with the museum people in Ottawa.
I make illustrations of birds on wood, of which I am enclosing a photo sample.
I write to you from the ferry, in the lateness of the silent night where the sea is calm, barely a breath about and the new moon peeps yellow from behind a cloud.
Yours,
Edward
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
XO
WWW
Wisewebwoman: I am loving this. And hope next week's prompts allow the story to continue and expand.
DeleteAh, Mary! The last sentence is simply beautiful.
DeleteHi WWW - these will turn into a beautiful set of essay-letters ... a fun take on the Words for Wednesday prompts ... cheers Hilary
DeleteThat's lovely. I hope you can continue it.
DeleteLove,
Janie
Oh nice!
DeleteSandra sandracox.blogspot.com
Letter writing is an art, and this is an excellent example.
DeleteFor due cause I've offered simple words of which Goethe created one of the most famous lyrics in German, "Wanderer's Nightsong", my translation of which reads as follows:
ReplyDeleteOver all peaks
Reigns calm,
In all treetops
Senseth thou
Barely a breath.
The birdies keep silent in the wood.
Simply wait, soon
Resteth thou, too.
Sean Jeating: Thank you and Goethe. Deceptively simple (as I said to Alex) and beautiful.
Delete"Senseth thou, resteth thou" simple sibilance and beautiful. Thanks to you both.
DeleteXO
WWW
Hi Sean - I need a lesson in Education ... this was/is delightful ... you say so much in so few words. I will investigate more ... I really need to learn - thank you for introducing me (us) to Goethe's 'Wanderer's Nightsong' ... and I'll look the music up. Thanks ... lovely to read - cheers Hilary
DeleteThis is both delicate and beautiful.
DeleteSandra sandracox.blogspot.com
Ladies, thank you on behalf of the old Privy Councillor. ;-)
DeleteAs for me, thanks to everyone for taking part. It was a pleasure.
Thank you. This is lovely and i've very much enjoyed your prompts this month.
DeleteI'm working on it.
ReplyDeleteMy story will be over here.
Deletemessymimi: As always I am looking forward to it.
DeleteSo many comments already! I like ALL the stories here and will try to have something worthy by Friday.
ReplyDeleteRiver: I am sure you will. You always do.
DeleteHer calm breath in his ear soon lead to his silent wood in his britches.
ReplyDeleteMike: I hope any use of said wood is consensual.
DeleteHa ha - good one Mike ... clever too ... cheers Hilary
DeleteAhem ... ;-)
DeleteShort and steamy.
DeleteGood stories...here is mine.
ReplyDeleteMaryanne could see the beautiful BIRD perched on the back fence, quickly she ran inside to grabbed her camera, she BARLEY made it back to the fence and off it flew. ‘Oh, well’, she said another one will come soon. Maryanne SIMPLY wanted to KEEP a photo of the bird in a frame on her dresser, and very disappointed that she missed the opportunity but called to her Mother to inquire did she the bird TOO!
Margaret D: I really hope her mother did capture the bird - and that it comes back. Again and again.
DeleteBirds don't hang around for us to take photos - do they? Well done Margaret - cheers Hilary
DeleteI understand her frustration. In speaking with avian photographers they often lie in wait all day for a bird to drop by. I hope you have better luck next time!
DeleteXO
WWW
It's a tricky thing, photographing any wildlife or insects. Nice use of the prompts!
DeleteThank you all. I often sit with my camera outside to try and catch a bird photo, but alas they only sit for a second and then gone.
DeleteTrying to get those birds to sit still for photos is always challenging;) Good job.
DeleteSandra sandracox.blogspot.com
Beautiful post
ReplyDeleteRajana Rehana: Thank you.
DeleteHi EC - too long, I suspect ... "Barely barley … they'd almost run out of barley grain for the birds … and they knew the Barley Mow pub needed pheasants for their autumn menu.
ReplyDeleteThe children from the local schools come out to the fields to see the birds feed on the harvested fields … there's always grain left for the flocks to enjoy.
The farm produced nature information sheets for the kids – so when they're out walking around the fields they can easily identify the various subjects.
Keep it Simple the school had recommended … the farm had tried too hard – and simply made life difficult for some, as the sheet was printed on Dahlia Yellow card … "
Cheers Hilary - now to read the other entries ...
Hilary Melton-Butcher: Definitely not too long. Smiling at the Dahlia Yellow Card - which would be easier to carry and more sturdy than a sheet of paper.
DeleteI like the thought of the Dahlia Yellow Card, too.
DeleteLove,
Janie
I love the name of the pub but ouch on killing the pheasants for the menu.
DeleteXO
WWW
Rather than a pheasant menu at the pub I'd prefer a pint of "barley juice". ;-)
DeleteNot too long at all, and nicely told.
DeleteThanks all - I'm afraid a lovely roast pheasant dinner with some read wine pleases me ... but I'd take some barley and a chat with you, Sean, too ... just happy you all enjoyed the small tale ... cheers Hilary
DeleteI'd like to visit that farm, Hils AND I like your use of Dahlia Yellow;) Sandra sandracox.blogspot.com
DeleteCrumbs 'read wine' ... no thanks I'll have a red one!! Thanks Sandra ... my dahlia yellow card ... very bright - cheers Hilary
DeleteEC, how are you, my dear? I confess I worry about you.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
Janie Junebug: Don't worry about me. I am muddling along and still finding beauty each and every day. But many, many thanks.
DeleteI will worry at least a bit anyway. Just enough so you know I care.
DeleteJanie Junebug: Many, many thanks.
DeleteI worry, too, but I try to turn my worries into prayers and hope it helps.
Deletemessymimi: It worries me when people worry about me - but thank you. Muchly.
DeleteI like all the stories in the comments.
ReplyDeleteAuthors with Advice: So do I. Perhaps you will join us some week.
DeleteThe wood was calm and silent.
ReplyDeleteMy breath was much too loud.
The bird that sang would sing again,
In the trees near where I stood.
The Blog Fodder: I love that the bird will sing again. And would also love to spend time in calm woods.
DeleteI love that short poem. Brava.
DeleteXO
WWW
That's fun - thank you Blog Fodder! Cheers Hilary
DeleteAnother fine one.
DeleteI hope you didn't have to wait long for the bird to sing again.
DeleteI am barely a bird
ReplyDeleteChirped the fledgling.
I will keep growing, but always
simply being beautiful a bird. breath is calm
silent soon I will fly until the
wood.
DeleteCloudia: I love this. There is nothing 'barely' about being a bird. Feathered enchantment one and all.
Excellent. I especially loved the opener 'I am barely a bird chirped the fledgling.'
DeleteSandra sanddracox.blogspot.com
Ah, but once a bird, always a bird.
DeleteMany a beautiful poetic offering here. I'm glad I stopped by.
ReplyDeleteTake gentle care, EC. B'shalom.
Rawknrobyn: Thank you. You take care of you too - and congratulations again on your recent literary triumph.
DeleteAlways an enjoyable read of everyone's stories. I will try to get my brain to cooperate and join in one of these days. These words encourage everyone to write lovely short stories.
ReplyDeleteDeniseinVA: I hope you do join us some time, and thank you for your regular visits and kind words.
DeleteI love that short poem
ReplyDeleteI have a new post: https://www.melodyjacob.com/2023/10/how-to-style-modlily-navy-blue-dress.html
Have a lovely weekend
MELODY JACOB: Which short poem? You have a lovely weekend too.
DeleteLate, and last for a while mine has published here.
ReplyDeleteCindi: I have read (and thoroughly enjoyed) your hopeful flash. I hope your break brings you healing.
Delete