Photo Challenge #100 February 16, 2016 – The Cleaners

Posted on February 16, 2016 by Michael

windowcleaner_lemanshots

Image: Clean up by Lemanshots

 

The cleaners nodded

Satisfaction written in their bizarre minds

They wiped their hands

On grimy rags at jobs completion.

Before them lay the body of the cleansed man.

His soul picked clean like a desert carcass.

In their minds their thoughts drifted

From one to the other.

Challenging thought one

Intriguing thought another.

Exhausting thought the third.

This soul required a major makeover

Clogged to the gunnels

With every vice imaginable.

His grotesqueness they concluded

Highlighted his decline

He was a glutton in all things.

Fine food, fine wine,

His lust for the long legged blonde

The woman he fantasied about

Took extra cleansing

Heavy duty scrubbing

Far more than the usual elbow grease.

In his mind her form was cemented,

Eyes that flashed welcome

Thighs tantalisingly teasing.

They rubbed her out, extracting all she was.

At the jobs conclusion

They collected their spoils

According to their brand of perversion

Retired to shadowy dismal spaces

Where they poured over the man’s folly

Delighting in their own lascivious game.

 

Written for: https://mindlovemiserysmenagerie.wordpress.com/2016/02/16/photo-challenge-100-february-16-2016/

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FFfAW-Week of 02-16-2016 – Stood Up

Posted on February 16, 2016 by Michael

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Image thanks to: TJ Paris

She had said he would meet him on the break wall at 3pm. He had been texting her continuously wondering where she had gotten to. As it was the tide was coming in and if he didn’t make a move shortly the tide would cover his exit and he would have to be rescued.

Being stood up was bad enough, having the rescue team come out to save his sorry hide was more than he could take right now.

Already there was a group at the edge of the break wall gesturing to him to come back. But with anger welling up inside him he thought of all the possible scenarios to keep her away.

She had fallen ill, she had fallen over and taken to the hospital, she was lost, she had received a better offer, she had discovered his dark secret.

Not wanting to contemplate the last thought he pocketed his phone and dashed to safety.

 

Written for: https://flashfictionforaspiringwriters.wordpress.com/2016/02/15/fffaw-week-of-02-16-2016/

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Haibun Monday #7 – The Plodding Walk

Posted on February 16, 2016 by Michael

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My haibun/haiku is based on this beautiful quote from mr cummings.

“Yours is the light by which my spirit’s born: – you are my sun, my moon, and all my stars.”
― E.E. Cummings

I plod, yes that’s what I am doing at this very minute, plodding, head cast down, thoughts on you and your current suffering.

Its early this summers morning and already I feel the days heat gathering momentum, the perspiration forming along my brow from climbing the slightest of rises and avoiding the paths that are overgrown and slowing disappearing from logical sight.

You were distraught when I last saw you, torn between two impossibilities as a new life opened and just as the spring that is around the corner you have been offered a new life, a revitalisation that up until recent days seemed as remote as an ocean voyage.

I ponder this as I walk along the well-worn morning pathways. I hear a ping and see you have written. Words reassuring, filled with the light only you provide me. My step is changed and I skip a little content you are ok that nature has not dealt you to savage a blow.

feeling down and out

early morning summer doubts

stepping freely now

 

Written for: http://dversepoets.com/2016/02/15/haibun-monday-7/

 

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Wordle Bonus Good vs Evil “February 15, 2016” – Best Friends

Posted on February 15, 2016 by Michael

This week’s fabulous words to play with:

GoodGood Light Purity Halcyon (calm, peaceful, tranquil) Divine Absolution (act of absolving; a freeing from blame or guilt; release from consequences, obligations, or penalties.) Altruistic (unselfishly concerned for or devoted to the welfare of others) Ethereal (light, airy, or tenuous: extremely delicate or refined: heavenly or celestial: of or relating to the upper regions of space.) Hallow (to make holy; sanctify; consecrate. to honor as holy; consider sacred; venerate) Sympathy Ally Smile

 Evil

Evil Dark Ominous (portending evil or harm; foreboding; threatening; inauspicious) Malignant (disposed to cause harm, suffering, or distress deliberately; feeling or showing ill will or hatred. very dangerous or harmful in influence or effect.) Anathema (a person or thing detested or loathed: a person or thing accursed or consigned to damnation or destruction. a formal ecclesiastical curse involving excommunication. any imprecation of divine punishment. a curse; execration.) Sin Monster Ravage Possess Adversarial (a person, group, or force that opposes or attacks; opponent; enemy; foe.) Grimace Bile (Physiology. a bitter, alkaline, yellow or greenish liquid, secreted by the liver, that aids in absorption and digestion, especially of fats.ill temper; peevishness. Old Physiology. either of two humors associated with anger and gloominess.)

This week we could choose either list or a combination of both.

 

In all of eternity it seemed odd that the two eternal beings would be best friends. They were both the envoys of their respective eternities.

Wayne was the special envoy from the dark depths of hell and Greg was God’s shining light on earth. So in theory where Greg was all goodness and light, divine and altruistic Wayne was evil and dark a malignant scourge on society with the scariest and most ominous of presences.

At least that’s how they wanted to be known. In actual fact Greg and Wayne were the best of friends and as it was Sunday, the so called day of rest, they had met as they had for the past two millennia at Rose’s Coffee and Cake for their Sunday meeting.

It was a always a point of contention between the two that Greg turn off his ethereal light as not only was it disturbing to the other customers but it had a habit of turning Wayne’s skinny white latte sour.

As a compromise Wayne would dampen down his adversarial nature, which was intimidating to any one who happened to look into his eyes. So with both divine beings settled and more approachable they would meet and enjoy Rose’s fare for not only did she make a brilliant latte she sold the best Angel cakes and Devil’s Mud cake you would ever taste.

Usually at these meetings the two would discuss the previous weeks soul collection. It was a sort of personal scoreboard each loved to indulge in.  Wayne has a thing for possessions and would often brag about his collected rewards ravaging the community and spewing forth bile in the most monstrous of ways.

To Greg, all this was such an anathema to his very pure soul. Sin he shivered over and it often showed a crack in his normally halcyon personality. He would smile vainly at the thought of the lost souls being gathered by Wayne’s unsympathetic allies and cast into the depths of hell’s burning furnaces.

There were of course good things on both sides. Hell served the best ham sandwiches in all eternity, which of course played havoc with the Jewish souls. Heaven was known for its slow cooked casseroles, which always surprised both entities when they thought about it.

Wayne found absolution the absolute anathema and would ridicule Greg’s belief that the light of absolution was the way forward. Wayne had little sympathy for Greg’s contention that without absolution there was no move towards any sort of light and you’d be wasting your time in any sort of earnest hallowing to change that.

Greg would simply grimace as the suggestion that heaven was all in the mind and that hell was everyone’s reality, sip on his latte, munch into his angel cake and remind Wayne that the next round was on him.

Written for: https://mindlovemiserysmenagerie.wordpress.com/2016/02/15/wordle-98-bonus-good-vs-evil-february-15-2016/

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Writing Prompt #146 “The Emperor” – The Wretch

Posted on February 14, 2016 by Michael

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Image: Luis Royo

I was the wretch

Dragged screaming before you

A wastrel, a scoundrel,

A pathetic and needy louse.

You looked down on me

I saw not pity in your eyes

But understanding.

Mine has been a wasted life

Years of frolicking in a world

Of excess and ingratitude.

I stood before you

Emaciated, a degenerate

Whose fade should have been

To rot in some dark deep dungeon.

I had sacrificed lives

Spent fortunes on self-indulgence.

But you never hinted of judgement

When you spoke:

“Get up!

You are more than this.

Go home!

Bask in the love that awaits you

Offer reparation

Be the man you can be.”

Through the filth of my withered psyche

You showed me a light.

Around me voices sniggered,

Scoffed at such suggestion

But inside I felt a stirring.

I lifted my sorry self a last time

From my own life slime

And stepped into the future.

 

Written for: https://mindlovemiserysmenagerie.wordpress.com/2016/02/14/writing-prompt-146-the-emperor/

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SoCS Feb. 13/16 – tire

Posted on February 12, 2016 by Michael

socs-badge-2015

‘I’m tired because I tire easily,’ she said flopping down in the chair.

‘You’ve had a big day.’

‘I have and I’m really tired.’

‘Cleaning does that to you.’

‘Well today it did.’

‘Could be you made a greater effort than normal.’

‘What’s that supposed to mean? I always make a big effort.’

‘I’m not saying you didn’t but maybe you are tired because today you worked harder than normal.’

‘Well I doubt you could be any authority on that. After all you sat on your bum all day watching the cricket.’

‘But I was at the ready for when you asked for my help.’

‘It’s never worth the effort. Boy cleaning only irritates me and you clean like a boy and you and your cleaning irritate me.’

‘So rightfully I stand back, kept out of your way and ever ready to jump in and fetch lift or carry at a moments notice.’

‘Well if that’s the case where is my coffee?’

‘What coffee?’

‘I asked you to have a coffee ready for when I finished.’

‘So you’re finished?’

‘Yes.’

‘Coffee coming up.’

‘I can hardly wait.’

‘You sit down and rest your tired old bones I’ll get the coffee and be right with you.’

‘So how’s that? Good coffee?’

‘Yes thank you. So what are you doing now?’

‘Resting, I’m tired out after a long day.’

‘Oh my goodness are you for real?’

 

Written for: http://lindaghill.com/2016/02/12/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-feb-1316/

 

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FLASH FICTION FOR THE PURPOSEFUL PRACTITIONER: WEEK #7 – 2016 – Fido

Posted on February 12, 2016 by Michael

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http://publicdomainarchive.com/public-domain-images-black-lab-puppy-on-rustic-wood-background/

 

The opening sentence for the February 12th, Flash Fiction for the Purposeful Practitioner: “……. For the thousandth time, I promise you, it wasn’t me!”

 

Fido had that look about him. We’d seen it before. The last time we came home and realised we had left him inside.

The lounge was a lounge only in name now.

He had ripped open the fabric and dragged the stuffing around the room.

Roger looked at me and I at him.

Fido looked at both us in the most innocent of ways. It clearly was someone else’s’ fault.

I was shaken by the sight and sank to my knees just as Fido delivered a large sloppy lick to my face.

In complete exasperation I reached out and cradled Fido in my arms softly scolding him for the damage he had caused.

This was to be his last hurrah. Tomorrow morning we had an appointment at the vets.

Change awaited Fido who after tomorrow would see lounges as somewhere to sit and sleep. All things boy related would become a vague, distant and confusing memory.

 

Written for: https://rogershipp.wordpress.com/2016/02/12/flash-fiction-for-the-purposeful-practitioner-week-7-2016/

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Music Prompt #29 “Read My Mind” by The Killers – Pretence

Posted on February 12, 2016 by Michael

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zc8hbSM1zVo&list=PLnG56ODjnHyIcALeFlZQozuHldfLzwzgB

 

 

Can you read my mind?

Do you know what lurks

And festers beneath this mortal visage?

My nights are taken with memory

Of you in my bed

Together we were as one.

We played as lovers

Long carefree hours

Oblivious to the world outside

Be it rain hail or snow

We couldn’t have cared

For with you I felt whole.

Can you read my mind?

Can you imagine the pain

The torture of knowing you are gone

That I now sit in the midst of a void

Feelings and emotions escape me

I know nothing, want nothing

You have ruined me.

Can you read my mind?

Comprehend the damage you have instilled

My psyche punctured through with betrayal

You have left me to wallow

In the mire of what is a pretence.

If I see you my heart will skip a beat

Pound in my chest with both desire

And a loathing I never knew existed.

Ours was a love you promised to honour

Not discard because I no longer

Delivered the affection you thought you deserved.

There were always two of us

And that will surprise you,

Such is your immaturity.

Childlike you have taken your bat and gone home.

I should be celebrating our love

Not wishing you dead

So rot in hell.

 

Written for: https://mindlovemiserysmenagerie.wordpress.com/2016/02/12/music-prompt-29-read-my-mind-by-the-killers/

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Tale Weaver #52: Love Notes – A Job

Posted on February 11, 2016 by Michael

writing-on-the-sand-1859_jpgblog

Image: “Writing on the Sand,” Dante Gabriel Rossetti, 1859

Dear Miss Gunneroute

I thank you for your recent application for the advertised position of a part time weekend lover.

I was very impressed with your references as they were from the leading private hotels in London and Paris. Each spoke in glowing terms of you.

I am afraid though that you appear to be over qualified for a position I have in mind.

Thank you for your application

Sir Alfred Prick Esq.

 

Dear Sir Alfred,

I received your reply this morning and I am grateful for such a prompt reply to my application.

I wish to assure you that I would never consider myself over qualified as a part time weekend lover.

Every man is different with different desires and needs and I am very skilled at meeting whatever need you feel you have. Please give my application further consideration.

Yours sincerely

Marigold Gunneroute, Miss

 

Dear Mrs Gottaroute,

I have just this minute read through your application in greater detail and study.

The accompanying photograph you enclosed this time, I didn’t know one could bend ones body in such ways, has intrigued me and I am inviting you to an interview on the 15th of the month.

Please attend punctually at 2pm.

Looking forward to meeting with you.

Sir Alfred Prick Esq

 

Dear Sir Alf Prigg,

I’m glad you saw my potential in my photograph. Most men do.

I will be happy to attend the interview on the 15th at2pm and look forward to meeting with you.

Marigold Gunneroute.

 

Dear Ms Imaroute,

I enjoyed our meeting yesterday.

You are everything and more in the flesh than your photograph betrays.

I think you will be more than satisfactory as my part time weekend lover.

Would you be able to begin duties on the 1st March? I am having a few friends for dinner and as usual I like to be well relaxed before I entertain. I think your skills, which we discussed, and which you demonstrated more than adequately, will be just what I need to face the social functions such as the one on the first.

I look forward to you setting down your roots in my home.

Yours in anticipation

Alfred Prick Esq

 

Dear Alfy Boy

I’ll be there by the 1st with bells on.

You liked that bell and whistle routine I could tell. Plenty more where that came from.

I look forward to renewing our acquaintance.

You have much potential, I am sure you will overcome your shyness and branch out into a full time weekend lover.

Your newly sated companion

Marigold G

 

Written for: https://mindlovemiserysmenagerie.wordpress.com/2016/02/11/tale-weaver-52-love-notes/

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Hump Day Poetry #1

Posted on February 10, 2016 by Michael

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Give us a leg up

One two three

Yes that’s the way

I’m over the hump

Or rather on top of it.

 

Those Tuesdays are murder I say

It’s all go go go

Nothing like Mondays

Good days Mondays

Everything is fresh

There’s a sense of energy

You’re reinvigorated

Ready to go for it.

 

I love Saturdays and Sundays

Days for nothing but me

Lounge around

Eat out

Play some sport

Chat up my girl

A bit of respite from

An overvigorous weeks end.

 

Friday’s are great days

There’s such an expectation

The weekend is within grasp.

Some Fridays are slow

Others fly by

Nothing like Tuesday

Where everything slows down

Snails make more progress

I just want to lie in a ball and sleep.

 

By Wednesdays the worst is over

There is hope for the weekend

Thursday is tolerable

Friday is relax and be ready.

Hump days should be declared a holiday

Then we’d go straight from depressing Tuesday

To hopeful Thursday.

 

From the top of the hump

It’s a gentle slide

Nothing gets in the way of a weekend

No work

No demands

Love the weekends.

 

Give me hand will you

Gentle now

I like to slip into Thursdays

Ease into it

Not overdo anything

Thanks, I love a good hump day.

 

Written for : https://ionanerissa.wordpress.com/2016/02/09/hump-day-poetry-2016/

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