October 31, 2007 - Another Side of Epic (part 2)
Posted by hfurness
Before the headless traitor's bodies could hit the floor
Warriors on both sides of the long table kicking out their stools
Behind them were on their feet
No one but the serving boy had noticed the door open
At the far end of the meeting hall a cloaked stranger blew in
Like a summer's breeze on a stagnant shore
Men were yelling at Aethelrodmyd
Language in gutteral grunts and howls not far above the nature
In which they all lived
The king's champion, the only one seated, drained his mead goblet
Somewhere out in the damp rainy heath sat a salamander on one of the
Few solid spots
King Mydaefandynm pounded the table for silence and explained
Aethelrodmyd's role in trapping the traitors and claiming their heads
For the king
"Haroo!" howled the harriers when the tale had been spun for them
All sat to dine again
The boy still stared at the stranger in the multi-colored cloak
In a flaring light of the far brazier he caught the king's eye
As servers cleared the heads and bodies of the traitors
And brought more meat to the table
He spoke
"What means of a man are you to come to our feasting?"
All silenced at the king's questioning
"I beg your audience, great guests and master of the realm"
He drew out a large crystal that shone with inner light
All eyes were trapped in its wonderment
He threw it on the table and it shattered into as many pieces as were
There
Each man had a cut stone in front of them
"Like so many pieces as before you, all can shine better as one"
But no one paid attention to those words
Each picked up the piece of stone before them and stole it away
Into their purses
"Ah, like stands is each man, but together you can bind as rope"
Only the boy heard all of the words
And drew to the man as he handed him a clear but rose globe
And winked as if he knew
"Are you a wizard come to ensure our victory on the field?"
Mydaefandynm waved the stranger forward to a seat near him
"Battles be, but like the moor will turn it all to peat"
Aethelrodmyd reached back for his sword eying distrust
The silent giant stood still
"Be still all who sup with Mydaefandynm, I ask for passage"
"Nothing more"
"Can you see tomorrow and what the battle brings?"
"Aye, nothing but death. No knowledge there."
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October 29, 2007 - Clang-a-Bang
Posted by Jo Janoski
For the Musecrafters Writing Workshop
 Dance-Of-Death by Michael Wolgemut
Clang a Bang
Clang-a-bang sounds at night
Rattling old bones.
Angry screams, howls of fright.
I'm not alone.
Footfalls loud, dancing glee.
Skeletal joy.
Are they coming for me?
Am I death's toy?
Clang-a-bang. Daring raid.
Hollow-eyed glare.
Dance of Death on parade.
My demise stares.
In dark shadows rattling.
Assembled bones.
I'm on my guard battling.
Fighting skills honed.
Clang-a-bang resistance.
Make it to light.
Ending death's insistence.
Skeletal fright.
Sunlight drowns out death wish.
Forgiveness born.
Morning dew refreshes.
Life force reborn.
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October 28, 2007 - Halloween again! New Prompt! 10/28/07
Posted by Jo Janoski
For today's prompt, we have another Words and Picture challenge. A poem, story, or essay, your choice for the following picture:
 Dance-Of-Death by Michael Wolgemut
Can't you just hear those bones rattling? Have fun!
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October 27, 2007 - A Difficult Letter
Posted by Jo Janoski
 A Difficult Letter ... Painting by James de Vine Aylward
It was the night of Halloween, and I settled at my desk to read my letters. A dismal night it was, too, with a black sky outside, ominous and daring, with a recalcitrant moon poking again through obscured clouds. Those gray puffs skimmed across the inky black like ghosts, capes flowing behind them journeying to God knows where. The moon screamed its presence for all to hear, luminous and expressive, with much to say that night. As I walked home, every darkened tree warned me a goblin might be hiding behind it, ready to pounce and conquer. What do goblins want anyway? I didn't know, and I didn't want to find out.
Thus, my friends, was my state of mind as I arrived home to read my letters. The first of these was a bill which I tossed aside. The second, I did much the same; but the third, upon seeing the chaotic scrawl across the envelope, set my hand to trembling. The penmanship, angular in places, thick and hurried, belied a personality demanding to be heard. Indeed, it was such forceful writing, it yelled and cursed at the reader.
I ripped the packet open, carefully, slowly, showing it due respect. This was difficult with the way my hand was shaking; but the deed got accomplished, all the same. As I slipped my fingers in, my hand protested and started to shake again. I couldn't control it. Whatever message the letter contained, my hand wanted nothing to do with it. Exasperated, I tried with the other; but alas, it trembled even more violently. Finally, with hands like an invalid I clawed at it, grabbing and tugging until the paper ripped. Finally, the injured letter inside, dented and defiled, fell to the floor, escaping the shreds I'd made of the packet.
I pulled it with my foot, scraping along the floor until the envelope rested under the chair. Next, I got down on my knees and tossed the letter about with my shaking hands, my available elbows, whatever I could use to unfold the nasty missive. Truly, I felt so exhausted it was difficult to care at that point what the letter said. But, still on my knees, I leaned forward to read the note where I'd left off with it, on the floor under the chair. It was a stretch, but I could see it at last. Such irony! There I was on my knees, reading a letter from the tax office, questioning my ciphers for my last payment. How fitting for Halloween, the night goblins come out. I should have known.
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October 26, 2007 - Halloween Again - New Prompt 10/26
Posted by Jo Janoski
For today's prompt, take the following painting and tell a story, incorporating the picture into a Halloween theme.
A Difficult Letter by James de Vine Aylward
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October 24, 2007 - Pumpkin Head
Posted by Jo Janoski
Pumpkin Head
Harsh prickly strands of straw
itchy consternation
poking through my shirt sleeves raw.
What a situation!
Ragged flannel patched-up shirt
I’m no fashion icon.
Pitiful hat stained with dirt.
Pumpkin head it hangs on.
I’m a scarecrow, woe is me.
Constructed and not born.
Crows, they laugh heartily
while they nibble my corn.
Copyright 2007 JO Janoski |
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October 23, 2007 - I Want One--- eee pc!
Posted by Jo Janoski
Intel, Asus Announce $199 'Eee PC'
TAIPEI — Asus and Intel have teamed up to develop a $199 notebook PC, the companies announced here on Tuesday.
In a keynote address given by Sean Maloney, an executive vice president at Intel and chief marketing and sales officer, Jonney Shih, chairman and chief executive of Asus, was invited on stage to unveil the "Eee PC," an inexpensive laptop designed to help spread computing to poorer regions.
Two models were demonstrated: a $199 and $299 model. more
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October 23, 2007 - Halloween Continues...new prompt 10/23
Posted by Jo Janoski
Time for a new prompt. For this one, write a poem or a story where the main subject is a scarecrow with a pumpkin head. You can make him fun, scary, whatever you please. Have fun!
Be sure and check back here and in the forum, too, to see where others have also responded.
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October 23, 2007 - Pretending
Posted by Jo Janoski
This story was supposed to be for a particular image, but I've decided to use a different character from the painting above. Can you guess which one? (Musecrafters Workshop Challenge 10/22)
Pretending
He sat at the table with the others, straw hat pushed back off his forehead, sprawling with the chair turned backwards, clutching the back with both hands like he was steering a massive boat out to sea. He might as well go off on the ocean; he was that inaccessible to me, chasing after that wench.
He had no idea how I loved him. It wasn’t that he was a strong man or a handsome man. It was his smile. I loved the way his moustache twittered above his lip when he spoke, full white teeth glaring out, open, expressive. His blue eyes, light, almost as white as the clouds that floated across them when his mind wandered... He was a gorgeous man from within, a sensitive man, a caring man.
I leaned over Sarah to speak to those at the table and his cologne wafted up my nostrils, making my blood race, pumping like an oil well blowing its top. He, on the other hand, sat cooly, studying Sarah through the corner of his eye, never guessing how my heart was about to explode. Foolish man! We could be so good together. We would keep it quiet so no one knew. He could even jaunt about with Sarah on occasion if he wished, to keep up pretenses and hide our affair. I would take whatever he would give me, really. It’s a sorry day for a young man like me, having to cloak my heart and pretend to be different from what I am. I’ll never be permitted to be me, and he’ll never know I love him.
Copyright 2007 JO Janoski
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October 22, 2007 - Words and Pictures Prompt 10/22
Posted by Jo Janoski
Luncheon by Renoir
Looks like a raucous bunch, doesn't it? One of my favorite paintings. Today's prompt is a story. Choose one or more of the following characters from the painting and write a story about him/her within the context of the luncheon, fore, aft, and during.
1. The man with a top hat in the back. 
and/or
2. This lady: 
and/or
3. This lady: 
Have fun with it! |
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October 21, 2007 - The Other Side of Epic (part 1)
Posted by hfurness
Dark leaden gray clouds just touching wind bent trees
Little light shone into the murky night
Cold drizzle had become part of existence
The log and mud meeting hall squat on a rise
Inside
Air was thick with the smoke of braziers and burning fat
Tallow candles, and smelled of
Sweat from nights of men swapping tales from far away
Whens and wheres
Eating the roasted meats with two hands
Voices rising over one another in layers of truths
Armaments hung on pegs and leaned against the barkless beam walls
Mead steins half full and being filled
Drafted down with a broad swing of an arm
King Mydaefandynm knew the combined strength of his harriers
Toasts and meats were served by the comely maids of his
Lands
This was a gathering of warriors from the two oldest clans
That until this past reaping season killed one another
But now had a common foe
They sat on opposite sides of the long table
Half the men had tats of symbols not known to the others
Circles in circles, beasts with no names
Seared into their flesh after battles
Shaved heads and flowing locks met for this drink
Clansmen, I drink to your health and the death of our foes
A pounding roar like the waves of an angry sea
Yet, still distrust sat behind their eyes
Tomorrow, we hold the high ground tomorrow
And crush any that dare to advance before us
One sat silent with his broadsword sheathed on his back
Watching the men drink drafts next to him and whisper
They were a chink in the king's armor
we will not hold the ground to his left
we will be rich men come the sunset if there is one
With a single movement he swung his sword from his back and
Dropped the two men's heads onto the floor for the dogs
Men jumped and stood silent, but ready
Thank you Aethelrodmyd, you have found the traitors
Before they could do us harm
He sheathed his broadsword and sat and drank to the health
Of his lord
The door creaked open and a quiet breeze blew in
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October 21, 2007 - Good Reading! New Chapter Posted!
Posted by Jo Janoski
Chain Fiction
A raucous ongoing story by me and another writer, where we each take turns writing chapters. Anything goes. You'll love it. (Not for the kiddies.)
New Chapter Posted!
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October 20, 2007 - Dreamer’s Eye
Posted by Jo Janoski
Dreamer’s Eye
Soft winter tracks following a sweet dream
on snow agleam
sparkling bright, smiling in a dreamer’s eye
as he walks by.
Fill him with flurries giggling in his heart
boyish games start
tickling his toes making him laugh out loud
under snow cloud.
Snow storm magic making children of men
they’re boys again
for this moment before somberness comes
when snow is done.
Copyright 2007 JO Janoski
A split couplet for the Workshop prompt.
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October 19, 2007 - New Prompt - Split Couplet
Posted by Jo Janoski
I love couplets. Today's prompt: a Split Couplet
Definition and example from:
http://www.uni.edu/~gotera/CraftOfPoetry/couplet.html
Split Couplet- the first line in iambic pentameter, the second in iambic dimeter. From Richard Steere's "On a Sea-Storm Nigh the Coast"
The weighty seas are rowled from the deeps
In mighty heaps,
And from the rocks' foundations do arise
To kiss the skies.
Try several quatrains, related or unrelated, your choice. Topic your choice, as well.
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October 18, 2007 - Who at My Page’s Bottom Broods...
Posted by Jo Janoski
Lurking, living on stark edges
Haunting face refusing to leave.
Hanging on my every word...
Why you stay, I cannot conceive.
Your hollow eyes bely my fears
of my hesitant inner muse.
Thy hardened skull reminding me
my deadened heart, her words refuse.
Who shall I call you? What’s your name?
You empty skull, yet electric.
Persona not identified.
Dead, of course, but still eccentric.
Bony? Peppy? Evil-doer?
Dullard? Harry? Sylvester? Who?
What shall I call this bony skull
who at my page’s bottom broods?
Listening, complaining, no peace,
All this without words to say so.
A mime without motion, glaring
Indeed, your name must be Marceau.
Copyright 2007 JO Janoski
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October 17, 2007 - New Prompt---Jo's Skull 10/17
Posted by Jo Janoski
I have an unusual prompt today. You know that skull lurking in the corner of my web page? This one--(like there could be more than one!):
 Jo's Blog
Let's give him a name. Write a poem or a story that incorporates the skull and his/her new name.
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October 16, 2007 - To the End
Posted by Jo Janoski
Smoky entrance, screaming wolves...
Swirling vapors, blackest night
Ethereal commotion.
Prelude to his entourage
Of bats in locomotion.
Smoky entrance, screaming wolves.
Mist revealing bony hand.
Ragged finger, whisper dark
Beckons me to promised land.
World within dark vapors
Delicious evil calling
Undeniable urges
To be to all appalling.
Resisting not dark missive.
My ghost, my leader, my friend
I’ll go with you to be supreme
Evil-doer to the end.
Copyright 2007 JO Janoski
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October 16, 2007 - Halloween Theme - A Ghost Poem
Posted by Jo Janoski
Today's prompt:
Write a poem about a ghost.
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October 15, 2007 - Celebration
Posted by Jo Janoski
Native nude celebration. (A Tanka)
Breezes that tingle
Amidst warm sun vibration
Body-soul joyful
Titillating hot tango
Native nude celebration.
Copyright 2007 JO Janoski
A Prompt for the Musecrafters Writing Workshop
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October 14, 2007 - New Prompt 10/14 -One-Word Prompt
Posted by Jo Janoski
A one-word prompt today for a story or poem:
Titillation
P.S. I probably won't get to mine til tomorrow......
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About Me
I mainly write structured non-rhyming poetry
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