“The Prophecy,” A Flash Fiction/Senryu

I’m combining my Weekly Tanka Tuesday Poetry Challenge, using synonyms for “love and time, with the Carrot Ranch Literary Community August 16, 2018, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story about a comet. I used the words “continuum” for time, and “benevolence,” for love.

The comet streaked across the sky dragging a fiery tail against the inky blackness. Dennitsa shivered in the gathering gloom. Her dreams of late had been infiltrated by the ancestors revealing the prophecy this celestial nomad heralded. Time was running out.

The old ways of healing-magic were in danger. Today, the Byzantine priests had instituted a plan to hunt down and kill the fairy witches, thus performing a cleansing upon the land.

Ripples of magic exploded from the woman’s form silhouetted against the night sky.

Her spirit calls out—

the continuum answers,

benevolence found.

The solution came from above.

***

© 2018 Colleen M. Chesebro

Images: Creative Commons Pixabay.com

Hugs for stopping by! <3

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Colleen Chesebro: WordCraftPoetry

Colleen M. Chesebro is a Michigan Poet who loves crafting syllabic poetry, flash fiction, and creative fiction and nonfiction. Colleen sponsors a weekly syllabic poetry challenge, called #TankaTuesday, on wordcraftpoetry.com where participants learn how to write traditional and current forms of syllabic poetry. A published author, Colleen is also an editor of “Word Weaving, a Word Craft Journal of Syllabic Verse, also found on wordcraftpoetry.com. Colleen’s mission is to bring the craft of writing syllabic poetry to anyone who thinks they can’t be a poet. Recently, she created the Double Ennead, a 99-syllable poetry form for the Carrot Ranch literary community at carrotranch.com. Colleen’s poetry has appeared in various anthologies and journals including “Hedgerow-a journal of small poems,” and “Poetry Treasures1 & 2” a collection of poetry from the poet/author guests of Robbie Cheadle on the “Treasuring Poetry” blog series on “Writing to be Read." Colleen published “Word Craft: Prose & Poetry, The Art of Crafting Syllabic Poetry,” which illustrates how to write various syllabic poetry forms used in her Tanka Tuesday challenges; and a collection of poetry, flash fiction, and short stories called, “Fairies, Myths & Magic: A Summer Celebration,” dedicated to the Summer Solstice. She contributed a short story called “The Changeling,” in the “Ghostly Rites Anthology 2020,” published by Plaisted Publishing House. Find Colleen at Word Craft: Prose & Poetry at wordcraftpoetry.com.

36 thoughts on ““The Prophecy,” A Flash Fiction/Senryu”

  1. Ritu – A writer and blogger who teaches, and is a wife and mother too. Enjoy my ramblings on life, love and literature. 💖
    Ritu says:

    Love it sis 💖

    Reply
      1. Ritu – A writer and blogger who teaches, and is a wife and mother too. Enjoy my ramblings on life, love and literature. 💖
        Ritu says:

        Write it sis 💖

        Reply
  2. Annette Rochelle Aben – Westland, MI – My life is ALL ABOUT being a COMMUNICATOR, so I write/publish books, (find my on Amazon) articles, essays, poetry, heck I love writing LETTERS. I am also a host/producer of internet radio shows; (find me on Blog Talk Radio) my own shows as well as shows that other people host. Since I was a little girl I have been a singer and fronted bands for years. People everywhere are wearing my jewelry and eating the food I create and sell. In my spare time I am a mentor/guide for others along their personal and professional paths. Thank you for joining me here and be sure to let me know what I can help YOU with!
    Annette Rochelle Aben says:

    Every time I read one of your flash fictions, I always see them becoming novels or novellas… <3

    Reply
  4. Smorgasbord - Variety is the Spice of Life. – Wexford Ireland – My name is Sally Cronin and I am doing what I love.. Writing. Books, short stories, Haiku and blog posts. . I move between non-fiction health books and posts and fairy stories, romance and humour. I love variety which is why I called my blog Smorgasbord Invitation and you will find a wide range of subjects. Free Book Marketing, Music, Health, Book Reviews, Short Stories, Poetry and Humour. Find out more at https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/about-me/
    Smorgasbord - Variety is the Spice of Life. says:

    Wow……♥

    Reply
      1. Smorgasbord - Variety is the Spice of Life. – Wexford Ireland – My name is Sally Cronin and I am doing what I love.. Writing. Books, short stories, Haiku and blog posts. . I move between non-fiction health books and posts and fairy stories, romance and humour. I love variety which is why I called my blog Smorgasbord Invitation and you will find a wide range of subjects. Free Book Marketing, Music, Health, Book Reviews, Short Stories, Poetry and Humour. Find out more at https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/about-me/
        Smorgasbord - Variety is the Spice of Life. says:

        Good to hear…♥

        Reply
  5. merrildsmith – I am a historian, writer, and poet. My books have mainly focused on history, sexuality, and gender, and my most recent book is a reference book, Sexual Harassment. My blog is mainly poetry and musings about the world around me.
    merrildsmith says:

    I like the ripples of magic coming off of her. (The continuum makes me think of Star Trek. 🙂 )
    I like your Colleen Cat Clock.

    Reply
  6. celinelingg – Celine is here with her book obsessions! I love to spend my time reading in the middle of the night before bed. My favourite book genre is suspense, murder, crime, mystery and thriller. Aside from reading, I paint!
    celinelingg says:

    Hugs for sharing this with us!❤

    Reply
  8. D. Wallace Peach – 30 Miles beyond the edge of civilization, Oregon – I'm an adventurer in writing, peering under rocks in my garden for secret magic. I can't stop writing. My stories want to explode from my head. They demand my attention and surge from my fingertips faster than I can put them to paper. I love what I do.
    D. Wallace Peach says:

    I love the mystery and prophesy in this one, Colleen. A bit of danger in there too before the benevolence. Happy Writing!

    Reply
      1. D. Wallace Peach – 30 Miles beyond the edge of civilization, Oregon – I'm an adventurer in writing, peering under rocks in my garden for secret magic. I can't stop writing. My stories want to explode from my head. They demand my attention and surge from my fingertips faster than I can put them to paper. I love what I do.
        D. Wallace Peach says:

        I am well, Colleen. Back from vacation and reuniting with my laptop! Lol. Have a wonderful week, my friend. Happy Writing!

        Reply
  9. Pingback: Colleen’s #Tanka Tuesday #Poetry Challenge Recap “Love & Time,” No. 97, #SynonymsOnly | Colleen Chesebro ~ The Fairy Whisperer
  10. Miriam Hurdle – California, USA – Miriam Hurdle grew up in Hong Kong where she went to college and worked for five years before coming to the United States. While in Hong Kong, she taught Chinese as a Second Language at Hong Kong Baptist University and the Chinese University of Hong Kong for three years. She was also the Director of the Children’s Department at the Asian Outreach where she published four Chinese Children’s books. Miriam Hurdle came to the United States for her graduate studies. She received her master’s degrees in Christian Ministry from Portland Seminary, Counseling from Seattle Pacific University, and Education Administration from California State University, Los Angeles. After teaching in a California public school for fifteen years, she was promoted to a school district administrative position. She went on to do the postgraduate studies and earned her Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from La Verne University in California. Dr. Hurdle continued in her administrative position for ten years before her retirement. In her retired life, Dr. Hurdle enjoys doing volunteer counseling, reading, writing, blogging, singing, drawing, watercolor painting, gardening, photographing, and traveling. Dr. Hurdle is married to Lynton Hurdle and has one married daughter and one granddaughter.
    Miriam Hurdle says:

    Wow, Colleen. It doesn’t take you long to send the magical ripples off to the galaxy! Lovely!

    Reply
      1. Miriam Hurdle – California, USA – Miriam Hurdle grew up in Hong Kong where she went to college and worked for five years before coming to the United States. While in Hong Kong, she taught Chinese as a Second Language at Hong Kong Baptist University and the Chinese University of Hong Kong for three years. She was also the Director of the Children’s Department at the Asian Outreach where she published four Chinese Children’s books. Miriam Hurdle came to the United States for her graduate studies. She received her master’s degrees in Christian Ministry from Portland Seminary, Counseling from Seattle Pacific University, and Education Administration from California State University, Los Angeles. After teaching in a California public school for fifteen years, she was promoted to a school district administrative position. She went on to do the postgraduate studies and earned her Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from La Verne University in California. Dr. Hurdle continued in her administrative position for ten years before her retirement. In her retired life, Dr. Hurdle enjoys doing volunteer counseling, reading, writing, blogging, singing, drawing, watercolor painting, gardening, photographing, and traveling. Dr. Hurdle is married to Lynton Hurdle and has one married daughter and one granddaughter.
        Miriam Hurdle says:

        You’re welcome, Colleen. <3

        Reply
  11. TanGental – london, england – My name is Geoff Le Pard. Once I was a lawyer; now I am a writer. I've published several books: a four book series following Harry Spittle as he grows from hapless student to hapless partner in a London law firm; four others in different genres; a book of poetry; four anthologies of short fiction; and a memoir of my mother. I have several more in the pipeline. I have been blogging regularly since 2014, on topic as diverse as: poetry based on famous poems; memories from my life; my garden; my dog; a whole variety of short fiction; my attempts at baking and food; travel and the consequent disasters; theatre, film and book reviews; and the occasional thought piece. Mostly it is whatever takes my fancy. I avoid politics, mostly, and religion, always. I don't mean to upset anyone but if I do, well, sorry and I suggest you go elsewhere. These are my thoughts and no one else is to blame. If you want to nab anything I post, please acknowledge where it came from.
    TanGental says:

    Cool

    Reply
  12. anuragbakhshi – At the age of 40, I decided to exit the corporate world, and enter the world of stories as a full-time writer. Wish me luck!
    anuragbakhshi says:

    I hate those Byzantine priests, good that the witches found a celestial solution 🙂

    Reply
  13. Charli Mills – Keweenaw Peninsula, Michigan – Charli Mills, a born buckaroo, makes literary art accessible at CarrotRanch.com. She writes about the veteran spouse experience and women forgotten to history.
    Charli Mills says:

    Colleen, you weave great magic to combine both tanka and flash. Comets and constellations get us to look in the direction of where answers come from.

    Reply
  14. Pingback: Comet « Carrot Ranch Literary Community
  15. Charli Mills – Keweenaw Peninsula, Michigan – Charli Mills, a born buckaroo, makes literary art accessible at CarrotRanch.com. She writes about the veteran spouse experience and women forgotten to history.
    Charli Mills says:

    That’s when I appreciate constraints for their power as tools! Glad that works for you!

    Reply

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