The August 13, 2020, Carrot Ranch Literary Community Flash Fiction prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story about a first flight. It can be anything or anyone that flies. What is significant about the first? Go where the prompt leads!
Respond by August 25, 2020.
The wings were brand new. The two small buds on her back had blossomed into full-fledged wings covered with white feathers. She stretched these new extensions as far as she could, flexing the newly formed muscles taut.
She was sure that they made these new appendages for flying. How long had she wished to fly free like the eagle and the hawk?
She sniffed the air and pawed the ground. From a canter to a dead run, she was ready to spread her wings. At the cliff, the ground fell away, and she flew. It was unicorn’s first flight.
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.
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Colleen M. Chesebro—Prose Metrist
Crafting Syllabic Poetry is my Ikigari 💜
One day, I stumbled across the Japanese word Ikigari. After some research, I discovered iki means life. In Japanese, Gai means worth or value. When these words combine, they form the definition of ikigari, which is life’s worth. It’s often translated or interpreted as a reason for getting up in the morning. So, yes, writing syllabic poetry is my ikigari.
I also believe writing syllabic poetry strengthens our writing skills. When we create poetry, we gain command of language; cultivate a healthy vocabulary, master literary devices such as metaphor, simile, alliteration, hyperbole, and allegory. We learn to work in imagery. We connect with our ikigari.
When I’m not writing poetry or crafting short stories, you’ll find me digging in my garden, or playing with my two unicorn cats, Chloe & Sophie. I live in East Lansing, Michigan with my husband—my soul mate. Most days you can find me writing poetry on wordcraftpoetry.com. 💜
New Book Promotion for Marjorie Mallon - The Hedge Witch and the Musical Poet - Poems and Flash Fiction https://dgkayewriter.com/2022/08/19/new-book-promotion-for-marjorie-mallon-the-hedge-witch-and-the-musical-poet-poems-and-flash-fiction/ via @pokercubster
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Love this. 😀 Such a great ending.
Thanks, Lucy! We’ve just got to spread our wings and fly. <3
With apologies for including a link, this was a 2016 post of mine. https://coldhandboyack.wordpress.com/2016/02/08/check-another-project-off-my-list/
You are the master! Now, tell that same story in 99 words! I loved that story btw! 🥰
No way. I think it would lose too much. I’m such a dork, that I hit the music as I read by and teared up for the rest.
Awww, I love that story. 😍
Love this unicorn story! Well done Sis <3
So fun! I love those flying horses! 😍
Wonderful Colleen.. could feel the wind beneath her wings…♥
Yay, Sally! Fly free! ❤️
♥
LOVE this! Felt like it was me taking off. <3
Yay! Feel the wind under your wings! ❤️
Absolutely beautiful 💜
Thanks, Willow. I bet that fist time in the air was exhilarating! 🦄🥰
Yes indeed ☺️☺️
Beautiful, Collee! Here’s to soaring!
Fly free into the wind! 😍🦄
This made me smile. Yay for the unicorns first flight.
I love unicorns… the best mystical creature ever! LOL! <3
My granddaughters and I agree:) Although dragons is a close second.
Oh yes! How could I not mention dragons. 😂
Sounds like a good day.
LOL! Right? It would be amazing to spread your wings and fly like that. <3
A lovely fantasy to enter into. I’ve always wished I could fly.
Right? Wouldn’t that be amazing? 🥰🦄
🙂 For sure!
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Oh yes I’ve seen Pegasus Unicorns! Lovely first flight. 🙂
Thanks, Jules. Great fun!
How exhilarating.
Wouldn’t that be an experience? Feel the wind beneath your wings. ❤️
I’d love it!
Me too! 😍