The Carrot Ranch, July 18, 2022, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story about floating. Who is floating, where, and in what? Is the floating real or felt internally? Whatever floats your boat, go where the prompt leads! Submit by July 23, 2022. Find the RULES here.
It is night. The darkness swaddles me in a tight embrace. I sense this is a dream, and I glide like a bird in flight, arms extended to catch the air currents; I float. It is in this place of zero gravity where I feel the nothingness of just being. There is no sound other than the steady beat of my heart chakra, a green glow blooming in my chest. With a burst of energy, I soar and dive toward the edge of darkness, which fades into a starry sky.
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.
Great Colleen, don’t you just love those Dreams where you take off and float or fly…
I used to get them often… Not so much now….
Now I dive into water rescuing people Lol… 🙂 and I am not that stronger a swimmer in real life LOL either 🙂
I enjoyed your tale my friend… Happy Dream Time.. <3
Oh, Sue… the water scares me. I can swim but I would be really cautious. Now dream flying… that would be great! Keep saving those drowning souls. We need you. <3
Thanks, Sis… it could as well been a child. I’ve had plenty of wake up’s like that! But, the unicorn cats add an entirely different dimension to it. LOL! 🤣
Drifting”a 99 word story”
The lecture hall although hot and cramped was a lot friendlier than the blazing sun outside. She was in between the inaudible lecturer and her sleepy mind. For the umpteenth time she drifted up and away. She smoothed her suit and grabbed her purse. She’d rather brave the blazing sun than spend another minute outside her air-conditioned car. She branched at an eatery and grabbed a bite for herself and her housemate. Smiling as she spun her steering wheel, she’d soon be home.She felt hot
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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. 💜
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August Specific Form: Yvette
August Photo Prompt: Reena
August Theme Prompt: Sarah
Ah yes, cats have their way with us, eh? Cute, Sis!
They sure do. But I wouldn’t have it any other way. These two girls are so fun. 💜
Fun story and beautifully described in so few words. Thanks, Colleen!
Thanks Olga. I had a good mediation vision yesterday morning. It was perfect. Both Chloe and Sophie take turns waking me up in the morning. LOL! 💜
hahaha! well played, Colleen!
<3
David
LOL! Well, it used to be my kids waking me up… now, it’s my cats. LOL! 😀
Oh yes, my dogs wake me from my lovely dreams too. Love it!
They’re just like our kids, Darlene. LOL! 💜
Oh… I haven’t gotten to this prompt yet. 🙂
Critters or children – even husbands sometimes can wake you when you don’t want to be woken!! Fun read.
LOL! Oh for sure! Ha!!
🙂
You had me so relaxed until those last two lines, Colleen! Lol! Great story! 🙂
Ha ha! Welcome to my world. Those cats are so funny. 😂
I love it! What a cute and fun story. I was there!🥰
LOL! If I could have a super power it would be to fly! And without my broom! 🤣🧹
Excellently done Colleen and so very cat! 💜
Ha ha! Right? Sophie and Chloe wake me up each morning. Then once I’m up, they go back to sleep! 🤣🐈🐈⬛
Oh,,! We are just their slaves 💜
LOL! I say I’m the kitty maid. Clean the boxes and feed them. 🤣
Yes indeed and groom and pet them too 💜
If I can get Chloe off the mouse… LOL! 😀
Yes indeed 😊
Great Colleen, don’t you just love those Dreams where you take off and float or fly…
I used to get them often… Not so much now….
Now I dive into water rescuing people Lol… 🙂 and I am not that stronger a swimmer in real life LOL either 🙂
I enjoyed your tale my friend… Happy Dream Time.. <3
Oh, Sue… the water scares me. I can swim but I would be really cautious. Now dream flying… that would be great! Keep saving those drowning souls. We need you. <3
Thank you Colleen that means a lot and that you understand 🙂 <3
Always, my friend. I get you. Namaste. 🙏🏻 💜
I love this, Colleen! I haven’t had a flying dream in a long time and this made me long for one!
Thanks, Jan. It I could have a super power that would be it. Flying would be amazing!
Fun read Sis. Loved where you took this story <3
Thanks, Sis… it could as well been a child. I’ve had plenty of wake up’s like that! But, the unicorn cats add an entirely different dimension to it. LOL! 🤣
Lol 🙂 xx
This was dreamy, Colleen. I could almost imagine that myself. Toni x
Perfect Toni… until Chloe or Sophie woke you up! 😂
Drifting”a 99 word story”
The lecture hall although hot and cramped was a lot friendlier than the blazing sun outside. She was in between the inaudible lecturer and her sleepy mind. For the umpteenth time she drifted up and away. She smoothed her suit and grabbed her purse. She’d rather brave the blazing sun than spend another minute outside her air-conditioned car. She branched at an eatery and grabbed a bite for herself and her housemate. Smiling as she spun her steering wheel, she’d soon be home.She felt hot
If you want to participate in the Carrot Ranch challenge, here is the link: https://carrotranch.com/2022/07/19/july-18-story-challenge-in-99-words/. Follow the instructions on the challenge post.
wonderful response!
Thanks so much. 💜
Pingback: #109 “Dreaming” 99-Word Story – The Word Scribbler
Thanks so much for enjoying my story. <3