“All Forgiven in a Day,” #kindku

storm erupts with feral song
dawn shifts into grey
clouds swell like waves in the sea
pale brume hovering
above the fray, the rainbow—
redeems the silence
all forgiven in a day

©2020 Colleen M. Chesebro

First Place Winner: Twisted Travel, 2018 Carrot Ranch Rodeo

A Visit with Grammy

Jess ran. She couldn’t miss this bus, or Grammy would worry at her late arrival.

She stumbled into the queue as a woman towing a wheeled suitcase pushed past her. Jess swerved to miss it, whacking the woman’s elbow with her own. She stepped out of the way and bumped into the man in front of her.

“Sorry,” Jess muttered.

“Ouch! Who’s there?” asked the woman.

“It wasn’t me,” said the man.

Then, Jess remembered. They couldn’t see or hear her, only feel her ghostly touch. She didn’t need to ride the bus to visit Grammy – she flew.

© 2018 Colleen M. Chesebro

 

indv-events-ff-rodeo25

November 2017

https://carrotranch.com/2017/11/14/winner-of-flash-fiction-rodeo-contest-2/

The Bus Stop

(The Winning Entry)

In 1971, I was a sergeant in the U. S. Air Force, stationed at Korat Air Force Base, Thailand. The Vietnam War raged around me.

Each morning I took the bus to the base. The voices of my military superiors echoed, reminding me to be careful. Saboteurs were everywhere. The Viet Cong traveled freely between the borders. Last week a sergeant had been stabbed on his way home. I trusted no one.

I strolled into the bus stop like I owned it. Crouched in the shadows, was an old man. He stared at me and our eyes locked. He spoke in Thai, “Sawadi ton chaw.”

My fear erupted. I said defiantly in English, “Fuck you, old man!” I gave him “the finger,” my feeble American attempt to intimidate him. The old man stared at me with razor-sharp eyes.

I worked with Thai civilians and knew they would help me. I explained the incident to a group of my friends. The workers exchanged glances as their eyes creased in laughter, saying, “The old man said good morning to you.”

Now, I understood. I knew if I was to survive I had to learn the language and the customs of the people.
“It is Thai custom to show proper respect for our elders,” they chorused. “When you see the old man again, bow and say the same thing to him that he said to you.”

The next morning at 0500 hours, I set out. I was guarded but kept my wits about me. There in the shadowy recesses of the bus stop, crouched the old man.

I approached him with a smile and bowed, saying, “Sawadi ton chaw.”

The old man regarded me with those sharp eyes I had noticed the day before. In the clearest English I had ever heard, he said, “FUCK YOU,” and gave me the finger!

© 2017 Colleen M. Chesebro

***

 

17 thoughts on “Literary/Poetry Awards”

  3. interesting page I am considering starting one just like this, and i really didnt want to put that award free blog sign.. but it gets rather tedious responding to each and every award then running out of nominees lol.
    cheers
    ~B

    Like

    Reply

      1. No – You post the link to your prompt at Carrot Ranch. Though in October there is going to be something different. Some contests – no entry fee, a small prize. November will return to the 99 word prompts.

        Welcome 🙂

        Some folks just visit Carrot ranch and leave comments there – others go to the link of the writer and post comments on the blog of the contributor – It just depends on what you want to do. There are no rules in that regard.

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply

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