Photo and Art Prompts to Inspire Creativity in all Forms
For artists, bloggers, poets, writers and students
ART + PHOTOGRAPHY = INSPIRATION

Photo Prompt: Liverpool

Photo Title: Liverpool © David White - A Year In Photography
Visit his blog site to see additional photos.
The photographer lives in Chester, North West England,
and specializes in finding his own unique interpretation of the
natural world,
with occasional experiments in lifestyle photography.

Happy, Healthy New Year!

Writing Prompt


1) “A new year is unfolding – like a blossom with petals curled tightly concealing the beauty within.” ~ Anonymous
What trait(s) are you concealing but would like to reveal?

2) Take out your "imaginary" camera and photograph "your" new year.
What do you see? Be specific.

Photo used with permission from David White.

Image Prompt: Untitled

Artwork: © Suzan Buckner - Thrifty Collage Artist
Visit her blog site to see additional artwork.
The artist lives in Woodville, Alabama, and specializes in
mixed media, collage, painting and art journals.

Click here if you've never used image prompts.

Writing Prompt

Pick an old photograph. Begin your writing with, "I remember when..."


Artwork used with permission from Suzan Buckner

Photo Prompt: Kids II

Photo Title: Kids II © Eliza Patrinou - Corazon Libre Photography
Visit her blog site to see additional photos.
The photographer grew up and lives in Thessaloniki, Greece,
and specializes in art photography.
Read her Flickr Interview .

Photo used with permission from Eliza Patrinou

Image Prompt: Nativity

Art Title: Nativity © Flor Larios Art
Visit her blog site to see additional artwork.
The artist lives in Miami, Florida. She is self-taught, and loves to
paint angels, fairies, nativities, and Frida Kahlo. Mostly folk art
with an old, rustic charm, she also creates art items and collages for
the home; in boxes, crosses, mirrors, ornaments, etc.
~
Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa.
No matter how you celebrate, Happy Holidays to all of you!
May there be Peace and Love in your world.

Writing Prompt
1) What is your favorite holiday tradition? Why? Make up a new one.

2) Who do you need to forgive?

3) "I am not a bell so distant nor a crystal so deeply buried that you can not decipher, I am only people, hidden door, dark bread, and when you receive me, you receive yourself, this guest beaten down so many times and so many times reborn." ~Pablo Neruda

Word Prompt
Spirit * Truth
~
Artwork used by permission from Flor Larios.

Photo Prompt: Dream Dance

Photo Title: Dream Dance © Tom Chambers Photography
Visit his site to see additional photos.
The photographer lives in Richmond, Virginia, and specializes
in photomontagephotography.

Writing Prompt

dance (dans,dahns)
-verb
4. to be stirred into rapid movement, as leaves in a wind.

What "stirs" you into movement?

Word Prompt

Rejoice

Photo used with permission from Tom Chambers.

Image Prompt: Light

Illustration Title:Light © Ella Elviana - The Enigma
Visit her blog site to see additional artwork.
The artist lives in Indonesia, and specializes in children's book illustration.

Writing Prompt

Recall an "enlightening" experience and write about it.

Artwork used by permission from Ella Elviana.

Photo Prompt: Kendall

Photo Title:Kendall © Polly Chandler Photography
Visit her site to see additional photos.
The photographer lives in Austin, Texas, and has exhibited her work nationally.
Her photographs have been published in magazines such as
Photo District News, American Photo and Silvershotz Magazine.

Photo used with permission from Polly Chandler.

Hatchling

Art Title: Hatchling © Kristin Elder - Ink Blot Paint Spot
Visit her blog site to see additional artwork.
The artists lives in southern New Mexico, and specializes in
watercolor on paper and oil on board.

Word Prompt

Rebirth

Artwork used with permission from Kristin Elder.

Marc

Photo Title: Marc © Alex Woolcott - Woolcott's Blog
Visit his blog site for information on additional photos.
The photographer lives in London, and specializes in Landscape
and Macro photography.

Photo Prompt
Study this image,then write a story, poem, blog posting, your thoughts, etc. Remember, you don't have to write about the subject matter, write about the first word(s) that pop into your head.

Writing Prompt
Write about the music in your life.

Word Prompt
Vision

Music Prompt
Listen to the following youtube video(s) and write about the images inspired by the lyrics(s).

Natasha Bedingfield - Unwritten

The Beatles - Blackbird

Photo used with permission from Alex Woolcott.

Blogging Vacation

Away on a trip
but, my postings should resume
by the next full moon.

*No wise cracks! I never said I was a good writer.

"See" you then :)

The Sky People - Pegasus

Digital Collage Title: The Sky People - Pegasus
© Jeanne Wilkinson Art
Visit her blog site to see additional artwork.
The artist lives in Brooklyn, New York, and her current specialty
is digital collage.

Writing Prompt

This was your dream last night. Use your dream to write a story, poem, blog posting, or a letter explaining your dream to a friend.

Word Prompt

Flight

Artwork used with permission from Jeanne Wilkinson

Old Shoes

Photo Title: Old Shoes © Cole Thompson Photography
Visit his site to see additional photos.
The photographer lives in Laporte, Colorado, and specializes in
black and white fine art photography.


Photo Prompt

Study the image, then write the first three words that come to you.
Write anything using those words.

Writing Prompt
There's an old proverb, "Don't judge a man until you've walked a mile in his shoes." Write a story, poem, blog posting, or your thoughts about the meaning of this proverb.

Word Prompt
Yesterday

Photo used with permission from Cole Thompson.

Bicyclist

Untitled Photo © Stacey Vaeth Photography
Visit her site to see additional photos.
The photographer, based in Washington, DC and covering the
Maryland, Virginia and DC regions, specializes in creating family
heirlooms through fine art photography. She has extensive experience
in family, wedding, infant, maternity, and fine art photography.

Photo Prompt

Study the image and spend five minutes free writing.

Writing Prompt
Select a part of your free writing exercise, and write a short story, poem, blog post, etc.

Word Prompt
Motion

Photo used with permission from Stacey Vaeth.

Maa

Illustration Title: Maa (mother' in Bengali) © Kunal Kundu
Visit his blog site for additional artwork.
The artist lives in New Delhi, India, and specializes in Animation
and Illustration.

Image Prompt
Study the image. Write down three words, and write about them.

Writing Prompt
Write a short story, poem, blog post, or an experience about motherhood.

Word Prompt
Child

Artwork used with permission from Kunal Kundu.

Moon Festival

Illustration Title: Moon Festival © Alina Chau -
Ice-Cream Monster Toon Cafe

Visit her blog site to see additional artwork.
The artist lives in Los Angeles, California, and specializes in animation
and illustration.

Happy Thanksgiving :)

Image Prompt
Study the image, and write what is in your heart.

Writing Prompt
What does the word "family" mean to you? What emotion(s) does this word evoke in you? Write about it.

Word Prompt
Gathering


Artwork used with permission from Alina Chau.

People I Don't Know #10

Photo Title: People I Don't Know #10 © Aline Smithson Photography
Visit her site to see additional photos.
The photographer lives in Los Angeles, California, and specializes in
fine art photography.

Photo Prompt
Study the photo, then write down the first three words that come to mind. Write about those words.

Writing Prompt

This is you looking at that photograph. Write a story, poem, or thoughts about what you are feeling. Who is that man you are looking at? What does he mean to you?

Word Prompt
Hands

Photo used with permission from Aline Smithson.

Georgia & Sabine #34

Photo Title: Georgia & Sabine #34 © Natalie Young / Photographer
Visit her site to see additional photos.
Natalie lives in Hermosa Beach, California, and specializes in
fine art photography.


Photo Prompt
What is your first thought when you look at this photograph?
Write about it.

Writing Prompt

Write a story, poem, or experience about your pet, or a pet you
once had. Or, about an animal(s) in general.

Word Prompt

Eyes

Photo used with permission from Natalie Young.

Untitled

Untitled Photo: © Christine Amato - Christine Amato.net
Visit her site to see additional photos.
The photographer lives in New York, and her body of work includes
abstract images of objects, nature, and bodies.


Writing Prompt
Pick a title for the image, and write a short story explaining who
this man is, and his relationship to the woman
sitting on the bench.
Write a poem of your choice about this image.


Word Prompt

Promises

Photo used with permission from Christine Amato

Barrel Racing

Photo: © Cowboy Pix *with permission from subject


Writing Prompt
1) This is you on that horse. Write a letter to an old friend describing this event. Describe how you feel riding that horse; what the moment meant to you.

2) What's the most adventurous thing you've done? Or, would like to try? What's stopping you?

Word Prompt
Journey

Fisherman's Blues

Photo Title: Fisherman's Blues © David White -
A Year In Photography
Visit his blog site to see additional photos.
The photographer lives in Chester, North West England, and
specializes in finding his own unique interpretation of the natural
world, with occasional experiments in lifestyle photography.

Photo Prompt
Study the image. List the first three words that come to mind. Take those words and use them in your writing.


Writing Prompt

You are the photojournalist who shot this image.
Write a headline and a short caption.

  1. Write a six line poem.
  2. Write the first sentence of a book.

Word Prompt
Breathe

Photo used with permission from David White

Thessaloniki Market I

Photo Title: Thessaloniki Market I © Eliza Patrinou -
Corazon Libre Photography
Visit her blog site to see additional photos.
The photographer grew up and lives in Thessaloniki, Greece,
and specializes in art photography.

Photo Prompt
Study the image and start writing about the first word that pops into your head.

Word Prompt
Silence

*Each day I will give you a word to write about. You can write anything you want using this word. A poem, a blog post, a story, etc. This word will be located on top of the page beneath "About Me." If you don't write about it in the comments section, let me know what you end up writing. Or, come back and enter it here.

Photo used with permission from Eliza Patrinou

And Were There Strangers On The Beach? - A Moonlight Fantasy

Painting Title: And Were There Strangers On The Beach?
- A Moonlight Fantasy © John Wright - John Wright Art
Visit his blog site for additional artwork.
The artist lives in Nottingham, United Kingdom, and specializes
in landscapes and seascapes in pastels, acrylics and watercolour.


Image Prompt
You are a songwriter. Study the image, then write the first three lines of your song.
*You can't use anything referring to "starry, starry night." :)

Writing Prompt
If you could live anywhere else besides where you are now, where would it be?
Be specific. In the city, or the country?
What type of house? Describe your new surroundings.
Is it a warm or cold climate? Near the ocean or the mountains?

Artwork used with permission from John Wright

Dinner

Photo Title: Dinner © Aline Smithson Photography
Visit her website to see additional photos.
The photographer lives in Los Angeles, California, and specializes
in fine art photography.


Photo Prompt
You are a screenwriter, and looking for an idea for your next movie. Study the photograph. Then write one or two lines, including the movie title, to sum up your movie. This article may help you with this prompt: Ideas for Movies

Writing Prompt
You're sitting across from this dinner "guest." Who is he, and why are you having dinner with him? Describe the meal, and whether or not you enjoyed dinner.

Photo used with permission from Aline Smithson

Rain Wet

Photo Title: Rain Wet © Sarah Copeland - Hyacinth-Child
Visit her site to see additional photos.
The photographer lives in Canada, and writes poetry while studying
Psychology and Social Sciences.

Photo Prompt
You have serious WRITER'S BLOCK!! You discover this photograph.
Study it, then write a few words that come into your mind.
Using those words, write a story, a poem, or thoughts
about what you see and what you experience.

Photo used by permission from Sarah Copeland

The Cross

Photo: © FreePhotos.se

Three Ideas To Write About:

1) What does the cross mean to you? Some people view it as a symbol of death. Do you?

2) Are you afraid of death? What do you fear the most about it?

3) Name two things that you want to accomplish before you die.

The Blue Flower

Photo: © Every Photo Tells A Story

Two Writing Exercises
1) Write a haiku or short poem about this picture.
See the posting with the horse photo for rules. For additional
information about the haiku, click on How To Write A Haiku
*There are variations to the rule followed by the Japanese haiku.
The English haiku is not as strict, and is "often" written using the
2-3-2, 3-4-3, 3-5-2 syllable rule instead. There are other forms of
haiku, as well as variations to the English haiku, which I will
detail later this week. Also, when a haiku is translated into English,
the syllables are often "lost" in translation.
Thank you, Crafty Green Poet and Ares for enlightening me!
OR
2) Who in your life has inspired you the most?

Soccer Practice

Photo Title: Soccer Practice © Sarah Martin - s3artisticphotography
Visit her website to see additional photos.


Two Writing Exercises:

1) You found this photo while going through some albums at your mother's house.

What's the first thought you have?

Keep writing....

2) What's something you've been meaning to do but never find the time for?

Photo used with permission from Sarah R. Martin

Write A Dream About An Enchanted Forest

Photo Title: Enchanted Forest © John R. Math Photography
Visit his website to see additional photos.
The photographer lives in Jupiter, Florida , and specializes in
abstract and impressionistic landscapes.

I know I said one photo a day, but a girl has the right to change her mind :)

Brainstorming is a great tool. Study the photo of the Enchanted Forest. Before you write anything down, sleep on it. Come back and free write about whatever comes to your mind regarding this image. It could be a story you dreamed up, a poem, or an idea.

Photo used with permission from John R. Math

Write A Story or Poem About A Lost Cat

Photo: © Every Photo Tells A Story


In five minutes or less, write the first three lines of a short story or poem about this cat.


How did he get lost, what will happen to him?
Who will miss him?

Horizon

Photo Title: Horizon © John R. Math Photography
Visit his website to see additional photos.
The photographer lives in Jupiter, Florida , and specializes in
abstract and impressionistic landscapes.

"You are here, with the smell of the sea and the sound of the seabirds crying out to one another."

Tell me what you are doing; why you are at this place.

Write

A story
or
An experience
or
A poem.

Photo used with permission from John R. Math

Write A Haiku About A Horse

Photo: © Every Photo Tells A Story

A haiku is a short poem originating in Japan and is written as follows:

*A haiku is written in three lines with a total of 17 syllables

First line = 5 syllables

Second line = 7 syllables

Third line = 5 syllables

Example:

The summer river:
although there is a bridge, my horse
goes through the water.

by Masaoka Shiki

*There are variations;try to get close as you can. As you see,
Shiki used 8 syllables in his second line. *
As Ares has pointed out, the 8 syllables in Shiki's second line is
due to translation from Japanese to English.

And, have fun!

A Note On Commenting and Following

Please note that while I appreciate thoughtful comments
(writing and sharing of thoughts regarding
the images I post)
and fellow bloggers who want to follow my blog,
I ask that you do so without the expectation that
I return the gesture.

If you expect me to follow suit, then you are
commenting and following with an agenda.

And, I do not go for that.

If you want to comment and follow,
please do so only because my blog inspires you
or because you are a fan:)

Thank you.

~Peace

GUIDELINES FOR EVERY PHOTO TELLS A STORY


Welcome to Every Photo Tells A Story!

*Please remember that the artists and photographers who have
submitted their work on this blog are as serious about their art,
as you are about your writing.
*If this blog inspires you to post anything on your site, or,
if you post what you have written here,
please provide a link back to this site so we can all see your work.

Copyright © Every Photo Tells A Story 2008. All Rights Reserved.

Please note the following guidelines:

WRITING
  • There are no guidelines as to what you write. In can be fiction or real life experience. Word count does not matter (unless otherwise instructed,) but please keep it a reasonable length. Sorry, no erotic or offensive material will be accepted or posted.

  • You might be asked to write a piece of fiction/real life experience, poetry, and/or a headline. These are suggestions. Write what inspires you, but try other forms as well.

  • This is a great way to stimulate your creativity, so take advantage of it. It's free :)
COMMENTS

  • Unless you'd rather not share your writing (if not, then enter a link to your blog where your writing is posted and link back to this blog), enter your story, poem, etc. in the comments section after each photograph.

  • Comments are subject to deletion as per my discretion. No racial slurs, personal attacks, or off-topic comments, please.

COPYRIGHT

  • All written material and images are copyrighted by the individual writers/bloggers, artists and photographers, and may not be used, copied or borrowed without written consent. Thank you!

Thank you for visiting, Every Photo Tells A Story.

Art and Photography Submissions


If you have artwork or photography that you'd like
to submit, please email me at:
everyphototellsastory(at)yahoo(dot)com


PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING:

1) Submissions must be from artists and photographers who have a
blog or website featuring their work. *Include a link(s) in your email.
2) The image must be appropriate and suitable for this blog.
3) If I do accept your work, I can not guarantee when it will get posted.

Thank you!

If you are new to this blog and photo/image prompts


The images you see are here to inspire you to write or create (artwork, crafts, photography.) And, the prompts are only suggestions. If there are no prompts, use the image(s) only for your inspiration.

You can use the image and/or the creative prompt to get your ideas. *If you opt for the image only, don't read the prompts before you begin writing or creating. And, your writing and creation does not have to be based on the subject matter, only what you are inspired to write or create. (Example: if you see an image of a single leaf on a tree, and the first thought you have is "loneliness," then write or create something based on loneliness instead of a leaf or a tree.)

If you create something, or write something on your blog instead of in the comments section, please share a link so we can all enjoy it: copy url and paste in comments section.

You are welcome to comment on any of the images or written material you see here. Comments are welcome!

I will not "critique" or judge your writing or creation.

If you finish or revise something you've written here. I would love to read the final version.

As always, thank you for visiting:)

ENTRIES - November 9 thru November 22

The following is a list of some of the entries made on this blog. They are entered here in date order only. This list will be updated periodically.


Feel free to leave comments if you wish, and if you'd like to visit the author's blog, click on the name above each entry.

November 9 thru November 22

Moe
Look! A carousal.
Colorful horses go up
and down. What great fun.

Sarah Copeland
Monotone memories
startled from reflections
in his faded glass eyes.

Ares
He came in with grace
following my whistle
with a noble gallop.

WHY
In the shadow of
his restless dreams, he runs
and hides from watching eyes.

gege
Galloping as if
Somewhere it will go;in truth
It runs in circles.

I walked silently along the damp coastline, my bare feet sinking every
few steps into the cold sand, so bright against the shadowed forest
wall. With every gust of ocean air the trees swayed a little further to
each side their groans like a mid-day yawn, all swayed except the
eagles tree. Its bark grayed and peeling, barley covers its thick trunk,
it takes four of my uncles to hug it properly. I smile, my lips cracking,
as I remember games of hide and seek with portly city cousins, all of
us being able to hide behind that eagle's tree. The eagle is just
returning as I sit on the driest piece of driftwood I can find, he is old
now but still as powerful and majestic. After finishing his freshly
caught breakfast he takes to the swirling winds and battles his way
around the corner and into the next bay. Quickly the sky begins to
change, the dreary fog of night lifting to reveal the sun's first rays as
they tentatively peek over a heaving horizon. Slowly my mind
becomes once again aware of time and I unwillingly rouse myself and
retrace my sunken steps back to my mothers house atop the
secluded west cliff, I can see it from here, the blue and white looking
as if they were plucked straight from a photo of Greece. I smile again,
wincing as the wind stings my chapped lips, and sigh as the reality of
a new day slowly sets in.

Roxy
Who is this mysterious cat?
Eyes wide with mystical sight
What are your thoughts on this celestial night?
Purr Purr to your delight.

Crafty Green Poet
Curiosity.
The self confidence of the very beautiful.
The flash of a bird flying past.
Instinct to follow.

WHY
Every morning he nudges me awake,
then plops on my belly for a second until
he loses patience at my slow awakening.
Opening the cabinet door, I reached for his favorite food,
then realized I had done it out of habit. My morning ritual
had been broken after five years.
I hope tomorrow I will not forget.

Sarah Copeland
Parting thick fog with
golden fingertips
she peers into
the enchanted forest.

Eerily quiet, it makes
silver tears run freely
from her blind eyes.

She feels along its path
hearing every shade of color,
like a symphony it proclaims
an existence.

Tree trunks, purple like
storm clouds, bend themselves
over her path, their leaves
a gentle pink provide shade
for her parched body. Soon
her path will end and sleep
come to call, her last joy
to be remembered for eternity.

Sarah Copeland
Time it is kicked away
like a crumbling soccer ball,
patched and nurtured
after every game.
We roll along, sometimes
in a straight line,
mostly zigzagging thru life,
never staying too long and not often coming back
as the same person.I think of friends
I once knew
and wish with all my being
to slow this ball,
to pause and remember,
to grab pen and paper,
to say hello,
once more.

Sarah Copeland
Mind rising above
pain and reality;
a neon field of daisies.

Crafty Green Poet
The flower glows
reflecting the sky -
a lightning flash.

gege

To create, to grow
One must see the world askance
Changing hues and shapes.

Read more....

Sarah Copeland

Rebar crosses line main street,
contradictions within themselves
as they emit the cold of death
and preach the warmth of love.

Flowers adorn some, others
sit alone in contemplating
silence...I shiver
...eternal silence? Must be hell.

Quickening my pace the fear
in that thought settles into
the blur of my past, as I
round another corner those
rebar crosses crumble like rust in my memory.

Sarah Copeland

"It's raining again
loud on your car
like bullets on tin."
~Moby

The spoon inside last nights coffee cup rattled as the bass kicked in
on my stereo, the time, six am, filled my room with an unearthly glow.
Outside the only light came from a winter crescent moon, its silver
light passed on to the clouds, trees and grass, like a disease. I lay in
bed for a few moments watching the tree tops sway back and forth, as
the wind picked up its speed it gained a howling voice as it squeezed
itself through the cracks in my one room cabin. A sharp snap like
bones cracking almost made me sick to my stomach as the green
glow of my stereo disappeared and relative silence regained its
presence. What was the point of paying for electricity when it only
worked reliably for four months out of the year. Darkness was creeping
back in as purple clouds, like angry bruises, began to cover the sky;
the sun’s repression their mandate.
Clumsily I found the light button on my watch, ten after six, I swung
numbed legs over the side of my cot, its regular protesting creeks
silenced by the crashing rain that had begun to bombard the earth,
every drop making its own crater in the thawing ground. I pulled on
jeans and a t shirt then groped about in the darkness until I found a
sweatshirt hanging over the back of my orange and green couch, I was
glad the miracle of power had been taken away as it conveniently hid
the dizzying paisley swirls. I could barely hear myself curse over the
deafening roar of rain as I stubbed my right toes on a corner of the
frozen iron stove. Squinting into the darkness I found my lighter and
the box of kindling, after some pleading and coaxing I succeeded in
lighting a half charred log on fire. With the discovery of light once
again I became aware of a sudden change, I stood for a moment in
front of the stove pondering this, trying desperately to regain feeling in
various places. I turned and began my journey of five steps towards
the kitchen in search of my kettle, the floorboards creaking beneath
my winter weight, I froze. Silence had again returned, slipping
unfeeling feet into damp hiking boots I barged through the front door
and into a blinding world. Almost every trace of shadow was gone,
hidden beneath a blanket of the purest white tinted orange by the first
rays of a winter sun.

Sarah Copeland

The heat of an august prairie afternoon makes his plastic skin melt,
loosening a vintage tie he forces a halting voice to brave the outside world.
My mother, acting equally as plastic, pours another cup of lemonade
with shaking hands whiter then freshly churned butter. I fidget beneath
layers of Sunday dress and tug at pale pink ribbons that almost
disappear beneath unruly blond curls, an older sister's glare from
behind the visitor's shoulder stills
my very soul. With a startling fierceness the visitor speaks;
a narrow tale he etches upon our hearts, the meaning as clear as mud
to my naive heart, as his voice raises with every new truth.
My eyes fulfill the need to stare at something by etching my own stories
on the leather cover of his black book.
Time crept along until finally the young visitor took his leave,
as my mother escorted him to the crumbling front door I once again
raised my eyes to stare at where the visitor had sat, his plate of
cookies untouched and carefully balancing on the thick arm rest. My
simple mind wondered how much of his plastic skin he had shed in
my father's favorite chair, shivering in disgust I tried to push the stern
face of the visitor out of my mind, but it always seemed to reappear.
I remember the cookies my mother made that day, simple circles with
raisins pressed in at random, every year at our august family reunions
she makes them by the dozens, but my mouth turns to desert when
the thought of eating them comes to mind.
That preachers disapproving sniff roars in my ear like a waterfall,
childhood fidgeting masked my fear but now as I remember his plastic skin,
I remember too his plastic words. I remember the hypocrite who
melted in my father's favorite chair that sweltering august afternoon.
The afternoon before the night that, that glorious visitor drank himself into oblivion.

Ares

This dinner guest must be someone from my dream. A mystical
creature who came not to haunt me but lighten up my burden.
Unfortunately, I have no much means to repay his kindness, so I
cooked him the last flour cake I could ever make with the few
ingredients that I have. I was only smiling at him as he eats. It made
my tummy full just by looking at him enjoy the simple meal. For him it
was a delicacy, and I'm very glad it was enough to make his heart glad.

Anonymous
Every night I wake up covered in sweat. I can't get those eyes out of
my mind. I can't remember when he first appeared in my dreams. This
horrible, little creature who chains me to my chair, then forces me to
eat rotted food and drink down dirty dish water until I gag for mercy. It
makes no sense, no sense at all. I can not live this way. But, how can
I kill someone who does not exist?
Strangers
Waves don gowns of gray as they begin to swirl,
their cheeks blushing off white
like a treasured pearl.
Giddy and gay they rush to meet a still sand
only to find silence has plagued
the band...
In the peace of silent night,
Of glaring moon that had risen and overcame the sun,
Let us be one in the memories and live for our perfect future

Roxy

I am living in my favorite place Hawaii. But a very close second is San
Francisco somewhere with a view of the Golden Gate. It's a warm
Indian Summer's day in November and I am strolling on the beach
near the Marina watching the wind surfers do a dance zig zagging
back and forth on the never ending motion of the bay. Its a glorious
day as the sun warms my face.

Anonymous
He sat there every day playing his guitar with his eyes closed.
The children would come out and gather around him. Quiet for a change.
His music, food for their hungry soul.

Sarah Copeland

His world is tinted in graying yellow
the memories of time, slow to mellow
the horrors never so much as hinted,
in graying yellow his world is tinted

Tables and chairs lean like soldiers
weary and scarred, feeling blurs
floating above on clouds of morphine
like soldiers tables and chairs lean

Word Prompt - Silence
Silence - - a menace
to the musician's ears.

WHY

Deserted
In the deserted alley behind my house, the cats hide from the rocks
and cans that the mean boys throw at them to get their kicks.
The rats used to hang there, too.

Ares

word prompt - breathe
In memories...
Breathing death
she barely tasted life,
From horrid struggle hath
redeemed haven for our strife

Breathing hope
we smelled success,
From evil havoc made us cope
we her tough young spirit bless

WHY

I breathe in the silence of the night, surrounded by the stars and the
trees. Not knowing where my footsteps will lead me, I edge closer to
the silence that calls out my name.
Headline: Cape Cod's Prize catch of the year.
Caption: Using a secret bait Jonathan Barr lured in the biggest catch of the year,
his nets almost breaking under the mass of flopping silver.

Poem
Silver backs flashed
while young fishermen brash
headed into a swirling blue,
and the storm it began to brew;
their boats all washed ashor
eas splinters; nothing more.

First sentence of a book
Camille stole a nervous glance over her snow covered shoulder,
the sun had yet to rise over the silver bay,
but she knew she stood in the market square, the familiar smell of
fresh bait centering her senses; soon her brother too would
venture out into the cold and display his prize cod.

Sarah Copeland

Word prompt - Silence
Standing silently
I almost forget to breath,
a graveyard of old trucks
among the fallen fur trunks
each rusted spot bearing
another tall tale, each growing
a little more with every storm,
for their voices my heart mourns.
But to silent contemplation
I return as shadows turn crimson.

To be continued....

ENTRIES: November 23 thru January 17

The following is a list of some of the entries made on this blog. They are entered here in date order only. This list will be updated periodically.


Feel free to leave comments if you wish, and if you'd like to visit the author's blog, click on the name above each entry.


Sarah Copeland
Following footprints
I wander in circles,
deja vu like a
scratched record telling
the tale of my life.
I journey on and curse
the comfortless shade
that conceal my guides
footprints.

Sarah Copeland
Eclectic Electric

Tattered t shirts mark
unconventional youth,
their frail bodies
a canvas sketched upon
with a permanent ink.
Perhaps they are wiser
than we know, choosing
black they make known
their generations
hopelessness.

They crowd dieing parks
and march along main streets
to the beat of their
own drums, their
lamentations dripping from
heavily strummed guitar strings.
Their contorted faces
haunt a world's conscience,
but is their grief loud enough,
worth enough or hard enough?
Is there any love left
for the eclectic electric?

Sarah Copeland
Diablo, a snapshot

Chocolate brown eyes guiltily gazed into mine as she lay on her back all four legs pointing to the ceiling. This would have been fine if not for the fact that she was lying on my kitchen table, all 160 pounds of newfoundland pyrenees cross that shed long black hair like, well like a dog. It was if I was living in a Marley Fowat tale, and had unknowingly bought the dog who wouldn't be. Clumsily she managed to half jump half roll off the table and saunter over to her food dish, looking back at me with her imploring puppy eyes.

WHY
Gathering

Like Sonya's family, our gathering was held in a special place.
But ours was a humble celebration.
No linen napkins, or silver goblets.
Ours, like every year, took place around
an old kitchen table given to us by our neighbors
when we first moved in. We ate only stale bread
and potato soup that momma made from leftovers.
Our gathering was special because we knew.
We knew that our bond was strong and pure. And, that was what we celebrated.

Sarah Copeland
CHILD

I lay alone, my thoughts
yearning for another.
I lay alone, primitive
and childlike, my thoughts
yearning for another.
I lay alone, primitive
and childlike, abandoned
like yesterdays news,
the lines smudged with
faithless tears, my thoughts
yearn for another.

Sarah Copeland
CRASH

(Free Write Exercise)

Lights flash orange, the wind whips
like a mothers wrathful tongue,
coming here I thought I could reconcile
but here I cry out in pain as memories
eat me from the inside.
I pedal faster, littering tears along
a frozen sidewalk, I wonder what
the impact of flesh and steel would feel like,
pondering thoughts I continue...lights.
Why do they follow me? I have done nothing wrong,
is it wrong to want to live, to laugh
and understand?
Music fills my ears,
I am slipping away once more,
it is a steady beat with an upbeat vocal,
she soothes my fiery temper, my temperature drops.
"Take it slow, take it easy"
I hum its simple tune.
Returning to delirium I am sane
as I watch the passing people
from my rotting bench, the dedication plaque
has been unreadable for years.
Lights overhead and below,
forever searching, leaning into a tight corner
I grasp tightly the rubber of my handlebars,
narrowing my eyes I visualize brilliance and cunning.
The sound barrier shatters
as someone laughs inside my head
and rain falls from the parched ground,
I straighten body and bike,
pedaling faster...orange lights flash
as I come to realize the feeling
of flesh and metal meeting.

Sarah Copeland
My skin recoils after each blast of icy cloud we pass through, my tears forming frozen droplets that dissapear into the smog filled abyss. Here we are, the day after tomorrow, the great pattern of life disrupted beyond repair. Dipping below the clouds, below the smog, a broken city appears. Its great towers crumbling below the cries of a humanity extinct. Narrowing burning eyes I search for one last hope, but even the sun's rays barely reach this spinning rock. We turn to head into the sky, beyond the frozen clouds and into the great blue divide. Gaining altitude I am lulled into the realm of unconciousness by the steady beating of wings, heading for a certain death among the twinkling stars.

Sarah Copeland
The stage lights barely register through the smoke
as he picks up his guitar, tuning it down too far.
His voice dark like night rises from within
a hunched over chest hidden beneath his cowboy vest,
he pulls a weathered western hat over his gray eyes
an audience his only fear but he wants them to hear
the words sporadically penned on a grease stained napkin
pulled together by a simple melody; a thought on history.

Sarah Copeland
As a child I lovingly cradled
the robin's blue eggshells
I found underneath the sturdy
forest trees,
carefully I would place them
on a simple wooden shelf
that was hung just below
my molding window.
The lace curtains
always drawn back so that
I might not miss a single
natural scene.

As a teenager I smashed
every reminder of a new life
that I could find,
my resentment
for this world showered
on a bewildered mother earth.
My baby pink walls
that used to echo with innocent laughter
were filled with incongruous thoughts,
neatly penned with a fine tip marker,
the blackest one to be found.

As an adult I sought
the harshest penance to repay
those tender new shoots trampled
below my black lace-up army boots,
the young saplings that
I took my daddy's axe to
in rebellious fits of rage,
the amphibians I locked
in windowless cages,
and the robin's blue eggshells
that I crushed
with my bruised fists.

As an elderly citizen I warned
those whose eyes burned
with a wretched fire
that nature's helpless
could not be blamed
for our own inadequacies,
that no matter how hard we willed
the sun not to rise
it would always come,
barreling over the still horizon,
to interrupt
our seances of self loathing.
Mother nature would continue
to live and flourish
whether we uttered atomic threats
into its fungal ears or
burned its outstretched arms
with cigarettes, puffing
the smoke of raw emotion.

As a memory I imitate
my childrens' conscience
following them
like a forlorn puppy,
reminding of my own penitence.

islandhopper
I used to think that salvation is about becoming a better and close-to-perfect person, which was frustrating because failure happens everyday. Aiming for perfection is setting myself up for failure. Then I discovered that it is not my goodness that will save me, but it is the goodness of a perfect God with a perfect love that will. He is my light. He is my truth. His Word is a lamp unto my feet. And His love never fails.

Sarah Copeland
There are many epiphanies that come in ones life during the ages of growing, some manifesting into an actual enlightening experience. It may be in the form of overcoming an obstacle, such as fear or just testing the limits of ones endurance, climbing towering mountains or running across a country. As I am still considered young, although the lines around my eyes tell a different story, many of the traditional enlightening experiences I have not yet had the pleasure of meeting. Although I have dangled my feet over the edge of cliffs that drop into royal blue satin and thought to myself of the flaws in many of humanities habits. And wished, so hard that my tears fell into the blue below, that I could bring about a change, to be a modern day Robin Hood, taking from the rich and giving to the poor.

Maybe someday.

Sarah Copeland
Lines flow into a sequence,
her pale dress flitting
about chubby limbs,
grace somehow achieved amidst
the awkwardness of new movement.

She slides, steps and twirls
to the nursery rhyme
playing in her head,
eyes closed tight,
the room is large
no need to see the walls,
her legs will not carry her
that far.

She imagines a ballroom
from the peeling paint
and crumbling brick,
and feels the worn plank floor
beneath her feet as if
cool marble below glass slippers;
a princess adorned with
shimmering jewels.

Though others would shiver
with each wave of
creeping draft she continues
oblivious to the world;
for now at least.
Her imaginary friends
will keep her strong
as she rules from her
termite infested throne,
buried beneath the simplicity
of daisy chains.

She is happy, but I am not.
My mind wanders to a deeper
thought, those who see her
seem to be unaware of my
persistent presence
as if I am simply a figment
of her vivid imagination,
but I am seen by those
she lovingly gathers
in her short arms an speaks
her inner most secrets to;
cautiously I pose a question
to myself,
am I her imaginary friend
or is she mine?

Sarah Copeland
CHILDREN

Bare feet nimbly pick paths
through a concrete jungle,
their wispy hair ruffled
by the passing traffic.
Curiosity illuminates
their dark eyes while
excited chatter announces them
to a troubled world in need
of simple answers.

From behind white picket fences
and freeway guard rails
they stand silently united
in their views and questions.
They watch and wait,
wishing on stars
and pennies tossed
into road side fountains.
They watch and wait,
for the independence to rule
and govern amongst themselves;
to make a world
where they are equal and free.

Sarah Copeland
When you look into
those deep pools of blue
can you see the light
that is her soul's invite
to say hello and get to know
the curiosity hidden below?

When you look into
those deep pools of blue
can you see the life
waiting to end the strife,
waiting to break free
and say, hey this is me.

When you look into
those deep pools of blue
make them sing, make them ring
with a smile shared in passing.
Don't be shy, those eyes
never judge on outside lies.

Therese L. Broderick
"THE EYES SEE"

They do.
But differently, just as no two

hats will shade a girl's face
in the same way.

See how black lines and smudges
are almost shutting

the eye on the left
(her right), and yet

the eye on the right
(her left)is washing to white.

Just watch for a single wink
to fit that cowgirl rim.

Sarah Copeland
Eyes shadowed
by yesterdays makeup,
steal a glace towards
an imposing figure,
muted by the candle light.
Outside the cracked window
stars tell of so many wishes
long since forgotten,
promises broken.

He is unhappy today,
he's not high enough
to forget life's pain.

The bruise, that will greet
her tomorrow when
she looks into her mirror
will be another reminder
of a path she can't
find the natural end to.

Sarah Copeland
When I look to my left
there is a reflection,
but it is not my own.

Her eyes are a quiet brown,
steady and knowledgeable.

Music and art flow
from her nimble fingertips,
with patience painted
on her chipped nails.

A crooked smile is
her offering to this
gray world,
and an open heart
ready to love humanity
should it fall.

She stands by my side
no matter life's weather,
together we can do anything.
Together we are brave,
we are cheeky, we are all
sisters should be.

Her and me,
together we'll always be.

Sarah Copeland
The sun makes polka dots
through the grape vines,
settling on her flushed
face like the reflection
of a disco ball.
They kiss once more, both
happy in this tuscan moment
revisiting secret
meeting places of years
gone by.

Their shadows grow longer
as they head towards
the familiar sound
of a dinner bell,
a breeze carrying
summers warmth shifts
the sun's patterns
on their pale skin.
Laughter bubbles up
from their love filled
souls, they are young again
racing up a lane
that leads to the main
house, the one splitting
the vineyard in half.

A Holiday in Tuscany, filled
with red, gold and vibrant
greens rejuvenates their
city hearts, reminding
of simpler times.

Therese L. Broderick
TOURISTS IN TUSCANY


They pluck the souvenirs as they find them
among the hills of Pisa and the ports of Livorno,
the Arezzo meadows and Chianti vineyards,

from the old stone villa and red brick farmhouse,
the pergola in the garden, Santa Maria's church,
one leaning tower, several courtyards with vases.

They take chunks of goat cheese, white grapes
still on their stems, vintage wine from a bottle
just opened, a viola and its love song and its

singer. They take the green from the countryside,
and all but a pair of cypress trees. They leave behind
only their last traces : sunflower yellows, poppy reds.

Therese L. Broderick
DECEMBER


Morning will bring another kind
of war here at river's edge
where moonlit fog is gathering
and three sentries keep watch
from one thin, barbed branch
of a cherry tree.
Each bird could have his own perch
but they wait together, one single
last army unit.
And if they sing at all,
their throats open to the contest,
each note playing a sad ballad,
every silence a lesson of battle.

Sarah Copeland
The sky is gray with mist descending upon the inhabitants of this unnamed bay. Most lie sleeping, unaware of this dawn ritual, but three peer through the lifting darkness awaiting their sun's return. They perch together but apart on a twig like branch; it is no larger than those carefully avoided by the predators slowly slinking back into a windowless forest. Silhouetted against a sky slowly acquiring its winter flush, they ruffle black feathers yet to reveal their purple tinges. The air is crisp and small puffs of air can be seen in the air above their curious heads as the sun rises to warm the coming day and dissipate the gray.

Ares
Stalking the Light

Brands, wounds, and unbearable agony. I know I should have schemed earlier. It's almost too late to realize my foolishness...

My feet are sore and pushed running away from my pursuers. My body at times crashes to the ground, feeling heavy in pain when finally I found a place, if not comfortable, at least enough to keep my head and neck intact.

I was panting, even in my hardest effort not to make a sound of breath.

I dropped my weight against a tree, my bare swollen skin uncomfortably rubbing against the roughness of its bark. I raised my head to the skies. The moon spreads light heartwarmingly, as I felt a counter strike of cold wind.

I can hear howls, caws and sounds which all seemed to me the calling of death. The cold air worsening my fearful trembling.

Bitter tears trickles through my cheeks as I began asking myself repeatedly, whispering curses between small breath intakes, "What... have I... done to... deserve this?"

Even though it seems I have outrun the enemies, my whole soul is still completely in threat. I am nothing but helpless, if not to my lord's men's beatings and torture, to the prying eyes of predators in this wild woods.

If not by the darkness of night, I might have even caught sight of crows and vultures anticipating my corpse.

"I have... to run... I have to... escape..."

I hardly stood with the help of the trunk, when shortly, I fell. My legs are numb. I can't walk. I tried to crawl. But the countless bruise and wounds kept me from going further. My body fell flat on the ground. I can't drag my body, heavier with my weakness.

I groaned. I cried. "This can't be the end! No... Why? What did I do to deserve this?"

I gave in a loud cry of bitterness, as if I have already been caught and preyed upon. This is it? This is my end?

And before I knew, I was laughing. Laughing shrilly with moistful eyes lustily craving for revenge.

And then it changed to a desperate sob, like that of a tormented woman, incapable and weak.

I am dying... I know I am. That finally, I accepted my stars.

If, indeed, my hour shall come, I will not delay in embracing my fate, ending my misery, which, I believe, only death can ease.

Therese L. Broderick

GRANDFATHER WITH GRANDSON

They skip a generation--clan
features like green-blue eyes
and how they see the day ahead--
dark and narrow, or wide and bright--
and a long tilted jaw preferring
few words, and their slow sauntering
way of speaking. Neither can hear
how like the other he sounds
as they walk down the path
to the school. And their hands--
the same hold on love.

Therese L. Broderick
KITCHEN LIGHT


A young woman so drawn to the ordinary light
coming through her twelve-paned kitchen window
that she has climbed onto the countertop, one leg
resting in the aluminum sink, the other balanced
on the thin formica edge, stretching in front
of a white china plate perhaps already rinsed.
The rest of the scene is dark, less apologetic
than any shaded interior of Vermeer. Unlike those
maids and burgher housewives and recent widows,
this girl need not refrain from getting as near
as she desires to the common city streets beyond
her chores and corners. Nothing keeps her scant
attire proper or demure : no veils or aprons,
bodice or skirt or collar. No suitor is waiting
for her reply. Her simple face, barely visible
as a profile of reflected light, is pearly
enough outside the cage of things too rare.

Therese L. Broderick

SNOW AROUND LINCOLN CATHEDRAL

Ages before the cathedral's spire
blew down and its tower
collapsed, long before a fire
and then a rare earthquake
sent the stonemasons back to work,

an imp was blown by the wind
from the den of the Devil
through the portals of the church,
wreaking mishief within--
smashing tables and chairs,
tripping the Bishop;

and for his evil deeds, he was
turned to stone by an angel.
On top of one of the columns,
he sits there still, one leg
resting on the knee of the other,
wide-set eyes, heavy brows,

grotesque smile, ears and horns.
He laughs at the folly of men
who make angels in the snow.

Sarah Copeland
There through the mist
you can just see a hint
of beauty and grace,
a little known reflection.

It is drawn from the lines
behind your clever eyes,
stretched like a sturdy bridge
to your imagined paradise.

The contents of your daydreams
carefully painted on a canvas
of rippled reality, every shadow,
scent and sound accounted for.

Sarah Copeland
Frosted window panes
greet her sleep filled eyes,
the snow outside lending
to the cool blue
of her rooms interior.

This morning's colors
are washed over
a silenced land like shades
of watercolors
over cold pressed paper,
even her long blond hair
has been lovingly layered
with winter tinted colors.

Carole
As she sits by the frosted window
A cool breeze flows through
Tangling her dirty blong hair
Filling her flannel gown

She waits the passing of time
Screaming in silence
Though she is not ready to listen
Not ready to accept it

The traces are still visible
The marks on her pearly white skin
The food of life still flowing
The pain still throbbing

A fresh scar glowing
As a lifelong reminder
Of what could have been
Of what should have been

Her weeping the only sound
Warm tears in the chill
As she still waits
To accept her fate

Meandering Michael
I'm sitting by the window
The window
The window
I'm waiting by the window
But I can't see outside

A winter blizzard's blowing
It's snowing
and blowing
The vicious blizzard's growing
And it's not safe outside

My love is in the snowstorm
The windstorm
The snowstorm
He comes here through the snowstorm
With something to confide

The wind it blows so coldly
So coldly
So coldly
My lover comes so boldly
Together we'll abide

He comes to ask a question
A question
A question
He comes to ask a question
And I'll reply with pride

I pray that he will make
He'll make it
He'll make it
I pray that he will make it
My light will be his guide

Together we'll be married
Be married
Be married
Oh, God, I'll need a haircut
If I'm going to be a bride

Faith
How long has she sat
playing each possibility
each movement forward
countered. Frost on the windows
frost on the soles of her feet
frost in her heart. What can
and cannot be.
Where the dreaming lies
and the sleepers sleep
still inside the center of her storm
her calm, her angel self released.
There is no story told
no hero coming, no beast slain.
Her hair grown over the years,
you tell her age inch by inch.
The forgotten ones climb in,
the sorrow and the sparrow.
Oh, heart of hers shall always
always remember before
the frost laid her soul bare.

Sarah Copeland
Hooded like hangmen
and frightened like lambs
they mill about,
some setting into a pout
as grubby hands thrust
through bars, degrading trust.

The air is no longer fresh
their straw an unruly mess,
but even so they soon lay
in patience a mass of gray
no independence to be found.
Their cries fade trampled into the ground.

Therese L. Broderick
[bins from your deep unparallel]

bins from your deep unparallel,
monks and thieves
stationed in cold north pastures
in waiting for
the sound of Her highness bell,
its mold molasses-
coated, sheer, surface perfectly
cast. Last of its breed.
Monks steal petty prayers from
the silenced peal.
Thieves annoint three of the sheep,
then brand, brand, brand.
Just two and a half are left.
Now only you, awake
to take the final photograph.
You wild wolf,
you last, unkind alternative.

Sarah Copeland
Dancing while dreaming
of a 'forever' freedom;
puppet's strings pull tight.

Sarah Copeland
To each, his own shadow dancer
is appointed to tantalize
the mind, morphing with every
pass of a wavering light.
Always close, if you care
to look in front or behind
of your wandering shoes,
gliding along behind you
changing like a reflection
in circus mirrors.
When boredom threatens
to infest the mind,
your shadow dancer reaches out,
with a polite cough,
to tap on your hunched shoulder
and ask for the honor
of this evening dance.

Ares
"Till when shall I remain a shadow of someone else?"

Faith
Even together we are
small,inconsequential and yet
all hope lies within this one
gesture, stolen and safe.
This, the kiss.

Sarah Copeland
Here 'neath the opal blue
swims a horse of a golden hue
riding diamond studded waves
rushing forwards without delay,
never for a moment blinking
to clear its vision, never thinking
of the perils hidden in the beige
coming closer like a loose page.
Until at last the horse finds
water no more and for it pines
while withering helpless,
a last gasp brings dreams of a caress
in gentle and curious hands
and face freckled like the sands.
Bright eyes peering, from behind
unruly charcoal hair, for life's sign,
human ear to scaly chest
listening closely for a tiny breath.
Sadness and confusion soon cloud
the child's soul when no life can be found,
walking on thin legs he turns
back t'wards the opal blue unable to discern
the proper course of action
but with a hidden expectation
slowly lowers the small, cool body
into the waves cresting boldly.
With eagerly awaited bubbles
and a flash of scales that startles
the small mind leaning close
to watch as the tiny body flows
away into the open ocean,
but sadness sets in like an incurable potion
and dismayed tears begin
erasing his flowered grin.

Faith
Scruffy one eyed
so still a stare
straight through to the heart
none other can see as much with two.

Sarah Copeland
Peering from one eye,
he lowers a scruffy head;
You be my master?

Sarah Copeland
There standing in a mist,
white as mother's flour,
her eyes are dry, emotion
seeping through in a one
syllable question; why?

Why did you clip
my butterfly wings,
why did you chain
my crippled feet
to this cold earth?
You erased my lips,
stealing my smile
like a worthless
candy bar on your way
through this isle of life.

Rub your eyes, let your
heart lift this heavy fog
and restore life
to those inquisitive eyes.

To be continued....

 

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