July 2017 – By Sarah

Deep In The Willowwacks

July 31, 2017December 17, 2017 Sarah W

Deep in the willowwacks*,
the hooded people encircle
eccentric stones.

Entangled in the foolish.
Fulfilling figments of need and
jumping like myrmidons^.

The blade glints
as it slices the flesh
of the chocolate haired girl.

And in the morning
only whispers remain.

* Willowwacks – A wooded or uninhabited area
^ Myrmidon – a person who executes without question or scruple a master’s commands.

Prompt: Mindlovemisery’s Menagerie, Wordle #166. Words: willowwacks, foolish, circle, hooded, figments, eccentric, need, entangled, myrmidon, chocolate, glint, jump; and also, Daily Post Daily Prompt: circle, inhabit

Poetry by Sarah, Tanka

Locked Away

July 30, 2017December 17, 2017 Sarah W

she locked them away
those secrets she told to moons
as they waxed and waned
it mattered not those pages
in her notebook were foretold

Prompt: The Syllabub Sea, Haiga Heaven, Challenge 32 – foretell

Image credit Pixabay

Stories by Sarah

Mayday

July 30, 2017December 17, 2017 Sarah W

The ghost tour had been uneventful so far, and I felt somewhat disgruntled at having paid extra for the EMF meter and infrared goggles. We had been into the women’s ward, the men’s ward (affectionaly known as the ‘bullpit’) and the laundry – with no activity at all.

As the tour guide opened the door to the new building, she announced dramatically, “This is Olivene where we held the worst of the worst; the criminally insane.”

I stepped inside the courtyard. Rooms that more resembled cells, formed an ‘L’ around the central space, with an ‘L’ the other way, consisting of open bathrooms and a dining area. Even in broad daylight, this place would give you chills.

The guide continued but I had zoned out, her voice static in the background. My eye was drawn to one of the doorways. I shuddered and stepped closer, despite every instinct telling me to run. My EMF meter started to light up. Rooted to the ground, my shaking hands lifted the infrared goggles. As I peered through them, a solid shadow of a man filled the cell. I whirled around, bumping into the shelving next to me. And that’s when I saw the head…

Author’s Note: My response to the prompt is based on a real experience I had (except for the head part!). I was on an investigative ghost tour at the old Mayday Hills Lunatic Asylum in Beechworth, Victoria and saw through the infrared goggles, a man where there was none. Believe it or not. If you are ever in the area, it is a VERY interesting place with an awful and fascinating history. Find out more about the history and tours by clicking on the appropriate word for the link.

Prompt: Sunday Photo Fiction – July 30th 2017, 200 word limit; and also, Daily Post Daily Prompt: continue

Haiku / Senryu, Poetry by Sarah

Looking At Leaves

July 30, 2017December 17, 2017 Sarah W

A trio of Haiku for this week’s challenge from TJ. Enjoy!

—————————-

The last leaves crumble.
Days grow longer; warmth returns.
It’s looking like Spring.

—————————-

Looking at the world
from a leafy bird’s eye view.
I may catch them yet!

—————————-

This year I’m looking
to turn over a new leaf
…it’s long overdue.

—————————-

Image credits Pixabay

Prompt: TJ’s Household Haiku, 29 July 2017 – leaf and look ; Daily Post Daily Prompt, leaf

Free Verse, Poetry by Sarah

Whispering Wind

July 29, 2017July 31, 2022 Sarah W

I’m not a lady who thinks
all that glitters is gold
So, I don’t believe
everything I’m told.

For I learnt long ago
Words have two meanings,
And you best be sure of
the way that they’re leaning.

We all seek heaven
For the here and the now
But sometimes we miss
The way, and the how.

When I look to the left
See my spirit is leaving,
I must change my path
Despite my heart grieving.

For though I wish to shine
only white light,
I know of my dreams.
I know of what might.

There are those who watch,
And those who do,
and the smoke screen is all
to distinguish the two.

None of us are innocent.
None of us are pure.
We each play our part,
of that I am sure.

And as my transgressions float
Across whispering wind,
They remind me of all
The ways I have sinned.

I’m not the same person
I was years ago,
yet my deeds still follow
wherever I go.

When the piper comes for me
shadows, taller than my soul,
I promise I’ll tell my secrets,
Yes. I’ll tell them all.

Prompt: Mindlovemisery’s Menagerie, Music Prompt #10, response to Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven”

Stories by Sarah

Eureka

July 28, 2017December 17, 2017 Sarah W

Image credit Mahdis Mousavi via Unsplash

If the stairs seemed never ending on the way up, they seemed even more so on the way down – his legs felt like jelly.

Even though he knew he would come in dead last, he felt enormously proud of himself for climbing the 88 levels and 1642 steps.

And after all, it was for a good cause and raising much needed funds for two charities.

Prompt: Only 100 Words, Three Line Tales – Week 78

Photos by Sarah, Thursday Doors

Thursday Doors – 27 July 2017

July 27, 2017 Sarah W

These rather deadly looking doors have featured in another blog post of mine from last month. They belong to the Botswana Butchery in Auckland, NZ and I just think they are fantastic!

Prompt: Norm 2.0, Thursday Doors, 27 July 2017

Daily Post Weekly Challenge, Photos by Sarah

Satisfaction is…Bushwalking

July 27, 2017December 8, 2017 Sarah W

There is nothing I find more satisfying that communing with nature and grounding myself with a bushwalk. Even better if that bushwalk has a spectacular peak and/or view at the end. Here are just a few photos of my favourites!

The Pinnacle, Grampians National Park

Mt Glenrowan, Warby National Park

Gorge Walk, Mt Buffalo National Park

The Balconies, Grampians National Park

Mt Pilot, Mt Pilot National Park

Bullawah Cultural Trail, Wangaratta

Mt Taylor, Canberra

Roper Lookout, Falls Creek

Paradise Falls, King Valley

Prompt: Daily Post Daily Prompt, gorge; and also, Daily Post Weekly Photo Challenge, satisfaction

Stories by Sarah

Into The Blue

July 26, 2017December 17, 2017 Sarah W

The delighted screams of children filled the air as I lay lazily on my towel, dozing. I was thoroughly enjoying the warmth of the sunshine dancing over my skin.

My eyes popped open, as my husband returned, playfully shaking his water-soaked self next to me – the cool droplets shocking me out of my reverie.

“Idiot,” I said, swiping a handful of sand his way.

We grinned at each other, bolted towards the water and together, plunged ourselves into the blue.

Sighing, I put the photo down and cursed the snow falling outside. It was still another 14 weeks ’til summer would be here again.

Prompt: Bikurgurl, 100 Word Wednesday – Week 29

Haiku / Senryu, Poetry by Sarah

Settling

July 26, 2017December 17, 2017 Sarah W

Anticipation.
Now gone. Settling instead for
chocolate kisses.

Prompt: Mindlovemisery’s Menagerie, Heeding Haiku with Chèvrefeuille, July 26th 2017 – chocolate

Poetry by Sarah, Tanka

Earthbound Skies

July 26, 2017December 17, 2017 Sarah W

Image credit Pixabay

The energy builds.
White hot temperatures rise,
seeking their release.
Bolts crackle from the sky and
spread as flames across the earth.

Prompt: Ramblings of a Writer, Weekly Tanka Prompt Challenge, Week 55 – energy & temperature

Poetry by Sarah, Tanka

Unravelling

July 25, 2017March 20, 2018 Sarah W

Image credit MKA Photography

He punishes her.
A blush heats her face. Confused,
she bows her head low…
knows she’s still bound to him but
aware it’s unravelling.

Prompt: Daily Post Daily Prompt – blush; and also, Colleen’s Weekly Poetry Challenge, heat & confuse and, Mindlovemisery’s Menagerie, Photo Challenge #175

Photos by Sarah, Tuesday Photo Challenge

Wallace Hut

July 25, 2017July 25, 2017 Sarah W

Wallace Hut is one of 106 huts scattered across the Alpine National Park. Many of these huts were burnt in the 2003 Alpine fires but fortunately Wallace Hut survived. Wallace Hut, near Falls Creek, is the oldest hut in the park. It was built by the three Wallace brothers – Arthur, William and Stewart – who arrived as small boys in Melbourne from Ireland in 1869 with their parents.

The hut is never locked. You enter by pulling the string hanging through a hole at the lower right of the tiny window in the split- paling door. This releases the latch and the sunlight, revealing an unusual split-slab and rammed-earth floor, a rough table of mountain ash on snow-gum legs and the fireplace at the far end. The names of cattlemen who first used the hut are burnt into the tie-beams of the roof and at the back of the mantelpiece. One small window looks towards the distant Mount Kosciusko.

Prompt: Dutch Goes The Photo, Tuesday Photo Challenge, woods

Stories by Sarah

The Haircut

July 25, 2017December 17, 2017 Sarah W

Feeling nervous, I sidled into the room. Apart from one other patron, it was vacant. I tried to read the posters on the wall to pass the time, but found I couldn’t.

A smell permeated the area around me. To my horror, I realised it was eminating from me! Attempting to salvage my dignity, I sagged my shoulders, retreated to the corner and conceded the visit was necessary after all.

“Well don’t you have the prettiest Celadon eyes!” the young girl exclaimed as she grabbed me and guided me into the smaller room adjoining the waiting area.

Before I could reply, she commenced clipping with a startling trenchancy^; casting away my locks as though they were no more than offal.

I’d worked hard to grow my hair that long! I thought to myself sulkily.

In surprisingly short time, she was done and I looked at myself in the mirror. My coat was like spun gold; silky and shiny. I turned this way and that, admiring my new do.

As my owner entered the room to collect me, I stood up to greet her, completely unabashed*.

Author’s note: This is my mum’s dog Ollie. He has unusual pale green eyes and a gorgeous golden coat, as well as a neat party trick of being able to ‘stand up’ and rest on his bottom! I have often wondered what he thinks as he gets dragged off for grooming once every three weeks, and this was my take on it using the wordle to help me.

* abash (verb) to destroy the self-confidence, poise, or self-possession of; disconcert; make ashamed or embarrassed
^ trenchancy (adjective) incisive or keen, as language or a person; caustic; cutting; vigorous; effective; energetic

Prompt: Minelovemisery’s Menagerie, Wordle #165. Words: shine, clip, abash, read, salvage, Celadon, permeate, sag, nervous, vacant, offal, trenchancy