Monday February 7th, 2011

The exercise:

Here's the word of the day: climbing.

Note: I'm away on my honeymoon so this is a scheduled post.

Mine:

There were three trees in the Peterson's backyard. The oak in the middle of the lawn had only been planted the year before and so was hardly taller than I was.

The fir in the back left corner was fighting a losing battle with some disease I couldn't spell or pronounce. They had removed all of its branches in an attempt to regain control and I thought it looked rather depressing. They should've just taken it out.

The last tree, a pine in the back right corner, was the oldest and healthiest of the bunch. It loomed over the neighborhood like a watch tower, full of prickly needles and covered with sticky sap.

So of course it was this tree that Fluffy the cat chose to climb to the top of when I was taking care of her.

Sunday February 6th, 2011

The exercise:

Today we're writing about: the explorer.

We should be getting our rental car today, leaving the resort behind for a week of exploration.

Note: I'm away on my honeymoon so this is a scheduled post.

Mine:

Open roads and open spaces,

Foreign words but friendly faces.

Keep the windows all the way down,

Breathe in the scents of every town.

Enjoy each moment while it's here,

Because it can never be clear

How many breaths are left to go.

So keep driving... but take it slow.

Saturday February 5th, 2011

The exercise:

A four line poem about: the gift shop.

Note: I'm away on my honeymoon so this is a scheduled post.

Mine:

"Everything in here

is so fantastic!"

"Are you bloody drunk?

It's all cheap plastic."

Friday February 4th, 2011

The exercise:

Four lines of prose about: the teddy bear.

Note: I'm away on my honeymoon so this is a scheduled post.

Mine:

Burpy Bear had mismatched eyes, a missing ear, and left a trail of white stuffing wherever he went. But no matter what they promised, threatened, or begged, Anthony's parents could not convince him to part with his bear. And with good reason.

Burpy Bear was the only one Anthony had told where the bodies were buried.

Thursday February 3rd, 2011

The exercise:

Write something that takes place at: the police station.

Hopefully that's one place we won't be visiting.

Note: I'm away on my honeymoon so this is a scheduled post.

Mine:

The man enters the station, removes his sunglasses, and looks around. His lips curl into a grimace when he spots the half-empty box of donuts on the front counter.

"Way to promote that stereotype, boys," he mutters.

He approaches the desk, his teeth squeezing the life out of an innocent piece of gum, and stares at the officer seated there. She is on the phone, speaking in short, urgent whispers. When the man opens his mouth she holds up a hand to stall him.

"Sorry about that," she tells him after hanging up three minutes later. "What can I -"

"I'm here to bail out my son."

"Ah, you must be Mister -"

"Just take my money and get me my boy," he says, pulling out his cheque book.

"I'm afraid I can't do that, sir."

"Why." It was not a question, but a challenge. A dare.

"He escaped about twenty minutes ago. But if you don't mind waiting a bit, I'm sure our boys will have him rounded up shortly."

The man blinks once, puts away his cheques, puts on his sunglasses, spins on his heel, and leaves the station. If he finds his son first, he thinks, that would save everyone a lot of trouble.

Well, everyone except his son.

Wednesday February 2nd, 2011

The exercise:

Write about: the alarm.

Note: I'm away on my honeymoon so this is a scheduled post.

Mine:

The alarm clock

Lies in pieces

On the floor,

Sad, pondering

The reasons it

Rings no more.

The smiling man

Lies in peace

On his bed,

Content, dreaming,

With his reasons

To play dead.

Tuesday February 1st, 2011

The exercise:

Welcome to February! Let us write two haiku about: beaches.

Note: I'm away on my honeymoon so this is a scheduled post.

Mine:

Sand between my toes,

Salty air in my nostrils...

Sounds like paradise.

*     *     *

Waves always crashing,

Birds singing at my window -

How am I to sleep?