Thank you I Get It

I can hardly thank Charli Mills enough for this week’s flash fiction prompt. It allowed me to take stock of my of my life at a point when it was most necessary. Woo Hoo! Check out the  Carrot Ranch  

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When I think of all I’ve been through in sixty-three years on this little blue planet, I am in awe. The sad experiences that seemed they would tear my heart out. The happy times I enjoyed so much, they drained me of my energy. But I am not about to complain!

It has all made me the person I am today. Even though when you take a look at me, I may appear to be a bit worse for the wear, I am still here. No worries. And though there’s so much more to learn, halleluiah, I got life!

©2020 Annette Rochelle Aben

Lacquered Lovelies

Charli Mills invited us to use the prompt of NOURISH for our 99-word flash fiction this week. It wasn’t until one of the activities gals asked the musical question about us wanting to have our nails done, that this story practically wrote itself. Check out the Carrot Ranch and join the fun!

“Ladies, do either of you want your nails done today?”

It was this familiar Tuesday query from the activities department of the nursing home that rallied all the women who wanted to feel special every time they looked at their hands. Usually, everyone except these two roommates said yes.

There was a box of bright colors from which to choose. This day, most of the ladies chose colors that reminded them of beautiful flowers. And here they were, beautiful flowers planted in wheelchairs and hospital beds. Their bodies may be failing them, but their souls were glowing and alive!

©2020 Annette Rochelle Aben

integration

This week, Colleen Chesebro gave us the words, HARMONY & TRANSITION and we must use SYNONYMS ONLY. I chose REALIGNMENT & UNDERSTANDING for my TANKA.

For realignment

We must be understanding

As it’s not easy

Of course, it’s for our own good

We’ll be better for the work

©2020 Annette Rochelle Aben

Vulnerability is Strength

This week, it’s the Poet’s Choice. I chose the words STRENGTH & VULNERABLE and to express myself in a DOUBLE ETHEREE.

We

Are not

Always what

We seem to be

Especially when

We are vulnerable

And the side of us we show

Might present the wrong impression

In reality, we’re seeking help

But don’t know quite how to express ourselves

That is when we need to trust that others

Understand more than we think they do

That they’re holding us in their hearts

Being our strength when we can’t

Allowing us our space

Where we know we’re safe

To find some strength

From within

And we

Bloom

©2020 Annette Rochelle Aben

https://colleenchesebro.com/2020/05/05/colleens-2020-weekly-tanka-tuesday-poetry-challenge-no-176-poetschoice/

Building on a Dream

Charli Mills invited us to take the prompt of longboards and write a 99-word tale. All I kept picturing was a comedy routine where someone carrying a long board of wood kept smacking people in the back every time they turned around. No, I didn’t use the humorous aspect of that memory but I did write about lumber! Thank you Carrot Ranch for the fun!

Frankie let out a deep sigh. No matter how hard he tried, the long boards were too heavy for him to carry. His older brothers, Ron, John, and Al could haul those boards around as though they were toothpicks. When would he be big enough to help his father build houses?

Dejected, Frankie sat down behind the lumber pile and began to cry softly.

“Where’s Frankie?’

“Yeah, we need someone to grab these boxes of nails.”

His older brothers were in trouble and they needed his help!

Frankie dried his tears, grabbed the nails, and ran after the crew.

©2020 Annette Rochelle Aben