Image credit Pixabay
perilous journey
battling coastal predators
in armour of shell
By Sarah ©2017
Prompt: Ronovan Writes, Weekly Haiku Poetry Prompt, Challenge #163 – shell and coast
Statues
It’s a sad fact – there seems no rights left.
Evil lies; march against stability.
Orange flames burn, torching lives.
As the hood is pulled back on ourselves,
We can be statues no more.
By Sarah ©2017
Prompt: Sunday Whirl, Wordle 313
Wordle and image credit Brenda Warren
Fealty
Image credit By Sarah ©2017
There’s safety within
the fealty of the pack.
The alpha dog rests.
By Sarah ©2017
Prompt: The Syllabub Sea, Haiga Heaven, Challenge 35 – fealty
Keyhole
I fell for his grin;
It was a touch naive.
At the time I believed
it was a fata organa.
I was malleable.
He saw his opportunity.
Imbibing me with lust,
like a local dog.
The trammels of hindsight,
A keyhole.
By Sarah ©2017
* fata organa – noun. a flash of real emotion glimpsed in someone sitting across the room, idly locked in the middle of some group conversation, their eyes glinting with vulnerability or quiet anticipation or cosmic boredom
Prompt: Mindlovemisery’s Menagerie, Wordle #169
Words used: hindsight, trammel, keyhole, malleable, opportunity, imbibe, fell, grin, local, naive, touch, fate organa
Worlds Apart
The others went to bed while he took the night shift, keeping an eye on things. The silence emphasised that he was all alone.
He checked the computer. Everything seemed in order, so he let his mind wander. Glancing at the clock he noted it was 10:30pm. He wondered what she was doing right now. Was she indulging in her nightly beauty regime, getting ready for bed? Or perhaps she was watching her favourite show on Netflix, snuggled on the couch with their dogs? Probably the latter of the two, he decided. After all, it was the weekend and she didn’t need to get up early.
His heart went cold, as he considered a third option. Maybe she was with someone else? He tried to dismiss the thought. You’re being paranoid, he told himself. He lifted out the photo he kept in his wallet and let his eyes run over her familiar features. He ached to hold her; tell her how much he loved her; how much he missed her. He let his finger draw the curve of her smile, and as he looked out the small panel window of the space station towards the blue-green sphere below, he wished for the thousandth time, that they weren’t worlds apart…
By Sarah ©2017
Prompt: Sunday Photo Fiction, August 20th 2017
The Girl Who Was Made Of Glass
Recitations of love fell on deaf ears,
She couldn’t risk the words shattering her perfect world.
She had constructed for herself, a fragile universe,
Where everything was made of glass.
She liked the way the light shimmered,
Reflected and bounced off the surface.
Here, she could control the pace; the energy.
Keeping everything safe, including her heart.
Until one day, drawn in by the glittering landscape,
A tiny bird flew into a window, breaking its wing.
She carefully nursed it until finally,
It could repay her kindness with its song.
The girl realised how lonely she had been
and decided to leave her glass kingdom.
As she opened the door to the world beyond
She broke into a million pieces.
Finally free from her glass coffin.
By Sarah ©2017
Prompt: Mindlovemisery’s Menagerie, It’s All In The Title – August 20, 2017; Daily Post Daily Prompt, recite
The Well
Image credit Pixabay
heart of the village
sweet water drawn from the depths
community well
By Sarah ©2017
Prompt: TJ’s Household Haiku, Challenge – well and sweet
Daffodils
Inspired by Mick E. Talbot who introduced me to Elfje…
Bulbs
Sprout green
Their fingers reaching
Towards the golden sunlight
Blooming.
By Sarah ©2017
Image credits By Sarah ©2017
Author’s Note: These bulbs were in the ground when we moved into our house in 2011. Every year, I try to dig them up (I’m not a fan of daffodils) and the following year, they continue to pop up again. It’s become a bit of a household joke about the daffs’ resilience and persistence. At least I got a poem out of them this time…
Prompt: Mindlovemisery’s Menagerie, Saturday’s Mix, 19 August 2017 – garden
Shafted
After the accident, unease grew like a mold in the corners of his mind.
Or perhaps it was more like moss – the spongy type that covered the sides of the shaft where he lay. He was an idiot.
The number one bushie’s* rule when heading out for a bush walk: let someone know where you are going. And he hadn’t done it! He was an experienced bushwalker and knew better. Damn, he’d hiked some of the toughest treks in Australia on his own – the Stirling Ranges Ridge Walk, Tasmanian Overland Trail, Mt Bogong; just to name a few. Even though he preferred solitary hikes, he was always prepared, always cautious and always checked in with someone once he’d arrived. Except this time. He pictured his pack sitting at the top of the hole, and cursed.
He’d thought today’s hike would be easy and had been looking forward to the chance to explore the old gold mining area. The Lake Sambell-Lake Kerferd Walking Trail followed a path from Lake Sambell, Beechworth to Lake Kerferd (the town’s water supply). He had walked along Spring and Hurdle Creeks, and had been having fun looking into the many disused mine shafts along the trail.
The mine shafts had been covered with wire mesh, and he had been unable to see much into them, past one or two metres. Just as he was longing for more, he’d seen the sign “Uncovered mine shafts – stay on the designated path” and like a fool, he’d been captivated by the thrill of perhaps, getting into one. He hadn’t had to walk too far off the trail either before he discovered a beauty. The mouth of the shaft was wide and rocky and he was positive he would be able to climb down; especially if he secured himself with some rope. Taking off his pack, he had no sooner unzipped the bag to pull out the length he had with him, when the sides of the shaft gave way and he had bounced and tumbled, all the way to the bottom.
He wriggled, trying to make himself comfortable and whimpered as his left leg screamed with pain. He was sure it was broken, especially with the unnatural angle at which it stretched out before him. He looked up, trying to work out how far down he’d fallen. It was far enough that the broad daylight above, seemed no more than a torch beam.
He was lucky to be alive really. Or was he? he thought, bleakly. No one knew he was here. No one would have expected him to disobey the signs and wander off. He knew from the history of the area that there were thousands of disused mines. Even if they did know he’d been walking this trail, they may never find him.
His unease, gave way to panic. With his leg useless, he couldn’t even try and climb out. He had no food, no water, no phone. All that – lay above him; in his pack. If by some chance, other hikers saw his bag, they may not be so foolhardy as to leave the trail and investigate further. They would pass him by.
How long can I survive down here? he wondered, as a wave of hopelessness washed over him.
He screamed desperately for help, but his cries were muted by the earth and damp surrounding him. He may as well have been screaming in a vacuum. His hands clenched at the gritty soil beneath them and he threw a clump at the wall in frustration. As the eerie silence of the shaft, closed in around him, the gravity of his predicament settled upon him. He squeezed his eyes shut, lay back and waited.
Waited for rescue and waited for death.
Whichever came first.
By Sarah ©2017
* bushie – Australian slang. someone who lives in the bush; person who lives in rural Australia;
Image credits By Sarah ©2017
Prompt: Mindlovemisery’s Menagerie, First Line Friday – August 18th 2017; Daily Post Daily Prompt, solitary
Everlasting Love
mechanics of time
wound the clocks of good fortune
the summer we met
Though many years have passed, I remember as if it were yesterday; the way you sat shyly, shrinking into the corner at the restaurant. It was a mutual friend’s birthday celebration, yet this was the first time we had crossed paths. I sidled up to you, sensing your discomfort, and tried to put you at ease. Conversation was surprisingly effortless and soon the evening had whittled away. The pink hues of sunrise letting us know it was time to part. We exchanged numbers and eight years later, it is still the best decision I ever made. The shy young man, now, my self-assured husband.
vows long since exchanged
our precious hearts now complete
everlasting love
Prompt: Mindlovemisery’s Menagerie, Heeding Haiku With Chèvrefeuille, August 16th 2017 – everlasting love
Task: The challenge for this week is to create a haibun themed “everlasting love” and of course there are a few rules … your haibun can have about 500 words (including the haiku) and your haiku has to follow the classical rules as there are e.g. the use of a seasonword and the 5-7-5 syllables count.
Pizza Time
kneaded dough; toppings;
melting cheese in the oven;
delicious pizza.
By Sarah ©2017
Prompt: Only 100 Words, Three Line Tales, Week 81
Life On Corners
Image credit Bikurgurl
The square was full
Of people that day.
Air pulsed with music
Of the band as they played.
It was a string quartet,
minus a bow.
Instead in its place,
a young voice flowed.
They felt the music,
Tapping their feet.
Keeping the rhythm,
And feeling the beat.
As people walked past,
They showed their pleasure.
Dropping loose change,
To form the band’s treasure.
Without our buskers,
Our street performers,
What life would there be
Upon each corner?
By Sarah ©2017
Prompt: Bikurgurl, 100 Word Wednesday, Week 32
Clinging
life is a struggle
and survival sometimes means
the wisdom to know
when you’re clinging to branches
that may really be fences
By Sarah ©2017
Prompt: Ramblings Of A Writer, Wekly Tanka Challenge, Week 58 – survival and life; Our Write Side Ink, The Darkroom – Hey, Squirrel
Weejars – By Sarah
Originally posted on ‘Meet The Bloggers‘, this is an interview about me and my blog.
A sincere thank you to Kate, for the opportunity to feature on her site. I hope you enjoy reading this as much as I enjoyed taking part!
Sarah is a very creative writer sharing her poems and short stories, her vivid imagination will captivate. The revelation here was that Sarah used her previous blog for healing when she was going through a tough time … something we can all relate to. She documented her recent visit to New Zealand well sharing great photos and stories … check her blog out.
Please share a little about your life?
I am a “forty-something” year old primary school teacher. A typical Leo, I am very social, love to talk and generally, just be around people! My husband and my two fur babies, are my world. I live in North East Victoria, enjoy bushwalking and all things cheese and wine!
Where were you raised?
I was born in Canberra, ACT but actually grew up in a town next to our national capital – a little place called ‘Queanbeyan’ in southern NSW…
View original post 766 more words
Versailles
Technically, not a door, but thought this was too spectacular not to share. This is one of the gates from the Palace of Versailles at the ‘Versailles: Treasures from the Palace’ exhibition.
Image credit By Sarah ©2017; Versailles Exhibition, National Gallery of Australia, ACT
Prompt: Norm 2.0, Thursday Doors – August 17, 2017
La Cantina
Distracted by wine (…especially red wine), I will always pause when passing a winery, to sample their wares if appropriate! Also, these bottles look super shiny and pretty all stacked up and ready to buy!
Image credit By Sarah ©2017; La Cantina Winery, King Valley VIC
Prompt: Daily Post Weekly Photo Challenge, Distractions “Oooh, shiny!”
Silent Street
“Silent Street” – This stone alleyway forms one of the last parts of the Pinnacle Walk in the Grampians National Park, Victoria. Due to the high rock walls and almost fully enclosed nature of the gully, there is an eerie silence as you walk through.
Prompt: Dutch Goes The Photo, Week 70 – alley
Amaltheia
Image credit Ooberxandxdavie6
The warm honey glow of the late afternoon sun, was a contrast to the prickling cool of the mountain air on her skin. She climbed to her vantage point, high above the valleys. The ‘T-tree’ had been formed one night when Zeus’ lightning bolt had cleaved it in two – destroying the wine-red leaves of Autumn. The remaining limbs had sagged and sighed their defeat, for it was Winter now and the cornucopia were full for the cold months ahead. It was from here she loved to watch over the world below. The mountain goats were drawn here also and she liked to imagine it was because they were summoned by her power; taking their place beside her in the stars.
nourishing earth’s child
Amaltheia; Capricorn;
goat goddess endures.
By Sarah ©2017
Author’s note: In Greek mythology, Amaltheia is the she-goat Goddess who nourished Zeus as an infant. In later years, Zeus broke off one of Her horns, which then became the cornucopia, providing sustenance for all earth’s creatures. Amaltheia’s themes are success, humor, reason, devotion and providence. Her symbols are goat, cornucopia and stars. For Her diligence and service, Amaltheia was transformed into the constellation Capricorn, where She remains.
Source: Journeying to the Goddess
Image credit Journeying to the Goddess
Prompt: Mindlovemisery’s Menagerie, Photo Challenge #176; Daily Post Daily Prompt, prickle; Colleen’s Weekly Poetry Challenge, #46 – honey and wine
Liebster Award
THANK YOU to Gloria at We Are Holisticfor nominating me for the Liebster Award! I am honoured to accept this award. I have been blogging on By Sarah for four months now and am loving the journey of writing and developing a community of blogging friends.
What is it exactly?
The Liebster award is given to bloggers by other bloggers. The idea is to welcome new bloggers into the blogging world and help them to get noticed. However, it seems that anyone established or starting out can be nominated. The word “liebster” originates from Germany and has several meanings; welcome, sweetest, pleasant, nicest, dearest, beloved, lovely, kind, valued, cute, kindest and endearing.
The blogger who nominates you asks 11 questions and then in return you nominate 5-11 bloggers with your own 11 questions. There is no obligation to accept, but since it’s nice to be asked, it’s nice to keep it going.
My answers to Gloria’s questions:
- When are you at your happiest? When I am with my husband and my two dogs Bella and Archie, usually out and about bushwalking or at the beach.
- If you were to walk a mile in someone else’s shoes, whose would it be? Another teacher’s. I’m always interested in how others do things and different approaches to teaching and learning.
- What’s usually the first thing to pop into your mind when you wake up each morning? If it’s a weekday its usually, “Nooooo! I don’t want to get up!” Seriously though, I usually check in with my blog and mentally make a list of priorities for the day ahead.
- What’s your biggest regret in life? If any! Not travelling more when I was younger. I waited til I was thirty before really starting to see the world. So I missed out on the opportunity to work abroad under a working visa.
- If you were to be reincarnated as an animal, what animal would you like to be and why? Definitely a dog…especially my dogs. Maybe I’m anthropomorphising, but they seem to experience so many human emotions and have real character. They seem to really enjoy the simple things in life and are the best friends you could ever hope to have.
- What’s your favourite smell and why? The ocean because there’s nothing like smelling and tasting the salt air at the same time.
- Are you a slow writer or can you whip up in a good post in a couple of hours? A bit of both. Some pieces I have worked on for months, whereas others, flow really quickly. Usually ones in response to prompts are more of the “stream of consciousness” style of writing and can be refined within a couple of hours.
- What household chore do you hate doing most? Or is there one you actually enjoy? Definitely the bathroom, and especially the toilet – for obvious reasons. I actually don’t mind sweeping and mopping – there’s something rhythmic and repetitive to it that I find soothing and satisfying.
- What colour dominates your wardrobe? Lots of earthy tones – reds, orange, brown and black.
- What’s your laugh type? More of a giggle/chuckle but when I really get going I have a whooping cackle!
- Are you a romantic? Never thought I was until I met my husband. Now, definitely yes because he makes it so ♥️♥️♥️
The rules
I’ve found that the rules vary slightly but they’re all similar…
- Thank the person who nominated you and link to their blog.
- Answer the 11 questions the person asked you.
- Nominate 5-11 people (comment on their blog to let them know).
- Ask the people you have nominated 11 questions.
- List these rules in your post.
- And most importantly…HAVE FUN!
My nominees and questions:
There is never any obligation with my nominations, just sharing great and new blogs with my readers. If you’re unable to participate for any reason, please accept this as a gesture of my appreciation.
Nominees:
- Val Erde – Colouring The Past
- Jennifer Koshak – Unfold And Begin
- Maria – DoodleScribbles
- Rev. Paul – Parallax
- Di – Matters For The Heart
Questions:
- Why did you start blogging?
- How long have you been blogging?
- What is your favourite post and why? Include a link.
- What is your most popular post (by views)? Include a link.
- What is your favourite colour and why?
- Toilet paper – folded over or under?
- What is your most embarrassing moment?
- What is your proudest moment?
- What song title would describe your life and why?
- What did you eat for breakfast today?
- Beer, wine, whisky or water? Why?
Hippo
Image credit Pixabay
soaking my blood sweat
in the dry African heat
hoping to stay cool
By Sarah ©2017
Author’s note: Hippo’s skin secretes a natural sunscreen substance which is red-coloured. The secretion is sometimes referred to as “blood sweat”, but is neither blood nor sweat. All hippos, even those with different diets, secrete these pigments.
Prompt: Ronovan Writes, Weekly Haiku Poetry Prompt, #162 – hope and stay
