Australia is burning; buildings have fallen and forests are decimated.
Our new year has heralded misery, heartbreak and devastation.
As the embers of the fires cool, the embers of Australian’s hearts and spirits unite – we will survive and rebuild.
By Sarah ©️2020
Author’s note: You can find out more about the bushfire crisis or how to donate to our fire fighters and those in need here.
My heart is aflame.
Its lantern burns bright for you.
Guiding your way home.
By Sarah ©2018
When he left, her whole world had been turned topsy-turvy; up was down, right was wrong, once cherished and possessed, she was now lost.
It felt like gravity was all that was held her to this earth – the cracks had starting showing and she was peering through them, into another life.
That’s just how it is in the upside down, she thought.
By Sarah ©2018
Prose Challenge – Write a three sentence story one for the beginning, one for the middle and one for the end, inspired by this weekend’s word prompt.
The toe of my shoe caught the edge of the uneven pavement.
I braced myself for the inevitable, and found myself sprawled on the ground.
I stood up, brushed myself off and looked around, double-checking that no one had seen me fall.
Poetry Challenge – Write a triolet inspired by the photo prompt.
That which falls can oft be seen,
embracing earth
in shrouds of green.
That which falls can oft be seen
leaving trace of where it’s been.
Over land and of firth,
that which falls can oft be seen
embracing earth.
By Sarah ©2018
Prompt: Sammi Scribbles, Weekend Writing Prompt, #44 – Fallen
The wave began to curl; forming the perfect pipe.
I launched myself upon sensuous liquid blue as it wrapped around the fin; guiding me into the shore upon an ebb and throb of water.
I was doing it! I was surfing! I thought, See, humans! We fish can do it too.
By Sarah ©2018
Prompt: Only 100 Words, Three Line Tales – Week 109
I glanced down at my bright, new yellow converse and smiled.
“An unnecessary indulgence,” he’d said, “Absurd and childish!”
Like him! I decided, humming the tune of These Boots Are Made For Walkin’, and left him behind, balancing and skipping my way along a matching balustrade.
By Sarah ©2018
Prompt: Only 100 Words, Three Line Tales – Week 108; and also, Mindlovemisery’s Menagerie, Music Challenge #23 – “These Boots Were Made For Walking”
Sonnets nor flowers
never could make her love him.
All threads of hope, gone.
By Sarah ©2018
Prompt: Only 100 Words, Three Line Tales- Week 107
She chained the door; loosely, though enough to keep others away.
Her heart was blue for now; heavy, hurt and seeking solace – like an animal licking its wounds; but invariably, that would change.
One day the chains would be smashed and the doors would open again, her heart bursting forth; ready for love once more.
By Sarah ©2017
Prompt: Only 100 Words, Three Line Tales – Week 97
silhouetted beasts
guide me through darkest moments
’til sun’s rays punch through
By Sarah ©2017
Prompt: Only 100 Words, Three Line Tales – Week 95
The police turned the house upside down, looking for any signs of the body; trace DNA, blood, hair, skin; anything!
After an exhaustive search, they apologised to her, explained she was no longer a suspect, and thanked her for the lovely meal.
As she closed the door, she smiled to herself and thought of the dishes in the sink – they would never know they had all the DNA and evidence they needed; in their full bellies…
By Sarah ©2017
Prompt: Only 100 Words, Three Line Tales – Week 94
My psychologist talked me through the candle meditation, and promised it would work to renew my focus and relieve my stress. She spoke in a hushed, low voice, “Now stare at the flickering light and let it absorb into your third eye. Take ten deep breaths and keep your intent on the flame. When you close your eyes, you should still be be able to see the image in your mind. Hold it as long as you can and when it fades open your eyes again, feeling refreshed and focused.
I did as she said and she was right! I could see the flame in my mind. I felt relaxed and calm as I honed in and held it in my mind’s eye. But when I opened my eyes, something was horribly wrong. I could not see anything else but thousands upon thousands of flames, reaching into the endless dark.
I screamed and reached out my hands towards the space were she’d been, as the doctor laughed psychotically, closing the door behind her…
By Sarah ©2017
Prompt: Only 100 Words, Three Line Tales – Week 92
Image credit Andre Benz via Unsplash
Life is like a train ride.
We pass each other on our set tracks, intent on our destination.
Some of us make it to the station; while others get derailed along the way.
By Sarah ©2017
Prompt: Only 100 Words, Three Line Tales – Week 90
The bar was dark and dingy and she wondered for the hundredth time why she was here – the place hardly looked full of promising suitors.
But, she had chosen the venue for a reason and with an air of trepidation and excitement she flipped the switch and trialled her new matchmaking strategy.
She looked around nervously, and met the eye of a nice looking man who gave her a mischievous smile; flipped another switch and started to walk across the room towards her…
By Sarah ©2017
Prompt: Only 100 Words, Three Line Tales – Week 89
Image credit Bryan Minear via Unsplash
She never saw the quicksand until it was too late, and now she was chest-deep.
She gasped as her head was sucked under – reaching out her hand, desperately hoping for someone to see her.
And as her fingertips slid under the slippery muck it only took a few seconds before the pond stilled and no trace of her could be seen at all.
By Sarah ©2017
Prompt: Only 100 Words, Three Line Tales – Week 87
Image credit Matt Palmer via Unsplash
He knew he’d seen something.
As he pulled out his magnifying glass, and examined the sparkler more closely, he saw it again.
A world in miniature; and people with tiny hands waving, shimmering light; as they screamed, “Stop! You’re killing us!”
By Sarah ©2017
Prompt: Only 100 Words, Three Line Tales – Week 85
People had warned them the housing market in Sydney would be tight on their budget – even in the outer suburbs.
But the tiny house movement appealed to the couple, because of its affordability and the environmental aspects of leaving a minimal footprint.
Disregarding the cynics, they paid $750,000 for their little ‘fixer upper’ and had already gotten to know their neighbours quite intimately…
By Sarah ©2017
Prompt: Only 100 Words, Three Line Tales, Week 84
Image credit Dev Benjamin via Unsplash
The lecturers at teacher’s college always advised, Try out the lesson yourself first – so you know what you’re doing and have a good model to work from…
So I did.
Unfortunately, it took so many attempts, there was no origami paper left for the children!
By Sarah ©2017
Prompt: Only 100 Words, Three Line Tales – Week 83
Image credit photo by Samuel Zeller via Unsplash
The herpetologist examined the remains of the reticulated python; it was the longest specimen he had ever seen, with the snake measuring in at over 7.5metres.
He noted the various parts of the snake; the skull, the vertebrae, and ribs, and shuddered at the thought of a living version of the monster lying before him.
Even more chilling, were the other skeletal remains found within the snake; that of a small child and adult woman…
By Sarah ©2017
Prompt: Only 100 Words, Three Line Tales – Week 82
kneaded dough; toppings;
melting cheese in the oven;
delicious pizza.
By Sarah ©2017
Prompt: Only 100 Words, Three Line Tales, Week 81
Image credit Annie Theby via Unsplash
The couple loaded up on snacks, paid for their fuel, and giggled together as they wandered back to their combi van.
This was going to be the best trip ever – they just knew it.
Too bad they didn’t see the masked man who’d crawled into the back…
By Sarah ©2017
Prompt: Only 100 Words, Three Line Tales, Week 80
Image credit Arnaud Mesureur via Unsplash
Final siren sounds
Quiet falls upon the crowd
Scoreboard – it’s a draw
By Sarah ©2017
Author’s Note: When I first moved to Victoria, I was somewhat confused (and amused) by the passionate, unwavering loyalty for a person’s AFL team. 17 years on I still find it perplexing but have gotten used to it! On Sunday, my beloved husband was watching Collingwood play Adelaide when the final siren sounded, resulting in a draw. I was amazed to see an entire stadium full of people sitting there, in stunned silence. There were no cheers, no team song, no congratulations, no relief – they almost treated it like a loss! Ahhh, footy. Will I ever understand thee?!?
Prompt: Only 100 Words, Three Line Tales, Week 79
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.
By Sarah ©2017
Prompt: Only 100 Words, Three Line Tales – Week 78
Image credit Meghan Yabsley via Unsplash
Racing each other; peddling furiously along the pier, the couple laughed as they felt the wind in their faces and heard the waves crashing below.
As end of the pier loomed closer the man, intent on carrying out his plan, instructed his wife, “On the count of three, slam on the brakes! 1, 2, 3…”
His mouth formed a surprised ‘O’ as he went sailing over the handlebars, realising too late, she’d cut his brakes too.
By Sarah ©2017
Prompt: Three Line Tales, Week 75
Image credit Daniel Von Appen on Unsplash
It was the night of the Grade 2 Sleepover at the school and the teachers had been instructed to push all the classroom furniture aside.
As the first parents and students arrived, the principal soon realised her mistake.
The teachers had pushed the furniture aside alright – but she had forgotten to remind them it was to let the kids in, not keep them out!
By Sarah ©2017
Author’s note: I am literally at a Grade Two Sleepover now…please go to sleep little ones!
Prompt: Three Line Tales, Week 74
Photo by Christian Widell via Unsplash
He hung his head in shame, feeling disappointed he had missed the winning goal – all due to the sun shining in his eyes as he’d made the deciding penalty kick.
The other players had left the field; the winning team whooping and cheering; his teammates tutting and casting him dirty looks.
As he stood alone, the same offending sunlight caught the shine of a $2 coin on the grass near his feet, and he thought to himself, At least I’ve had one win today.
By Sarah ©2017
Prompt: Three Line Tales, Week 73
By Sarah 