Have you enjoyed the stories from the image as much as I have? If you missed any, the list of participating authors is below.
Jan Sikes: LINK
Yvette Calleiro: LINK
This month I went with a tanka prose for the image.
The Escape
It was just me and Sadie, my horse. Only my backpack held what remained of my life. This left me with a change of clothes, soap, lip gloss, lotion, family pictures, my mother’s jewelry, a journal, a pen, and a map. My saddlebags had already been packed and were ready to be put on Sadie. Dried fruit, jerky, coffee, a water filter, and bullets filled them. I had the sleeping bag, cooking pot, cup, full canteen, and tent tied to the back of the saddle. My gun was on my hip, ready to use. I knew how to live off the land, and that was what I was going to do. There was now a day’s ride between me and the house that was fully engulfed in flames as I rode over the ridge. No one followed me, perhaps believing I was trapped in the fire or wasn’t important enough to chase. The rest of the horses were released. I hoped they would find safety, but that’s all I could offer them when the worst-case scenario happened. There had been just enough time to get away after the alarms were triggered. Tonight, Sadie and I will settle down by the creek and rest. There will be no fire tonight, just to be safe. I hope to find others like me along the way as we head north to what should offer safety and a place to start over.
enemies at door
my house the casualty
on horse, I escaped
freedom, a long ride away
I’m guided by hope and truth
The next challenge is a week later than normal, as I will be on vacation. So watch for it on May 20th.
Embrace your inner child by challenging yourself! D. L. Finn
Great haibun, Denise! Thanks for sharing my poem as well.
Yvette M Calleiro 🙂
http://yvettemcalleiro.blogspot.com
Thank you, Yvette 🙂 Thrilled you joined in and your take on it! Xo
Wonderful response to the image, Denise!
Thank you, Priscilla 🙂
Hi Denise, this is a lovely story / poem. Thanks for sharing it.
Thank you, Robbie. It is a favorite format for me. Xo
Captivating story and poem, Denise!
Thank you, Timothy 🙂 had fun with this one.
I love how so many different ideas come from one image/thought. That says a lot.
I love that, too, Jacqui 🙂 How we can all look at the same thing and see something different!
The narrator of “The Escape” sounds like a force to be reckoned with!
Yes, someone I wouldn’t mind hanging out with.
🙂
This is lovely, Denise. I’m sorry that I didn’t get to participate this time. Big hugs.
Thank you, Teagan. No worries, it’s every month and when you can. big hugs back
It is a beautiful poem and the story, or start of a story was very intriguing. It looks like a great challenge.
Thank you, Thomas 🙂 It was fun to do and yes, could easily be the start of a story.
Wonderful, Denise. I’m intrigued and wouldn’t mind reading more about this character.
Thank you, Teri 🙂 Never know if she has more story to tell. Xo
Fabulous story, Denise. I loved how you left so much unexplained. It made the story sound timeless and placeless. Wonderful.
Thank you, Diana 🙂 One reason I like writing short stories. Xo
I hope the journey is successful.
Me too! Xo
I wasn’t able to comment when I read yesterday, Denise. Gremlins! Anyway, your piece is wonderful and you have a knack for storytelling. xo
(I hope this isn’t a duplicate. The first comment showed fail. )
Great story Denise, and Haibun. <3