Welcome to the fourth Creative Perspective Challenge! I’ve been enjoying not only all the amazing and creative pieces everyone has been coming up with but the push it’s given me to create, too.
Here is this month’s image. I hope you join in, I look forward to seeing what you come up 🙂
Embrace your inner child by exploring your creativity! D. L. Finn (Denise)
As promised, here are the amazing authors who participated in the third challenge, along with my attempt at this unusual picture. I love how everyone has a unique take on the same image. My mind oddly went down the Hanzel and Gretel path.
Yvette Calleiro: LINK
Teagan Ríordáin Geneviene : LINK
A Forest Walk (app 950 words)
Blue skies, birds chirping, and blooming flowers marked a warm spring afternoon. My sister Ellie and I were walking the familiar trail in the forest behind our house. Today, we were searching for sugar pine cones to glitter. My sister loved the bigger cones and decorated the backyard with them. Yet, despite the day’s outward calm, a chilling unease unsettled me.
“Come on, Zoey! You’re walking too slow!” Ellie skipped ahead.
“Slow down. Mom said we must stay together in the forest.” I sighed and raced ahead to be next to her again.
“I’m almost six years old! You think you’re grown up turning ten, but I can take care of myself.” She lifted her upturned nose, covered in freckles, and bounced ahead.
I frowned and pushed back the childish bangs growing out. I’d rather be home playing video games, but I followed her closely as she scooped up pine cones of all sizes into her basket. A chill filled the damp, tree-lined path.
“We should turn around, it’s getting late.” I tugged on her arm, but she pulled away.
“I need one more cone. The tree is right around this bend. Then we’ll go back, and you can play your stupid games.” Ellie ran off, disappearing around the corner.
“Ellie!” I shouted and raced at full speed to catch her. All I needed was a mountain lion to think she, or even me, was food.
I quickly found my sister, along with a very odd stranger. Her hair was the brightest of red and appeared to glow. She reminded me of a creepy clown wearing a mad hatter hat. She was holding up a basket of candy.
“Ellie! Come here.” My voice was firm, like our mom’s when she expected an immediate response, and Ellie complied.
“Oh, sweet girls, no reason to be afraid.” Her red lips sneered and then puckered up to the basket.
I pulled my sister close, she didn’t fight me. One glance into Ellie’s blue eyes showed the same fear I was feeling.
Even with all the makeup hiding the beautiful woman’s face, I knew who this was. My heart felt like it was going to burst out of my chest and run back home without me.
“Let’s get out of here!” I grabbed Ellie’s hand tightly.
“Wait, sweet girls,” the woman said. She bent down and held out a chocolate bar. “I have a cake and a cup of tea waiting for you at my house. Then we can decorate your cones.”
“No, thank you!” I yelled as we sprinted away from her.
A loud cackle followed us and tickled the back of my neck. Ellie dropped her basket, breathing hard. I urgently pulled her along. That woman exuded a strange, malevolent aura that was clinging to us.
“Come back! Come back! Let’s play!” The woman’s voice surrounded us like the speakers Dad got for the TV.
“Leave us alone!” I screamed.
“We will have fun. You’ll see…” The voice faded away, and a bird’s screech filled the air.
A black raven circled above us. It swooped down, pecked at our heads, and flew at our mouths with bright red candy.
“Cover your mouth!” I grabbed an oak branch off the ground and swung at it.
A direct hit launched the crow into flight.
“Is that Ravenna, the Forest Witch? I thought she was dead.” Ellie’s eyes widened as she gasped for air.
“Yes, it has to be her. We need to get home and tell Mom.”
“What if Ravenna follows us?”
“We’re safe; we didn’t take her candy. I think she’s gone,” I replied and glanced back over my shoulder, fully expecting to see her.
“But I’ve heard she can still take you as long as you’re in the forest.” Ellie tripped over a branch, and I caught her before she fell.
“Careful! I’ve heard that too, but we are almost home and out of the woods. Come on.”
The caw of the bird in the distance filled my skin with goosebumps. We exited the woods as our mother burst out of the house with her rifle. The bird dove at us, and I threw Ellie down and covered her with my body, but before the bird got to us, our mother fired. A woman’s scream filled the air and then disappeared along with the bird.
“Zoey! Ellie! Are you okay? You didn’t eat anything, did you?” Mom yelled, her brown eyes scanning over us.
“No, Mom. We remembered the stories about Ravenna, although I didn’t know she wore clown makeup,” I said, pulling my little sister up and hurrying us toward safety.
“Thank goodness! I heard that human-like caw and felt an unease I’d never felt before. I was coming to find you. I was so relieved to see you, but when that bird with glowing red eyes came for you, I knew who and what it was. The make-up must be something new or a trick. Get inside, girls!”
“I thought… Ravenna… was dead… Mommy!” Ellie gasped as we passed by our mother, who didn’t lower the gun and wasn’t taking her attention off the sky and forest.
“So, did I. That’s what your grandma told me. It’s been almost a hundred years. I never would have let you go out there if I knew Ravenna was back.”
Hand in hand, my sister and I entered safety, knowing that wasn’t the last of the woman who lured children into her house and made them into candy. The candy kept her youthful, according to the legend, but who could tell under all that makeup? All I knew was the forest was no longer safe, and video games were now the better option.
Watch for a special post tomorrow!
Embrace your inner child by trying a new challenge. D. L. Finn
Hi!
Welcome to this month’s Creative Persepctive Challenge! Weren’t last month’s poems and stories great? Here is March’s fun image:
I will post my take and all the links from the entries on March 18th. I’m looking forward to seeing what you come up with 🙂
I’m thrilled another story just came in from Sue Wickstead for the challenge! Sue graciously allowed me to debut it here. I will add any late responses to the original post, and you can always find them on my website if you miss any.
Lonely girl on a cliff
by Sue Wickstead
The rains had fallen all night. The constant howling of the winds had added to the noise. With flashes of light and thunderous booms sleep had come erratically.
Nestleing down under her covers Bella tried to sleep. She seemed to doze but each time she awoke she could still hear the rain falling heavily on the roof of her house. At least she was warm and dry and out of the chilly blasts of the wind.
Turning over she snuggled down further as the sound of the storm raged on.
Come morning she still felt tired. It was gloomy and dark outside and she was tempted to stay tucked up in bed at least here she was safe and warm.
At least the rain was falling less heavily now as wearily she roused herself and got up. Drawing back the curtains she looked out at the soggy scene.
The dark grey clouds still swirled overhead, threatening to drop more rain at any moment. The gusting winds blew the clouds about rolling and stirring them up.
In the distance she could see the occasional flash of thunder and counting the seconds to the arrival of the thunder clap she was unsure whether the storm was passing on or whether trapped by the distant hills was ready to roll back once more.
As another flash of light shot across the scythe exploding boom definitely sounded closer once more.
She watched as Mother Nature seemed to play a game with the weather.
The clouds overhead continued to swirl getting nearer and blacker. Winds were again picking up a pace.
Bella took a deep breath. The storm was trapped, it couldn’t pass the high hills. There was a definite feeling of fear in the atmosphere.
It was time to call on the powers of ‘The Weather Witch’.
Bella had studied and learnt the law of the weather but shied away from using it.
Nature could be unpredictable, so she had used her ‘powers’ when absolutely necessary and only when no-one was around.
But the fear in the wind and the rain was growing, she could feel it all around her. She knew she had to at least try.
If she could calm the storm she would be able to smile to herself knowingly. But, if she couldn’t no-one would know that she had failed. This would be a test of her powers.
Bella picked up her cloak and wrapping it around her she pulled her hood over her head and headed down to the viaduct over the ravine.
Below, the normally gentle river which would tumble along lazily, now had swelled with its waters swirling around the columns of the arched way below. It certainly wasn’t a lazy journey today.
As Bella stood on the viaduct, she could feel the angry storm building up once more.
The dark grey clouds were rolling back toward her.
A flock of black crows rose into the sky cawing loudly as the wind buffeted them along.
The hood of her cloak fell from her head as the winds picked up once more. Her long hair blew behind her.
She stood firm and looked up at the skies above, swirling and rumbling ready to drop their pouring rain once more.
Looking up at the skies above she took a deep breath. She had to at least try to quell the fury of this storm.
She felt alone and vulnerable but at least there would be no witness to her success or her failure.
Taking a deep breath she whispered words of the wather. She lifted her hands high and called. She began to chant words to calm the skies. She clapped her hands and clicked her fingers to try to break the anger of the storm.
The winds swished around her as if they would push her from the viaduct and into the swirling river waters below.
But, Bella stood firm, closing her eyes and chanting.
She motioned up the valley where the hills formed a gap and she pushed her hands before her.
The gusting winds blew around her once more but the rain didn’t come.
A flash of light broke the black clouds and the trailing boom of thunder boomed off as it left.
Bella stood and watched as the black clouds squeezed through the gap in the distant hills. As the storm moved on.
Bella stayed motionless watching as the storm receded. The distant thunder and lightening becoming further away now.
One more flash from beyond the hill tops seemed to echo a farewell.
The dark grey clouds began to lighten.
Bella had stayed long enough and turning headed for home.
Bella smiled to herself.
Did I do that?
No-one would ever know, not even Bella.
But perhaps, just perhaps, it could have been her, ‘The Weather Witch’.
Hi!
It’s been another fantastic week full of amazing writing. I had fun writing a longish haibun, which is below.
If you haven’t seen these posts I highly recommend visiting.
Gwen Plano: LINK
Sandra Cox: LINK
Yvette Calleiro: LINK
Jan Sikes: LINK
Robbie Cheadle: LINK
Sue Wickstead via D.L. Finn Blog: LINK
Fear’s Plague (522 words)
It was the 326th day of the green fog that appeared the same day she was prepared to declare war on their rival kingdom. Queen Anna stepped into the icy mist to greet another day, as she had every morning. Her people hid inside their homes, fearful of the cold mist, but she couldn’t. It was her duty to protect them, but how? The sun nor moon hadn’t been seen in either night or day. Only the clock ruled now.
The strange phenomena delayed their attack until one day no one had it in them to fight. Hate turned into fear, and that ruled them now. The scouts she had sent out never returned. Anna worried they were the only ones left in this cold, cruel world shrouded by this heavy green death. No weapons, prayers, or even magic had altered their predicament.
Their food supply was limited after their pigs, cows, chickens, and goats lay down and never got up again. Most forest animals did the same. No crops would grow, no flowers bloomed, and trees were frozen in their winter state. Wombs barren. Fear ruled the land, even the criminals cowered behind closed drapes.
Anna stood alone on the old stone bridge, breathing in the heavy air and watching a flock of vultures. Surviving the destruction, they, like her people, remained.
“How can we fight the very air we breathe?” She wrapped her arms around her thin body.
Her head bowed. Exhaustion filled her soul every night when she tried to sleep. Would she wake up? Did she want to? Giving in, letting death claim her, would be simple. Just lay down, following the example of the animals and her subjects, and surrender.
“Surrender to what?”
She clung to that unanswered question. It had kept her going.
The bird circled and dove into the forest. A wave of goosebumps, prickling and crawling, spread across her arms. It was time to get out of the fog, but how long would the castle and homes provide safe shelter? Her skin itched and her eyes watered. Still, her feet remained planted on the bridge her grandfather had built. Hopelessness threatened to overtake her when the song her mother used to sing to her as a child, filled her heart. Ignoring the warnings she needed to get back inside, she sang. Low at first, but her voice strengthened and grew.
“Bless the forests with flourishing flowers
Rainbows, butterflies & waterfalls’ powers
With gratitude and love overflowing,
Nature’s sacred cedar grove is glowing…”
Anna’s face warmed like the summer sun was shining on it. The sweet perfume of her rose garden filled her senses. And for a brief second, a beam of sunlight reflected off the river. Then it vanished, and the song became hollow, echoing across the raven.
With a slight spring to her step, she hurried across the bridge to the safety of the castle. Queen Anna knew in her heart what needed to be done. It will take everyone and her childhood song to push away the hate.
voices blend in love
sing a song of gratitude.
healing will begin
NOTE: Watch for newsletter this week if you are subscribed.
Next Challenge March 11th!
Hi!
It’s been a fantastic week full of amazing writing—and I had fun writing a short story. Thank you to those who joined in and forgive me if this is a day late. I wanted to give Diana’s book the attention it deserved!
If you haven’t seen these posts I highly recommend visiting.
Here’s the list:
Yvette Callerio: BLOG LINK
Jan Sikes: BLOG LINK
Sandra Cox: BLOG LINK
See notes after the story.
Now here’s my part in the challenge at 986 words:
Their Place
This is where love happened, where Tom met Maggie on a geology tour.
“I proposed to you on this date standing right here, didn’t I, Maggie?” Tom sighed loudly and held up his light. “Today though, I’m alone except for a cat who isn’t happy to be in his carrier. No tours. No you.”
Tom smoothed the powdery red dirt with his shoe. Even when the tours stopped and the mining began again, they always returned to their cave. When they returned, Maggie had said she felt a mix of sadness and joy. Tom had pushed aside his feelings because the damage from the mining was done.
Luckily, they left this little heaven alone. In a chaotic world, Maggie and Tom found solace in each other and this cave.
“You were right, Maggie. It was the end of times. I argued there has always been greed and it was nothing new but I was wrong. At least the mining stopped when the war ended.” Tom turned and pulled his mattress from where he dropped it and placed it on a tarp.
The minerals from the mine were no longer necessary. People had to take care of themselves to stay alive, just like he’d been doing.
“I grieved hard when you died from cancer, Maggie. Hard. But with time, I realized it was best for you to be in your heaven — a place I truly hope exists—because we tore this world apart. Your gentle heart would have been crushed. Five years. Five long years, I’ve lived without you. I survived that and I survived the war. But after the war, there was no one left to lead. No power, no gas, limited food, and no communication. It’s like living in the Middle Ages.”
Tom set Maggie’s picture on the small table he’d brought in. She was standing at the cave entrance with a smile as bright as the sun. It was her twenty-ninth birthday, or six months before they got the news, she only had a few months to live. He sank into the only chair he had brought. There’d be no company to entertain other than the black cat, Tumbles, whom he’d found after Maggie died—or perhaps Tumbles found him. The cat would excel as a mouser and provide companionship in the chilly, dark cave.
He wouldn’t have had to go into hiding if criminals hadn’t taken over their little town, and those who voiced their opinions disappeared. The new rulers were the worst of humanity. He urged his neighbors to go before it was too late, but he was the only one who left with a pickup truck full of his belongings.
“I used the remaining gas I had to come here. I couldn’t think of anywhere else to go except our place. The main entry is destroyed, but we knew a secret entrance, didn’t we Maggie? Good thing there’s a water supply in the cave below us. It’s not too polluted, but I have that water filter you insisted we get in case anything happened. Good call. Don’t worry, I brought our wedding album and pictures, along with your mother’s teapot that you loved. Thanks to all our camping I have some top-grade gear that will come in handy, including that tent stove with the exhaust pipe. There’s plenty of dead wood in the forest and I brought that rod to start fires. The solar generator will be handy as well. I can listen to our records and have a reading lamp.”
Tom stood and brushed the red dirt off his pants. He brought in the heavy boxes of canned and dehydrated food he stocked up on during the fighting, plus the rest of the supplies while his cat waited not so patiently in the truck. They had enough food to last at least a year without his hunting. But he had plenty of ammo for his shotgun. Finally, he brought Tumbles in.
“I got it set up for you, Tumbles. You can come out and see your new home.” The gray tiger-striped cat sniffed the air and refused to leave his safe cat carrier. “You’ll like it you’ll see. Plenty of room to roam and I brought your favorite cat tower.” Tumbles closed his eyes and didn’t exit his familiar space.
After Tom unloaded the boxes containing towels, soap, candles, clothes, bedding, pots, dishes, pens, notepads, books, and all the rest he felt were essential, he arranged them in the shelving unit from the garage. The empty boxes were neatly against the cave wall.
“Be right back, Tumbles.”
Not even a swish of a tail for a response.
Next to the cave, Tom pushed the last of his world over the cliff. The old blue pickup lay in a broken pile like the rest of civilization.
“All set Maggie. If it’s safe, I’ll try fishing at that little lake nearby. Now it’s just Tumbles, me, and our memories until the end. Then we’ll be together.”
He glanced back at the burned pines blanketed by flowers and the grass that had found its way back, along with some animals. Tom entered his new home. He’d explore later and see if the miners left anything behind. Maybe he’d find useful stuff to savage. Yes, he was set. He smiled to see Tumbles lying on his bed, but the grin disappeared when Maggie’s spicy perfume filled the cave.
“Maggie?” Tumbles stood and stared behind Tom, who shuddered. “Are you here?” A white glow appeared next to him filling him with love.
A gentle voice whispered into his ear, “I’m here.”
“Oh Maggie, I miss you.”
“I miss you too, but you’re needed here. Be strong my love.”
The scent and glow disappeared, but the love didn’t. Tom sank onto his mattress and gathered Tumbles into his arms feeling hope. Someday, in a place where love exists, everything will be okay again.
NOTES
Hi!
Welcome to the first Creative Perspective Challenge! I have wanted to do this for a long time and decided it was the right moment to get started.
What to do for the challenge or the rules:
Ready to get creative? Here’ s the image:
I can’t wait to see what you come up with. Good luck!