2018/01/29 – “I swear there was a body in this coffin. You have to help me find it!” (double drabble)
“I swear there was a body in this coffin. You have to help me find it!” a protagonist in an old movie exclaims as he agitatedly wrings his hands. How I have ended up watching this movie I'll never know. But these are the wondrous ways of youtube. I remember looking for the stunning soundtrack to an anime I watched a while ago. And as I click through the suggestions at the sidebar I see so many different things. Somewhere in between playthrough videos of games I might want to play and breathtakingly beautiful speed draw recordings, which I can only gape at in awe, I watch an old Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers dancing scene and remember how much I liked to dance... And now I'm somehow rapt in a rather comical funeral story about this disappeared corpse. As I watch the characters stumble through the search of the body all the while trying to cover up the mess, I shake my head at myself. That movie is totally not what I had come for and yet I find myself watching it. Indeed, you never know where you end up browsing youtube. It's always a fun, but weird journey.
2018/01/28 – You’ve always wondered why your brother was never in your family photos; today you found out why (drabble)
Saya liked to look at photos. They always looked fun, as if the people in them had a good time.But she had always wondered why her brother Lyr was never in her family photos. There were photos of her parents, of her grandparents, of her aunts and uncles and cousins, but never him. Even in the more recent photos – those of her as a baby – Lyr was never to be seen. But finally today was the day when she found out why!“Now look into the camera and smile,” Lyr said. It was him who took all the photos.
2018/01/21 – Write about someone you hate who is in love with you
On a remote island, far from any civilisation, there lived a savage tribe. Their village was situated at the shore, a neat cluster of stilt houses. Most of the inhabitants were fishermen. Every morning they sailed with their little cockleshells to the nearby reef to fish. Zath was one of them. Even before sunrise he would get up, load his net and sail to his favourite fishing spot.But he was not alone there. Every day he would try to outdo his neighbour Leann as they squabbled over who caught the biggest or most fish. Their rivalry dated to their youth, and they hated each other with a passion. Not one day passed when they wouldn't at least throw insults. It hadn't always been like that. Zath remembered a time when they had played together as kids, when they were inseparable and the best of friends. But somewhere sometime something had gone terribly awry. Yet Zath couldn't even remember the trigger incident of their broken friendship. He wondered if Leann did. But it mattered not. There was no way back now. Their fronts were hardened, their words bitter and spiteful.But they wouldn't go as far as messing with their boats or nets; they were honourable fishermen. So Zath trusted Leann when he suddenly shouted: “Sharks! Pull in your net!” And while he hauled in the load of thrashing fish he heard a splash. Zath turned around. Leann's boat rocked back and forth on the waves. But where was Leann?A shadow glided beneath Zath's boat. Without a second thought Zath grabbed his spear and jumped into the cool water, dove and searched for Leann. He saw three sharks lurking about and circling, and between them there drifted his rival. With two, three strong strokes Zath hurried there and thrust his spear at the sharks to shoo them away from Leann's body. A cloud of red surrounded the body and Zath didn't know how much longer he could fend off the sharks. He had to get the both of them out of there immediately! So he grabbed Leann by the midriff and dragged him to the surface, where he perceive the hulk of his boat. And once they broke through the surface and Zath drew in huge gulps of air he hauled Leann's body into his boat then climbed after him. Panting hard he lay on the planks. Then he remembered the blood.“Leann! You alright?” He heaved himself up and examined the body. There was so much blood and Zath could see Leann had several bite marks; chunks of meat were missing. “Leann! Stay with me. I'll get you to our shaman as fast as I can,” he promised and was about to trim the sail when Leann grabbed his arm and groaned. “Zath,” he rasped, “never mind. We're too far out, aren't we? You won't make it… I… won't make it.” Zath shook his head, looked back to the small black dots at the horizon where their village lay. Leann was probably right, but he didn't want to acknowledge that.Leann tugged at his arm until he grasped his hand and squeezed it. “Listen, man, let me...let me say this at least for once in my life,” Leann murmured laboriously, “you know, I never really hated you, Zath. The truth is… the truth is I love you. Always have.” Zath's eyes went wide with disbelief. “What?!” he exclaimed. This couldn't be true, could it? Zath was shocked. Leann closed his eyes, smiling, never to open them again.As Zath sailed home as fast as he could, the body of his rival tucked between the planks and the net full of fish, his mind was in utter turmoil. There was so much left unsaid, so much said which couldn't be undone. But most of all he was upset and confused by Leann's last words. For years he'd thought Leann hated him. Yet, whatever he would have answered if he ever figured out what he felt for his rival, his long lost friend, it would remain unheard. And there would hardly be any closure to the rift between them.
2018/01/13 – supernatural
I once had a panther-black car, which I lovingly called 'my Kitty'. She was a fine, old car and I loved to drive her. She had personality, she really had. I would pat and rub the steering wheel gently and talk to Kitty as if she was a real person when I fired her up, and she would purr in response. If I hadn't done so, she might not have started at all. Kitty was a lady and wanted to be treated as such. And she saved my life.One slightly misty day I was driving home humming a happy little tune. The radio was switched off as I usually don't like what they played. So I was well surprised when the display of the radio turned on and letters flashed on the screen. 'ATTENTION' it read, and after a while the message changed to 'DANGER', then turned off again as if it never were. The mist was getting thicker. At first I thought this was but my imagination. But it unsettled me. Time and again I blinked at the screen, and after a while it turned on again. 'ATTENTION' and 'DANGER' I read. A little scared and confused I slowed down a little but kept on driving. Another car zinged by on the left lane, much faster than the speed limit. The mist swallowed it within seconds. The message on the radio display flashed a third time. Then suddenly I saw it, and instantly I braked hard. My car slowed down enough so I could swerve. Because there was the other car which had caused an accident and blocked one of the lanes. A little shaken I continued my way home, but the display stayed turned off after that. And had I not slowed down before, I would have crashed right into the other car and might have died. So… was I imagining things, or had Kitty really saved me? I like to think that she had.
2018/01/05 – good intentions (drabble-poem)
You might have had a bunch of good intentions,Goals to achieve,When the old year was on the brink of dawnAnd fiery flowers illuminated the sky.Have you had any opportunityTo make them moreThan just good intentions yet?Have you taken the first stepsTowards the road you laid out before youA few days ago?There's only so many tomorrows and laters.The time is nowTo be true to your word,And your promises to yourself.Don't hesitate!Make the most of todayAnd keep your intentions in mind,So they may come true.
2017/12/29 – Everyone lives in the same reality; each one just perceives it differently.
When he woke up he felt so exhausted he could have slept a hundred years more. The afterglow of nightmares haunted him, horrible sentiments which carried over into the wakeful hours and left him detached from the world. He stood and shuffled over to the kitchen where the timer of the coffee machine had already prepared a pot. With his mug he sat on the sofa and typed a short poem to capture the impressions of his night before they were gone and posted it online.The next few minutes he sat there waiting on reactions and browsing the internet for news. Thousands of deaths worldwide through either natural disasters or civil wars or disease and hunger, some political decisions he neither understood nor supported, snippets from celebrities' lives he wasn't interested in, ads about stuff he didn't need. He put his smartphone down and drank up his coffee.The movement-sensitive lighting switched on and off when he passed the rooms and headed for the bathroom. He undressed and stepped into the shower cubicle. The sensor in the shower tub turned on the display, which showed him his weight and suggested he go on a diet, and the shower routine began as a countdown started: one minute soaking, two minutes stop to apply bodywash and shampoo, five minutes to rinse and relax. Then the program ended in Kneipp affusions. He hated the cold water, but it helped him fully wake; and it was the program his smart home suggested.In the meantime the heating had warmed his towel and he dried himself off. The towel wound around his waist, he waddled to the sink to brush his teeth. The electric tooth brush activated a display in the mirror, which showed him which tooth he was brushing and when to move on to the next. It also warned him hen he applied too much pressure.Back in his bedroom he listened to the latest weather forecast, which his smart home had recorded, and decided what to wear according to it. The intelligent mirror checked for matching colours and gave its okay; he was good to go. So he grabbed his smartphone and checked again for notifications. By now a few people had liked or disliked his poem, but the result was mostly positive; he had three new followers and even a short comment consisting of a smiley with heart-shaped eyes and '5*!'. It was much better than nothing. With a slightly better mood he typed a 'thx' and added a grinning smiley. Then he pocketed his smartphone and exited his apartment; the door locked automatically as he pressed his thumb to the fingerprint scanner.The fast lane transported him to the bus stop, so he had some time to check his smartphone again. A few more clicks. Not bad. By noon there would be more. He was just in time for the bus to arrive. Upon entrance he swiped his wrist across the scanner; the subcutaneous ID-chip authorised the micro-payment for the bus fee. Then he slipped the protective wristband back over his wrist, so none would scan his wrist and rob his bank account or use his ID for other purposes. He seated himself as the bus started to move. It was rush hour, but after self-driving cars had become standard there were hardly any traffic jams anymore. So he would certainly arrive on time.During the bus ride he took out his smartphone and played some browser games to pass time; he was well immersed in the game, so ignored what happened around him. In fact, most of the passengers didn't notice when the driverless bus left its programmed route and headed off into another direction. But as soon as the bus suddenly accelerated some of the passengers lost their footing, cried out and alerted the others. Still he didn't notice the tumult, his ears were plugged with earphones blaring his favourite song over and over.The traffic light turned red, yet still the bus wouldn't slow down. A baby cried, alerted by its mother's fear. Someone tried to manually open the automatic doors, but they wouldn't budge as the hacked bus was still driving. The crash was as inevitable as it was nasty. The distance indicators of other cars couldn't react as fast as the bus approached. It rammed the car before it, pushed it all the way onto the crossroads, where other cars crashed into the bus from either side. Soon police and ambulances were called, but they discovered none had survived – except for him. He was utterly shaken and his limbs were torn from his body, but he was alive. Well, as much alive as you could call it. For only then he discovered that he was actually an android…
2017/12/24 – Christmas (Tanka)
Come together andCelebrate with your loved ones!Spirit of Christmas –Fairy lights illuminateThe darkest night and our hearts.
2017/12/12 – cold (Drabble)
You woke up and instantly knew, this was not your day. Lucky, if you could turn around again and sleep it all off. Eventually you had to get up though. Your mind woozy, you dragged yourself to the kitchen where you might opt for some herbal infusion or a hot milk with too much honey for your liking. Like a zombie you sat there waiting, staring into the void, your limbs too heavy to move, your head crammed with pain cushioned in cotton wool and your throat barbed with triple-strand concertina wire. No, this was not your day. Maybe tomorrow…
2017/12/09 – a day in December (poem)
Snowflakes are silently driftingWatching from the insideI find it very upliftingFrom the cold to hide
The world is swallowedBy the clouds of whiteWarmer days are hallowedAnd the wish for light
Powdered snow piling highThe world seems frozen in timeSmoking chimneys heave a sighChristmas carols and a chime
2017/12/03 – advent calendar (Haiku)
Advent calendar –Count the days until Christmas.Presents every day!
2017/11/23 – sunset (Drabble)
It is still dark outside as I sit down at my desk, open a document ant start typing, a cup of tea in hand. As I write slowly the night sky becomes lighter. A blood-red silver lining accentuates the horizon. Suddenly it sets the clouds ablaze in fiery reds and oranges as if the world was plunged in global conflagration. Totally captivated by the breathtaking vista I stare at the scenery outside my windows; stark black hills contrasting with the glow of the setting sun. Then the sky lights up as the sun rises higher, welcomes a bright new day.
2017/11/14 – NaNoWriMo 2017 (poem)
Words are aligning,Sentences combining;At least a chapter a day –So far I'm doing okay.When writing time flies by;Thought I would give it a try.I wonder what I reach faster:37 chapters or 50k word master?A sequel to what I wrote lastNaNoWriMo, it's such a blast!No matter what, rain, hail or sun –Writing is so much fun.I'm comfortable in my writing nook.Soon you'll see, I'll finish my book.Swing the keys like a shovel;Who wants to beta my novel?
2017/11/08 – write a short excerpt of where you're at in your current NaNoWriMo project (Rogue Adventures – A Tale from Neverbeen Universe, chapter 17)
[…] Raphael’s gaze sharpened. He drew his sword. ‘Stay back,’ he linked his mind with Gene’s, and he obediently did a step backwards.‘He’s all yours,’ Gene murmured, ‘Just be careful. That’s the one who kidnapped me.’ Raphael had assumed as much, but now he had Gene’s affirmation. He cautiously approached, ready to fight.“Now, now,” the Daemon had an even thicker accent than Raphael, “Is this a way to greet family?”“I do not know you,” Raphael stated evenly, “and if it’s true and you’re one of my father’s cronies, I’ll have even more reason to kill you.” He lifted his sword.“I wouldn’t call me a crony, but, indeed, I am here on Lord Rhagkal’s orders,” the man admitted and grinned, “What about you, Gene? At least you’re going to greet me properly, right?” He opened his arms as if he expected a hug.Behind Raphael Gene shifted into a defensive stance. “No way in hell. You can’t be trusted.”“Pity,” the stranger commiserated, then grinned mischievously. Suddenly he leapt over the altar, drew two shortswords and slashed them at Raphael, who reacted swiftly enough to parry. […]
2017/10/31 – pick four books from your night stand/reading nook, choose randomly a page each and write a story containing the first sentence you read on every page you chose. (p.66 of The Blood of Nerys by S. K. Balk, p.153 of The Woman Who Died a Lot by J. Fforde, p.212 of The Loneliest Girl in the Universe by L. James, p.288 of Malevolence by F. R. Donaldson)
It was just at daybreak when there was a dull thud and the ship shuddered against the waves. The mast cracked and moaned under the pressure of the wind in the sails, tilting the prow slightly as she wouldn't move anymore. One after the other the crew stumbled out of their cots and hurried on deck.“What in the name of Nemo's beard happened?” captain Kai bellowed and stemmed his fists on his hip. His crew looked anywhere but at their captain.“Apparently we ran aground on a shoal,” Daisy piped up and lifted a brow.“A shoal! Who of you keelsons was in charge of the crow's nest?” Kai wanted to know. For a good while none said anything until a timid hand was raised. “Well? Why didn't you notice?” the captain asked impatiently.The man hummed and hawed, but under Kai's stern stare he confessed: “I fell asleep.”Kai cursed vividly. “You had this one task to stay awake and make sure we don't crash, but you fell asleep!” The captain made a gruff gesture. “Tie him to the mast and don't take him down before I say so.”“Please,” the man begged.But none dared to defy captain's orders, though they pitied the poor guy for his punishment.“Drop the sails, or the ship will capsize,” Daisy demanded as Kai stomped under deck. She sighed and watched the pirates get to work. Then she set about walking from stern to prow and back thinking about what to do, while the ship rocked against the shoal and ran further aground with every wave splashing against the planks. It was way past noon and almost ebb tide when captain Kai stopped her. “What are you doing? You've skipped both breakfast and lunch,” he asked much calmer, actually concerned.'Isn't he just the perfect husband?' murmured Daisy sarcastically. 'Only now he comes looking for me.' She sighed and answered: “I spend the day pacing the ship, buried waist-deep in hopeless solutions.”“And?” Kai tilted his head until his fancy hat was about to fall off.“Well, we can only hope flood tide will be high enough to carry us off the shoal,” she scrutinized him and winked an eye open before she added, “or else you have to empty the hold and throw all those boxes crammed with silly souvenirs from all the towns we raided over board.”“Who told you about that?” Kai asked angrily. But he was more embarrassed, really. But Daisy only chuckled and patted his shoulder as she walked past him. “Think about it, Captain Kai. What is more important? Your ship or the bric-a-brac you like to collect?” She strutted off, leaving him to ponder, already knowing what he would choose.
2017/10/25 – worry (drabble)
Worry is nothing but the uncertainty of not knowing about the whereabouts or circumstances of someone or something. You might say, you don't want people to worry for you. And yet you can only worry for people or things you hold dear – who or which have a special meaning to you. If you don't worry, you won't care, and this indifference shows the insignificance of them. But if you do worry, they will have a place in your heart. So inherent in the system, worry is a hint at and the proof of the love you feel. So worry more.
And this is number 097:2017/10/15 – Winter is coming (poem)
Golden leaves are falling downHolidaymakers flee this lonely townHowever, don't cower in fearJust because winter draws nearGrab a mug of coffee or teaAnd dream about the beach and the seaTake your favourite bookBuild yourself a reading nookOr possibly you decide to bakeMake lots of cookies or even cakeAnd sometimes maybe the weather is fineThen go catch a bit of sunshineAnyway, there is no reason for sadnessSoon there starts the Christmas madnessCertainly winter approaches fastBut it's up to you to make it a blast
2017/10/18 – skyline (Drabble)
Imagine you could build a city out of your favourite books, with words as tall as skyscrapers. Who would inhabit this place? Where amongst these books would your home be? Would Frodo greet you sitting on his porch smoking or Samuel Vimes pound the beat around your 'hood at night? Would you meet Hermione at the supermarket or have a meeting at Wayne Enterprise? Would you go for a health check up to Doc Frankenstein or would a raven tap the window of your 10th floor apartment? Just imagine how variegated and tempting the skyline of book spines would be!
2017/10/02 – My dog just started talking to me, and he's not pleased. (Drabble)
I had a weird dream. I was walking through a dark, foreign city and I was lost. Somehow I ended up in a park. As I passed the trees I noticed someone was following me. Scared as hell I walked faster until I met a dead end at a lake. So I turned around to face whoever was following me. From the underbush a dog emerged and it growled. Although I don't have pets I knew this was mine. “Where the hell have you been?” the dog exclaimed, “I've been looking for you. Let's go home.” Utterly puzzled I woke.
