Writing Exercise 142

Good morning!

It it time for another writing exercise. :D
Today I have a little drabble for you, which I wrote in the very situation described therin. Enjoy!

2018/08/29 – pre-dawn (Drabble)

Sometimes the night is over before it even dawns. Something awakes you from your slumber, grasps you, shakes away the tiredness from your body and won't let go until you decide to get up. Silently you heed its call, get yourself a nice cup of coffee or tea and sit by the window to watch over the sleeping world like a sentry, a mortal guardian angel. You peer into the darkness and by the minute it seems to lift as the sky slowly turns from black to blue to violet. Suddenly a silver lining – the beauty of sunrise is yours.

Writing Exercise 141

A new week, a new writing exercise! :D
This time I was prompted again by my buddy from the art group, and I decided to write a German sonnet for this prompt. Enjoy!

2018/08/20 – “shadows of big creatures soar through the sky, the sky looks almost like it's burning“ (German sonnet)

The sky is painted in fiery reds

There are clouds of ash and smoke

Ghastly shadows swoosh like a feather stroke

You think you're safe at home in your beds?

A roar erupts from the heavens like thunder

The earth seems caught in a conflagration

People tremble with dread and anticipation

That those creatures tear the world asunder

Flying death approaches from the sky

Don't hope for mercy for they will deny

You think there is a silver lining?

As the shadows soar over the lands

Your fate lies solely in their hands

Onto soot and ruins the sun will be shining

Writing Exercise 140

Hello there!

I know this comes at a late hour, but I couldn't sleep so worked on this prompt by a friend from my art group. So here is this week's exercise:

2018/08/15 – “They came out of nowhere, the demons are destroying the city. This is the end” (drabble)

It all started with a dull rumble. The earth shook and trembled under the sheer force of nature. But it was no ordinary earthquake. No, it was something more sinister. Something, which heralded the beginning of the end. An abysmal rift opened and split the city in two, and from it they emerged – ghastly creatures conjured from your worst nightmares. Demons of all kinds, and they sought to destroy and kill and devour. None was safe. There was no hope to survive this horror for no man-made weapon could touch a hair on their ugly heads. The end was nigh.

Writing Exercise 139

Hello again!

This week my focus lies on a rhethorical device: the alliteration. Thus I challenged myself to this little exercise:

2018/08/06 – alliteration ABC

After all astronauts are afloat.

Before breakfast bakers bake bread.

Crying children cannot chill.

Dark days devour dreams dreadfully.

Even elephants eat every evening.

Floating fleets ferry furry ferrets.

Great geese gobble grass gleefully.

Happy hippies hold hands heartily.

Ivy is insidiously irascible inside.

Just join joggers joyously.

Keen knights kill knowing kindness.

Long leaves lay loosely, lingering listlessly.

My muse may moan miserably.

No, naysayers never need negotiation.

Orchid orchards overshadow odour.

Poets play plenty poetic pranks.

Quixotic queens question querulously.

Ravenous ravens rise restlessly.

Softly swaying she sings sweet serenades.

The tragedy therein tortures them terribly.

Usually users underestimate utility units.

Very vicious villains vandalize variegated vernissages.

Wintry winds whisper without wailing.

X-rays x-ray xylophones.

Yesterday you yielded yearning, yet yelping.

Zealous zebras zigzag zoos.

Writing Exercise 138

Hello!
I'm back again with another writing exercise. This week I wrote a little poem inspired by my plans for the week. Here it is:

2018/07/30 – the visit (poem)

My friend, is it time?

The air is filled with anticipation

Let me cross for you a whole nation

My promise is ringing like a chime

My friend, be patient still

I'll soon hurry there

You know, I'd go anywhere

To meet you, and I will!

My friend, don't worry

Time sure flies by

We meet again if we try

And none of us needs to be sorry

Writing Exercise 137

Hi!
Is this heat wave weighing down on you the same way as on me? Anyway, I have a prompt this week, which I turned into a Haiku.
Enjoy!

2018/07/26 – darkness (Haiku)

Infinite darkness.

There is a silver lining –

Treasure of the soul.

Writing Exercise 136

Hello there!

For quite some time I had a request lying about. Now I got round to finally tackle it. It is set in my Neverbeen Universe. And this is what I made of it:

2018/07/20 – “Um… Boss? You might want to see this…” The Dark Overlord’s henchman notifies them. They look outside to see the prophesied hero, who has just heard the prophecy and learned of their importance, has shown up at their doorstep to join the forces of evil.

“Mylady!” Totally engrossed with the book she was reading the Daemoness only noticed her minions wanted to gain her attention after a few attempts. “Um...Boss? You might want to see this...” the henchman notified her nervously wringing his hands.

Lady Rawiya Raven blinked then sighed and put down her book. “Alright. What's the matter?” she asked and followed the man to the to of her keeptower where other minions were gathered. A red dawn crept over the horizon. But there was more, so much more...

“What are they?” Rawiya peered at the oncoming hordes.

“Undeads, Mylady...” the henchman seemed even more nervous as the shambling creatures approached and followed their master, who was marching straight towards her black fortress.

“I see,” the Dark Overlady murmured, “so the day has finally come as was prophesied...”

“What are we going to do? Attack?” another of her minions asked as he clutched his weapons, ready for war. All of them seemed visibly agitated, even distressed.

But the Daemoness just held up her hand. “Wait.” She spread her black wings and leapt into the air to face the prophesied hero. The hordes stopped and the knight in shining armour approached where she landed and awaited him.

“You must be Lady Rawiya Raven. They told me about you and your destructive powers.” the alleged saviour of the world rumbled as he took off his helmet to greet the Dark Overlady. “My name is Aeron Deathwalker.”

She inclined her head and smiled a little mischievous smile. “You are not mistaken, Aeron Deathwalker. I assume you know of the prophesy?” She crossed her arms.

He nodded. “I do.” He sighed. “To save the world I am supposed to defeat you, the ultimate threat to mankind. That's at least what they told me.”

Rawiya raised a brow. “And you think fighting me here, where I have field advantage, would be a good idea? You're very sure of yourself. Then again you have a whole prophesy to back you up. But we'll see if it's any good.”

“Actually...no,” Aeron deadpanned. “I'm not here to fight you, Mylady. I'm here to offer my services and join your forces.” He got down on his knees and took her hand. “I don't care about the prophesy, I don't care about those old coots babbling about heroes and fate, and I certainly don't care about humanity. I'd rather see the world burn if I can spend the rest of my days by the side of this beautiful lady,” he stated.

She looked deeply in his eyes, and he looked right back. She saw nothing but sincerity in him. Then a small smile crept onto her lips. “Very well,” she said. “Rise. And come with me; I'll show you your new home...can I offer you some tea?”

Writing Exercise 135

Hello again!
This week I was prompted by a member of my art group, and I decided to write you a drabble. Without further ado, here it is:

2018/07/11 – Reawakened (drabble)

He had heard of the magic of a kiss. There were stories of royal kisses releasing people from their curses, and there was truth to them, wasn't there? So when he, the prince, found her in the deepest of slumbers and none was able to rouse her from her sleep, he instantly knew what to do. Thus he bent down, drawn in by her sweet lips and kissed her, only to deepen it in the spur of the moment. She sighed, short of a moan, and her eyelids fluttered open. But he withdrew abruptly. For he had reawakened a zombie.

Writing Exercise 134

Huh, the weather changed so suddenly and my grand plans for today fell through. To let off some steam I wrote my frustration into this poem:

2018/07/06 – summer days (poem)

Summer days, where have you gone?

Yesterday it was so nice and hot;

Today you would believe it not.

Look what one single storm has done!

Summer days, come back to me!

I long for golden sand on the beach:

Swimming and sunbathing – a lot of each!

Why is the temperature ten lower in degree?

Summer days, I wish you well.

At least there is more than enough rain

For the flowers to feel no pain.

This is all there is left to tell.

Writing Exercise 133

Hi!
This week I have something controversial and political for you as I wrote a comment. Read for yourselves and feel free to discuss with me about it!

2018/06/26 – Glamis, Cawdor, King – What's up next, Mr. Trump?

“Fair is foul and foul is fair.” Who does not know Shakespeare's honourable warrior Macbeth, who is lured by sweet promises of twilight creatures, aims for the crown by bloody measures and is haunted by the consequences of his deeds? Today we may face another great warrior entitled with the democratic crown of the western hemisphere.

As we follow the line of actions in the war against ISIS we might be reminded of “Macbeth” seeing “the battle's lost and won”.

Indeed President Trump has kind of success striking back against terrorism, alright. That might glorify him to the head of the American world-police and moreover the American force seems kind of overwhelming.

But the battle is “lost” at the same time: reckless actions and military pressure on people produce more suffering, depression and frustration, which help terror spread and provoke self-destructive assassins to appear. And the world is shocked.

Glamis Trump obviously keeps on listening to these witch-like directors of flawed intelligence, instead of reflecting on the pros and cons of his actions. Or maybe he does, but ignores the negative consequences (which are quite a lot) in favour of his ambition to achieve honour, glory and power.

This is another feature he seemingly has in common with Macbeth, who finds every but one reason not to commit murder, but still does the deed.

Cawdor Trump might defeat all his enemies someday, but I fear he might kill his Banquo, whoever that is – maybe his European allies who he keeps affronting, maybe people in the middle east who want to change things themselves or maybe even the American people who elected him.

Yet King Trump's downfall is to come, but already terror's ghosts, ISIS, haunt the president and every radicalized self-destructive assassin that pops up seemingly out of nowhere should be a pointer as well as a warning sign: there should be found other measures but “bloody work that strikes back at the inventor” and quick attack against frustrated and misled minds. Terror has to be destroyed, there is no doubt in it, but the uppermost aim must be ending the suffering of the innocent, because they are the ones to strike back if we loose their trust by rash actions.

Therefore President Trump should better teamwork in order to find a convenient solution in the ISIS conflict, than being too ambitious like Macbeth or else he might not be able to estimate what is “fair” and what is “foul” for people living in the areas occupied by ISIS. It just might be the other way round according to the American world view.

Writing Exercise 132

Hello there!
This week I am a little late again. But I finished this Haiku just in tim for you to see. Maybe you have some time to do as I did?

2018/06/24 – party (Haiku)

Celebrate the day

Make new friends, meet old ones

Enjoy this life. Now.

Writing Exercise 131

Hello again!
This week I'm a little late. But I have a summer-themed poem for you to read. I hope you can relate.
Here it is:

2018/06/16 – cherries (poem)

Spots of red between green leaves

Full and ripe and glowing

Reaching over from the eaves

For what summer has been growing

Finally claiming that sweet taste

Oh, how long did I miss

Deliciousness in my mouth so chaste

As if it were my true love's kiss

Writing Exercise 130

This week I have written a drabble about a topic which concerns me a lot at the moment. Maybe you can see my point... Any opinions on that? Please feel free to discuss this topic with me.

2018/06/09 – GDPR (drabble)

Informational self-determination is important. To be able to choose which data to publish or to withhold is a right which should be protected, even moreso in this day and age. But are all data equally protection-worthy? Does the principle of proportionality even apply if I need to ask permission to collect impersonalized data about your location and browser or the amount of clicks (which I don't even use) but am forced to reveal sensitive data like my name, address and email in order to not get a fine? Why assume a pseudonym then? And is my data excluded from protection?

Writing Exercise 129

Hi!
Originally I wanted to post this writing exercise yesterday, but due to the thunderstorm I had no internet connection. :(
But better one day late than never, right? This drabble was prompted by a buddy from my art group. Here it is:

2018/05/31 – heretic (drabble)

Do you celebrate Corpus Christi? Is it a national holiday where you live? Or do you ask yourself what this is all about and why the fuss? A lot of occidental countries are still rooted in Christianised traditions, and thanks to them we are able to have a lot of holidays – such as Corpus Christi – we wouldn't have if our nations were truly secularised or tinged in the colours of a 'heretic' credo. You may or may not believe in Jesus, but you benefit from a Christianised society as their demands are represented in for instance national holidays. Happy Cadaver!

Writing Exercise 128

Hello there!
This week I was prompted by one of my art buddies again, and the result is this short story you're about to read. Here it is:

2018/05/25 – Your guardian angel has gotten into trouble. What do you do to save them?

I had one single task.

Sure, this task involved a lot of other troublesome things. I somehow felt like a spy in those old movies as I disguised myself as a human and got close to my target. Of course I wasn't allowed to be discovered and I had to fulfil my duty unnoticed, which made it all the harder to achieve my goal. But so far it had been a pretty neat job, standing guard, making sure nothing bad happened. The target didn't suspect anything and I managed to become a 'friend', which meant I could approach my target a lot easier as we met up almost every day.

And over time my target has become quite dear to me as we got to know each other a little. Maybe a little too dear… oh, boy! What do I do?

One of the rules is not to get involved too deeply with the target, no matter what that might be. And now I'm up shit's creek without a paddle. I can't stop thinking about my charge, I can't wait to meet up during the day, and I pound the beat around the house at night. I pine for the smallest gestures of affection, a simple smile could make my day.

I am so doomed!

How am I supposed to act professionally now?

How am I supposed to act as a 'friend' anyhow?

I have no idea.

Yet here we are this evening, sitting together on the couch watching some movie as per usual, and I try to not turn a hair as I sip on my drink and eat some pizza. Then suddenly the more or less comfortable silence is broken: “You know...we always hang out together and such...”

I turn my gaze from the TV to view my target and suddenly my heart speeds up as I listen. “Of course we're friends. But I think there's more to it...you're always around and help me out when I'm in trouble. I feel just about bulletproof in your presence. And I've noticed your secret glances.”

I swallow dryly. Am I being found out here? My heart sinks as fear courses through me. I might need to wipe my charge's memory and resign so one of my colleagues can take over. I don't want that! I want to stay by my target's side forever and cherish our 'friendship'!

But then I receive the gentlest of smiles, laced with a pinch of nervousness. “So...here goes nothing.” And I'm proper surprised when suddenly soft lips are pressed to mine in a short and chaste kiss. For a good while I stare, totally flabbergasted, until my charge grows visibly uncomfortable and mumbles: “I guess I was wrong about your feelings for me. I'm sorry. Just forget that ever happened, okay?”

I shake my head getting a grip and smile. “No...you are not wrong. I was just surprised is all.” My heart is thrumming happily in my chest as I lean forward for another kiss. And suddenly, suddenly all my trouble seems to have vanished into thin air…

Writing Exercise 127

Hello everyone!
Today I have reason to celebrate. Why? You will see in this little writing exercise of mine. ;)
This week I have a poem for you.

2018/05/15 – nameday (poem)

A name of my own

Of all the saints to be known

Today is a day of celebration

And a little recreation

No frost as of today

So the summer may stay

Here's a little game:

What's my middle name?

Writing Exercise 126

Hello there!
This week I have an anti-utopian tanka for you. It was another prompt by a member of the artgroup. Here it is:

2018/05/07 – War of change (Tanka)

When the world explodes

In a distant universe

The war changes us

Humanity gone extinct

What remains is history

Writing Exercise 125

Hello again!
This week I was prompted by two of my art group buddies, so you get a drabble to read which combines both prompts. Here it is:

2018/05/02 – dark/ stroll in the park (drabble)

As he walked down the path which led him into the park, he had a strange feeling. He couldn't quite figure out what it was, but it followed him as he strolled well trodden paths. His footfalls quickened, just like his heartbeat. Familiar trees swayed in the howling wind, their branches seemed to clasp at him. So he hurried. Looking over his shoulder time and again he saw nothing out of the ordinary, yet he felt spooked. Dark thoughts haunted him. And what was supposed to be a nice little stroll became an imaginary manhunt, and he was the prey.

Writing Exercise 124

Hello there!
I recently read a good book which inspired me to write today's writing exercise. And it fit the prompt I was given by one of my buddies from the art group. So here goes this week's poem:

2018/04/23 – hollow (poem)

A gravitation so strong

That even light cannot flee

More alluring than a siren's song

Destroying every bit of me

What seems to be so hollow

Actually can never be

The truth is hard so swallow

Mass attraction is all you see

Information may or may not be lost

For what purpose if it is sole

Being drawn in comes at a high cost

The mysteries of a black hole

Writing Exercise 123

Hello again!
This week I have a little drabble for you, prompted by my dear friend and fellow member of the artist group I'm part of. Here goes:

2018/04/17 – platonic kisses (drabble)

The difference between kisses can be vast as worlds. It depends a lot on who you kiss. Your partner may receive kisses full of passion and longing or even sweet love and affection, your parents (or other family members) would get smooched with a different kind of love. Kisses between close friends would certainly be of the platonic kind, while embodying yet another type of affection – unless you are 'friends with benefits' of course. You may even kiss your enemy on the cheek, bitter and venomously. Isn't it fascinating how one and the same gesture can have so many meanings?