K.L Caley’s #WRITEPHOTO – Fledgling

Fledgeling – Image by KL Caley

For visually challenged writers, the image shows a tiny bird hiding in a plant pot.

This week Gail and Morgarna return to the new house and they all learn happy lessons in humanity….well in Morgarna’s case for now!

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Morgarna and Gail were sitting on the Castle wall drinking mead , “What is that smell Morgarna”
“It’s the smell of the castle, body odour, urine,and animal dun all human life! “
Just then the Anomaly appeared, “Right Gail time to jump , I have had a blast”
As they both jumped Gail could be heard saying ” So has my nose , it’s honks enough here to cure blocked sinuses! “

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Merlin was in the kitchen making coffee when he heard Morgarna and Gail as they landed in the lab. “Coffee is on the brew” he shouted.
“Oh! I could murder a cup” Gail shouted, “can I have it in the bath, this new body of mine is stinking..and I need to change my clothes, I’ve not done that for years”
“Good job for you that there is more one bathroom here there was only one at the old place…as a treat you can use the big one in my room. Just this once mind and you can use any of my potions they are all safe …ish” Morgarna ended on a grin.
Gail didn’t need telling twice she was off and running up the stairs with the mug of coffee Merlin had handed her.

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Morgarna had her bath and washed her hair reluctantly, how strange she thought how much she missed those dark and dirty days of cold draughty castles ….

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“That was uncharacteristicly kind of you to let Gail use your bathroom and potions…are you sure they’re safe babes? ” Merlin asked as Morgarna joined him in the sunny living room…”How did she do”
Morgarna lit a cigarette and poured herself a large Shiraz and relaxed. “She was amazing we met her David, she and he thrashed out the whole story he didn’t know all of it. She helped him by showing she was at peace now, and he told her about his life with May. We even met one of the grandchildren, well I did.” Morgarna paused to take a sip of her wine. ” Gail convinced Dave that suicide was not the answer and if he’d killed himself and one of his family had found him it would of been as painful as what had happened to him.”
“So it went well then ?” Merlin asked.
“Yup Merls it did and with a little help from me” she waved her hand, ” I think everyone is at peace with the past. Then I took Gail back to our time where she had a good time…even had some fun with Garth, you know the Blacksmith..” Morgarna winked.
Merlin’s face lit up, “Indeed I do..and that means Gail’s body works well…good for her …good old Garth… perhaps she can learn there’s good in life….even if it’s post mortem “
Morgarna nearly choked on her Shiraz , “Bloody hell Merls are we becoming sensitive…dare I say more human….” They both erupted into laughter.

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Fledgeling – Image by KL Caley

Outside in the garden Gail was enjoying the warmth of the sun, clean clothes and a really welcome feeling of piece. She heard Morgarna and Merlin laughing and she felt really happy…. Almost as happy as she was on her seventeenth birthday, she put her hand to her neck and held the locket.
Just then she heard a little tweeting and flutter of wings. Following the sound she found a tiny bird hiding in a plant pot. “Hello little one’ she said. “Don’t be afraid, have you lost your way? I know how that feels but with help from kind people you can get back, well almost to where you should be. ” She bent down and looked at the little chap who seemed to be listening to her every word she was saying.
Gail sat by the flower pot chatting to the fledgling until the light began to fade . Just when Gail began to think she’d have to sit here all night the little chap came out of the flowerpot in answer to a call from the tree opposite.. his mother was calling him in to roost…. After his second attempt he took off and disappeared with his mum.
Gail sat there and felt tears on her cheeks. Oh! tears she thought for the second time that week after years of none…these though we’re tears of joy.

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“Gail, Gail where are you? ” Morgarna was calling from the kitchen door.
“Merlin wants to take us out for dinner and he’s paying you can choose where we are eating! “
Gail took a deep breath wiped her heavily made up eyes and smiled!
“Steak ” she shouted, “I fancy steak” as she ran back to the house like a fledgling to her parents !

One Liner Wednesday. Cement.

© willowdot21

“If a house is home, family are the cement that holds everything together. ” © willowdot21.

Part of LindaGHill’s One-Liner Wednesday.

Dear Mum and Dad.

I was so inspired by savoringsixtyandbeyond‘s post this morning that I am reposting a letter I wrote to my parent’s full of the words I wish I had said to them more when they were alive. I loved them ,we all did and do and they knew that.

© willowdot21

Dear Mum and Dad

I don’t think I ever made it clear enough how much I appreciated what you did for me. It is only now as a parent and grandma that I see what you must have gone through.

© willowdot21. Some but not all of the gang

Nine children you had, nine. You lost three but that was never your fault. How did you cope Mum it must have been hard, and Dad worse for you because in those days grieving was not the done thing. I lost three babies too I could not openly grieve either but you knew you silently gave me strength.

© willowdot21

I am in awe of how you always managed to feed and dress us all. There was always food on the table and somehow the doors were always open to waifs and strays who needed help. No one was ever turned away from our door without help of some kind. I can remember there being an endless stream of family friends, or distant cousins with problems arriving on our doorstep. Some stayed longer than others but no one was ever turned away. I really don’t know how we all fitted into that three bed roomed terraced council house, it must of been like the TARDIS.

Who helped you, did anyone or did you have to struggle through, learning haphazardly! You, no doubt had to and that is why you were both such helpful parents. I am amazed at the sacrifices you must of made to keep us in clothes, shoes and food.

Dad, you worked as a body maker for LT making seats on the buses and tubes! Off to work at 5am and home at 5pm for dinner then 6pm the BBC News … silence reined! You then spent most of your evenings in the front room either at the table or your desk with your ancient typewriter. You had men and women visiting you , sometimes one sometimes more all coming for help and advice because you were a union rep and congressman for the NUVB ( National Union Of Vehicle Builders). The last visitor was about 10.30pm. At work you were a union rep you gave so much to others and yet you always saved so much for us. When you retired you were tapped out the length of the factory. ( All the men stood by their machines spanner or hamer in hand and tapped you out of the building, a sign of respect. ) You only live a year or so after retirement.

© willowdot21

Mum you were such a gentle soul I miss you so, You left your body long before you died and that broke my heart because I could not reach you. I used to bring the boys to see you at the nursing home you spent your last years in… although I loved to see you it hurt that you did not know me and you did not see the boys growing up . I think you missed Dad so much that you left in soul leaving your shell behind.
Mum remember Wimbledon week we had salad every evening because you loved the Tennis , funny thing Mum I can’t stand tennis! 🙂

You have both been gone so long and I miss you both so. I need you here to give me the strength , kindness and love. See even now I am asking for your help. I am so selfish, I was so angry when you died Mum because you were not there to talk to me and help me, do you know it took seven years to accept that you had really gone. Then the flood gates opened.

I have so many wonderful memories of you both. Getting up at 4.30am and sneaking down stairs to find you dad shaving in the kitchen, we would share your breakfast, porridge or boiled egg before you went off to work. Going with you to Chiswick Park on the tube on a Saturday. You would have a haircut while I sat and watched then maybe you would buy me an ice cream. Walking Steve the dog in the park … you always called him Brother …because of your union work no doubt .

© willowdot21

Mum you were always there when I came home from school, always played with me , I was the youngest of the family and by a good while so I was almost like an only child but not because everyone else was around but I was too young to join them . I remember you telling me stories and teaching me to knit sew and crochet sadly all of which I am useless at! As I grew you helped me with life and although I never lived that near to you you always came to my aid if I needed you . When our first boy was born premature and unable to breathe you came down to stay with me when P finally came home from hospital. He did not know how to suck so you helped me to spoon feed him until we got him to use a teat. So many many things to thank you for .

Mum and Dad you took all six of us and taught us everything you knew. How to face the world, how to love how to be friendly, caring and honest. I like to think that you are watching over us all and hopefully being proud of us…. well mostly. . I like to think that our beautiful sister Mary is with you both after horrendous illness and death five years ago.

© willowdot21 Mary sitting and me.

I miss you and I love you !

willow xxxxxxxx

Ronovan Writes Sijo Wednesday Poetry Challenge #22. Use ACHIEVEMENT as your inspiration this week.

© willowdot21

All our lives we strive to succeed, but mother nature teaches us to grow.
Some feel to attain certificates proves their worth
I feel to be told “I love you Grandma’ is my greatest achievement.

THIS IS PART OF RONOVANWRITE’S WEEKLY SIJO CHALLENGE.

Wordless Wednesday: Dancing.

© willowdot21

#TankaTuesday Weekly Poetry Challenge No. 277: #Tastetherainbow-Colour Poetry.

© Colleen Chesebro.

Colleen is here with her prompt she said : “Hello everyone. Happy June and Pride Month! This week, choose a syllabic form and a colour to feature in your poem. If the form is from the #TankaTuesday cheat sheet, let us know so we know where to look for directions. If it’s a new form, share how to write it and where you found the instructions. Think about the different ways you can use colour in a poem.”

© willowdot21 .

I have chosen a Sijo this week . Which is a Korean form believed to have first been used in the fourteenth century. It is similar in structure to various Japanese forms such as Haiku. As with many forms of poetry, the Sijo became a preferred poetry form of the yangban or ruling class as well as royalty. They were written in Chinese and were originally short songs set to music. The focus of the Sijo is usually nature and contemplation.

There are: Three Lines
14-16 syllables per line
A total of 44-46 syllables for the entire poem.

.© willowdot21. Rainbow 🌈 cake.

So many layers of colour to the cake a profusion of love
Pride has more than one meaning, though all of them are valid
Whichever tune you march to be true to each other always

35 Words
46 Syllables.

🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈.

This is part of Colleen’s Tuesday Tanka Challenge.

Ritu’s Book Release and Chickpea Curry Lit Series.

Today I am delighted to have the one and only Ritu Bhathal here to discuss her book Marriage Unarranged. Where it’s going and how it has grown.

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Firstly welcome Ritu it’s so good to see you again. I am always so excited to have you visit!  Now tell me how do you feel about tackling some taboo subjects in this book?  The broken engagement, the shattering of family honour and the fact that your girl is so definitely in the right and saw the light in time.

Thank you for the lovely welcome, Willow, it is good to be back here! You know, I never intended to be a writer who writes about more serious issues, but as this story took hold, I realised that I could use this book as a platform for bringing some of these taboo subjects into the public eye, but without being overly serious. I don’t mean to gloss over them, but to highlight them in a manner that is easily accessible for all.

I get that Ritu and I think you have found that fine line to walk. Would you like chai or coffee and of course some cake… Hubby has even made some scones and we have clotted cream and jam. 

I’d never turn down a cuppa, Willow, after all, I am Indian,where chai is one of the most popular beverages, born in Britain, where we all love a quintessential cuppa, with connection to Kenya which is also a tea-growing country! And scones? Yes please… please let’s not argue over which comes first, the jam or the cream… it all goes down the same way!

Lol yes indeed it does, we don’t need to argue the cream and jam…no more than we would about whether the toilet roll is hung on the holder to come from above or below. Now you have Aashi’s elder brother who I feel has something he is hiding. Do you think you could discuss this with us? 

Dear Sunny, the gentle, but protective older brother of my main character, Aashi will actually be the focal character in book two. Again, something which showed a hint of colour during, and at the end of Marriage Unarranged is something I felt would be another taboo subject to tackle. I have sown the seeds about him questioning his sexuality… Book two will reveal all! Shhh!

Right my lips are sealed! More tea, another scone Ritu?

You are spoiling me, Willow! I’d better leave another scone, but I may take one home with me. Another cuppa would be perfect!

Yes of course, do take a few scones with you they are not bad are they?

So many big issues to address I think you are very brave. This one, stand-alone book has just taken on wings, with so many twists and turns, so many surprises! Sis…where do you see everyone going next. I for one can’t wait.

Thank you, Sis! Yes, I never, for one minute, thought that my initial venture into writing a novel would result in a series, but if I am honest with you, my characters speak to me, rather loudly, and when I finished, there were other secondary characters who wanted their story told… as well as readers who wanted to know more, so that is why the second in the series will focus on Sunny, and the third will be based on Bali, Aashi’s other brother… and I have another meaty storyline for that one too, based on some personal experience, but it’s not my story, it’s theirs! 

There could even be spin-offs or novellas, but we have to wait and see.. let me get book two written, first!

Oh! This mystery man: he is so perfect but he has baggage too. I love that you have tackled so much that is taboo. You have bought it to the front and fore and I love that. 

We all have baggage, don’t we, Sis? Aashi’s ex-fiance is an example of the way some people view their sons, and how he can do no wrong, even though he clearly has. Her new love interest, Arjun, is, in my eyes, perfectly imperfect! Again, his ‘flaw’, though we shouldn’t view it as such, is something that many in our community shun, so why not add it to the whole Taboo spice mix I have going on!

But, I must say one thing. It is important to remember that this story is set in 2000, so there are some aspects that may not be relevant to the thinking of today’s youth. Think of it as a Modern, Historical, Desi Story – Chickpea Curry Lit at its finest!

I can do that, yes I can. Hey, shall we open a bottle of wine and we can toast your future 💜💜

Why, that sounds delightful, Sis! Thank you, so much for inviting me over! Cheers!

#TankaTuesday Weekly #Poetry Challenge No. 276, 5/31/22, #ShareYourDay

Colleen Chesebro

WELCOME TO #TANKATUESDAY!

It’s the fifth Tuesday of the month!  #ShareYourDay is a way to get to know each other better. Take a photo and write a syllabic poem about your day. Don’t think on it too hard. Make it fun. The photo does not need to be a selfie. If you don’t have access to a camera, find an image on Pixabay.com (please add the credits) that best describes your day.

Today I have written about three Jewels in my life, who always cheer me up. I have written a Cinqku. A Cinqku must always have 5 lines and a perfect seventeen-syllable count. The lines typically follow a 2,3,4,6,2 format. There is no title requirement on the second line. As for syntax and diction styles, it follows the free Tanka style originally. There are no metric requirements for a cinqku poem. Additionally, the final line must contain a cinquain or kireji turn for emphasis.  I added a twist I linked three Cinqku and have called them a Cinqku chain.

® willowdot21

These are
Three Jewels
In my life’s crown
Happy boys and Ruby.
Sparkly

Sparkly
They lift my
Mood and my day
Their innocence shines out
Golden

Golden
Memories
For me to store
The grandsons and Ruby
Happy.

THIS IS PART OF COLLEEN’S TANKA TUESDAY.

The love of a Dog.

© willowdot21

You are so tired your pain is tangible it breaks my heart to see you struggling. You are so brave you insist on your walk no matter how it makes you suffer.
Your breathing is so laboured as you walk, well wobble, you limp on all four legs.
Your wound still weeps as I do as I watch you. We both hide our pain as we know your Daddy is denying your struggles…he knows but it’s unspoken.
You may have weeks, months or days I just pray you are happy.

As you sleep do you dream of youth?
Puppy play and training to assist.
No rest, training starts young in truth
So much expected of you the heaven kissed.
You served, you worked , we gave you play.
We loved you from afar until the day
You came to live with us
We hope you have enjoyed your retirement
A princess among dogs we love you
Our children and their children love you too.

© willowdot21

Stay as long as you can but don’t suffer please.
Suit yourself this time, don’t worry about our ease.

Ronovan Writes #Weekly #Haiku #Poetry Prompt #Challenge 405 BARE and Fruit.

Ronovanwrite’s..

I have used the synonyms of Naked and Berries for Bare and Fruit.

Photo by Sharon McCutcheon on Pexels.com

Naked together
Juice of berries excites us
Ecstasy awaits.

This is part of Ronovanwrite’s Weekly Haiku Challenge.