Cathy Cade's Blog: Writing Wrinkles

Clockwork Penguin

An update post-hip replacement I’m now in the thirteenth week after my hip op, lurching around the house without walking aids and down to a walking stick when I walk the dogs. I have – once – walked the dogs without a stick, when I forgot to take it until we were outside the garden … Continue reading Clockwork Penguin

Tarot Trauma

This week’s writing prompt from Esther Chilton is Cards “Bye, love.” Mum called from the hallway. I called back from the kitchen, where I was loading the dishwasher. Tuesday dinner was a weekly ritual from the days when the kids were still young enough to need supervising after school. Today, Mum had dropped off her … Continue reading Tarot Trauma

Roots

No – not this kind… I was about to post something about tree roots: those bottom left don’t look strong enough to hold their tree on the river bank against the next strong wind. And the tree bottom right looks ready to run away… But as soon as I typed in that heading, the other … Continue reading Roots

Promises, promises

… an acrostic. Esther Chilton’s writing prompt this week is Promises. Promises made to be broken. Like flawedRules, devised to get ignored.Or else, why vow we’d be together,Make promises to love forever.I believed them. More fool me:Simple, trusting devotee.Eternity is brief, it seems.Short and sweet as passing dreams. Haven’t we all heard them?

Out of Order: a Plotting Lexicon

This was a verse I put together in answer to a challenge from a writing magazine which has since folded. My poem wasn’t selected for publication. You will see why as you read. I originally arranged it in proper alphabetical order with alternate lines rhyming, but it was clumsy and didn’t flow at all. I’m … Continue reading Out of Order: a Plotting Lexicon

Recharging

Eshet Chilton’s writing prompt this week is Charge. My daughter came to visit mewith Flo and Eddie, six and three,and solar lights to light my treeplugged into panels underneath.Reluctantly, I had to say,“I have no energy today.It’s drained by pain from dodgy knees.I must recharge my batteries.”She climbed the ladder. I made teawhile she draped … Continue reading Recharging

Forest Colour

There are some interesting fungal growths appearing in the forest. I have been kown to pick field mushrooms in the fields around our former home, but I think I’ll give this one a miss. In fact, I have yet to spot anything faintly edible-looking on our forest walks that I would even take home to … Continue reading Forest Colour

Elementary

Esther Chilton’s writing prompt for this week is Element(s) I’ve had a similar prompt in the past (see one I made earlier at the bottom of my What Next post). Once I’d re-read the earlier verse, I had trouble getting my mind around something different. However, in the spirit of writing to the prompt, here … Continue reading Elementary

Scorched

Someone has managed to ignite a larger stretch of forest since I came this way last week. . Bearing in mind the lake was immediately behind me when I took these photos, the fire had gained some purchase before it was doused Since I live the other side of the ‘river’ that runs behind these … Continue reading Scorched

Strike

This week’s prompt from Esther Chilton is Strike… It's us or them; the showdown’s coming.I’m new to this game, adrenalin pumping.Wobbling inside as we pile from the van,supporting my colleagues as best I can.I’ve practiced so hard not to look out of place.Don’t want to look silly. Our side would lose face.Up to the line … Continue reading Strike