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Drabbles Needed! Authors, have a go.
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Michael
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May 20, 2015 09:50AM
I have a page with them all on my blog. I probably have enough to do a book though :-)
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Pulp Fiction.Rotten to the core, me. The pain and suffering I've caused would make any cold blooded killer wince.
I wasn't always this way. A couple of grams and too many drinks; that's what finally got to me.
Terrible way to go. It's left me dead inside. My friends were the same until, one by one, they were all gone.
When my time's up, I hope I'll see that light at the end of the tunnel people talk about. Then again, I've never been that lucky.
Wait ... There's that voice outside again ...
'Timmy, isn't it? The dentist will see you now.'
Finding the pictures for the Drabbles of Art series is a lot of fun and sometimes I receive some excellent recommendations and last week it was suggested that I check out Zdislav Beksinski. This awesome untitled piece immediately grabbed my attention. I wasn't sure what the story would be at that point, but that didn't take long to come.
If you want to read the previous drabbles in the series then you will find them all here:
http://thecultofme.blogspot.co.uk/p/a...
If you klnow of a piece of art you'd like me to consider featuring then leave a comment below and I'll take a look.
Untitled by Zdislav Beksinski
Even in Hell you can find love, and perhaps that is the greatest torment of all.
Alone the pain is endless. The scorching dust shrivels the flesh and desiccates the soul. There’s no respite, but eventually you almost grow accustomed to it.
Then I met her. Another traveller in this desert of suffering. In the howling gale we couldn’t talk and never even learned each other’s names. Small comfort came from holding each other close, entwined in limbs as dry as sticks.
Alone I endured, but watching the constant despair in her eyes my pain is magnified a thousand fold.
That's a great piece of art and the Drabble does it justice. It reminded me of the survivors of Pompeii in a way. It's the way the bodies have been frozen mid life. Good job Michael.
Thanks - the Pompeii idea did occur, but then a love story in Hell barged its way in :-)
I loved it because it's such an unusual take, Michael.
Saturday."How was your week?"
"Alright," He said, pouring Himself a drink. "Busy, but I've managed to get it done."
"That's nice. Let me get supper on, and you can tell me all about it."
"There's not much to tell," He said. "It's all gone according to plan."
She looked up from the stove. "What about Adam? How's he doing now?"
He swallowed His drink and crunched on the ice. "Much better now that he's got company."
"That's nice, Dear. Got any plans for next week?"
"Yes. I'm going to take tomorrow off, but I've got this great idea for a book!"
Thanks both. Although I hope I'm not treading on your Drabbles of the Gods series Michael. :-/
We visit ancient Egypt for this week's Drabble of the Gods. The pantheon was such a rich one that it wasn't easy to pick one to focus on until I discovered prayer to Amun which provided the inspiration I needed.
You can read the previous drabbles in the series here:
http://thecultofme.blogspot.co.uk/p/d...
Amun
The hidden one comes at the call of the meek and wretched in our misery. His breath sustains us who no voice of our own.
You are Amun, the Lord of those unheard. The one who listens to the laments of the impoverished. When I call to you in my distress; your presence strengthens me.
All too easily your servants descend into sin, although we are fortunate that you are disposed to forgive. Your wrath lasts for the briefest instant.
I fall upon your mercy and may you grant forgiveness in my confession of weakness.
It shall not happen again.
As someone who wrote a dissertation on burial and commemoration in ancient Egypt, this is one of my favourites! Nice Drabble, Michael.
It took me two years to write it, but it was great fun!
A new drabble of mine was featured in a BookHippo newsletter over the weekened. I've copied it below and if you'd like to read some of my other drabbles then you'll find them here:
http://thecultofme.blogspot.co.uk/p/1...
A Sight to Remember
The dream is the same every night. I’m sat on the side of a mountain and up above the sky is clear blue with the odd wisp of cloud. The sun feels strong on my face, cooled by the soft breeze carrying the voice of the world.
The mountains form the spine upon which a lush green carpet is draped. A river meanders through the valley, fed by streams sparkling in their stumble down the mountainside.
I understand that this vision will be the last thing I will see. And you know what? I could enjoy this view for eternity.
Visit BookHippo.uk for a daily newsletter with Kindle bargains and a drabble.
Apologies if this one feels a little familiar. I think Kath, you might have posted one similar fairly recently, but I can't find it for looking. If it's a bit too close for comfort, let me know and I shall withdraw the post. After all, there's no worse crime in literature in my humble opinion.In Season (or over the fence)
'It's no good. It's too big!'
'Push harder then, go on.'
'I can't push any harder, I've got no leverage.'
'What about lubrication? We could try some Vaseline.'
'The box definitely says not to use Vaseline; it damages the rubber. It's got to be water based.'
'Well, would it help if I stretch the opening a bit?'
'Might do.'
'Alright. One ... Two ... Three, push!'
'Nnnngh ... No! I'm worried if I push any harder, I'm going to hurt you.'
'Um ... Are you sure you've got it in the right hole?'
'There's only one hole for the regulator on a barbecue, love!'
Nope - it's unique to you, Gaff - and I'm still smiling at it!
Phew, that's alright then. I'd hate to think I was jumping on someone else's work. And the fact that you like it is a big bonus! Thanks Kath.
When you analyse it, there are supposed to be only 6 basic stories - and 6 jokes - in the world. All the rest is just re-arranging the words!
I can believe that. Some series I've read certainly feel like the second book was the same as the first. George RR's made a fortune out of it!
In this week's Drabble of the Gods we journey to the Australian outback and learn of the dreaded Malingee from Aboriginal folklore.
You can read the previous drabbles in the series here:
http://thecultofme.blogspot.co.uk/p/d...
Malingee
All who walk the dream know of the Malingee. They dwell in the bush and avoid our presence. We should rejoice when they do. All should fear the sound of stone scraping from their knees as they stalk in the night.
Upon hearing that sound you must run. If you don’t then the noise draws ever closer until suddenly it stops. In the shadow of the sun’s hiding you see just the smouldering coals of their eyes.
And if you still don’t flee then the last thing you’ll feel is the razor sharp stone as it plunges through your heart.
A Chance Meeting. Their eyes didn’t meet across a crowded room. It was quite the opposite. The space between them couldn’t have been any less crowded. It was definitely not like it is in the movies.
I wonder if they were aware of each other before they met? There must have been a mutual attraction, or else they would never have come together. It was one of those singular events that really … rocked the world, when you think about it.
Forget Shakespeare or Keats. How can anything be as romantic as the chance meeting of two sub-atomic particles across an empty void?
I thought I should add a little counterpoint to 'Saturday', in the interests of equality.
In this week's Drabble of the Gods we journey to the far north and the frigid cold of the Arctic. Here we learn the tradition of why the Moons chases the Sun.
You can read the previous drabbles in the series here:
http://thecultofme.blogspot.co.uk/p/d...
Igaluk
With forbidden love Igaluk gazed upon his sister Malina. Succumbing to his improper desire he forced his lust upon her. During the second attack she marked her attacker with soot from the lamps.
Discovering the identity of her assailant she cut off her breasts and offered them to him. She fled and Igaluk gave chase. He followed her blood trail with ease until he slipped and as he fell the flame of his torch was extinguished, yet still the glow remained.
The pursuit continued until with such speed they entered the sky and he as the Moon followed the Sun.
Great drabble, Michael. I'm a big fan of tale type stories, so this was right up my cultural alley (as it were)!Love the picture too. I've always wanted to see the northern lights, but haven't been fortunate enough yet.
I was lucky enough to see them on a flight over Canada - it's an awesome sight! I'm hoping to do a nordic cruise later this year for more spotting.
I couldn't write a series of drabbles about art without visiting Vincent van Gogh's work. I did have something in mind for sunflowers but when I saw this lesser known work the drabble popped into my head.
If you've not read the previous drabbles in the series then you will find them all here:
http://thecultofme.blogspot.co.uk/p/a...
Skull of a Skeleton with Burning Cigarette by Vincent van Gogh
There aren’t many pleasures that the dead can enjoy as they once did while alive. It is true that a precious few can be relived before the body degenerates too far, but when only bones remain what possible satisfaction can there be?
I have no lungs so I cannot inhale, but I can remember. All too easily I recall the ritual from a lifetime’s habit. The smoke curls inside a mouth no longer flesh and the imagined exhale brings contentment and also no small irony in the fact that this smoke was how I lost my lungs in the first place.
I wonder if you can get them to add it to the back of cigarette packets as one of those health warnings? That would probably have more impact than the picture of dead sperm they currently use!
Why Rascals Shouldn’t Gloat.Round and round the ragged rock the rugged rascal wrapped the rope. Repeating words which sprang to mind, he launched his victim from behind. But deft, before his neck was wrung, the rascal’s victim promptly swung. Hand over hand he began to climb. He’d saved his bacon, just in time.
Standing now on rugged ledge, he spied a blade with sharpened edge. Then, creeping round the ragged boulder, he raised the sword to match his shoulder. Whipping round in disbelief, the rascal rushed the weapon thief. But in his haste, or so it’s said, the rugged rascal lost his head.
I'll confess that I cheated a little with this week's Drabble of the Gods and took a small extract from my favourite story Paradise Lost to match this week's deity. It's such a great piece of text that I'm sure you won't mind!
If you want to read the previous drabbles in the series then you will find them all here:
http://thecultofme.blogspot.co.uk/p/d...
Moloch
Moloch, the Sceptered King took his turn to speak. In defeat the fiercest of the rebels was eager to return to the fight.
“I counsel open war. We mustn’t diminish in this Hell. Within this prison of shame we should grasp the fires of our punishment and rise to challenge the tyranny which cast us down.
“Fear not the possibility of a second defeat for we’re already in Hell. Already we suffer but there is no lower pit to fall. Together we can rise and even if victory eludes us then at least we’ll cast our revenge against his throne.”
Nice Drabble! Not many people are adventurous enough to write the story from the other side. I like the idea that there's nowhere left to go because they've hit rock bottom. I think you could get an awesome novel out of that!
I like to blend perspectives, although my favourite theme is bad people doing good things for the wrong reasons :-)
This week's Drabble of Art is inspired by a painter unknown to me, but the odd collection of items in this still life fitted an idea I already had perfectly.
You can read the previous drabbles in the series here:
http://thecultofme.blogspot.co.uk/p/a...
Vanitas with Sunflower and Jewelry Box by Maria van Oosterwijck
She loved to collect things and always placed her favourites in the gloom of my study. Some of them were so weird that I didn’t dare ask her where she’d found them.
I liked the flowers. They brought new and delightful scents into the air. Most of what she collected were dead things, except for flowers. She cared for them. With delicate care she tended to them to keep their bloom alive until the inevitable wilt.
Now the decay happens faster because the bouquet will never be cared for again, not in this empty house.
I miss her so much.
There's one of mine on The Hippo today.Estate Agent by Kath Middleton
I used to go out with an estate agent. Well presented, he was attractively fitted out in the modern style. He was conveniently situated, being only a short walk from the station and handy for the inner city. He came with a double garage, so much better than my previous boyfriend's off street parking. I had to admire the size of his magnificent through lounge and his master bedroom afforded delightful prospects. He did have an unfortunate damp problem from time to time. I'm a tall lady, deceptively spacious and unfortunately he was compact in parts. We are now detached.
Kath wrote: "There's one of mine on The Hippo today.Estate Agent by Kath Middleton
I used to go out with an estate agent. Well presented, he was attractively fitted out in the modern style. He was convenient..."
Excellent :-)
David wrote: "Lovely.Viewing essential."
Haha! I wish I'd put that in. And in view of the popularity of BDSM, maybe 'no chain' ?
Really enjoyed that one, Kath!
It's a shame about the dearth of drabbles on the hippo at the moment. There seem to be 5 or 6 regulars, but that's it. I love reading them, but I wish more people would give them a go. Perhaps we should have a Drabble week or something... What do you think? Starting July 20th (or whatever that Monday is), national Drabble week.
A nice drabble that one KathI've just been too busy to do any
I'm up for National Drabble Week! We need to remind people the week before. Maybe we can make a feature of it on our FB pages?
I just did my first Dribble. Ooops, I mean Drabble!One with the Universe
'I want to be one with the Universe!'
'What, the whole Universe? That's an awful lot of stuff to be one with. Why don't you start off with a small galaxy or two and work your way up from there?'
'Huh, you don't understand. Your mind is too dull.'
'Well I'm not the one whose trying to say their mind can merge with the entire universe.'
'Be one with! Not merge, you ignorant fool. Do try and take this seriously.'
'Well how do you think you're going to manage the whole Universe if you can't even be one with me?'
Hmm, for some reason my comment didn't appear! Anyway ... Nice Drabble GL! Kath, is the week of the 20th too soon for Drabble-fest?
Kath wrote: "David wrote: "Lovely.Viewing essential."
Haha! I wish I'd put that in. And in view of the popularity of BDSM, maybe 'no chain' ?"
As long as you are not full of character and in need of some modernisation.
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