It’s been a rare week of
easy-writing for me – a 450 words story coming to me in the space of half an
hour, and posted before 6 a.m. – and a useful ‘sexing-up’ of several less than sparkling
chapters of a novel now undergoing it’s eighth re-write. That I began this book
in 2011 will tell you how infrequent such weeks are.
And welcome, of course, are all
the definitely sparkling entries for this week’s mildly awkward words. I was cross with myself for failing to remember to use ‘uncle’ in the
sense of pawn-shop, delighted to be introduced to Patricia’s ‘Dutch uncle’and
Rosie’s ‘cry uncle’, and also with William’s rhyming ‘runkle’.
Difficult as ever, thank you,
but Patricia’s thirty-seventh episode
of Cripplegate Junction puts her in second place, while I declare Zaiure this week’s winner. It was going
to be for ‘Attack’, but then ‘Mama says’ trumped it.
Words
for the coming week are: barge,
forecast, project
Entries by
midnight Thursday 24th March, new
words and winners posted on Friday 25th
When did you last see your father? [Threshold 105]
ReplyDeleteThe parchment O’Bedrun held – whether history or forecast – implied connection between his family and mine. As much from fear of miscegenation as annoyance at his disparagement of my appeal, I bargepoled lust as one would a plague-boat.
Sharply, ‘How worth? What do you know of my father?’
Sly, ‘I’d ask the same of you.’
Damn. ‘Only his name –‘
‘Which he gave to you. Anything else?’
He hoped merely to project mild interest but I’d seen the momentary gleam of greed flash purple across the topaz of his eyes. But greed for what?
Ravenscar, mind full-stretch, wondered the same.
"I bargepoled lust as one would a plague boat." has got be my favourite line of the week.
DeleteWhat a sensational image is that of greed flashing purple across topaz eyes. Really like that you refrained from using the traditional green reference. Greed for what indeed? I am eager for the answer.
Deleteinteresting instalment, where is this going is the question and what devious routes are you taking to get there... ever entertaining.
DeleteThank you! A boost for my weekend. :) Good luck on your novel edits! I'm still trying to finish my first draft. :P
ReplyDeleteAnd congrats to Patricia! Cripplegate Junction continues to inspire.
Much applause for Zaiure for your always amazing entries. I've said it before and I'll say it again, the talent here is totally outstanding.
DeleteCongrats Zaiure and Patrica, you wowzer me each week.
ReplyDeleteThe truth about your demise.
ReplyDeleteYou were a rough but ready youth when you barged into my life.
You were new upon the scene, I should have forecasted strife.
Me? I was searching for a project, someone to take under my wing.
You already had the look, so it didn’t matter you couldn’t sing.
I’m an ageing pop Svengali that fed upon your youth.
The world thought you had talent, but no one needed to know the truth.
When you believed the world was at your feet, whilst I pulled all the strings.
You made our secret world unravel, so I killed you pretty thing.
Impressively fast, and impressively phrased. This grabbed with the first line and dragged me inexorably into another sleazy world.
DeleteThis was utterly enjoyable. It gave me visions of a much more darker Phantom of the Opera than even the original. I have always found the relationship between Svengali and Trilby (as well as that of Rasputin and Alexandra Feodorovna) to be fascinating and so, adore the reference cited here. I can only echo Sandra's observation of impressive.
Deleteoutstanding, no other word for it.
DeleteLife of a man
ReplyDeleteWell he pushed himself in, barged in actually
To tell the man who was going to lie
His forecast was wrong about his life
He was going to report that it was full
3 young kids and a wife he loved
However,his project, to make all equal
Would put his soul in deep of injury
As some don't like what he was suggesting
But he could not stop the way he was thinking.
He now lies dead with his family at his side
The rich and powerful put him aside
To retain the thrust and continuous power
Holding us all below thier thumbs, forever
A deeply touching and harrowing piece Laurence.
DeleteDramatically conceived Laurence!
DeleteThis comes with so many varied connotations that it is impossible to focus upon just one for comment. Given that, I will just say that this was outstanding and moved toward a chilling and unexpected conclusion (for me anyway).
Deleteclever, cold and unpredictable,. Could anyone ask for more?
DeleteActions Speak Louder
ReplyDeleteMaxine's prowess with a needle is exemplary and the precision of her bargello designs in particular, quite enviable. Rumour has it she can forecast the exact placement of a stitch without even looking.
Her finished projects would doubtless echo such sentiments if not for the fact that their lips are sealed.
A splendidly vicious piece Patricia. I love it.
DeletePrecisely pricked and patterned, with an instinct I can only envy!
Deletelove it.
DeleteCripplegate Junction/Part 38-Barriers
ReplyDeleteThe Station Master secured the door behind him, tucking the key into his waistcoat pocket.
"Don't want anyone barging in on us, do we my dear fellow? That would be decidedly inconvenient at this junction." He chuckled. "Slip of the tongue. I meant juncture, of course."
The projection of his persuasive tone filtered into the Canteen, where Violet was twiddling the knob of a wireless.
"I'm trying to get the weather forecast, but it keeps bringing me Workers' Playtime," she complained to nobody in particular.
There was nobody in particular to hear her anyway since the Canteen was now empty.
---------------------------------------------------------
To read the earlier installments (a suggestion only) which led to this point in the tale please visit: http://www.novareinna.com/cripplegate.html
A link to return to "The Prediction" can be found on the site. Thank you.
---------------------------------------------------------
Aha! Dastardly deeds afoot. And I picture Violet with one of those semi-circular starched white head-dresses (hardly hats but I can't think what else they're called) mid brown hair, ever so slightly stooped. So vivid the characters in this series.
DeleteI love when what is written can conjure pictorial images that were not of the author's personal creation. Do I see Violet in that light? Well, that would be telling now, wouldn't it?
DeleteRight from the first all action has been carried out against the backcloth of the Ladybird world of Peter and Jane, in a way that Kursaal does not. All to your credit.
Deleteterrific instalment, setting up for some goodies in the future.
DeleteI could have sworn when I came here earlier today I saw a freestyle poem penned by Sandra. Am I imagining things?
ReplyDeleteNo - I was unhappy with the (over-hasty) final line and removed it for re-jigging. It will be back
DeletePhilosophy
ReplyDeleteFatalists eschew astrology
– forecasts from the stars’ alignment with the moon,
as if time of birth dictates projection of one’s arc of life,
the time and type and temperament of one’s death.
I accept I’m rudderless
– my life a barge along the straight and narrow,
enhanced by taking random chances, seizing branches
launching blind into the tide, but at least the choice is mine.
What’s done is done
– and, if we’re talking clichés, what will be, will be,
not every act by choice, events too often foist unwanted;
it’s what we feel, how we deal with them, dictates the flow.
This was an absorbing piece, Sandra. So many lovely phrases evoking so many vivid images. I think my favourite phrase is: "at least the choice is mine." I just adore that sentiment. Many congratulations on this. Would I be right in assuming this is not your first attempt at free style verse? It's far too polished to be an initial tryout.
DeleteThank you Patricia. I describe myself as an 'occasional poet' but that's because occasionally words align themselves into a poem, rather than me setting out to write one. Don't know exactly what the definition of 'free style verse' is, and this one took a lot more working than the graph one I did two or three weeks ago.
DeleteSome years ago I was invited to join the Poetry Circle on the strength of what I'd not realised was a poem and I tried to post regularly but couldn't keep it up.
In my ignorance of poetry genres, I classify anything that doesn't have a significant sing-song rhyme as "free verse." It's an ability I envy since any attempt at poetry on a personal level MUST rhyme or I am unable to complete the piece. A serious fault, I'm afraid, which is why I usually don't waste any time on the process.
Deleteliked that a lot. The poetic side of you shows up in the instalments anyway, it's just distilled in this poem.
DeleteChange of focus [171]
ReplyDeleteDC Henry Moth’s forecast of an alphabet-driven agenda of murder being disproved – Melanie the fifth – and John Pettinger suffering the indignity of his boss barging into a briefing to crow about it, the investigation stuttered.
DNA from condoms too corrupt; Abel Ackroyd and mates (tattooed or otherwise) confirmed innocent, likewise new-belt, lost braces, bloke.
But both Beverley and Melanie were known to have been cited as harlots by a local bearer of a social conscience, who, to loud fanfare, had launched ‘Project Jezebel’ in a bid to wipe out sex crime.
Some muttered she’d also like to wipe out sex.
Ah, those "social conscience" individuals with their holier than thou attitudes. What a pain they are in the derrière of us more sinful mortals. Love the "Project Jezebel" reference. What a great title that would be for a book. Yet another intriguing episode in a saga that I hope never reaches a conclusion.
Deleteme too, Patricia, loving this saga.
DeleteKursaal (Episode Thirteen) -- "Isabel la Gaya"
ReplyDeleteIsabel la Gaya deigned to name her place of business, preferring the symbols of her craft adorning the exterior -- tarot cards, zodiac cups, crystal balls and such - to speak for themselves. Her forecasting ability was unrivalled regardless of the medium.
The beaded curtain of Isabel's sanctum prevented intrusion by any who might be tempted to barge in on her readings, which were always optimistic. The mood of Isabel's clientele upon departure was carefree, almost foolhardy.
Post-mortem photography was Isabel's pet project. She was rather skilled at it. The walls of her establishment displayed some of her favourites...past and present.
---------------------------------------------------------
To read the earlier installments (a suggestion only) which led to this point in the tale, please visit:
http://www.novareinna.com/kursaal.html
A link to return to "The Prediction" can be found on the site. Thank you.
---------------------------------------------------------
Eeugh!! - that final word, that 'present', is like a stiletto to the gut, presicely aimed and delivered.
Deletebeautifully done, right down to that last dagger word!
DeleteThe Adventures of Rosebud, Pirate Princess #17
ReplyDeleteA Yurt Barges In
“Natasha, I know you think pouring over those shipping forecasts will help with our current “project,” but-” I said, as she interrupted in semaphore, as usual.
“But this is so much better than being disguised as a stupid barge and appearing in their midst.”
“I know, but the barge trick always works.”
“Look at Henry’s weather report. I can’t be a barge, the costume isn’t water resistant, the paint will run.”
“Okay, fine, what’s your plan then?”
Oh, the wonderful shipping forecast! So poetic (at least in the UK) and a magical title too Rosie. Natasha sounds like a mixed blessing of a friend.
DeleteI liked this. Interrupted in semaphore conjures such pictures!
Deletejust so you know, I did enter, but Blogger didn't save it! Will post the entry (late and out of time) when I get home today!!
ReplyDeleteAnd then the Captain and I can work on the next instalment...
Infinity 139
ReplyDeleteThe man showed up and, as I thought, useless. Put a cutlass in his hand, he be like to throw it overboard and barge into the enemy instead. You need to project fierceness, to terrify them afore they get their senses together when you boards a ship.
Bad weather be forecast and the Infinity needs to sail on, to find more merchantmen and clippers. I do be craving more tea, that I do and I don’t be craving paying for it. Grog’s better but tea do go down well. What picture am I giving of a fierce cap’n then?
Ah, but he's only drinking tea out of sight of crew, isn't he? Lovely smooth use of prompts and excellent continuation from last week - Captain's ability to spot incompetent well-honed
DeleteLove this episode, as Sandra mentioned Seemless use of the prompts. A wise man our Cap'n tea is an excellent replacement for the Grog, as I can testify this weekend.
Delete