Dog Chieftain – A Haiku

not that way! this way!
the little dog is captain
steering the human

I wrote this haiku based on a picture prompt found on the following blog:

Keith Channing at the Keith Kreates blog has writing challenges. His most recent is an ekphrastic challenge to write a story or poem based on a cute photograph of a dog standing on a woman’s back. The challenge can be found here: https://keithchanning.wordpress.com/2022/07/25/kreative-kue-370/

Advertisement

Revival – A Two-Verse Dreamku

i was a wizard
who had a spell-working wand
in last night’s grim dream

i stepped on a toad
and waved my magic baton –
it came back to life

This is based on one of the dreams I had on July 23.  In the dream, I was a wizard with a magic wand.  I carried the wand on my back.  I accidentally stepped on a toad and killed it.  When I felt it, I lifted up my shoe to see the dead toad stuck to the bottom of it.  I felt terrible and very saddened and sickened by what had happened.  I pulled out my magic wand and moved it in circles above the toad while repeating, “Come back to life!” over and over again.  The toad returned to life once more.  I felt glad.

©2022 Stacey Guenther
All Rights Reserved

Frightened By Fireworks – A Flash Memoir

Photo by Dynamic Wang on Unsplash

When I was a child, my mother and father would take my younger sister and me to see fireworks for the Fourth of July celebrations.  I was not too fond of the loud noises because they startled me.  So, I would always cover my ears with my hands to avoid the terrible sounds.  The pyrotechnics were pleasant to observe visually, nevertheless.

These days, as an adult, I avoid fireworks whenever I can.  To this day, when an unexpected bang is heard in the house as neighbors light fireworks, I jump in my seat.  But, I still try to shield my ears.  I’m just like the many pets that feel anxiety because of fireworks.

Luckily, I live in a condo, and the homeowners’ association has banned fireworks in the neighborhood.  However, in surrounding blocks, some people light them, so I am not free from them entirely.  The good news is that our two kitties do not seem to be bothered by them.

Fireworks are unavoidable.  They happen every year and sometimes without warning.  Occasionally, randomly they will occur throughout the year as people use their leftovers.  It never fails that I get startled, especially when the fireworks are unexpected.  I would be better off without fireworks, and I’m sure many furry or feathered creatures would agree with me.

© Stacey Guenther  July 2, 2022

Written for https://flashfictionforthepracticalpractitioner.wordpress.com/2022/06/29/flash-fiction-for-the-purposeful-practitioner-2022-week-27/