Principles – Five Sentence Fiction

It’s time for my latest offering to Lillie McFerrin’s Five Sentence Fiction, a weekly prompt where there is no word limit, just a limit on the number of sentences. Plus, although she provides a word prompt, it is just for direction only – you don’t have to include the word itself in your contribution.

This week, the prompt is  – LETTERS.

letter

Do let me know what you think of my offering below – and whilst you’re at it, why not take a look at everyone else’s offerings (I’m sure they’ll be fabulous), and even give it a go yourself…

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– Principles –

Granny had kept all the letters from her childhood sweetheart – they were tied together with a faded ribbon and hidden in a battered suitcase on top of her wardrobe.

Now Granny was gone, there was nothing to stop me from reading them at last.

As a little girl, I had been fascinated with them as she allowed me to organise the envelopes into date order, or by their colour – but I was never, ever to take the letters out, let alone read them.

I settled myself down to read, gradually unwinding the secrets of her mysterious youth.

I never expected to learn that she had been abandoned by her sweetheart for daring to fight for women’s suffrage – his loss.

800px-Votes_for_Women_lapel_pin_(Nancy)

Image from Wikimedia Commons – Nancy

Lillie McFerrin Writes


The Light Fantastic – Five Sentence Fiction

It’s time for my latest offering to Lillie McFerrin’s Five Sentence Fiction, a weekly prompt where there is no word limit, just a limit on the number of sentences. Plus, although she provides a word prompt, it is just for direction only – you don’t have to include the word itself in your contribution.

This week, the prompt is  – DANCING.

old-couple-dancingImage Source

Do let me know what you think of my offering below – and whilst you’re at it, why not take a look at everyone else’s offerings (I’m sure they’ll be fabulous), and even give it a go yourself…

*****

– The Light Fantastic –

Maeve hummed to herself as Georgie guided her round, completing the reverse turn and feather finish to perfection, their signature move.

The music played on, the lights shone, her dress sparkling and glinting as it swayed around her calves – soft kisses against her skin.

Finally it came to an end, and she prepared her stage smile to acknowledge the applause from enchanted audience.

“We’re just too avant-garde for them, sweetheart,” whispered Georgie, as they marched across the dance floor, heads held high.

Silence followed their departure – 1930s Blackpool was just not ready for the sight of two women dancing together in public, not yet.

Lillie McFerrin Writes


The Man Who…

This poem is dedicated to my step-dad, the man who from the beginning treated me then as he does now – as one of his own.  Thank you.

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– The Man Who… –

The man who took me on
as part of the deal
The man who never once
made me feel –

in the way,
unwanted, not cared for

The man who carved lanterns
for Halloween fun
The man who made theatres
and allowed me to run – 

matters off-stage,
free reign, made miniature

The man who was there, quiet
in my background
The man who loved me
as if he had found – 

my small heart
and held it, so gently

A man who I love
admire and respect
A man who I hope
will only reflect – 

that he fashioned a good life
for a daughter, pre-made

From the bottom of my heart
For the man who…