Writing Challenge #12 - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

amonkie · 04-03-2005, 09:52 PM

Guess what? It's a picture week!

For the love of penguins, your inspiration

Write using whatever form of writing you wish - Have FUN with this one! Especially if you love penguins

ryborg · 04-03-2005, 10:43 PM

The little creature that emerged was clearly not my son. His bright orange feathers were nothing like mine. My wife and I both stared at it awkwardly for several moments before my gaze turned to her. She was avoiding my eyes and was fidgety.

“Penguina?” I asked. “What is going on here?”

“Pen, I can explain,” she said as her voice cracked, tears forming in her eyes.

“Is this what you've been doing while I was out hunting for fish, risking killer whale attacks to keep food on our table?!” I said, fury rising in my beak.

“Damnit, Pen!” she protested, tears rolling down her cheeks like pearls, “I wish it hadn't come to this, really I do! But you were never here! And you promised! You promised –”

Her voice was drowned in a spring of tears and I starred, helpless to regain the bird I had somehow let slip away. My thoughts briefly returned to our younger years of mutual preening and flirtatious behavior. How could I blame it on her? She was right. I hadn't been there. I hadn't been there.

I turned away from her and left the nest, feeling like something had died inside of me. I went to the bar and took a stool near the diving pool. I saw a lot of penguins come and go. They were all familiar, but they were all strangers that night.

“Bring me a drink bartender, and make it something hard. I've got forgetting to do.”

The bartender slipped me something from under the counter. I'd never seen it before, but I could tell it was something potent. How many pathetic stories had that bartender's sad eyes seen? Probably enough to make any grown penguin break down and cry. It was if his eyes had said, “I know your story without you even having to say a word. This here will make you feel better. This here will make you feel better right away.”

I tried not to think about it, about anything. I let the liquor slide down my beak, burning its way to my stomach. I asked for another, and another, and another. How many drinks had I had? It didn't matter. I saw Penguina's beautiful face swim before my eyes like a haze. I tried to reach out for her, but all I caught was air.

The bell on the door suddenly rang and someone entered – someone I'd never seen before. He didn't have a black coat like your average penguin. Not this guy. I might have been drunk, but I saw him clear as day through the mist that clouded everything else. His coat was smoother than satin, and bright orange. He walked with an arrogance in his step, and he had a beak like none I had ever seen.

Christ. This was the guy that had stolen my Penguina.

I stood up and though I might start a fight, but halfway there something inside of me broke. What good was a fight going to do me now? I stumbled past the bird that had taken away all I had ever had and left the bar, the bell ringing as I made my escape. It was dark out now. In my drunken confusion I wandered off to the edge of the ice near the ocean. A full moon was out and the ocean was glistening sea green under the starlight. It was the most beautiful sky I had ever seen. I could feel hot tears well up in my eyes as I fell to the ice, by feet dangling into the ocean water before me. Then, just as I hit rock bottom, I saw it. A dark form in the sea green. Moving slowly and ominously, like a wraith in the shadows. I knew what it was, but this time I didn't run, this time I didn't try to swim away. I just held myself frozen there, ready to stare it in the eye. It broke the surface of the water, its jaws opened wide to consume my body, my soul. I had never seen anything so beautiful.

tecoyah · 04-04-2005, 02:24 AM

What the Fuck
Is that a Duck
Be just my Luck
Would also Suck
'Cause in this Habitat I'm Stuck

Amnesia620 · 04-04-2005, 03:14 AM

Peek-a-boo - I see you - But who knew - What a view!
This ain't right - within my sight - no not quite - maybe the light?
Here we see - not like me - we don't agree - let it be!
During the storm - keep him warm - not the norm - in his form.
He's not grey - night or day - I must pray - all is okay.
Now I fear - keep him near - others will jeer - and I'll hear.
Can only guess - more or less - the answer's yes - what a mess!

amonkie · 04-04-2005, 07:53 AM

ok guys, I'm LAUGHIN over here! Great start!

ngdawg · 04-04-2005, 09:20 PM

whether arms or wings
feathers or hair
nothing comes close
to a parent's care
they nurture their offspring
keep love in their nest
give the child to the world
and hope for the best
nourishment and shelter
the smallest of things
but it's the love that we give
that allows them their wings
They may not be what we
had hoped them to be
But we love them as our own
unconditionally

amonkie · 04-04-2005, 09:22 PM

Sometimes life doesn't roll just the way you like
so youre left rolling with the stars
until there's a meeting of the ways
to find their miraculous way home.

amonkie · 04-09-2005, 08:07 PM

Anybody else gonna take a stab at this? Only a day left....

Great job to everyone so far!

Amnesia620 · 04-09-2005, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ngdawg

whether arms or wings
feathers or hair
nothing comes close
to a parent's care
they nurture their offspring
keep love in their nest
give the child to the world
and hope for the best
nourishment and shelter
the smallest of things
but it's the love that we give
that allows them their wings
They may not be what we
had hoped them to be
But we love them as our own
unconditionally

Awesome, Ng...I'm quite impressed...this is my favorite of your work. Incredible!

tecoyah · 04-10-2005, 09:01 AM

In heart and mind, this child is mine
With all I am , these hearts become
but one
No wonders kissed, as grand as this
And all this life I thought I knew
Is you
Once thought as whole, but now I'm full
Of all the bessings from above
My love

For in your smile, I see myself
Grinning back at you

msh58 · 04-02-2006, 09:47 PM

my wife f**ked a shark
the hammerhead variety
all orange with the distinctive head.

then i realized it was a duck
a duck with a mohawk?
what the hell is that thing?
at least she stayed within the bird species
big sigh of relief

i drink a lot
and will continue to do so

child will grow up
wondering what the hell?
why am i so f-ing weird looking?

thats ok i guess
looking normal
but not being normal
is a chore also

may as well look the part
if the innards aren't right

hope the circus comes around soon
and when that music plays
they take the freak with them

cybersharp · 04-03-2006, 08:19 PM

I saw the penguins, and all the words dried up... sorry...

Yukimura · 08-28-2007, 10:06 AM

Cold and crushing, ice abounds.
Cringing in the freezing void.
Trying to make heat to live.
Cursing as it slips away.
Ice does not care.
Triumphant in apathy.
Consuming life to nothingness.

Whispering winds blow in their home.
Waving their wings they boast excited.
Shielding the newborn stranger.
Even in the darkest places,
Where it seems beauty sacrifices the soul,
Happiness is to be found.
Life will go on.

(I tried to implement a few devices I learned about in class today. I was hoping that the first part would sound harsh, and the second would sound soothing. Ignoring the meanings of the words, did it come off that way to anyone?)

04-03-2005, 09:52 PM	#1 (permalink)
amonkie Drifting Administrator Location: Windy City	Writing Challenge #12 Guess what? It's a picture week! For the love of penguins, your inspiration Write using whatever form of writing you wish - Have FUN with this one! Especially if you love penguins __________________ Calling from deep in the heart, from where the eyes can't see and the ears can't hear, from where the mountain trails end and only love can go... ~~~ Three Rivers Hare Krishna Last edited by amonkie; 04-03-2005 at 09:56 PM.. Reason: Picture resizing

04-03-2005, 10:43 PM	#2 (permalink)
ryborg Crazy	The little creature that emerged was clearly not my son. His bright orange feathers were nothing like mine. My wife and I both stared at it awkwardly for several moments before my gaze turned to her. She was avoiding my eyes and was fidgety. “Penguina?” I asked. “What is going on here?” “Pen, I can explain,” she said as her voice cracked, tears forming in her eyes. “Is this what you've been doing while I was out hunting for fish, risking killer whale attacks to keep food on our table?!” I said, fury rising in my beak. “Damnit, Pen!” she protested, tears rolling down her cheeks like pearls, “I wish it hadn't come to this, really I do! But you were never here! And you promised! You promised –” Her voice was drowned in a spring of tears and I starred, helpless to regain the bird I had somehow let slip away. My thoughts briefly returned to our younger years of mutual preening and flirtatious behavior. How could I blame it on her? She was right. I hadn't been there. I hadn't been there. I turned away from her and left the nest, feeling like something had died inside of me. I went to the bar and took a stool near the diving pool. I saw a lot of penguins come and go. They were all familiar, but they were all strangers that night. “Bring me a drink bartender, and make it something hard. I've got forgetting to do.” The bartender slipped me something from under the counter. I'd never seen it before, but I could tell it was something potent. How many pathetic stories had that bartender's sad eyes seen? Probably enough to make any grown penguin break down and cry. It was if his eyes had said, “I know your story without you even having to say a word. This here will make you feel better. This here will make you feel better right away.” I tried not to think about it, about anything. I let the liquor slide down my beak, burning its way to my stomach. I asked for another, and another, and another. How many drinks had I had? It didn't matter. I saw Penguina's beautiful face swim before my eyes like a haze. I tried to reach out for her, but all I caught was air. The bell on the door suddenly rang and someone entered – someone I'd never seen before. He didn't have a black coat like your average penguin. Not this guy. I might have been drunk, but I saw him clear as day through the mist that clouded everything else. His coat was smoother than satin, and bright orange. He walked with an arrogance in his step, and he had a beak like none I had ever seen. Christ. This was the guy that had stolen my Penguina. I stood up and though I might start a fight, but halfway there something inside of me broke. What good was a fight going to do me now? I stumbled past the bird that had taken away all I had ever had and left the bar, the bell ringing as I made my escape. It was dark out now. In my drunken confusion I wandered off to the edge of the ice near the ocean. A full moon was out and the ocean was glistening sea green under the starlight. It was the most beautiful sky I had ever seen. I could feel hot tears well up in my eyes as I fell to the ice, by feet dangling into the ocean water before me. Then, just as I hit rock bottom, I saw it. A dark form in the sea green. Moving slowly and ominously, like a wraith in the shadows. I knew what it was, but this time I didn't run, this time I didn't try to swim away. I just held myself frozen there, ready to stare it in the eye. It broke the surface of the water, its jaws opened wide to consume my body, my soul. I had never seen anything so beautiful. __________________ Solve two problems at once. Feed the homeless to the hungry. Last edited by ryborg; 04-03-2005 at 10:50 PM..

04-04-2005, 02:24 AM	#3 (permalink)
tecoyah Illusionary	What the Fuck Is that a Duck Be just my Luck Would also Suck 'Cause in this Habitat I'm Stuck __________________ Holding onto anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned. - Buddha

04-04-2005, 03:14 AM	#4 (permalink)
Amnesia620 Forget me not... Location: See that dot on the map? I don't live there.	Peek-a-boo - I see you - But who knew - What a view! This ain't right - within my sight - no not quite - maybe the light? Here we see - not like me - we don't agree - let it be! During the storm - keep him warm - not the norm - in his form. He's not grey - night or day - I must pray - all is okay. Now I fear - keep him near - others will jeer - and I'll hear. Can only guess - more or less - the answer's yes - what a mess! __________________ For example, I find that a lot of college girls are barbie doll carbon copies with few differences...Sadly, they're dumb, ditzy, immature, snotty, fake, or they are the gravitational center to orbiting drama. - Amnesia620

04-04-2005, 07:53 AM	#5 (permalink)
amonkie Drifting Administrator Location: Windy City	ok guys, I'm LAUGHIN over here! Great start! __________________ Calling from deep in the heart, from where the eyes can't see and the ears can't hear, from where the mountain trails end and only love can go... ~~~ Three Rivers Hare Krishna

04-04-2005, 09:20 PM	#6 (permalink)
ngdawg peekaboo Location: on the back, bitch	whether arms or wings feathers or hair nothing comes close to a parent's care they nurture their offspring keep love in their nest give the child to the world and hope for the best nourishment and shelter the smallest of things but it's the love that we give that allows them their wings They may not be what we had hoped them to be But we love them as our own unconditionally Last edited by ngdawg; 04-05-2005 at 04:51 AM..

04-04-2005, 09:22 PM	#7 (permalink)
amonkie Drifting Administrator Location: Windy City	Sometimes life doesn't roll just the way you like so youre left rolling with the stars until there's a meeting of the ways to find their miraculous way home. __________________ Calling from deep in the heart, from where the eyes can't see and the ears can't hear, from where the mountain trails end and only love can go... ~~~ Three Rivers Hare Krishna Last edited by amonkie; 04-05-2005 at 06:10 AM.. Reason: spelling

04-09-2005, 08:07 PM	#8 (permalink)
amonkie Drifting Administrator Location: Windy City	Anybody else gonna take a stab at this? Only a day left.... Great job to everyone so far! __________________ Calling from deep in the heart, from where the eyes can't see and the ears can't hear, from where the mountain trails end and only love can go... ~~~ Three Rivers Hare Krishna

04-10-2005, 09:01 AM	#10 (permalink)
tecoyah Illusionary	In heart and mind, this child is mine With all I am , these hearts become but one No wonders kissed, as grand as this And all this life I thought I knew Is you Once thought as whole, but now I'm full Of all the bessings from above My love For in your smile, I see myself Grinning back at you __________________ Holding onto anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned. - Buddha

04-02-2006, 09:47 PM	#11 (permalink)
msh58 Crazy	my wife f**ked a shark the hammerhead variety all orange with the distinctive head. then i realized it was a duck a duck with a mohawk? what the hell is that thing? at least she stayed within the bird species big sigh of relief i drink a lot and will continue to do so child will grow up wondering what the hell? why am i so f-ing weird looking? thats ok i guess looking normal but not being normal is a chore also may as well look the part if the innards aren't right hope the circus comes around soon and when that music plays they take the freak with them

04-03-2006, 08:19 PM	#12 (permalink)
cybersharp Insane	I saw the penguins, and all the words dried up... sorry... __________________ 0PtIcAl

08-28-2007, 10:06 AM	#13 (permalink)
Yukimura Tilted Location: At a computer, obviously.	Cold and crushing, ice abounds. Cringing in the freezing void. Trying to make heat to live. Cursing as it slips away. Ice does not care. Triumphant in apathy. Consuming life to nothingness. Whispering winds blow in their home. Waving their wings they boast excited. Shielding the newborn stranger. Even in the darkest places, Where it seems beauty sacrifices the soul, Happiness is to be found. Life will go on. (I tried to implement a few devices I learned about in class today. I was hoping that the first part would sound harsh, and the second would sound soothing. Ignoring the meanings of the words, did it come off that way to anyone?) __________________ Maybe the answer is in the very light reflected off our blades. Maybe that's what it means to be this creature known as samurai. Last edited by Yukimura; 08-28-2007 at 10:08 AM..