Writing Challenge # 30
 

Thanks for joining us, and welcome to a new week! Just FYI - last week's story will remain open... it is nowhere near complete, so if you feel inclined to write this week as well, go for it!


Our Challenge this week comes at the suggestion of mojodragon:






I hope this is challenging yet fruitful - Good luck!

If you never tell
You will never know
If you ever love
You will forever grow
If you never see
You will never return
Sometimes you must feel the fire
To know how to feel the burn

Writer’s Note:

You might notice something is missing from the following story. I feel I must expound on the events which led to this seeming forgetfulness of mine. Being the poster child for poverty-stricken writers, I found myself out of writing supplies in the middle of writing one of my previous books. Determined to not rely on pencils while writing future missives, I went shopping for computers. So, I found myself perusing the multitude of electronic wonders, which were presented to me by Scott, the newly hired employee in Best Buy.

These computers were slick: they offered lots of bells. Whistles were included, too, but I couldn’t think for the life of me why I would need either. I continued to shop, but couldn’t find one to fit in my budget. Once Scott found out just how deep my pockets were, I found him to be slightly less friendly. So, I left Best Buy to continue my journey for the perfect computer.

Pulling together the sum of my money, I sheepishly ducked into this cute little shop with PC on the sign posted over the door. Hoping to keep this visit without surprises, I quickly divulged my spending limit to the person behind the counter. “I think I know just the thing you need.” She spoke. To this, she pulled out the computer which sits on my desk tonight. “I thought I might never sell this,” she confided in me, before blowing dust into the empty store. “It is slightly used. Most of the keys work.”

Hold on just one second, most of the keys work?!? I couldn’t use it in this sort of condition, I thought. But, I found out I could. Even I could not guess the success which this computer, with its broken key, would bring to me. So, even following the huge influx of money which befell me due to my previous book, I decided to keep my well-loved computer, using it for this book too.

I will not tell you “I’m sorry” for the inconvenience this decision of mine will put you through. Being born of the blessed free country we live in, you possess the right to put this book down whenever you wish. So, if the missing letter bothers you overly much, I suggest you put my story down somewhere in public, so some other person might stumble upon it.


With much respect,
Joseph Morris

So, you think you’re so wise, we don’t see the trick you’re pulling on us? Or were you tricked by the person in the little PC shop? She is sly, I’ll concede.
I will not buy this book of yours. I see the trick you did. I might not do it well, but I tried, did I not?
Let’s discuss this more over lunch sometime.
(Good job, Mojo! Show-off!)

Ng, I think you did wonderfully! Lunch? I will look hopefully into my future to the time which we will dine together. I must confess my submission did not just flow from my fingers. I thought it would be simple when PM'ing the rules to monkie, but it turned out to be more difficult upon trying to follow them. I found myself employing my "delete" key frequently, when I would see the forbidden letter pop up in my writing.

Hehe! This is giving me chuckles, Mojo! How long do you think we'd keep this up before giving out?

Christine, my sweet love...

The tenderness I feel within my soul stops my blood from pumping, when there is nothing I feel but the love between us. While I pen this note, tiny rivulets of wetness issue forth from my eyes. I find it impossible to see my life without your smile... without the looks you give me... you complete my soul. You fill in the emptiness of my spirit. My thoughts- I see only you. I long to return to you, my sweet. The fighting continues here, I must sign off for now. I hope to write to you soon. Since we wed, not quite 12 months now, the time burned within me like eternity. Sometimes I feel I will burst from not being with you. I'm told the conflict isn't getting better... but once this horrible business of killing is over, I'm coming home to you, Christine. I'm coming home forever.

With the love of dozens of lifetimes,
- PFC Broderick Connin
June 1st, 1864


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Mrs Connin,

From everyone in the service of this fine country, we regret to inform you of the loss of one of our finest young soldiers, PFC Broderick Connin. He spoke of difficult times, but he spoke with conviction. The other men looked up to him, he inspired people with his positive outlook. Though the journey tired some, the hours pulled the strength of my best men, he himself pressed on. Know in your mind, in your soul, he put forth more of himself, his honor, into the problems he witnessed... more so with every night, with every new rising of the sun. Be strong. Be proud.

- Colonel Peter Morrison
June 15th, 1864


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I strongly dislike writing this... I don't believe I should dwell on the things I'm going to do. My worst thoughts, my terrors, were fulfilled. My mind will not mend, my soul will not be like it used to be. I'm done writing for now.... I lost my desire for life... loss which put me where I find myself now... or, better, where YOU will find me. Tell mother not to cry. I suffered one rifle for my love... but one for me... I will suffer no more.

---log. Your letter is stunning in its simplicity. Loving yet history is shown. You both show wonderful expertise in the writings you choose to contribute. Three cheers!

Wow - This challenge is nowhere near as simple as it appears on the surface, and you ALL have done an amazing job so far - really awesome stuff :)

*Goes to hopefully join the awesomeness club

secrets hidden within the wind
unblind eyes now used to see
directions shift so lifted breeze
crumbles this my house of disbelief
the journey to find my mind begun
unknown lies how this will end

Broken in my eyes, you seem
so unlike the visions I hold
these torn inside memories
the residue of love seems cold
nothing left to be redeemed
with loss of you myself I sold
I lock my love ,throw out the keys
this story not to be retold

I lost my soul to you

(Writing exercises like these for coming up with new methods to bring the point home or thinking outside the box beget better writers. Everyone here should look into the novel by Ernest Vincent Wright; the title of which, to my distress, holds the forbidden letter).

Serendipity's Own Circle of Life
 

Indeed, during the quiet hours I must spend
sitting mutely upon my deeply kept thoughts
I must not try to excuse my own decisions
lingering coldly before me in vivid sorrow.

Cherishing the view within my soul's own void
powerful words of wisdom now left unspoken
reveries I see before me shimmer gently, interrupted
suddenly pierced to die within my own mind's eye.

Illusion endures my lifetime, to voice my own monologue
flowing in melody like liquid silver moving continuously free
existing without direction, for it keeps no other purpose
resembling broken windows, two pierced eyes, lost in it's view.

This is much simpler thun you guys ur making it out to be. Owl you hove to do is spell ull the words with the letter thet dure not speek its nom with different vowels. See?

I find it difficult to envision the world others must see. Every person with thier own view of things occurring from moment to moment. My mind drifts from here to there, recieveing only slight glimpses of the thoughts of others, over time i'm coming to see how perception is highly selective, unique, or somehow customized to the person observing life.

While I see the evening to be soothing... gentle... silent...
Others see the vening to be empty... destitute... oppressive..

I suppose it comes down to one's own mind set, developing from childhood on, not knowing how to believe differently. If only we could see with the eyes of others, even if for just one moment, it might be possible to find our common ground. Once we determine the presence of these binding elements, the shift from uncomfortable differences to concerted efforts, whether worldwide or just between two people, could be possible.

During discussions, I often provide points of view opposed to mine to help identify the differences we hold. If it were possible to disclose our differences, it might indeed be possible to reconcile them.

Just some of my thoughts...

the ellphebet is missing something end it sturts with ey
i think i left it under something
i might've lost it on the wey
without it
it's just pple pie
end it doesn't sound that greight
will you help me find my ey
before it is too leight

The first thing everyone thinks, upon receiving these rules, is to simply use symbols or other letters. This, however, is the simple solution. We try not to use this method. How tempting it is to substitute the @ symbol. But this does not strengthen our minds nor does it test our skills. To pen your missive using these strict rules gives the rest of us insight into your word-smithing skills. So, try not to bend knee to the simple trick of using @. Try to find words which express your thoughts, under the rules set down in the first posting. ::the white glove strikes, subsequently descending to the ground:: Do you choose to pick it up?