#mastoprompt — Public Fediverse posts

Mouse struck a #defiant pose, arms on his hips. "You cannot enter the fort! Only members of the secret club can go in."

Apple looked hurt. "I thought you liked me, Mouse. Is it because I have a limp?"

"Of course not! I do like you. But there are only three seats in the fort. And we didn't think you'd be comfortable standing, you know, because of your leg."

"What if I brought a seat?"

"Oh, that would work. You could join the secret club."

"Will you help me carry it over?"

"Of course!"

#microfiction #MastoPrompt

"Help! There's a demon in my prize-winning garden!"

"What is it?"

"A #hyacinth, best in class."

"... I meant the monster."

"Oh. A goat."

#MastoPrompt #MicroFiction

Rabbits at Tea

6-link #Rengay
(C) Paul David Mena @extraspecialbitter & Nara Moore @NaraMoore
(C) Image: Nara Moore - Seattle Street in Spring with usagi plushies in hyacinths

#Poetry #詩 #NMPoetry #Haiga #俳画 #Photography #マストドン写真部 #写 #UrbanPhotography #都市写真 #Plushie #Plushies #MastoPrompt #Hyacinth #DailyHaikuPrompt 9/9 #Sparrow #Ivy 9/10 #Warbler #Morning #ThingToWriteAbout #Toad #InkMine #Arcane #IsTheOrderARabbit #Rabbit #GochiUsa #Flowers #FlowerScrolling #Garden

Rabbits at Tea

6-link #Rengay
(C) Paul David Mena @extraspecialbitter & Nara Moore @NaraMoore
(C) Image: Nara Moore - Seattle Street in Spring with usagi plushies in hyacinths

#Poetry #詩 #NMPoetry #Haiga #俳画 #Photography #マストドン写真部 #写 #UrbanPhotography #都市写真 #Plushie #Plushies #MastoPrompt #Hyacinth #DailyHaikuPrompt 9/9 #Sparrow #Ivy 9/10 #Warbler #Morning #ThingToWriteAbout #Toad #InkMine #Arcane #IsTheOrderARabbit #Rabbit #GochiUsa #Flowers #FlowerScrolling #Garden

Rabbits at Tea

6-link #Rengay
(C) Paul David Mena @extraspecialbitter & Nara Moore @NaraMoore
(C) Image: Nara Moore - Seattle Street in Spring with usagi plushies in hyacinths

#Poetry #詩 #NMPoetry #Haiga #俳画 #Photography #マストドン写真部 #写 #UrbanPhotography #都市写真 #Plushie #Plushies #MastoPrompt #Hyacinth #DailyHaikuPrompt 9/9 #Sparrow #Ivy 9/10 #Warbler #Morning #ThingToWriteAbout #Toad #InkMine #Arcane #IsTheOrderARabbit #Rabbit #GochiUsa #Flowers #FlowerScrolling #Garden

Rabbits at Tea

6-link #Rengay
(C) Paul David Mena @extraspecialbitter & Nara Moore @NaraMoore
(C) Image: Nara Moore - Seattle Street in Spring with usagi plushies in hyacinths

#Poetry #詩 #NMPoetry #Haiga #俳画 #Photography #マストドン写真部 #写 #UrbanPhotography #都市写真 #Plushie #Plushies #MastoPrompt #Hyacinth #DailyHaikuPrompt 9/9 #Sparrow #Ivy 9/10 #Warbler #Morning #ThingToWriteAbout #Toad #InkMine #Arcane #IsTheOrderARabbit #Rabbit #GochiUsa #Flowers #FlowerScrolling #Garden

Rabbits at Tea

6-link #Rengay
(C) Paul David Mena @extraspecialbitter & Nara Moore @NaraMoore
(C) Image: Nara Moore - Seattle Street in Spring with usagi plushies in hyacinths

#Poetry #詩 #NMPoetry #Haiga #俳画 #Photography #マストドン写真部 #写 #UrbanPhotography #都市写真 #Plushie #Plushies #MastoPrompt #Hyacinth #DailyHaikuPrompt 9/9 #Sparrow #Ivy 9/10 #Warbler #Morning #ThingToWriteAbout #Toad #InkMine #Arcane #IsTheOrderARabbit #Rabbit #GochiUsa #Flowers #FlowerScrolling #Garden

The west wind jealous
In his fury killed the one he loved
Shed Hyacinths blood

#MastoPrompt

The name comes from Greek mythology: Hyacinth was killed by Zephyrus, the god of the west wind, jealous of his love for Apollo. He then transformed the drops of Hyacinth's blood into flowers.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyacinth

Willow Leaves

6-Link #Rengay
(C) 2026 Randy Bradbury @moto17
& Nara Moore @NaraMoore
Image: #ClaudeMonet Lily Pond and Weeping Willow, 1916–1919
& Endless Knot - Rick J. Pellegr,

#dailyhaikuprompt #WillowLeaves #Gusty #MastoPrompt #whisk #Dharma #Buddhist #Willow #Poetry #詩 #NMPoetry #Haiga #俳画

Willow Leaves

6-Link #Rengay
(C) 2026 Randy Bradbury @moto17
& Nara Moore @NaraMoore
Image: #ClaudeMonet Lily Pond and Weeping Willow, 1916–1919
& Endless Knot - Rick J. Pellegr,

#dailyhaikuprompt #WillowLeaves #Gusty #MastoPrompt #whisk #Dharma #Buddhist #Willow #Poetry #詩 #NMPoetry #Haiga #俳画

Willow Leaves

6-Link #Rengay
(C) 2026 Randy Bradbury @moto17
& Nara Moore @NaraMoore
Image: #ClaudeMonet Lily Pond and Weeping Willow, 1916–1919
& Endless Knot - Rick J. Pellegr,

#dailyhaikuprompt #WillowLeaves #Gusty #MastoPrompt #whisk #Dharma #Buddhist #Willow #Poetry #詩 #NMPoetry #Haiga #俳画

Willow Leaves

6-Link #Rengay
(C) 2026 Randy Bradbury @moto17
& Nara Moore @NaraMoore
Image: #ClaudeMonet Lily Pond and Weeping Willow, 1916–1919
& Endless Knot - Rick J. Pellegr,

#dailyhaikuprompt #WillowLeaves #Gusty #MastoPrompt #whisk #Dharma #Buddhist #Willow #Poetry #詩 #NMPoetry #Haiga #俳画

Willow Leaves

6-Link #Rengay
(C) 2026 Randy Bradbury @moto17
& Nara Moore @NaraMoore
Image: #ClaudeMonet Lily Pond and Weeping Willow, 1916–1919
& Endless Knot - Rick J. Pellegr,

#dailyhaikuprompt #WillowLeaves #Gusty #MastoPrompt #whisk #Dharma #Buddhist #Willow #Poetry #詩 #NMPoetry #Haiga #俳画

••⋅☾ #俳句 ☽⋅••

Crosswalk watch
The cars burr by
killers on wheels

••⋅☾ #Haiku ☽⋅••

••⋅☾ #俳文 ☽⋅••
An observation, as a line of #cars whizzes by a major crosswalk.
••⋅☾ #Haibun ☽⋅••

••⋅☾ #ものく ☽⋅••

Arrogant youth steps into the street

••⋅☾ #Monoku / #Monostich ☽⋅••

#Poetry #詩 #NMPoetry #PoetryOnTheFly #MastoPrompt #burr #Safty

••⋅☾ #俳句 ☽⋅••

Crosswalk watch
The cars burr by
killers on wheels

••⋅☾ #Haiku ☽⋅••

••⋅☾ #俳文 ☽⋅••
An observation, as a line of #cars whizzes by a major crosswalk.
••⋅☾ #Haibun ☽⋅••

••⋅☾ #ものく ☽⋅••

Arrogant youth steps into the street

••⋅☾ #Monoku / #Monostich ☽⋅••

#Poetry #詩 #NMPoetry #PoetryOnTheFly #MastoPrompt #burr #Safty

••⋅☾ #俳句 ☽⋅••

Crosswalk watch
The cars burr by
killers on wheels

••⋅☾ #Haiku ☽⋅••

••⋅☾ #俳文 ☽⋅••
An observation, as a line of #cars whizzes by a major crosswalk.
••⋅☾ #Haibun ☽⋅••

••⋅☾ #ものく ☽⋅••

Arrogant youth steps into the street

••⋅☾ #Monoku / #Monostich ☽⋅••

#Poetry #詩 #NMPoetry #PoetryOnTheFly #MastoPrompt #burr #Safty

••⋅☾ #俳句 ☽⋅••

Crosswalk watch
The cars burr by
killers on wheels

••⋅☾ #Haiku ☽⋅••

••⋅☾ #俳文 ☽⋅••
An observation, as a line of #cars whizzes by a major crosswalk.
••⋅☾ #Haibun ☽⋅••

••⋅☾ #ものく ☽⋅••

Arrogant youth steps into the street

••⋅☾ #Monoku / #Monostich ☽⋅••

#Poetry #詩 #NMPoetry #PoetryOnTheFly #MastoPrompt #burr #Safty

••⋅☾ #連歌 / #連句☽⋅••

daily haiku prompt
see you in September
bless you my love

Summer smoke writhes
Genteel fall yet to be

••⋅☾ #Renga / #Renku ☽⋅••

Kami-no-ku: @MarkBrigham

#Poetry #詩 #NMPoetry #Summer #Fall #DailyHaikuPrompt - fall colors #MastoPrompt #genteel

Season

••⋅☾ #俳句 ☽⋅••

Yellow orange
Local Rainier cherries
Season ending

••⋅☾ #Haiku ☽⋅••

••⋅☾ #俳文 ☽⋅••
Taken at the local fruit and vegetable stand. (Top Banana [ #Seattle #Ballard ])
••⋅☾ #Haibun ☽⋅••

#Poetry #詩 #NMPoetry #MastoPrompt #Cherry #DailyHaikuPrompt #Orange #Summer #Haiga #俳画 #Photography #マストドン写真部 #写真

Season

••⋅☾ #俳句 ☽⋅••

Yellow orange
Local Rainier cherries
Season ending

••⋅☾ #Haiku ☽⋅••

••⋅☾ #俳文 ☽⋅••
Taken at the local fruit and vegetable stand. (Top Banana [ #Seattle #Ballard ])
••⋅☾ #Haibun ☽⋅••

#Poetry #詩 #NMPoetry #MastoPrompt #Cherry #DailyHaikuPrompt #Orange #Summer #Haiga #俳画 #Photography #マストドン写真部 #写真

Season

••⋅☾ #俳句 ☽⋅••

Yellow orange
Local Rainier cherries
Season ending

••⋅☾ #Haiku ☽⋅••

••⋅☾ #俳文 ☽⋅••
Taken at the local fruit and vegetable stand. (Top Banana [ #Seattle #Ballard ])
••⋅☾ #Haibun ☽⋅••

#Poetry #詩 #NMPoetry #MastoPrompt #Cherry #DailyHaikuPrompt #Orange #Summer #Haiga #俳画 #Photography #マストドン写真部 #写真

Season

••⋅☾ #俳句 ☽⋅••

Yellow orange
Local Rainier cherries
Season ending

••⋅☾ #Haiku ☽⋅••

••⋅☾ #俳文 ☽⋅••
Taken at the local fruit and vegetable stand. (Top Banana [ #Seattle #Ballard ])
••⋅☾ #Haibun ☽⋅••

#Poetry #詩 #NMPoetry #MastoPrompt #Cherry #DailyHaikuPrompt #Orange #Summer #Haiga #俳画 #Photography #マストドン写真部 #写真

Dyed Carnations

#Mastoprompt #Wall

withering wallflower
the weight of the world
in her weary words

the ivy trellis
a prince in the making

slow waltz
toes a small priceless
his and hers

Pink sneakers on the steps
Now lost in the haze

Chess club
The queen endangered
In the door

violets blooming
sultry high school air

3 verses one person #Renga (Linked #Tanka)
Credits: First three lines @extraspecialbitter
Rest @NaraMoore

#Poetry #PoetryCommunity #NMPoetry

Crow With No Name: Part 2

#Wss366 Redundant #MastoPrompt Lung #ScribesAndMakers Hogwash

I was definitely tripping. Wings? Feathers? I’d been dosed!

The world was full of psychedelic colors, some of which I couldn't identify. The sidewalk wasn't flat anymore. It was layered and cross-hatched with patterns and shadows that I had walked over a thousand times without ever truly seeing. The witch’s vial rolled lazily, a drop of liquid still in it—its taste bitter on my tongue.

Meaning flooded me. The shiny wrapper fluttering in the wind: sweetness clinging to foil. The neighbor—I already knew her: yelling, sudden hands, jerky steps that cut the air wrong. Her form shrieked like a warning siren.

She seemed to offer me a bag of treats: nasty-yellow; awful-gritty-browns; tasty-soggy-golden-flakes; yummy-meat-hollow bones.

It was #hogwash! Best to stay away. I didn’t decide that. I just knew.

None of it was #redundant: motion-sight, all saturated with meaning.

I was in the air before I knew it: Threat-Motion-Arm! I filled my lungs and let out a warning screech so that everyone would know. “Warning, Bad lady!”

I was free of the earth. “Caw, caw,” I cried. “I’m here!”

#TootFic #MicroFiction #NMFic #Crows #Otherkin #Fantasy #UrbanFantasy

Three Kings and a Princess

Frankincense to Offer Have I: Part V

#FanFiction #TheApothecaryDiaries #TearmoonEmpire
#wss366 bug (Implied) #MastoPrompt

[Continued from “Frankincense to Offer Have I: Part IV”]

Finally, Pairin looked over Mao with satisfaction. “There, all ready to go. I doubt the prince will notice a few wrinkles. But that face—what crawled into your mouth?”

Mao did her best to smooth her face out. If Jinshi wished to pick wormwood there was nothing she could do about it except profit as best she could. If worse came to worst, there were ways of dealing with problems after the fact.

Outside, the shadows performed a queasy dance. If only she didn’t feel so ill, it would all be easier.

Just before entering the house, Pairin stopped her. “Here, let me #lend you this.” Pairin handed a loop of silk thread tied with elaborate notes. “I know you don’t fancy such things, but it has brought me luck.”

Entering the main house, she could feel the tension and excitement in the air. An open visit from someone in the imperial family could bring untold prosperity or ruin to an establishment. Some might say it was up to the gods, but neither Mao nor the Madam believed that. Luck played a role, but work and preparation were more important.

The incense blend had changed from the last time Mao was in the main house. Now the mixture leaned more heavily toward frankincense. “I hope they aren’t burning my share,” Mao grumbled and then put on what she believed was a happy face.

[Continued in next post]

#MicroFiction #TootFic #Serial #NMFic #ApothecaryDiaries

@stevencudahy

not superstition

we lend the land to the humans
in return they abuse it and us
without thanks or thought
believe their artificial divisions
make their pathetic parcels sovereign
when they’re all part of one world
our world

they will not survive
though we are not wrathful
they will destroy themselves
with their lies and games
and self-deceptions
they have already started

they forget that their millennia
are a fraction of one of our
moments

#MastoPrompt #Lend #Poetry #Writing

Nov. 15/11 #Wss366 #numb #MastoPrompt #scarab

The rocks fell from Wayna Qhapaq, one of the last Inca rulers from before the Huascar-Atahualpa civil war, tomb’s entrance. It was a lost tomb, and who knew how much treasure it held? Melting the gold alone would make us rich and ensure that our looting went undiscovered.

Looking at the map, I said, “Just beyond here is a boulder trap, à la Indiana Jones. The release is here.” I reached into the indicated indentation, setting the brake.

“Look,” Professor Lustem said, taking a golden scarab from another indentation.

I wanted to say, “Don’t,” but my tongue was already numb.

Inca Civil War:

#Microfiction #Tootfic #Drabble #NMV366 #Inca #Incas

The rogue sloshed on. "What did you learn about the artefact?"

Holding his robe skirts up, the mage replied. "It's quite remarkable. The golden #scarab is widely revered, despite its common name of dung beetle."

"Hmph," the barbarian muttered. "Is that why we're approaching via the sewers?"

"Exactly!" The orb atop his staff brightened. "We should soon find—"

Amid flickering shadows, a monstrous shape approached, pushing a giant boulder.

#MastoPrompt #MicroFiction

Sweet Tea (甘茶)

Part 3: Thief (泥棒) Part 1

#Wss366 #Mastoprompt 7/22
#FanFiction #TheApothecaryDiaries

Mao had the name of the thief now. In a way, it didn’t surprise her. He wasn’t above short-changing clients and bought obviously stolen materials. All petty stuff, and stealing the Gān Cǎo fit the pattern.

She swore he was hiding from her. His spot in the market alley sat empty. It was clean, as far as alleys went. She wouldn’t eat there, but she wouldn’t catch anything walking in. Just as important, the worst you’d find here was a second-rate pickpocket. The vendors likely chose this location for its low rent, and because it wouldn’t scare off decent townsfolk with a little coin to spare.

On one side, a vendor with a thin #stock of secondhand clothes spat and shrugged when she asked about his neighbor’s whereabouts. The fortune teller on the other side was more forthcoming, if not more useful.

“I know not,” she said, “but for twenty wen I can send a spirit to seek him out.”

For a moment, Mao considered saying that “Five wen was already too much.” But five seconds spent on the woman were already more than her services were worth.

Rather than waste more time, she headed back to the apothecary. She had an inventory to finish and other work to do. There was a better way to find the thief than the #taxing . It might take some time, but it was surer than any spirit desperate enough to visit that alley.

On her way to the apothecary, she stopped to talk with Ukyou. He was at his usual place. Most of the women were still sleeping, so he could sit and soak up the sun, sip tea, and think his private thoughts. Madam sometimes complained he was wasting time, but he did his job well, defusing most irate customers and throwing the rest into the street without a fuss. He never forgot the face of a problematic client. He greeted everyone with a smile and made even the once-a-year splurger feel seen and welcome. Whatever Grandma paid him wasn’t enough, so all she did was grumble about him enjoying the late morning sun.

Mao smiled at Ukyou. Like all the other women at Verdigris House, she liked him. “Ukyou, when you see Chou-u, tell him I need to find someone. It’s a twenty wen job.” Her “adopted” son would be happy to earn a little extra money. He pinched wen as hard as Grandma did.

“I will, and thanks for helping Amacha,” he replied. “She’s a little better today. She even had time to complain about your interfering ways. I think she likes you.”

“She ought to,” Mao said aloud, but privately doubted it. People never like the person who gives them bitter medicine.

“The day is going well, even though I haven’t found my target,” she thought. “Maybe I’ll splurge on a pork bun for dinner.”

(Continued in Part 2)

#TootFic #NMPrompts #NMV366 #NMMP
#薬屋のひとりごと #ApothecaryDiaries
#LightNovel #Manga #Fantasy #Mystery
@yon @bytebro

"Scientists discovered a new colour! They're calling it #olo." My excitement was obvious.

"Something wrong with the old colours?" Asked the elder.

"It's a very saturated blue green. It'll make other colours seem #dim. Here, you can see it with these special glasses. They might tingle your eyes."

I put the glasses on him. "See, there's a sort of bright teal..."

"Ah, yes. Olo, you say?" He asked, taking off the glasses. "We call it luzan."

"You what?!" My jaw dropped as he handed me the glasses.

"It's a good start," he patted me on the back, as if I were a child with macaroni art. "Now, when you learn to see such colours without glasses, you'll be ready."

"Ready for what?!"

#MastoPrompt #MicroFiction

fallow days take root
mounting to crushing summed weight
of emptiness borne

#MastoPrompt: #nourish #NegativeSpace
#haiku #senryu #poem #ShortPoem #SmallPoem #loneliness #starvation #drought #dysfunction

@stevencudahy

Never Done

When the time comes,
Which life and some unknown
Spirits might determine, and
My mind flies out to some
Undiscovered universe and its
Attendant galaxies, when
All that is done

Let my ashes #nourish the
Earth, or my body science,
Whichever lays the first claim
On what was never mine
To begin with.

Then let the fireworks begin,
And some elation, because
This is what living always was;
Too short, too quick, and
Never done.

#MastoPrompt #Writing #Poetry #SmallPoems

@stevencudahy

#MastoPrompt #Mow #Poetry #Writing #SmallPoems #SmallStories

One man went to mow
But crop circles in wheat fields -
Was more exciting

#mastoprompt #Mow #Haiku #senryu #Poem #Poetry #WritingCommunity

#MastoPrompt #specimen

The brain’s alive and in my lab,
The beauty lies upon the slab,
And I’ve hooked up the tubes and wires.
The perfect mix of my desires—
Intelligence, a curious mind
And flawless form will be combined
Into the ideal specimen…
Do not disturb. The Doctor’s in.

#poetry #smallpoems #poetrycommunity #scifi #sciencefiction #horror #madscientist #maddoctor #reanimation #brain #braintransplant #beauty #pygmalion #satire

Sitting over yellowed pictures on a #balmy eve in early Summer. Music dating back over a quarter #century accompanies a #sensuous journey while #tranquil twilight #stretch-es into night.

#vssnature #MastoPrompt #vss365 #brknshards #whistpr

#WritingCommunity

#mastoprompt "Dapple"

All these animals and plants,
The flying birds, the crawling ants,
The creeper and the burdened beast,
From greatest to the very least,
With natural pigment I will paint,
And give to you without restraint.
Their plumes and coats for you I dapple,
But do not touch that ripe red apple!

#poetry #shortpoems #riddlepoems #symbolism #irony #religion #bible #gardenofeden #humanity #poetrycommunity #writingcommunity

#mastoPrompt "Violin"

I borrowed someone’s violin
But realized the key it’s in
Was flat a single quarter-tone.
Though not ungrateful for the loan
I gave it back: superior ears
Cannot be burdened with their peers’
Prosaic chores. I’d just as soon
Return it rather than retune.

#poetry #shortpoems #riddlepoems #classicalmusic #music #violin #vienna #childprodigy #perfectpitch #poetrycommunity #writingcommunity

I sat on the porch and looked out. The sunset glowed orange, slowly being replaced by the glow of fireflies in the dusk gloom. It was a sight to warm the most barren soul. And I had all eternity to enjoy it. Yes, eternity, for I was immortal. Barring some untold calamity, I could not die. A gift dearly bought. Eternity traded for my soul. Yes, the sight would warm the most barren soul. #Haibun

#Horror365 #Soulless #Horror #PhychologicalHorror
#MastoPrompt #Orange
#MicroFiction #SmallStory
1/2

#MastoPrompt #SmallPoem

1, a place to start
2, keep it even on the ark
3, puts one in the middle
4, counts in the dark
5, brain is a beehive
6, hit me with a brick
7, is not really lucky
8, I give in to fate
9, not feeling so fine
10, it’s getting awfully late
11, easy on the eye
12, so tired I could cry
13, is awkward to say
14, it’s another day
15, many years ago
16, maybe a midnight snack
17, my feet feel #frozen
18, yawn attack
19, feel kinda cosy
20, I’m dozy
21, Zozzy
22,

#CountingSheep

Much mourned
And widely revered.

So revered,
That when those,
Who knew rhe truth,
Spoke out,
Many refused to hear..

So feared,
That even when they were in the ground,
It took courage
To speak against them.

The funeral is over,
Let the grievers give way to the aggrieved.
Let tears give way to rage.
Let veneration give way to truth.
Let remembrance give way to justice,

It is time.

#Poetry in response to #MastoPrompt #venerate

Excuse me
Would you be so kind
As to keep your
Prideful veneration
Private, please?
I think I really have been
Christ-ed quite enough
For one lifetime.
No thank you
Narcissistic nativity
Carefully masculated
And white.
May I suggest
Some quiet acts of charity,
Some elder care,
Perhaps a revolution?
To that I could give
An amen.

#poetry
#MastoPrompt
#venerate

It used to be god/s
(We had imagination then)
Or the old people
Connecting life to lifetimes.
It used to be
The pull and push
Of seasons on our bones.
It used to be the dead.

What do we venerate now?
Next-day delivery.

We are strange and ugly
Narcissi at the water's edge.

Someone should push us in.

#poetry #Mastoprompt #venerate

from venal
to veneration
passing the collection bowl
around your ringing singing
tent

#myPoem #poetry #smallpoem
#Mastoprompt #venerate
(edit: a -> your)

When evil's revered
by so many countrymen,
how do I find hope?

#Venerate #Mastoprompt #Haiku #Senryu #Poetry #TinyPoems #SmallPoems #Poets #Prompts

Tan said #venerate
Not debate or federate
#venerate: create!

#MastoPrompt #SmallPoems #Poetry #MicroFiction

/ @tanweerdar

Millard had no interest in seeing the body, the way his father had fallen forward on the desk, his head slamming down so hard Sarah, his assistant, had come rushing in. Millard had no interest in seeing how his father had drooled onto the papers on his desk, how his cheek was so badly stained from the spilled ink the undertaker suggested a closed casket.

“Just burn him," Millard told him.

“Do you mean cremation, sir?”

"Isn't that what cremation is?"

#MastoPrompt #venerate #HiramFalls

@tanweerdar
#venerate
#MastoPrompt

------------------------------------------------
Animal, mineral, or venerable?

I venerate duckweed
here on the river. Each
tiny thallus a two-leaf

sacrifice; self-abandoned,
floating downstream
in their lazy battalion;

one of the numberless
silent scraps of green,
massing as unstoppable

bloom; wave after wave;
peppery food for thought
and ducks. And, they say,

even for Martians, too
(if we let them aboard
our Abandon Earth-ship.)

Cold descends fast
Smothering my senses
The wind whips up
In a fell voice upon
The wintered mountain
Who are your stars,
The voice rasps
Rough to my ears
My stars are those
Who I venerate, my Gods
Deities of hearth, of war
Of fire, of the sea, of healing
I say
And what of I, child
Skadi asks, voice chill
Sending ice running sharp
Through my shivering veins
Can you venerate me?
Can you love winter?

#MastoPrompt #Venerate #Skadi #NorseMythology
Art is of Skadi and is by Andantonius on Deviantart

It was a small service in the old, yet beautifully adorned country church. The light poured in through the ornate stained glass window.

At the front, near the white marble altar, the polished hardwood casket was adorned with his photo and a colourful assortment of flowers, the brass handles on the casket gleaning in the sunlight.

The mourners filed in and sat in carved oak pews, the floral details showing the work of a truly artisan craftsman.

He was man of faith who would come to venerate the cross on a Sunday.

This is what the community saw. A gentle and kind man who loved his family and showed his piety. A larger than life figure whom everybody loved.

If only they knew the terror he wreaked on those who he was supposed to care for.

The disdain he had for his adoring wife and the contempt with which he treated his children was hidden from view. Drunken rampages and years of psychological trauma inflicted by his alcohol fuelled hands never spoken about for fear of retribution.

The community would grieve. For his family, it meant an end to the tyranny and coercive control.

For them, his death was their salvation.

#MastoPrompt #Microfiction #venerate #writingcommunity