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Innocence, so sweet and mild, Proudly stood, and broadly smiled Thinking of yon water cool Standing in the narrow pool. Azure eyes with sparkling gleam Laughter sparked the languid scene Boldly stepped with shoulders high And sighed, but did barely cry Father stayed close by her side Beaming with heavenly pride Leading her toward the Lord Blessing her with word and sword Of…

            Often the simple things offer the most pleasure. Imagine standing in a rose garden, surrounded by fragrant flowers. Or walking through a forest on a bed of fallen leaves. Holding a puppy that is the smallest of the bunch.             Listening to a concert of middle school students, paying attention to your relative who’s struggled to learn the violin.             There are many…

            My mother had many siblings. Her brother Joe scared me because he liked to pick me up, turn me upside down and paddle my bottom, long after such things would be done to someone my age. Tears never deterred him and my parents never intervened. One time he threatened to stuff me in my grandparent’s coal-burning stove. I kicked and screamed and cried for help, but not even my beloved…

            Time travel stories are quite popular. Whole series have been explored, lasting for years.             Most begin on a lark, with the character accidentally falling through a portal. He meets people on the other side. Perhaps marries and has children, a job, and so on. Meanwhile, back in the “real” world, the character has a family and job.             Your task is to write a story…

Ten thousand wishes float into the air Brightly lit rainbow dots drift without care Air-filled hopes slowly rise into the sky Waiting for the moment to multiply Realistic fantasies within reach Specifically crafted for us each Inside, a single dream lurks unfulfilled Waits for perfect heart in which to be spilled Dandified dreams as mystic butterflies Burst in multicolored hues ‘ere our…

            Picture your worst day. People yelling. Things being dropped or thrown. Pictures being ripped from the walls. Children painting on the walls.             Loud music blaring incessantly. Horns honking. Drills drilling. Noise everywhere, getting louder and louder.             A party springs up, with dancers and karaoke singing. Or maybe a DJ pumping out deep bass tunes.            …

            Imagine that a friend is dying and has requested that you do something for them, something that will allow them to die without worries or fears. Perhaps it’s something simple, like call a family member. Perhaps it’s more complex, such as find a classmate from years ago.             Your task is to write that story.             Have fun with this one.

            Events in our lives often trigger change. Or are a result of change.             Deciding to go to college or trade school might open up job opportunities. But what happens when you get the job of your dream and discover that you hate it?             You need an operation, not to save your life, but to improve the quality of your life. You get that knee replaced, expecting to run…

            Your life has ended, but the townspeople aren’t finished with tormenting you. Ghost hunters prowl the rooms of your house. Priests swing containers of burning incense as they circumnavigate the building.             That’s just the beginning.             Your task is to write a story in which you’ve died and transformed into a ghost or demon. Make yourself a petulance, a haunt…

The tides come in, white-top waves Pounding the shore Carrying all forms of debris Some vegetation, some manmade Gulls sweep down, Gobbling anything attractive, While leaving behind empty shells, Gutted. Emotional tides afflict me, At times rendering me incapable of being rational Should I forgive her for the mean things she said, Or carry on, carrying on. Is it time to ask for help…

            There are general rules about gift-giving.             If an invitation says no gifts, then you don’t appear with a gift in hand.             If it says bring a gift for a shelter pet or a hospitalized child, then you don’t show up with an expensive bottle of wine. Or a fancy crystal platter.             When someone hands you a gift, you thank them even if it’s something you can’t…

            I’ve never been afraid of dogs, not even when I was a little kid. Back then I had no concept of the damage a frightened or angry dog could do, which is most likely why I always wanted to pet them.             All that changed as I got older.             A friend had dogs that wanted to jump in my lap and lick my face. I’d push the offending tongues away, only for them to resume…