Alastair’s Photo Fiction: The Dancing Partner

Jan6
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“Somebody has been shot.” screamed Ron, bringing the cruise ship dance to a halt.
“Who? Where?” cried Walter. Then there began a hurried search amongst the dancers. Later, they discovered an old gentleman holding his heart and slipping down.
“Walter, treat him, man. Come along.” shouted someone. The reluctant doctor moved from the dancing room towards the dining hall. Walter, after checking his patient, ordered him to be moved to his room, saying that he would get back to him in a few minutes.
“Hasn’t he been shot?” asked his friend, disappointedly
“Nope. Apparently he had fainted from the commotion in the dancing floor.”
“But Ron said…”
“I know. I just repeated what my dancing partner told me.” said Ron
“Where is that girl? I danced with her, but had never seen her before. ”
“Me neither. She asked me for a dance.”
“I danced with her too. Hey, I am not able to find my wallet.”
Everyone complained of some loss. Ron hurried to the deck, feeling his finger for his expensive ring. He saw a helicopter flying close to the ship and a pair of red heels disappearing inside.

Alastair’s Photo Fiction – Ruslan’s Timetable

Dec30
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“Monday evening – Read up your biology from four to five. Chemistry lessons from five to six. Learn Physics from six to seven. Just spend half an hour each on English and Maths, since you are so good at these subjects. If you strictly follow these, you will be a class topper.”
Ruslan sighed, thankful that his father had missed the weekends. Just then, his father wrote the weekend timetable and circled them.
A few weeks later, his father breathed these last words before he passed away, “Study. Your future…” The next day, a tearful Ruslan and his mother were evacuated from the house by creditors.
Fifteen years later, Ruslan returned to his house. “Hurry up”, his boss shouted at him. The timetable was still there in the table, though the markings were faded. His father’s hollow voice rang in his ears.  “Your future..”
Ruslan took his carpentry tools and slowly followed his boss.
This was written for Alastair’s Photo Fiction.

Alastair’s Photo Fiction – Mary’s Gift

Dec28

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This was the cheapest ornament he could find in the gift shop. However, it glittered and looked huge. So, Larry took it home. Mary looked at the ornament with shining eyes. She dangled it lovingly on the Christmas tree.

Everyday she went over to the living room to check if her precious glittering ball was still there.  She touched it and even kissed it when she thought no one was looking. Larry noticed everything and felt envious of the ornament. He started buying expensive designer ornaments for the tree. Larry even went around decorating the house with lights and got a new Christmas tree. He decorated the tree with all ornaments, except the cheap ornament. Next day, he found it in a prominent place on the tree.

Exasperated, he unfastened the ornament from the tree and tossed it away. Mary picked it up from the rubble, “This is the first thing you bought for me in the 25 years of our life together. I would never throw it away.”

This was written for Alastair’s Photo Fiction.

Silent Night

Nov30

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Dead night

no breath except mine

cicada offers comfort

Hi Friends, Penny asked me to write a poem a few weeks ago. So, this haiku is dedicated to her. Hope you like it, Penny:)

On Ligo Haibun

Oct19

Hi Friends,

Due to some commitments, I would no longer be able to host the Ligo Haibun Challenge. And so, Pirate and Ese will host the same. Do please check out their blogs. Let us also thank Penny for her effective contribution to the challenge and her painstaking research on haibun. Though not a judge, Penny would still continue her research and offer valuable insights on Haibun. Hoping for your support to the Ligo Haibun Challenge and the great art of Haibun:) Good Luck!

Ligo Haibun Challenge – Picture Week

Oct11

Hi Friends,

Welcome to the Ligo Haibun Challenge. We have a surprise for you this week. Esenga blogging at Ese’s Voice has agreed to be our fourth host. Do please welcome Ese.

The first photo for this week’s challenge belongs to Pirate and the second one has been taken by Penny. So, sharpen your ideas and get started:)

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Or

looking up

And add your haibun to the Inlinkz collection



Good luck and welcome Ese:)

ligo haibun

Picture it & Write – Soul

Oct10

ermilia

I lay in the couch. A few people stood, still few wiping their eyes. My soul hovered around the room, restless, impatient and anxious. The man I loved stood on the porch, his face turned away from my body. Hardened by years, he displayed no emotion. My tortured soul was struck in the room, prepared to haunt the unloving earth for ever.

All of a sudden, he turned partly around. A lone tear, perhaps prompted by some distant memory, fell from his eyes. In that tear, my soul found eternal peace.

This was written for Ermilia’s Picture it & Write.

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Alastair’s Photo Fiction – During the Meeting

Oct8

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The meeting was conducted in a secret room, marked ‘Private’.

“This is very important, gentlemen. All our agents are missing, including Mr Derek Sparrow, and we don’t know what happened to them.”

“There are no remains either.”

“The enemy camp was raided last week and they found Mr Sparrow’s clothing.”

The men were still contemplating when a bird flew in through the window and sat on the table.

“I am Derek Sparrow.” said the bird.

There was stunned silence for a minute. Then one of the men blurted out, “But you are a Pigeon…”

“Listen, you chump…” the Pigeon started in an abusive tone

“Oh! This is indeed Mr Sparrow.” said the head, convinced

Ligo Haibun Challenge – Word Prompt

Oct4

Hi Friends,

This is the week for special and Honourable mentions. Writers who have put in a lot of hard work and have been consistent in their quality and participation have been included below as special mentions.

Anja: Intense, personal and powerful! That is Anja’s writing for you. Noteworthy and emotional is her latest piece, ‘You will not steal my moments’.

Alastair: Alastair has put in a great deal of effort on the Ligo Haibun Challenge. He has brought a different style here and his narrative needs to be mentioned for its originality. Do check out his piece on ‘Copper and Steel’, written on September 16th.

Freya: Freya has written a deep personal experience this week. Also, don’t miss her lovely philosophical take on Pirate’s picture in ‘Random Beauty’. It is unique and refreshing.

Summerstommy: Summerstommy, a regular contributor, writes in a simple yet effective manner. One of his most gripping pieces this month is his take on Khalil Gibran’s quote.

Now let us move over to the honourable mentions.

Peripatetic Eric: It is always a delight to read Peripatetic Eric’s work, with his compelling imageries, which propel you from the chair to the place he describes. Do read his haibun on paradise or the latest piece on Tagore’s quote.

Anelephant: From a child’s point to an adult’s conflicting emotions, Anelephant takes you into right into their minds. In the link here is his take on how love can turn a rock into ice.

Sunshine: Sunshine is sunny and bright as the name suggests, but could also be philosophical, perceptive and intense. For instance, take a look at her haibun on Rumi’s quote.

Twoscamps: Here is a writer who travels a lot and brings to you the exact flavour of her destination. Check her vivid haibun under the title, ‘Bridge to Nowhere’. Read twice the haiku towards the end.

Below are the word prompts this week.

Fascination

or

Torture

And after completion, please add them to the InLinkz below. Good luck!


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Alastair’s Photo Fiction – Danny

Oct1

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Danny felt that he was five years old as he listened to Mr Bowman’s account of the swearing-in ceremony. Indeed, he had been five when had last seen the parliament at close quarters. His parents were poor immigrants and Danny had gone through a lot.

“Will the ministers assemble by 9 AM?” asked Danny

“Yes. And the swearing-in ceremony starts by 9:30.”

“Are we too early, Mr Bowman?” asked Danny, smiling.

“No, Mr Prime Minister, we are just on time.” said the National Security Advisor as he led the prime minister-elect inside the parliament.

The short story above was written for Alastair’s photo fiction. Alastair has interesting photos each week. So, do check them out and take part in this exciting challenge.