Swords And Egos Don’t Mix

She was sure he was about to run her through…

The sword fell out of her hand. It was over. She rolled onto her back, the oversized armor clanging and hindering her. She struggled to remove the helm and felt lightheaded.

When her face was finally visible, audible gasps were heard as the crowd realized she was a woman.

She wiped the sweat from her eyes and breathed deeply. It was over, she thought again.

She had killed Ogin the Oppressor and her village was free.

She smiled, and then laughed out loud as the reality set in. His arrogance was his downfall.

She was sure he was about to run her through but he hesitated and faced the crowd to work them into a frenzy. In that brief moment, she gathered her strength, stood with her sword held straight out in front of her, and began to move as quickly as she could in his direction.

It was a difficult task, considering the heavy armor she wore. It belonged to her brother and was much larger than she was.

She stumbled, lost her balance, and could not stop charging forward. Before Ogin was able to turn around completely, she tripped and fell into him, her sword piercing the gap in his armor under his arm as they both tumbled to the ground.

sword-918542_1920– Written for Cracked Flash: Year 1, Week 44, First sentence prompt was “The sword fell out of her hand. It was over.” WC 213. Photo from Pixabay.com.

Published In Haiku Journal Issue #44

logo
 Haiku Journal

Mystery Haiku

shadows stretch long arms
underneath the dripping sun
anticipation

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– First time publication in Haiku Journal Issue #44. June 1, 2016. Photo from Pixabay.com.
Haiku Journal issues are free and readily available online. Please click through and read some of the other poets.

Life Choices

Money pocketed; gun wiped of fingerprints.


– Written for Sometimes Stellar Storyteller Six Word Story Challenge #36. Prompt was “naughty.” WC 6. Photo from Pixabay.com.

sssmain1

She Traded The Blues For Greenbacks

The two were joined in matrimony.
No one knew he was a phony.
She welcomed him into her life.
Soon it was filled with strife.
Now she is collecting alimony.


– Written for Limerick Challenge Week 23. Prompt was Wedding. Photo from Pictures of Money. “She Traded The Blues For Greenbacks” was named 2nd place in this contest.

My Grandparents, My Anchors

They weren’t perfect. They were human.

old pic of mamaw and papaw
Joyce & James Barrow circa 1950’s

Both transplants from different states, they met and married in Florida, and started a family.

She was amazingly talented and intelligent and learned a lot through life experiences. He was talented and resourceful and had spent some time in the Army.

They had three children and four grandchildren. She taught them strength and compassion.

They held private concerts in the grandkids’ room, where they would sing and play guitar and mesmerize them.

They spoiled the grandkids while trying to instill manners and appreciation.

They weren’t perfect. They were human.

They passed away within 6 months of one another, leaving a canyon of memories where their light had once been.

For better or worse, they made me who I am. I miss them and wish they could see the woman I have become; maybe they can from wherever they are.

– This entry was compiled for Hugh’s Weekly Photo Challenge: Week 27 – Vintage. WC 133.

Numbers Photo Challenge

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A Moment In Time
15 Calls The Shots
15 Calls The Shots
19 Is Your 20
19 Is Your 20

– The Daily Post Photo Challenge: Numbers. Photos ©Leara Morris-Clark 2016.

Big Brother

Every now and again, the guilt of their happiness would bring them to tears…

He loved his big brother and missed him terribly. Without hesitation, he always gave Jason credit for the man he had become. He felt at odds over being happy without his brother, and even more so about his current happiness being a result of his brother’s death.

Erin and Jason met in Afghanistan, and Cody and Erin met at Jason’s funeral in Paris, where he said he wanted to be buried.

Jason was stationed overseas and after spending some time in Paris vowed to make it his home when he retired from the military.

On his first tour in Afghanistan, he met a friendly helicopter pilot, and they became fast friends. On his second tour, he met an IED.

Erin and Cody bonded over their mutual loss and were swept up in the romance of Paris, the city of love. They both decided to stay there for a while and often visited the cemetery to talk to Jason about the life they were building together.

Every now and again, the guilt of their happiness would bring them to tears, but they knew deep down that Jason would be overjoyed for them. They both knew the kind man he was.

Today’s visit to see Jason was to deliver some very exciting news.

“Hey big brother, guess what,” Cody said, his voice cracking. Erin reached for his hand and squeezed it reassuringly. “It won’t be long now we will be welcoming baby Jason.”

“Did you hear that, Jason? We’re going to have a baby!” Erin reiterated. “We wish you were here to meet your namesake.” She finished and wiped a silent tear from her cheek.

They hugged and smiled.

“You’d be proud, big brother,” Cody said as they turned to leave. “I am so proud of you.”

pere-lachaise-cemetery-1172324_1920
– Written for Microcosms 22 weekly contest. Prompts Book ending sentence: “He loved Big Brother.”/Setting: Paris Cemetery/Genre: Romance. WC 295. Photo from Pixabay.com.

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