d’Verse Quadrille; Come play with me!

/ D. Avery @shiftnshake / 28 Comments

It’s Quadrille Monday at d’Verse , the pub for poets, and lillian  is our host. She has invited us out to play, which means penning a quadrille, a poem of any style as long as it is exactly 44 words, not including the title and includes some form of the word “imagine”. Imagine that! Then write it down and link up at the pub.

Thanks by D. Avery

I have an imaginative friend

filled with zest and zeal—

the places we have been

would make your mind just reel.

We’ve shared adventures as good friends should do

My imaginary friend, (not to say unreal)

to you I’m grateful

for imagining me too.

#SixSentenceStories; Game

/ D. Avery @shiftnshake / 23 Comments

Another week of fun and games, packaged in exactly six sentences and only six sentences, because those are the rules according to Denise, aka GirlieontheEdge, our Six Sentence Stories host. Marge Small has returned for another six sentence scene, though I sure tweaked the punctuation to get her in, from fourteen sentences to six. The word of this week is game. Marge was running late, but this six is early; the blog hop link-up opens Wednesday at six. See you there.

Sparkle and Shine Where You Are by D. Avery

Marge didn’t like Kristof’s pick of venue for Saturday night fun and games, too disco-ey for her taste, but she joined the gang there as soon as she could, and Kristof brushed off her apologies for being late.

“You’re here, Marge, and Girl, look at you, you’re sparkling— and you’re killing me in that sequined Dickies shirt, embracing the disco atmosphere but remaining true to yourself.”

At first Marge was very confused but then she remembered that she’d forgotten to at least change her shirt, but she hadn’t so here she was, as is.

“Kiristof, those aren’t sequins— here, smell my hands.”

“Don’t tell me you’re wearing perfume too, let me smell, why, Marge, you smell… gamey.”

“Not game, fish; I’m late because I had a mess of perch to dress, guess I got a few scales on my shirt, but it doesn’t matter, this place stinks anyway.”

#99Word Stories; Walnut 2

/ D. Avery @shiftnshake / 11 Comments

I usually don’t read other responses until after the collection has posted but after reading Jules’ 99-word stories I was inspired to write a second response to the  January 30, 2024 story challenge from Charli Mills at Carrot Ranch which is to: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story about something made of walnut. How can the object expand a story? Who is the maker? How old is the object? What is its significance? Go where the prompt leads! Submit by February 5, 2024.

The Dresser by D. Avery

“Well?” he’d asked expectantly. The ornate dresser was sturdy and functional as well as elegant. His smile faltered when she’d offered only that it was ‘imposing’.

“Walnut lightens over time, my dear. Over time you will come to love it.” His cheery conviction stung her cheeks. She assented. Of course she would.

These many years later, laying a hand on its smooth surface, she felt the solid weight of the dresser through her fingertips. She’d never been asked if she wanted it. The color had lightened, but its elegance hadn’t won her over. She hadn’t come to love it.

The Dresser by D. Avery (191 words)

“Well?” he’d asked expectantly. She looked at the ornate dresser that he had crafted himself. It was sturdy, functional and elegant. His smile faltered when she’d offered only that it was ‘imposing’.

“Walnut lightens over time, my dear and over time you will come to love it.” His cheery conviction stung her cheeks. She assented. Of course she would.

The dresser was one of his first important pieces. He became a successful custom furniture maker. They had children, a welcome diversion. They were known and respected in the community. His funeral was well attended.

Now, laying a hand on its smooth surface, she could feel the solid weight of the dresser through her fingertips. She had never been asked if she wanted it.

She pulled open one of the many drawers. It pulled smoothly but sounded loud in the silent house. There had always been ample space to contain all the things she had but hadn’t wanted, for all the questions no one had ever asked her. She shut the drawer firmly.

The color had lightened, but the dresser’s elegance hadn’t won her over. She had not come to love it.

Check out the Fish Out of Water collection at Carrot Ranch for some fantastic flash fiction and poems.

In addition to what I post here for the Carrot Ranch challenges, there’s always the Ranch Yarns with Kid and Pal’s responses HERE.

#99Word Stories; Walnut

/ D. Avery @shiftnshake / 18 Comments

The January 30, 2024 story challenge from Charli Mills at Carrot Ranch is to: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story about something made of walnut. How can the object expand a story? Who is the maker? How old is the object? What is its significance? Go where the prompt leads! Submit by February 5, 2024.

Here are my 99 words:

Fine Grained by D. Avery

His name was Walton, but everybody called him Walnut.

Some said he was called Walnut because he was hard and tough as walnut wood. Some thought he looked like a walnut, especially as he aged.

Others actually said he earned the name because he was toxic, hard to be around. He’s a hard cased nut, some quipped.

Even his wife called him Walnut. Because she knew he had the strength and wisdom of a walnut tree. Knew that there was great beauty underneath his rough bark. Knew that inside his hard shell he was soft and sweet.

She knew.

Check out the Fish Out of Water collection at Carrot Ranch for some fantastic flash fiction and poems.

In addition to what I post here for the Carrot Ranch challenges, there’s always the Ranch Yarns with Kid and Pal’s responses HERE.

#SixSentenceStories; Craft 2

/ D. Avery @shiftnshake / 19 Comments

After a long dry spell the latest Six Sentence Story prompt from Denise, aka GirlieontheEdge, has inspired a second Six, a follow up to this one with Marge Small and her friend Nard. The rules for Six Sentence Stories remain quite simple: write a story in exactly six sentences. Or write a poem in six lines, or six stanzas. The prompt word is craft and the blog hop link-up is HERE.

Above Average by D. Avery

“Hey Nard, Marge is still in bed, she’s not doing too good today. She must have gone way past her limit to be this bad off and you still standing— no offense.”

“What happened, Ernest, is that Marge decided to go on a health kick, so, when we stopped in some pub up there where we fished yesterday she decided it was time she tried craft beers, figuring they were better for you. Neither of us had any more beers than usual, but she wouldn’t drink anything that got less than an eight out of ten rating.”

“That’s my Marge, only the best.”

“Ernest, that wasn’t a rating system on the beer menu, it was the alcohol content.”

#SixSentenceStories; Craft

/ D. Avery @shiftnshake / 15 Comments

Whether I craft a response or not, every week, Denise, aka GirlieontheEdge, hosts a fun writing prompt where the rules for Six Sentence Stories are quite simple: write a story, (or what have you) in exactly six sentences (or stanzas, or what have you). This week Marge Small and her friend Nard wanted to get into their trusty crafts and fish for a story, in six sentences exactly, no less. The prompt word is craft and the blog hop link-up is HERE.

End of the Line by D. Avery

“Don’t look at me,” Nard said to the young men who sat astride their personal watercraft, “She’s the better mechanic— I’d do as she says and have that ignition system looked at.”

Catching the line Marge tossed him, Nard tied it to the stern of the jet-ski that was still idling as she tied her end to the bow-ring of the other jet-ski.

“Keep the rope,” Marge said, “Just take this thing to the dealer like I said, I’m sure they’ll get you going again.”

“Pretty crafty,” Nard remarked as he and Marge, their kayaks rocking in the wake, watched the first jet-ski tow the other away towards the boat ramp. Then they turned and resumed paddling towards their fishing spot, enjoying peace and quiet at last.

Marge’s sly smile was her only acknowledgement that Nard’s suspicion was correct— the jet-ski that had sputtered to a halt near them most likely had simply run out of gas.

#99Word Stories; Fish Out of Water

/ D. Avery @shiftnshake / 17 Comments

The January 23, 2023 story challenge from Charli Mills at Carrot Ranch is to: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story about a fish out of water. What is the source of the tension? The characters, the action, the setting? Or, is it literally a story about fish, real or metaphorical? Go where the prompt leads! Submit by January 29, 2024.

This prompt led to another wish-granting-talking-fish story. I’ve written them for the Ranch before, first Wishes, and later, The Magic Fish.

Another Fish Tale by D. Avery

“I wish you’d let me go.”

“Aren’t I the one who gets to wish?”

“I wish you wouldn’t do this. I’m not certified yet. My training hasn’t been going well.”

“I wish you’d stop talking already.

“Hello? Fish? Oh… Darn, one gone. Wish I hadn’t wished for that.”

“That’s two wishes gone. One more and you have to let me go.”

No sooner had the man wished for more money than he could spend in his lifetime than a Brink’s truck careened off the road, killing him instantly. The fish was thrown clear and landed safely in the lake.

First Draft, 127 words

“A talking fish?! Today’s my lucky day!”

“I wish you’d let me go.”

“Oh, really? Aren’t I the one who gets to wish?”

“Ugh. That. I’m not certified at that level yet.”

“Whatever. I’ll let you go if you grant me three wishes.”

“I wish you wouldn’t do this. My training hasn’t gone so well.”

“I wish you’d stop talking already.

“Hello? Fish? Oh… Darn, one gone. Wish I hadn’t wished for that.”

“That’s two wishes gone. One more and you have to put me back in the water.”

No sooner had the man wished for more money than he could spend in his lifetime than a Brink’s truck careened off the road, killing him instantly. The fish was thrown clear and landed safely in the lake.

Check out the Wrecking Weather collection at Carrot Ranch for some fantastic flash fiction and poems.

In addition to what I post here for the Carrot Ranch challenges, there’s always the Ranch Yarns with Kid and Pal’s responses HERE.

#2024PicoftheMonth; January

/ D. Avery @shiftnshake / 15 Comments

Dappled Light by D. Avery

High temperatures and rain— early winter floods

Followed by heavy wet snows, felling many trees

Clouds drape over the mountains, fog fills the valleys

Full weather spectrum! Sunshine colors wintry mist.

Maria Antonia is switching things up! #PicoftheWeek is now  #2024picofthemonth, with one bingo sheet for the whole year. I usually try to include a bit of prose or poetry with my photo, but it is not a requirement. This form is “Imayo” , which I learned about some time ago from Laura Blomsbury at d’Verse. But you don’t have to add text, nor do you have to get five in a row! Click HERE to see how you can participate in this unique prompt.

d’Verse; OLN 354

/ D. Avery @shiftnshake / 30 Comments

Today I did something different. I joined in to the live readings hosted by  Björn Rudberg (brudberg) of d’Verse, the virtual pub for poets. I am posting and linking up out of order, but am just glad to have finally made it to the party. Thirty minutes prior I was scrambling to write a poem, then decided it was more important to get dressed. I read the following poem, which is from my collection, For The Girls. It was wonderful to see the crew from the pub. Thank you to everyone who listened and read!

These Ones by D. Avery


Survivors are ones

who live without their loved one

They’re the ones who mourn.


Here’s a survivor;

who will taste the soup he makes

at the stove alone?

Heavily he stirs

spices that she never liked

says now it doesn’t matter

stirs in even more

for this is what matters most.

At the stove he mourns.


Another, a girl

gathering ingredients

for her birthday cake,

another year passed.

Alone at her mother’s stove

baking her own cake.


Others, grown children

cry still for understanding

struggle to forgive

burdened with too much

weakened by their loss

in their own kitchens mourning. 


In them all see hope 

with each meal that they prepare

with each bite they take.


Favored recipes

revisions and additions;

Bitter sweet their task.

Quadrille From the d’Verse Lagoon

/ D. Avery @shiftnshake / 52 Comments

It’s Quadrille Monday at d’Verse , the pub for poets, the first of the new year. Melissa, from Mom With a Blog is behind the bar today. She would have us pen a quadrille, a poem of any style as long as it is exactly 44 words, not including the title and includes some form of the word “lagoon”. I am a believer in “go where the prompt leads”, but sometimes wonder if I should really post the results. This is what came to me with this word. Sorry Melissa.

Outstanding In Their Field by D. Avery

Doug and Ina Pitt—

Dairy farmers, who know their shit

and know their cows; feed them well

then tend the end product that smells

While not affluent tycoons

these farmers have their own lagoon!

Does that make them well-to-do,

having effluent pools of poo?