Every Wednesday visit Madison Wood’s site to see the picture prompt for the week’s 100-word writing challenge. Write a 100-word story or poem that’s inspired by the picture. Post the writing on your blog. On Friday post a link to your blog entry in the comments section of her Friday Fictioneers post.
This week I must say I am not sure at all about what I am posting…I came up with a short story, and a poem. Each one is under 100 words…something about this week’s picture screams “appearance can be deceiving to me.” Please feel free to critique and let me know your honest opinions :). Thanks as always!!!
STORY-THE POISON
I wanted a piece so badly, after days of wandering about the forest aimlessly…I was hungry and thirsty. I spotted the berries amongsts the trees. I didn’t care if they were poisonous or safe, I wanted some…I had to have some…
There was something about them that drew me in…calling my name and speaking to me… they looked juicy and sweet.
I reached with weary and unsteady hands, standing on my tippy toes…something about these berries reminded me of Adam and Eve. I brushed off the thought, and grabbed one.
“Juicy and sweet” I thought and then all was black…
THE POEM
Things are not always what they seem
At least not around these parts
Sometimes in the quest for hope
Survival and trust
One might come across
Tempting desires
Vanishing enjoyments
Fleeting happiness
Standing out in the midst of pursuit
Appealing and inviting
Calling out…
Beware
Abstain
Refrain and curb the urges
For these desires are in fact evil
Albeit little and small
Disguising as sweet and simple pleasures
Their gratifications are temporary
Fleeting and unsatisfying
Leaving ugly and bitter reminders
You are very wise.
Only on paper :). Thank you Resa
I really like the story. It comes across as a metaphor for many situations in life. 🙂
And reminds me of what I was thinking when I wrote mine.
Do you have any suggestions to help me improve it? http://niftitalks.com/2012/06/28/scarlet-lady/
It is very well written Nifti…i really like it. Thanks, i am not sure about my post this week but it’s all good :). I really really like yours, well done
I think the story is perfect. The poem too 🙂
I love the last line of the story! The poem — true…true…
Thanks SCB! I felt very unsure about this prompt…in my head i think i had a “great” idea but was not sure how to relay it lol.
Out of the two, I prefer the poem, but that’s just a personal opinion. I think that there’s a typo in the prose: “this berries” instead of “these berries”. The text was good, but the poem was even better. I’m on the list.
Thank you so much. I made the correction :).
Both are very good. But I like the story best this week. 🙂
Thank you ever so much :). Have a lovely weekend. Big hugs
Dear Boomie Bol,
Story and poem to die for. Wisdom gained from long experience?
Aloha,
Doug
Thank you :). I have to say yes…i am learning daily things are not as they appear…looks can be very deceiving. I just stopped by yours and like how you wrote so beautifully well from a female perspective. Many thanks also for the follow
My pleasure re the follow. I was chagrined to see that I had not followed you earlier and immediately checked the ‘follow’ button. I read a lot but often keep my own counsel, so know that I’m there and rock on.
Aloha,
Doug
Oh thank you so much
I think writing is a place to explore danger! Did you know tomatoes used to be thought poisonous and someone tried to poison Geo. Washington with some? Nice sequence in this piece! Lorelei
http://www.westcoastwriters.blogspot.com
OOh scary…i guess those food types are just easier to manuevure with poison, plus their perishable aspects make them all the more scary
Very interesting! How lovely to see a poem in response to the photo prompt!
Thank you so much
I’m lovin’ your story poem combos!
Thanks twinnie, truth is I haven’t been sure the past few days so i decided i will share both and see what the kind readers think :). Hope Wrigley is better
Red berries just bring forth such sexy images. Seductive and enticing. Lovely piece
I know right, i guess it’s the color and juicy abilities
Too true on that poem. Too true.
I gotta say that i agree. Thank you, how are you getting ready for Japan? So jealous lol
Packing, repacking, and working so I have cash. Lol. I’m pretty excited too!
Oh, I managed something for the prompt so here’s my link: http://unduecreativity.wordpress.com/2012/06/29/pick-me/
Hi boomie…I enjoyed both.,..but leaning toward the poem…maybe because to me it shows deeper thought and depth. Well done. Btw, I love the name Boomie. Does it mean something? Is it a nickname? I’m on the list.
Thank you so much, yea i think the poem carries a bit more depth. Thank you. It is a nickname :). My original name is Bunmi short for Olubunmi- it means God gives me :).
A poem and a short story. That’s quite an effort, irrespective of how you may feel about it. Well done.
I’m wondering… did the protagonist mistake a blackberry for a raspberry in the story?
Was the last word (black) meant to give the hint?
http://logo-ligi.com/2012/06/28/w-m-d/
Thank you so much, i really couldn’t decide which was better. So i decided to post both. The word black there meant…passing out after eating the berries.
They are both very good but I like the story more:-)
Thank you so much, i appreciate your stopping by and taking time to comment. Have a great weekend!
Both the story and poem are vivid warnings about going for what we want rather than what we need. Very thought-provoking for an early Friday morning.
Here’s mine: http://unexpectedpaths.com/friday-fictioneers/may-the-punishment-fit/
Thank you so much unspywriter. Going over to yours now, have a great weekend
Great pieces. But I identified with the story. Often times one gets a funny feeling about something, and brush it off just to pander to physical and immediate needs…
http://writersclubkl.wordpress.com/2012/06/29/friday-fictioneers-valentine/
Thanks Raina and you are right, sometimes it feels so good to live in the moment but the consequences can be quite severe
Very short yet very Good
Thank you so much, have a great weekend!
Both are good, Boomie. But I love the story, the suspense and almost lyrical. Who can resist such juicy temptation? Good show. Mine is here and linked as well: http://readinpleasure.wordpress.com/2012/06/29/fridayfictioneers-seduction/
Thank you Cestone….yours was fiery hot lol.
The story did it for me. I love the whole knowing looks can be deceiving but doing it anyway aspect, of course after wandering aimlessly for days I probably would have done the same. Mine: http://adamickes.wordpress.com/2012/06/29/berry-tester/
Thank you so much for stopping by, and I have to agree i probably would have done the same :). I had a good laugh reading yours lol, very well done.
Awwwww…! Another brilliant piece from Boomie.\m/ 🙂
Thank you Rahul 🙂
I try not to read other comments before I post mine – I was going to say I liked the story best – and see now that others have already said that! I particularly enjoyed the reference to the Garden of Eden – that was something that I thought about as well. Mine is here: http://wp.me/p1Wqon-bl
Thank you so much. I enjoyed reading yours :).
Love this! We really have to stop listening to the stupid snake!
I tell you :). Thanks so much
I preferred “The Poison” to “The Poem.” 🙂 I was very curious to know what the main character wanted a piece of (I was thinking pie 🙂 ). There also seemed to be a lot going on, particularly with the reference to Adam and Eve, that could have been explored further. If you reduced some of the repetition, you would have quite a few more words to play with and the text would feel cleaner.
I’m at http://plowright.wordpress.com/2012/06/29/fictioneers-19/
Thank you for reading and commenting. I appreicate the thorough breakdown
Happy to make suggestions. 🙂
:), i appreciate them
Both are lovely, the standing on tippy toes in the prose puts me right in the mind of a child misstepping, and the poem has a wicked specificity. Actually, reading the poem, I thought you could come up with quite the dialogue between temptation and the caution, each arguing for the soul of the reader. But no pressure!
Smiles at no pressure. I will go back to the poem and see about that. Thanks so much for stopping by
Your story was just a prelude to your weighty and truthfu poem. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you so much for reading and takking time to comment
I’m with Mr. Bradley. I saw the story and poem as one. Loved it. Great imagery and message.
Mine’s on the list and here: http://www.rochelle-wisoff.blogspot.com/2012/06/forgiveness.html
Thank you so much. Going over to your now 🙂
Boomiebol: i was recommended to check out your site by “Osters Mom” -I have enjoyed all I have read of you blog-and will follow you. I invite you to check out my blog and follow as well, there are a variety of poems, editorials and stories on my site. I hope to check out the wednesday 100 word blog- it sounds interesting-the picture on this weeks site reminds me of my latest blog, “Blackberry Pickin'” Best wishes, beebeesworld.
Thanks so much for stopping by my blog and for the follow. Oster’s mom is such a sweetheart. I have just stopped by your blog and enjoyed reading your profound posts. I was trying to comment on the Raspberries post but my comments weren’t going through. The post packs a lot of power and depth. Thanks for sharing…it also brings to mind Madison Wood’s photo prompt challenge for this week. Thanks again for sharing.
Thank you for your kind comments and for following my blog-I have a lot to learn-I have been writing on the internet for several years, but don;t find the “lessons” very helpful-any suggestions would be appreciated. I will read more of your older blogs ASAP!
My absolute pleasure i truly enjoyed your blog- your poems carry a profound depth and sincerity. I am still a novice at this but i remember something a fellower blogger told me when i first started this, two simple words that might sound cliche but in my opinion are so true- KEEP WRITING!!! I haven’t stopped since.
Keep Writing-is something I have heard all of my life. I love to write, have been writing since I was a child. Blogging/internet writing is so gratifying. I have a lot to learn. With wonderful fellow bloggers like the you and others, I may just find a way to see if my work is as good as my friends and family have told me it is.Thanks!
Yea, it is the most important thing i guess. Your work is great, and your contents have depth. Keep up the great work, you have my support :). Big hugs
I was under the impression that this is the decoy used by Katniss and Peeta to win the Hunger Games.
You know i still have not read the books or seen the movie. I just got it recently and it’s still by my bedside table and have not even opened it…
The poem.
Reblogged this on Bag Lady Boutique.
Thanks
I liked the story best 🙂 I think you and I were of the same mind on the berries, and the mc in my story is learning that all is not as it appears, too!
Thank you so much Madison :). Yea i think we have the same “all is not as it appears” idea going on this week. I am enjoying Friday Fictioneers. Thanks
Way to get double duty out of the prompt! I feel a bit bad for the berries, though. They really got a bum rap this week!
Yea i do too…i am glad they weren’t blueberries, i love those lol. Raspberries not so much but still they deserve some love. Thanks so much
I agree with Nifti – a great metaphor for life in general with both parts to the challenge – the story is more obvious about it than the poem but the poem beautifully draws the conclusions of the story. 🙂
Thank you so much.
You’re very welcome 🙂
Love it …last lines of the poem hit hard …awesome job … 😀 Tim
Thank you so much, glad to hear you love this 🙂
Like the poem. The berries look like raspberries to me – a garden berry in Europe which grows wild in Northern and Western Britain. They’re good to eat! I remember a Japanese lady in some group I met while out walking asking me if they were edible.
Yes i think they are raspberries. I don’t like them though :). Too soft i think…thanks always.