from the tent it is a sand and then a water world
I set my shoes
outside
as if I were entering
sancrosanctity
though really the sand-filled things
would not be convenient
in the tent
still
something east of here
and like a desert
calling
and I guess deserts go to coastlines
too
as this beach doesn’t go to desert
actually
but in its narrow strip
still calls what
to us might be
exotic wanderlust
c l couch
from a prompt provided by Melissa Lemay at https://melissalemay.wordpress.com/2025/03/24/melissas-fandango-flash-fiction-challenge-313/ (photo by Sara Cottle on Unsplash)
my thanks for Melissa!
https://melissalemay.wordpress.com/
(at) https://melissalemay.wordpress.com/2025/03/24/melissas-fandango-flash-fiction-challenge-313/
Hello! Welcome to Melissa’s Fandango Flash Fiction Challenge. Each week I will post an image I grab off the internet and challenge bloggers to write a flash fiction piece or a poem inspired by the image. There are no style or word limits.
If this week’s image inspires you and you wish to participate, please write your post and use the tag #FFFC. Please create a pingback to this post and/or manually add your link in the comments. I hope it will generate some great posts. Don’t forget to stop back and read/comment on the posts of others.
Thank you for participating!
the later God
(still the God even of later)
some of us
maybe many
don’t want God around
let alone
too close in
we want God maybe
another time
somewhen
somewhere else
now is not
the time
we need to keep the time
locked away behind
heart’s doors
maybe while we’re not so
worldly
while we’re not so selfish
frankly
while we want good things
though
not
in the right way
we’ll righten up
well
maybe later on
when we’ve used up all
the hope we’ve had
the time
as well
the closeness of the Lord
too close
sometimes
and
certainly
while we’re invested in agendas
made by someone else
imposing
while
not
our own
c l couch
photo by Alexander Andrews on Unsplash
“the heavens”
cherish is the word
the spooky tree
I just heard mention of
a “spooky tree”
trees are spooky
I suppose
or can be especially when given
the Hallowe’en shape
and
association
though trees are green as well
and the green parts
we are drawn
to
for all they are as well as
what they mean
green
la vida
(not loca)
we have had an equinox
lately
and so we’re on a kind of edge
or cusp
in
not so much
the sky-shape of the moon
and how the stars
are
traveling
or even tables of tides
or even
Zodiac zones
we are on a line
an edge
a cusp
and spring should follow
normally
though we have put the seasons on an edge
as well
through what we’ve done to sky
water
and ground
our edge
(related to the others)
is made up of
resolve
which the other things with lines and such
can’t muster
we choose the Earth
we choose
the sky
the water
and the ground
and we choose each other
in the kind of
relation
that comes with deciding our part
of the cosmos
(sometimes
consideration is that
big)
what shall we choose
and
how to live
we have a cusp for timing
there’s no point in
despotism
we can be equal in each other’s eyes
and
all selective senses
and
yes
there’s good
and there is evil
and they need attending
for each is in the world
as each is
in
and from
each of us
we have to keep a world
governments and industries
we should value life
our lives
in whatever motley way we have life
once
we have it
and it goes on
the isms have their place
though they should be mollified by
things
mentioned through ages
befitting
old
and new
and renewed
c l couch
“Cherish” is a song written by Terry Kirkman and recorded by The Association. “Cherish” was released in 1966.
Photo by USGS on Unsplash[--]Soaring, snow-capped peaks and ridges of the eastern Himalaya Mountains create an irregular white-on-red patchwork between major rivers in southwestern China. The Himalayas are made up of three parallel mountain ranges that together extend more than 2,900 kilometers. [From USGS.] (And it looks a bit like a Hallowe’en tree. From me.)
haiku plus announcement
yellow brown blue white
and there must be green for spring
gospel of out there
As I’ve mentioned, I find haiku a challenging craft. Maybe if I knew Japanese, though I’d have to know Japan as well (more than I know now). Nonetheless some haiku of mine—five in all (each one invited to send five)—will be published in an upcoming collection by Literary Revelations (https://literaryrevelations.com/). I’m keenly grateful to the publishing house for accepting my work to share with others. More specifically, I'm grateful to Gabriela Marie Milton who invited and received submissions. (If I understand the process.)
More details as I have them. Thank you for reading and thus encouraging my work.
photo by Xuan Nguyen on Unsplash
2 poems about the new season (more or less)
Bouncy
God
It’s yellow Friday
With blue and brown
On deck
It’s
Spring and time
Not for the metaphor this
Time but
To really
Play some ball
Training
Then the opening
We each can do this
Batter
You know
Up
And I’ve switched audience
Though aren’t you
Always there
(for
an excuse)
Forgive me
And allow me to say
Maybe
To everyone
About
Gospel of play
And did you plays as you ringed
And then rounded
Creation
Maybe
Keep us
Safe
In this new season
Knowing that our choices
Make the difference
Even if
And when
We could turn our will
Toward yours
A wheel
And a wheel within a wheel
But I was thinking baseball
Pitches
Running
And then
The coming home
Green
Workaday
And extraordinary-day
New
Season to you
And to you
Amen
Freedom Ring
The Liberty Bell is cracked
And there were more
Bells
At the time
Ringing freedom
While now we have
The broken bell
For show
And there is wisdom
In admiring the broken
Toward
Kintsugi perhaps
Or to leave in
Pieces
Sometimes for further lack of use
Except in small beholding
Or
When a sizable
Cast bell
To dream on ringing
To dream really large
Sometimes
C L Couch
Photo by Joe Richmond on Unsplash
3 poems about things turning such as certain times of year
hurry up
hurry up
let’s get me out of here
not
to the grave
despite my age that is closing in
on the classic threescore
and ten
but more peace
as I keep asking
which means I’ll need the wherewithal
to get there
which I think means
money
and assistance
more assistance in the way
of people
who are stronger than my heart-disease-ridden
body
can manage anymore
though
I’ve always needed help to move
who doesn’t
though now the urgency
is different
I believe
one more place this time
perhaps
one last place
in which to live
and
you know
hope
to live
please
which goes for a plea
I guess
I mean beyond the wordplay
in that we plea
yet
add a couple letters for more courtesy
with which
to ask
plea
as in deal
as in crime
plea
as in asking because it’s not only desired
but also it is urgent
what we want
or need
or offer in an intercessory
way
a petition
as it were from you
through me
and not that that should make so much
a difference that it’s me
but asking
anyway
on your behalf
of God
or the spirits of the world behind
under
perhaps
even
to add in some miracle
by magic
which isn’t doctrinal
I suppose
but how close the miracle and magic
maybe in the timing
at least
as in
was the miracle the parting of the sea
since by those who
know
purportedly
not an unusual occasion
though parting in the time
to save
the Israelites
and even close upon the enemy
with hurried wheels
following
with many deadly points from spears
and arrows
and yet
whatever passed for armor could not save
but they were
saved
the refugees
those who would become the desert-dwellers
as if to earn the promise of
new land
but
to bring it forward
there are needs
there are miracles
and
(arguably)
of magic
and I wish
not that it’s a lamp
inside a cave
I pray
(more earnestly)
that
what you need you have
possession
or direction
or some healing
as only the one who provides
may provide
knowing
what and how to time
miracle
magic
and everything
my friend
it’s time
another ashy day
goodness
we’ve had a few
days
right
for Lent
I guess
we can wear these days
upon our foreheads
should we wish
late is wan
but shows some color
after all
light gold
a kind of uneasy glaze upon
it all
not that the day is
bad
that’s up to us
and it isn’t hard to look at
but I think the day should have more green
and I’d think you would
too
not only for the sake of light
but the beginning of
you know
that verdant time
note
hurry up
please
it’s time
(titular frame based on a repeating part of “The Wasteland” by T. S. Eliot)
Shantih
photo by Anton Luk on Unsplash
cloudy days be good
and now there’s nothing
nothing new
renewing
and shall I say
the devil
won
and not really since
the devil is too small
and by the end
or even
now
unvictoried
if I let my spirit down
as in descent
now
that is something
and how far to go and then
to start my soul
back up
toward land and sky
again
and now the fool is mentioned
and the fool for Christ
comes
to mind
in
that the world thinks it’s wise
and admittedly
faith built on no evidence
material does
seen
nonsensical
if not Seussical
but like the cat
there’s foolish fun
especially
in
rain
(if in the house while it rains)
when clouds shall run
until the sun
return
with the typical
the good play when it’s easy-bright
and it is
and should be
but should
the rain persist wherever
some
foolish reasoning
be apt
as in have faith in the sun
find interest in the rain
believe
that both
and so many things
have
value
the better parts
supporting faith and does it go
better
the other way around
faith first
and faith below
and faith above and wherever
in
lack of transparency
we through the dark glass
choose
and live
to believe
c l couch
(with allusioning to The Cat in the Hat by Doctor Seuss, also 1 Corinthians)
photo by Damien Dufour on Unsplash
Pale Day
Pale blue
Pretty
I imagine there are
Even piquant clouds somewhere
Bouncing
Even though they’re still
Or moving slowly
To see them
Actually
Adding extra movement
To the elements
Because it’s probably happening
Out there
Up there
Down there
Anyway
And we take movement
All too seriously
As if to be still
Even to rest
Were tantamount to some kind of death
Before
The actual
And is that the antipathy
Toward rest
That it’s too close to resting
Mortally
Forever
I don’t know
It’s a pretty blue day outside
And I’ll think on all these things
And maybe you shall
Too
Blue is for rest
As well
And if it is
Or can be
Some kind of sabbath for you
When it’s time or
You decide
It’s time
Then my wish is for a day of blue
For you
C L Couch
Photo by Oliver Cole on Unsplash
All the Green Hours
It’s the witch hour
The day after Saint Pat’s
Though
The ministry of saints goes on
Brigid might be busy
Too
Being the saint
And also something of
Imbolc
The supernal spirit of the land
C L Couch
(for Saint Patrick’s Day late)
Photo by Greg Willson on Unsplash
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