The Bag Lady

***

“You’re only given a spark of madness. You musn’t lose it.”
― Robin Williams

***

One-Liner Wednesday – Famous last … thoughts?

II. Dennis’ prompt: Giving the Abstract a Voice

For this prompt, write a poem that gives an abstract idea a personality, a voice, and a life of its own.

Choose something we cannot physically touch: Destiny, Time, Hope, Justice, Fear, Memory, Regret, Silence, Truth or any other abstract concept that interests you.

Imagine your chosen concept as a character. What might it say? How might it behave? What does it do when nobody is watching? Does it enjoy its work? Does it have ambitions, habits, complaints, prejudices or regrets? Does it understand how its actions affect people?

You are especially encouraged to draw on your own culture, language, mythology, folklore or personal experience to give your character a distinctive identity and voice.

Your personification can be comic, tragic, sinister, tender, absurd, philosophical or anything in between. Perhaps Time is tired of being blamed for everything. Maybe Hope is stubborn. Perhaps Memory keeps things it was asked to throw away.

You might write a dramatic monologue in which the concept speaks directly to us, a conversation between two competing abstractions, a sonnet, an allegory, a satire or something completely different. These are only possibilities, not restrictions.

***

OUT THERE

There you sit, staring at the news channel, not taking anything in, sort of in a trance because it’s too much to take in, it can’t be real. The phone rings, “oh hello Fran. No I’m not busy, tomorrow? Taking the bus you say, a protest? I couldn’t possibly go. I’m not twenty anymore, Fran, and neither are you! I don’t think it’s safe out there. What? Of course I vote, but I’m not going out there, I’m voting by mail. You’ll drive me? No, I’m not going out there. I’m not protesting either. It’s too dangerous out there. Of course I agree. Of course I’m upset about it. Don’t talk to me like that Fran, I vote and I see the news. I know what’s going on. I said no, goodbye.” Turns the volume back up.

***

W3 Prompt #235: Wea’ve Written Weekly

The day is almost done. Only a mile swim and I’ll be home free. This new movie will shove me right into the spotlight and maybe even movie star status! That would mean no more microwave noodles every night and some real food. Practicing with the heavy helmet and sword should make the audition easy. Swimming has built up my arm strength and runs on the sand builds my endurance. I’m doing everything I can to be perfect for the role of Lancelot in the new King Arthur film.

The cell phone rings. “Yes, sir, tomorrow at six. I’m ready!”

***

30 Octber 2026

Classic and the first word that comes to mind are books. Books we read as children such as my favorite golden book, “Cinderella” ☺️that gave me a goal for my entire life till six years old and then all of the dog stories such as sad ones like “Call of the Wild” and meeting Jack London, to “Black Beauty”. Black Beauty by Anna Sewell was my favorite for years. Then in high school I met John Steinbeck who was easy to read and learned about lives of people I had no idea. Just writing about these which are a drop in the bucket, because reading was my favorite thing to do, brings many memories. I must say when I read a classic, I forage for every book the author has written and read them too.

***

Writing Prompts

***

Fandango’s Story Starter #270

It was a train to their graves and they all knew it. Looking out the windows gave them no new sights to see. Darkness forever was their fate for all the slatternly, nastily, dastardly, bastardly, taciturnly, acts they committed. They’re searching the solace that is not to be.

***

Simply 6 Minutes – Welcome to the Challenge: 10/27/2026

Here are this week’s questions:

1.  If you were a child’s toy, what would you be? A slinky

2.  If you had to design/dress a shop window, what would be your theme?School days

3.  Have you ever done a bungee or parachute jump? No but would like a parasailing experience

4.  Would you like to work in a zoo, circus, or veterinary practice? No way

Gratitude: I am grateful for a stranger that helped me in a parking lot.😇. And for the success my granddaughter is having in LCCC soccer.🎊🎉👍🏻❤️🥰

***

Share Your World 26th October 2026

Number five stands out this week!

The nicest thing a stranger did for me lately is help me into an SUV. I am in a wheelchair and got into the car at home but used a curb to help me up. In the store parking lot there wasn’t one and my legs turned to jelly. I told my friend who drove me that I refused to call 911 to lift me into a high car! A young man carrying a bouquet of flowers in his hands was walking by across the walkway. I called to him to help me. He said no problem I do it for my mom all the time. Just put your arms around my neck. Admittedly it took two tries, but we made it. It was just one of those times my legs went just limp. We thanked him profusely but I never even got his name. So guardian angels are out there….😇

***

This Week’s Writer’s Worrkshop Prompts: October 29, 2026

see wide smiling lips

terror lies behind like “IT”

clowns never funny

Halloween scare in movies

friendly masks hide the horror

#TankaTuesday Poetry Challenge No. 88, What Lies Behind the Mask – 10/27/26

voices heard not so shy

“give ‘em hell” I heard them cry

stand for freedom, not incarceration

every one matters in this nation

families now fear the streets

schools in danger for little feet

take your words, print them bold

love for justice is never old.

***

Poetics Tuesday: The Art of Irreverence