Author: rugby843

ML:
clumsy error
we broke the tiny saw blade
pumpkin carving blues
resolute autumn fervor
pumpkin finger painting instead

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CW:

a slip of the knife

turned a frown to a huge smile

Halloween goblins

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ML:
ripening gourds
seeds ready for roasting
plentiful harvest
last-minute costume ideas
warts for witches’ noses

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CW:

crunchy salty treats

pumpkin seeds at the ready

cleaning, washing done

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ML:
fireside marshmallows
melting onto graham crackers
season of the s’more
cheery trick-or-treaters
like king-size candy bars best

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CW:

gooey extra sweet

toothbrushes before their bed

this night treats abound

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#TankaTuesday Poetry Challenge No. 36, Tan-Ku, 10/28/25

School Shooting

This is no trick or treat

that is not what’s moving these small feet,

it’s grief, it’s thinking hard

on all of the friends they’ve lost in the schoolyard.

The faces are solemn,

their hearts cry out.

They cannot even imagine what this is all about.

Even the parents look subdued

gathering, in protests they never act rude,

the sidewalk regulars stay out-of-the-way

because maybe they didn’t have a child there that day.

A shock to these parents and children alike.

They do not realize the government’s spite.

To make new laws that prevent guns

In the presence of all of these little ones,

we plead, we vote, we protest and march

but all of this doesn’t move the oligarch

he cares not what happens in small towns or schools

While he secretly makes up new laws and rules.

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https://wordpress.com/reader/feeds/100129212/posts/5849344692

She pulled out her old white fur and soon found out the perfect look had succumbed to pressure. The soft bands of fox fur were compressed so badly they no longer held their shape that made the entire coat stylish. What was she to wear now on their trip to the aisle of Iceland.?

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MLMM Monday Wordle #448

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“We all go a little mad sometimes” – Norman Bates, Psycho (1960)

–

It’s easy to say you’re not afraid

Even though mistakes will be made

The drum beats slowly in your head

Walking by the stones you dread

Walk or run, the beat continues

Cemeteries all hold the lives

Of evil people, now demised

Only you can hear the venue

Why, I ask, is that true?

Have evil in your heart – you?

Oh I see it, it’s through and through

The day will come, you’ll show that brew.

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Autumn

autumn rendering

undone acorns fall

to ground where other

unearthed treasures hid

myriad colors of brown bracken

now are feeding foragers

Acrostic poem using kigo words, highlighted – the first letter of each line combines to make a word related to the poem.

-—

Colors of Autumn

persimmon hued leaves

contrast the tree born mushrooms

each culinary offer

crimson colors bound to fade

while pale contestants shrivel

—-

tanka with kigo words highlighted, poem’s syllable count, 5,7,5,7,7.

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#TankaTuesday Challenge Rules

Number six, ladies and gentlemen – what should I do more often? Or in my case, do at all? Embarrassing as it is, the word exercise floats above me in a cartoon bubble. I need strength training for my arms and legs that have grown weak lately. One of my docs said I need cardiac rehabilitation. Sounds good to me because I do well in a group of peers trying my hardest. In fact, I’ll admit I felt great in my first rehab for a broken bone in my hip. It was 2015 and I was the youngest person there, on a rapid recovery stint. Ten years of good health and then March 2024 broke my left leg and the s—- hit the fan. All of a sudden I was weak, and scared of falling but I did rehab and came out swinging. December 6, 2024 I fell getting into a car I’ve done hundreds of times and broke my right femur and it’s taking its time healing. There’s more but I’m sure you’re bored by now. It is sufficient to say my body is saying “enough already, we’re taking a break”. I need a new rehab to motivate me.

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This Week’s Writer’s Workshop Prompts: October 30, 2025

Here are this week’s questions:

1.  Can you remember your first wage packet? Was it cash, a cheque or paid directly into your bank account? It was a check, grabbed by my dad and I never saw it again.

2.  Do you prefer to shop with cash or card? I wish cash but now some places don’t even take it!

3.  Do you know the price of half a dozen eggs? Yes, since that’s what I usually get. $1.13

4.  Have you ever kept chickens? No, my sister did and hated it!

Gratitude: I can honestly say as my grandson showed me a photo of him and my great grandson, about six months old, I can’t complain about anything, I’m in love❤️❤️

Still on Top of the Dirt

Laugh at me, if you think you must

I can brush off this paltry dust

But you will always remain

In a cell ‘cause you’re insane

Trying to bury me went bust.

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Laughing Along With A Limerick

Sadly we have no more children visiting on Halloween night. A tradition that failed from fear, I think. I miss the little ones the most!

Giggles and oohahs fill the streets

With tapping boots from tiny feet

Little ghosts dressed in holey sheets

Large bags or baskets to hold treats

Halloween goblins need to eat.

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A quintilla poetry form, five lines, eight syllables per line

Haibun Monday 10-27-25: Halloween

It seems the wire fence had been broken back on itself and was in need of repair. Probably some large creature did the damage. It was too late this day to do any repairs as a cold breeze signaled this day of ranch life was done and it was time to heed the dinner bell.

Joe had just finished his evening meal and heard a ruckus in the barn. Checking it out, found a nest disturbed and bloody feathers strewn about. No need to tell this news to his daughter Nell because she had taken care of this bird as a pet. Apparently some creature decided to drag the bird out to its den, leaving a bloody mess. Joe decided to inform Nell the bird’s disappearance was a sign of magic and the bird had changed into a ghost but would still be around at times.

Joe cleaned up all the mess and when satisfied, went back to the house. His wife and Nell were already in bed. The next morning Nell went out to say hello to her bird and found no trace except one feather resting on a hay bale. She ran into the house hoping for an explanation from her father. He started out “well you know it’s almost Halloween and there’s magic about…”

He got no further when Nell yelled at him practically shoving the bloody feather in his face. “No, dad, that’s not true…I’m not nine anymore and don’t believe that!”

Joe sadly told her the truth. Later he told his wife “kids grow up too fast these days.”

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Wordle 729