The Bag Lady

delicate footprints

stating we were here today

foraging the sands

***

Haiku Fridays with J-Dub #17

***

Joe hesitated on the step. It wasn’t the first time he tried to go inside, and turning around and getting back into his car seemed the better option. He couldn’t see the man sitting back on the right side. Could it be he, too, was reluctant to meet? Thirty years had passed and Joe thought he probably wouldn’t recognize the father he only knew a few years. George was also uncomfortable, twisting a bit in his chair in the old fashioned lobby. He had reason to be, but with failing health he wanted to see his son before anything happened.

***

21 August 2026

There was a bit of tittle-tattle going on after Joe left the yoga class. Everyone knew he loved space, planets, spaceship travels, etc, but to wear them on his breeches? In a public place? Pjs maybe, but here?

***

Can You Tell A Story In…

Janie gathered all of her most important friends and waited till she thought everyone else was asleep. Then she gathered an old lantern that was safe for a light and traveled down into the garden. She was surprised the grass was so cold and wet on her bare feet, and shivered. It was not a long trip till she saw the blackened moldy stones of the well. I’ll try calling to him she thought. You never know…maybe his spirit or whatever the adults talked about in secret conversations, maybe he would hear her and answer. A few weeks ago her brother Luke had disappeared and everyone thought he had fallen into the well. However, no one had a funeral, or Janie never saw his body. She wondered if he just ran away. Janie knew he was older and unhappy. She approached the opening and softly called his name, “Luke?”

***

Simply 6 Minutes – Welcome to the Challenge: 08/18/2026

You’re just settled into a card game and realize you had scheduled a class at that hour!

One-Liner Wednesday – That feeling when…

Apparently if you live in a city

It’s remarkable, the duplicity

And then comes along a girl, Felicity

Who expresses herself in her name.

If you meet her you’ll not be the same

Ever again because of your mood

She transforms your thinking but not in a rude

Overpowering way, oh no
It will be subtle, there’s no arm twisting here

No intimidation or fear.

Felicity smiles, talks softly and when

You start to realize you feel happier then.

***

Weekend Writing Prompt #481 – Felicity

Camping

Even the word said, it’s clouding up

Starting with a great idea, a sunny day and we’re off

Packed in tight with all our might, father scoffs –

“Know any fish that bite in pouring rain?”

A familiar joke, sad refrain

But the boys were undaunted

All they wanted

Was to catch a fish

Their repeated wish.

Set up the tent pulled out the gear

Made a trench around the tent, old dear

Went straight to the trees, gathered wood

Started a fire as fast as they could

Then clouds appeared, started to rain

Heard dad’s old refrain

Went inside till it cleared a bit

Bored to just sit and sit

Broke out the parkas and fishing poles

Seeing if fish would bite, come out of their holes

Sunk in the mud boots are stuck

Little ones can’t get out of the muck

But suddenly a tug on the line

See! Fishing in rain can be sublime!

Tracked mud in the tent, no complaint from mom

Fishing in the rain was the bomb!

***

dVerse Poetics — Have You Ever Seen the Rain?

Autumn leaves drift down in curled sways

They’re sleepily keeping

Winter at bay, staying warm days

Sunflowers dry, seeds fly

***

Dechnad Mor Celtic form ( I hope😬)

#TankaTuesday Poetry Challenge No. 76, Celtic Autumn, 8/11/2026

Delightful scene, little ones at play

Dancing with the sheep’s approval

Curious audience needs no removal

They watch happily, the dance

I wonder, if by chance

They wish they could join

It’s never been seen

Only a sheepherder’s view

When a ram and an ewe

To unheard reels

Decide to kick up their heels

The children would adore it

And then join in

Enjoyment in a country wind.

***

Simply 6 Minutes – Welcome to the Challenge: 08/11/2026

If you can choose a time out, it really wouldn’t be a punishment, would it? If I was in a timeout I would like sitting on a grassy bank of a sparkling bubbling brook, abling me to dip my feet in the cool water. A few dragonflies and butterflies are invited and bees on nearby wildflowers can also join.

***

This Week’s Writer’s Workshop Prompts – August 13, 2026