Posts Tagged ‘Life’
May
Failure To Thaw
by thegooddoctor in 100 Words
The funeral didn’t make her cry.
She had been given a frosty life, locked out of warmth. Once she found the sun, she never looked back. And yet, here she was.
The chalky dough of a face, ice white and just as cold, with a slash of red lips and the hum of memories in the air bounced off of her like the wrong side of a magnet. She gave the packet of tissues to her sister before brushing past.
Leaning close, she touched the stripe of rouge. Some rubbed off on her finger.
Curious, she thought, the measures taken.
From Guest Contributor Emily Fox
Emily has an MA in English and Creative Writing from SNHU. She currently lives in North Carolina. You can find her at emfoxwrites.com, or follow her on Twitter @emfoxwrites.
Apr
Forgetting Redwoods
by thegooddoctor in 100 Words
There are trees on the west coast you can drive through. Ancient monoliths built by thousands of years’ work: rain, floods, winters, dry lightning fires. Our grandfathers’ fathers’, storytellers gone silent over the ages, tales forgotten, archaic aching fallen into disuse, a dead language. Even the wind cannot communicate with these trees anymore.
Wander beneath their canopy, sniffing soft bark with noses pressed to red fur, hoping to draw life form the redness; to taste green needles under tongue, run thick sap through veins. But they are sealed.
And all I smell is the distant salt water licking wet sand.
From Guest Contributor Jon Alston
Jon has an MA in Creative Writing. Good for him. He writes things from time to time, and sometimes people publish them. Good for him. On occasion, he will photograph things (or people), and maybe write about them; sometimes there is money exchanged for his services. Good for him. He is married and has two children of both genders. Way to reproduce. He is the Executive Editor and founder of From Sac, a literary journal for Northern California. How about that? Currently he teaches English at Brigham Young University, Idaho among the frozen potato fields and Mormons. Good for you, Jon.
Websites: www.fromsac.com www.jaawritter.blogspot.com
Mar
Shades Of Time
by thegooddoctor in 100 Words
I sat quietly on the exam table pondering my yellow skin. Turning toward the mirror hanging on the wall, I ran my blue fingertips up my slender arm touching the pale face that reflected. Too young for wrinkles I thought. I never liked doctors or hospitals. Maybe that’s why I waited. But after a year of treating my superfluous symptoms, well – it never crossed my mind that it would be too late. That time was limited and colors carried the secret. The doctor wasn’t comforting. My dark brown wide set eyes that glittered with life would soon turn dim.
From Guest Contributor Dana Sterner
Dana is a registered nurse and has written for regional and national healthcare magazines and has been a prior contributor to a A Story in 100 Words.
Feb
Fire Elemental
by thegooddoctor in 100 Words
The craft eased through the continuum corridor, leaving old worlds behind.
Lick wondered what the new universe would be like. Elders had assured explorers that it would sustain life. Lick wondered if it could.
There was a concussion which buffeted Lick’s form; and the craft disintegrated around him.
He landed naked in a tangle of what he assumed was the plant life which had been incorporated into his exploration briefing. Some huge and hairy bipedal form was brandishing two rocks.
He was suddenly very frightened and terribly hungry. He began to consume the dried grass and twigs.
The primate flinched.
From Guest Contributor Perry McDaid
Jan
The Guidance Counselor
by thegooddoctor in 100 Words
Gerald Dansforth, the guidance counselor at Lakeview Elementary School, had already been growing increasingly disgruntled with his position in life by the time Ripley Harrington appeared in his office for what would be his 22nd meeting of the day.
“And what would you like to be when you grow up, Ripley?”
“I want to be a dragon.”
It was more nonsense, and he didn’t appreciate giving career advice to 7-year-olds.
“Why don’t you pick something more practical, honey?”
“You mean like a dinosaur? I was thinking about it, but Mrs. Johnson said dinosaurs were extinct.”
Dansforth sighed. He hated children.
Jan
Death’s Splendid Gifts
by thegooddoctor in 100 Words
Death and beauty were bound by love.
Its strength bore them two children in turn.
A prophet, intuitive and quick.
A defender, strong and kind.
Content together, all offered their talents so the world could partake of their bliss.
Beauty blessed creation, allowing all to enjoy its earthly splendor.
The prophet gave insight to decipher and atone for man’s errors.
The defender offered courage and strength to the masses.
Death bestowed his touch to all, releasing them from life’s toil.
Under their hand, humanity found constants, forever extant as long as man lived.
All inevitable, all wondrous and all binding.
From Guest Contributor Michelle Vongkaysone
Nov
The Discovery
by thegooddoctor in 100 Words
Professor Viterbi puffed up like an overripe seed pod, ready to shower his discovery all over the conference delegates in their seats.
“We have discovered a species with left handed DNA. This means life on Earth started not just once, but two or more times.”
The delegates’ jaws dropped; mouths like pitcher plants waiting for further details to fall in.
“This organism has been in front of our noses all the time. The common toenail fungus.”
Half the delegates gave Professor Viterbi a standing ovation. The other half removed their shoes and socks, and stared at their toes in wonder.
From Guest Contributor Ross Clement
Oct
Infinite Summer
by thegooddoctor in 100 Words
God had bleached everything. The shattering sky. Erin’s face. Even our baby’s perfect hands were white.
Tiny, frozen fingers assail the windshield while Erin shivers in the passenger seat. I ease the gas pedal cautiously, hesitantly–-coaxing a reluctant lover.
Tires slip and I wonder if it would be so bad, sliding to our end in ice and pavement. Why not, with the cold body of our almost baby left at the hospital?
Erin clutches her abdomen, lingering reflex, and whispers the name I refuse to remember. The name we picked when the world was warmer and life infinite summer.
From Guest Contributor Sierra Donahue
Oct
The Evil Twin
by thegooddoctor in 100 Words
His twin’s name was Darrel. Jerrod thought wistfully that most twins were nearly the same. It couldn’t be further from the truth in his and Darrel’s case. Darrel was the incarnate of evil. He, on the other hand, tried to be a good man. His life was difficult at best, but Darrel made it worse always whispering in his ear, trying to get him to do awful things. He always managed to talk Darrel out of doing these things, but it was getting more difficult dealing with Darrel. ‘Being conjoined was a real pain in the ass,’ he thought ruefully!
From Guest Contributor Derrick Fernie
Aug
Depression
by thegooddoctor in 100 Words
The doctor was explaining how behavioral changes are just as likely to cure my depression as drugs.
“Has it occurred to you doctor, that I ought to be depressed, because I’m living a meaningless life?”
“Yes, but I wasn’t going to say it.” Then he saw I wasn’t joking.
“The truth is, I feel just about right for my situation,” I said.
“I don’t tell people how they ought to feel. If they come here, it’s because they think there’s something wrong.”
I didn’t reply.
“So you want me to increase your dosage then?”
It was easier to say yes.
From Guest Contributor Thomas Vicinanzo