Every picture tells a story, doesn’t it? The one above is what I call an arty photo. It’s basically an altered image of my pyjama trousers, made into an abstract pattern. Like many a photograph, it is open to creative interpretation and imaginative storytelling.
As regular readers will know, I love to see what I can do with a prompt. The photograph below is for this week’s Twittering Tales prompt #12, as set by my lovely creative poet friend, Kat Myrman.
Basically, a story is told (poetically or otherwise) in response to a new weekly photo prompt, with the goal of keeping within the 140 character limit of a tweet. Please click here to see how it works and to join in if you’d like to.
I’m joining in here for the first time, with two poems and a tiny twittering tale story inspired by this image.
First the story…
He saw them framed by sun’s dying rays, knew it might come to this. He’d already lost wife and child; now they wanted his canine friend. (137 characters)
Poem One…
A dying sun’s rays bathes inky figures
The river ripples with golden glints
Time and tide wait for no man
His canine friend beckons
But he wants to run
(140 characters)
Poem Two…
All is solemn, still, a place
now steeped in silhouettes
Bathed in liquid gold, they wait
His dog moves forward eagerly
But he pauses, hesitates
(140 characters)
While my circumstances remain challenging and I feel stretched enough by them, I am welcoming the opportunity to relax a bit creatively and try my hand at different things. Because it’s good to break out of routine sometimes and stretch ourselves in a new direction. You may like to see my attempts at magnetic poetry too. If so, you can check them out here.
Have you been inspired to try your hand at a new form of creativity, maybe a different writing medium or style? I’d love to hear how it’s helped to inspire or relax you.
Poetry Joy 
What a lovely array of tweet tales…and poems. I am liking the trend toward poetry. Very creative! 😊
Kat, I’m loving the way you inspire us to be more creative in general. And you know my heart’s inclinations… I always lean toward poetry if possible! It’s storytelling that’s a different art form for me, but one I am becoming strangely fond of. Bless you for stopping by, my friend. 🙂 x
I had never written fiction of any kind before joining WordPress, but I am finding I truly love it. Flash fiction is a great exercise for keeping things concise. I have grown so much as a writer in the past year and a half! Thanks for being part of the journey! 😊
Flash fiction sounds intriguing. Do you have examples of it on the blog? I think we can all grow and develop our creativity, especially by not limiting ourselves to one preferred method. I’ve found I love messing around with photos and occasionally dabble in a bit of art as well. I’m really glad to have found your blog and become friends with you. You’ve already inspired me so much. Thank YOU! ❤
Flash fiction is what we are doing with 140 Characters. It is also 6 word stories, 100 word stories or even no more that 200 word stories. In short, very short stories based on a prompt photo or word or several words that need to be a part of the story. I have also participated in “finish the line” flash stories, where the challenge is to take a prompt line or quote or song verse and write a story around it. Typically there is a word count limit. That’s where the challenge comes in. And as you know, I too like to doodle with photos. It’s all a wonderful creative outlet. I’m glad you found me too Joy. You write beautifully and are an inspiration to me as well. Writer friends are wonderful. We all have words and creativity swimming around in our heads. I find the various challenges are like a faucet that helps me spill a few words out. Thank you too! 😊
Ah… I see. So I am doing it without being aware of it! There’s a tremendous variety in the flash fiction examples you’ve mentioned here. No wonder it gives you a creative buzz. I love how you describe the various creative challenges, so beautifully expressed. Thank you for your generous spirit and support of other writers. Your kindness and enthusiasm are evident in the way you engage with others. Happy writing/creating, my friend! 😊💜
Ha! Yes you are Joy. And you are quite good at it! 😊
Joy, I love these new things you are trying. I just might have to jump in myself! 🙂 Love your poems and story! Blessings to you, dear creative friend! xoxo
Thank you, Gayl! I’m finding these new ways of writing poetry and prose quite liberating, invigorating and inspiring. My weary brain is currently struggling to write thoughtfully and deeply at the moment, so this is a welcome exercise in being a bit freer creatively. I hope you will find space to give it a go as well. Blessings and hugs to you, fellow poet! xoxo
Dear Joy, I am so glad that God is showing you new ways to find expressions of creativity in the midst of hard times! I am “coming out of the dark” and slowing to read more poetry in the daytime also, as I am letting the Lord bring stillness to my thoughts in the daytime as well as to my nights. Your beautiful words have been such a foundation for me during this past year of embracing the Slow, and hearing God’s voice whispering His Love through every struggle. May He continue to use you to share His thoughts and Love, my friend! xoxo
Dear Bettie, thank you so much for being glad about these new ways of expressing my creativity. I had wondered if I might disappoint regular readers because my recent poetry has had less focus on faith issues. Then I remembered that all of life is sacred and Jesus is present in us, whether we specifically mention His Name or not. I’m a woman of faith, a writer and poet who happens to be a Christian and writes about all aspects of life impacted by faith. And in celebrating creation and the mysteries of life we cannot help but touch on grace. I’m humbled and honoured to have been an instrument of God to speak into your tender heart! I see so much beauty of spirit in you, and even more so as you embrace stillness and deeper rest in God. May you continue to have your inner ears attuned to His voice as He whispers “His Love through every struggle.” Blessings and love to you, dear friend! xoxo
Beautiful poems, Joy, as always. I’m so glad God is helping you to relax a bit creatively. I’m enjoying these different adventures in poetry. 🙂 Love and hugs!
Thanks, Trudy. I’m so pleased you to hear you’re enjoying my creative adventures! They are a more relaxing way of writing at a time when any available energy and focus are being expended mainly on my husband’s health challenges. But I also appreciate the gentle stretching they provide for me too. It’s good to try new things sometimes! Love and hugs to you too, dear friend. 😊 💜
Being stretched is a good thing indeed. I might need to give these a try.
I’m glad you think so, Tara. There are times when FMF is taxing enough! Though I always welcome prompts and the huge variety of responses they generate. It’s fascinating to see how people are inspired in numerous ways by one word, a phrase, word constraints or a photograph. Blessings on your creativity! xo 💜
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