I Scream, You Scream Challenge

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There is scientific evidence that one particular food makes us happy. The studies showed that when we eat it the centers of our brain responsible for emotion show positive activity. The research goes one step further and shows that just thinking about this food has the same effect as eating it. That’s right, it doesn’t even need to pass your lips to make us feel happy. Imagine the power of such a food. For example, you are stuck in traffic after a frustrating day at work. As you crawl along the highway, home seeming to be a million miles away you begin to daydream. Your head fills with visions of this tasty treat and instantly home feels closer, your spirits begin to lift and your hips don’t need to worry.

What could this magical food be…

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The Lonely Goatherd

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The Lonely Goatherd

While standing amongst his flock high on the mountainside, the sweetest sound did fill his ears.

“Yodelayhee, Yodelayhee, Yodelayheehoo!” The hair on the lonely goatherd’s arms standing at attention, his heart skipping a beat.

He began pushing his herd down the mountain and across the valley. He needed to know the angel calling from the other side.

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What the Duck!

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What the Duck!

Bobby sat at the riverbank looking at her phone when she grabbed a nearby duckling and popped it between two slices of bread.

Angelina watched in horror as Bobby started to bite down on the quacking sandwich. “What’re you doing!?!?”

To the duckling’s relief, she pull the sandwich out and said, “Research for Carrot Ranch’s writing challenge.”

Angelina shot her a confused look…

See it says, “Write a story explaining why you ate baby ducks for lunch.”

“Ummm, no Bobby, it says ‘…explain baby ducks ate my lunch.’ You really need new strategies to keep your dyslexia in check!”

Disclaimer: No ducks or ducklings were harmed during the writing of this ridiculous piece of fiction.

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Hero of War

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Hero of War

In 2003 a United States led coalition invaded Iraq. The Iraqi forces were quickly overwhelmed leading to the fall of the Ba’athist government led by Saddam Hussein. The coalition would remain in Iraq for the next 8 years, officially withdrawing from the country in 2011.

In October 2008 Chicago based punk rock giants Rise Against released their 5th studio album entitled “Appeal to Reason“. The theme for this week Song Lyric Sunday is Army / Soldier / War and I have chosen to highlight the track “Hero of War” from that release. The track was only released as a promo single but did receive significant play on alternative radio.

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Strongman Blues

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This work of fiction has been crafted as a weekly roundup to Fandango’s One Word Challenges (#FOWC) posted over the last seven days.
Content Warning: Contains implied violence, sexually explicit themes and course language.

Strongman Blues

Johnny Fingers’ leg twitched as he sat on the edge of the couch,  listening to the instructions being relayed. Always with the… Hey JF, collect the payola. Hey Johnny, deliver the product. Hey Fingers, squeeze this guy / whack that guy / dispose of the body, or whatever other trivial shit he could come up with. It was always an imposition but when the boss gave an order you did not ask questions.

His pulse quickened and the knot tighten in his gut as he texted Trinity, his side piece was going to go off her rocker when he canceled. He’d promised her a day at the beach with no interruptions. Man, the girl was stacked and looked delectable in a bikini, but she was h-i-g-h maintenance. Johnny expected to be henpecked worse than his own wife could ever muster.

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Road Ragin’

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Road Ragin’

Driving down the road 🛣️
Minding my own business
When buddy flips me the bird 🦜
I know free verse don’t rhyme
But this guy’s a real turd 💩
With my ego now bruised
My brain explodes 💥
And my senses go blind
What’s this clown’s 🤡
Problem anyway
Step on the gas ⛽
I weave through the rush
My window recessed 🪟
As I pull up to your ride
I start waving my fist 👊
Rhyme a curse at the lady inside
Don’t call the cops 🚓
That’s not meant for you

I got the wrong car 🚗
Mistaken identity I swear
I’m totally raging 🤬
As I punch it again
Blast past a school bus 🚌
This rhyming is insane
I catch a glimpse 👀
As you make the left
I race through the turn 🏎️
And ‘round the bend
Caught in my web 🕸
️The thrill of pursuit gone
What do I do now ❓
I take a deep breath and
In a moment of zen ☯️
My road rage does pass
I rhyme one last time ⌚
And realise, I’m the real ass!

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#toomanymen

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Final Moments

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This story is loosely based on real-life events in a neighbourhood in my native Toronto. Names, ages and details have been altered but the story of loss is the same. My heart goes out to the family who lives this horror every day.

Note: Please be aware of the graphic nature of the content presented.

She stood graveside, wrapped in her husband’s arms, nothing but the rhythm of the falling rain to hide the painful beat of a broken heart and the stream of tears running down her face. Today marked their 7th birthday, Amir and Sunil, her precious twins cut down as they played peacefully in their own driveway.

Nine months had passed since a sixteen-year-old demon raced through the neighbourhood in Daddy’s Mercedez Benz; completely unaware of the precious lives surrounding him as he caught the curb at three times the limit, vaulting the steel monstrosity he commanded it into the afternoon air.

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What If?

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What if I just said “Hi?”

Do you think she’d notice,
Maybe say Hi back,
Or will she ignore me,
Pretend she heard jack?

I could buy her a coffee,
See if she’ll stay,
Or take the drink gracefully,
And be on her way…

What if I smiled,
And shot her a glance,
Maybe some sweet talk,
Will get in her pants?!?

Wait, it wasn’t supposed,
To be like this,
She and her friend,
Just blew me a kiss!

I’m sitting her flustered,
Caught in a stare,
Should I just walk over,
and talk to the pair?

Instead I just pack up,
Head straight for the door,
Trip on my left feet and,
Fall flat on the floor…

“Are you ok?”
I heard someone say,
As I picked up my ego,
And just ran away!

Sitting in my car,
As if I could die,
What a novel idea
Maybe next time I’ll try…

What if I just said “Hi?”

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Voices In the Wall

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She was here yesterday
Now she fades with haste
Like a distant memory
But I remember her face

She’s an unwritten book
Page after page
A canvas of white nothing
Like an empty stage
From music to silence
From movement to night
A forgotten performance
That never takes flight.

Her eyes, her face, her name
Reflect in the mirrors in a hall
Don’t make a sound
I hear voices in the wall
It’s hard to forget things
That were never said
Surrender to the shame
Playing games inside my head.

She filled my arms yesterday
Now she is all but gone
Alone in this empty room
I can still hear her song
Graceful in the night wind
Her voice in the cold night
Leaving me on my own
Her wings clipped, mid-flight

She was here yesterday
Now she fades with haste
Like a distant memory
But I remember her face

I can’t forget her face
I remember her face…

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