20 responses to “Microcosms 15”

1. 

   Dave James Ashton

   8 April 2016

   Feathered Fiend

   Flaknerk waddled through the leaf litter quacking.

   “Of all the forms that accursed prophet could bind me in, why did it have to be this?”

   Over the centuries, the demon prince had tried every incantation he knew to return to his own monstrous form. Too ashamed to approach others of his kind for help, he had hidden.

   “Mama! Mama! Look what I found! Can I keep him? Please?”

   “Of course, darling. A pet will teach you responsibility.”

   If ducklings could smile, the demon prince would have done so.

   “I’m going to dress you up so pretty!”

   If demon princes admitted to fear, the duckling would have done so.

   108 words
   @davejamesashton
   duckling/forest/comedy

   Reply
2. 

   Stephanie Ellis

   8 April 2016

   Inversion

   109 words

   Elements: butterfly, rainbow, horror

   @el_Stevie
   #FlashDog

   The wings flapped on an emerald leaf, a shimmer of vermillion, a life painted in blood. It stilled at the sound of youthful voices; survivalism detected the ever-present undertone of schoolboy cruelty.

   “It’s an old wives’ tale.”

   “Look, the rainbow ends here.”

   Young eyes followed the rainbow’s glorious arc but there was no crock of gold.

   Attention turned to the butterfly, their disappointment dying as they became giants with the power of life and death.

   If they’d looked closely, they’d have seen a million reflections in its compound eye as the swarm gathered. But by then they were blind and limbless, waiting to be put out of their misery.

   Reply
3. 

   Santino Prinzi

   8 April 2016

   107 words.
   character: duckling, setting: baseball stadium, and genre: fantasy.

   @tinoprinzi

   Legends

   “Mama always told me not to wander into the baseball stadium. I always asked why, and she’d tut, sigh, wipe the flour from her hands, and say ‘I’ve told you time and time again.’ She’d recollect the legend of Mildred the Witch, who cursed the forest when she was burned at the stake.

   One morning, I was playing outside when a gust of wind took my Frisbee into the stadium, past the sign. Without thinking, I ran in to collect it, and as I reached out to grab it I found this.”

   The talking duck stretched out its wing. I ran away before it finished its warning.

   Reply
4. 

   D. E. Park

   8 April 2016

   Somewhere Under the Rainbow
   108 springtime words: Leprechaun/Field/Fantasy
   Dave @ParkInkSpot
   —–
   Mac Feegle paused for a moment and sniffed the wind. His face twisted into a snarl and he returned to work.

   He donned his red coat with seven rows of seven golden buttons. Then he opened the cages hidden in the tall grass, releasing cuddly rabbits and a swarm of butterflies. Finally, he set out his most irresistible article of bait; the shoe with the worn sole in desperate need of repair.

   When they arrived, he sprang out with his cold iron spear and bound them fast with delicate chains of silver. Elves make fine slaves, toiling in the End of the Rainbow Mine. Gold doesn’t dig itself.

   Reply
5. Somewhere Under the Rainbow | ParkInkSpot

   8 April 2016

   […] words for this week’s Microcosms (15). […]

   Reply
6. 

   geoff

   8 April 2016

   @geofflepard
   Bride/groom, wedding, horror
   The circle of life
   103 words
   For two years, dad toiled to have the garden perfect for Daisy’s wedding. He spared no expense, no effort for her big day. She knew what it meant; she couldn’t disappoint him, even after each revelation: Craig’s cheating, the two exes and four children. It was inexorable. She’d go through with it.
   Daisy held the knife against the cake and waited for his hand relax. Her first blow severed an artery but she didn’t stop.
   As she waited to be led away Daisy noted her father collecting Craig’s gore. ‘What’s that for, dad?’
   ‘Shame to waste it, don’t you think? All those nutriments.’

   Reply
7. 

   Voima Oy

   8 April 2016

   @voimaoy
   110 words
   garden gnome/garden/horror

   Welcome to the Neighborhood

   The ladies of the Garden Club came around to welcome the new neighbors. It was a lovely spring day, and the daffodils were beginning to bloom. There was no one about, so they wandered into the back yard. There they found two men, planting a young oak tree.

   “Well, hello. I’m Jeremy. and this is my partner, Owen.”

   ” I am Mrs. Beaton and this is Mrs. Higgins. We are from the Garden Club. Welcome to the neighborhood.”

   Jeremy and Owen opened the burlap bag. “Oh my, its…” Owen said.

   ” A garden gnome?” Jeremy smiled politely.

   “Yes, it’s hideous. isn’ t it? ” Mrs. Beaton said. “But it’s pure magic for roses.”

   Reply
8. 

   Sal Page

   8 April 2016

   Flamingo Umbrella

   Everything changed in a blink of plunging darkness. A whiff of burning. A flash fork of lightning.
   I’d waited so long. Strolling through primroses, to see newly hatched chicks. The warmest day yet.
   Brain splitting thunder. A rainbow bridged the sky, shot through with bruises of vilest magenta and purple. Blood rain began to fall on me. I grabbed the nearest flamingo as an umbrella.
   On all sides, folk enjoyed their day. Warm sun in their hair. Grassy picnics. Laughter. Life.
   Why just me?
   The temperature had plummeted. Feet fused to my palms, the flamingo umbrella flapped around my shoulders, pecking holes in my cheeks.
   Why?
   I’d only wanted spring.

   Flamingo – Rainbow – Horror
   @SalnPage
   110 words
   #FlashDog

   Reply
   1. 

      Marnie

      22 July 2016

      Free knowledge like this doesn’t just help, it promote demccraoy. Thank you.

      Reply
   2. 

      geekxgirls.com

      2 November 2016

      ho dimenticato dei disastri ambientali.qui non ho molta conoscenza pero', a grandi linee, io direi di comparare la cina con tutta l'europa (come superficie) di 50 anni fa (loro adesso sono grosso modo a questo livello) tenendo conto che 50 anni fa in europa non abitavano 1.5 miliardi di persone. e poi guarda il nostro meridione dove vive un infinitesimo di quelli che vivono in cina e vedi se puo' sembrarti tanto meglio. in ogni caso io non mi sento di giudicare cose che non conosco a fondo, per cui mi tengo i dubbi, da entrambe le parti.indopama

      Reply
   3. 

      http://www./

      2 February 2017

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      Reply
9. 

   Bill Engleson

   8 April 2016

   When Ducks Can Catch Flies

   “So Teddy, I’m thinking, bloody hell, there’s no reason a duck can’t play ball.”

   “Donnie, Donnie, Donnie. Focus! Flap them wings. Oh, and by the by, if you had fingers and hands like humans, you’d be able to count at least 10 reasons…”

   “I can count in my head. Don’t need fingers.”

   “Keep flapping your feather dusters, Donnie. Not your gums.

   “Well, I’m pretty tired, Teddy. Ooh, look, down there, a ballfield…and little leaguers….so cute…it must be…”

   “Yup. Opening Day, Donnie. Part of the old flight plan.”

   “You did this for me, Teddy?”

   “Don’t get maudlin. Let’s park our butts down there and watch the game.”

   “Teddy, you’re the greatest.”

   110 dreams coming true
   @billmelaterplea
   Duckling; baseball stadium; fantasy

   Reply
10. 

    Firdaus Parvez

    8 April 2016

    @firdausp
    (110 words)
    ‘Ugly duckling and black sheep’

    “You’re pretty,” he said looking away quickly.
    I could feel the web between my toes vanish a little.
    “You’re handsome,” I blushed as I said it. His shaggy look was endearing.
    “Baa! Not so,” he blushed more.
    My first date at thirty.

    I could still hear mom smirking at me as I dressed for prom.
    “Who’ll marry our ugly duckling,” she’d rolled her eyes at dad

    “I’m an ugly duckling, really,” I chuckled but it came out as a sob.
    “Meet Mr Black Sheep,” he grinned taking my hand.
    Blurry eyed, I could hardly watch the game. I felt my feathers drop away. My heartbeat was louder than the crowd.

    Metaphorical duckling/ baseball stadium/ romance

    Reply
11. 

    ASGardana

    8 April 2016

    Mr. Gnome’s Gruesome Guests

    “Quack.”
    It was their only warning. The Gnome family froze, not a breath between them, until Mr. Gnome pivoted into action.
    “Quack. Quack.”
    Mr. Gnome grabbed his children and buried them in the plant bed. He placed Mrs. Gnome over the visible tips of their hats.
    “Quack. Quack. Quack.”
    The yellow monsters appeared. Under any other circumstance, Mr. Gnome would envy the speed at which they waddled. Now, he only attempted to scream through the silent-curse placed upon all Gnomes. There was nothing he could do but wait for them to waddle by, nothing he could do as the skin of his family was chipped away. Nothing he could do.

    —

    110 Words
    Garden Gnome, Garden, Horror
    @agardana09

    Reply
12. 

    Dana Faletti

    8 April 2016

    Mercy Snack
    110 words
    duckling, baseball stadium, fantasy
    @danafaletti

    The crowd of birds, reps, and amphs was giving Solange a headache.
    Every creature this side of Picketfence was squawking. Solange could use an appletini to take the edge off.
    “Blussssstery day for firssssst game,” she hissed into the microphone.
    “Not home opener weather,” agreed her counterpart, Maevemouse.
    Solange’s appetite roused at the aroma of fresh rodent. Hungry and hormonal, she silently chastised herself.
    Don’t eat the mouse.
    “Daryllduck’s pitching,” squeaked Maeve. “Best in tri-habitat area!”
    Mmmm. Mouse breath, thought Solange before chaos erupted.
    “Garden Gnome attack!” Daryll screeched. Hoards of armed mini-men charged the field.
    Imagining the bloodbath, Solange decided on mercy.
    Unhinging her jaw, she licked her lips.

    Reply
13. 

    Leara Morris-Clark

    8 April 2016

    @learavoice
    http://learawrites.webs.com

    All Who Fly Are Not Ducks
    duckling/baseball stadium/fantasy
    WC 110

    “Come on my little ducklings, field trip today,” Ms. Avion said.

    The children fell into a single-file line, just as they had practiced. They have been looking forward to this day since school began.

    The baseball stadium was chosen for the open space they would need to accelerate.

    They scrambled to their places and chattered nervously.

    “Benji, please demonstrate,” She instructed the older student.

    They watched, ready for their turns.

    “Now you try.” She said while spreading her own wings.

    All in a row, they stretched their little wings as far as they would reach.

    She smiled as she watched each one, in turn, gather speed and begin their ascension.

    Reply
14. 

    A.J. Walker

    8 April 2016

    Making a Splatch!
    A.J. Walker

    Phhwutt!

    “Yello!” said the evident genie. “Whassap?”

    Dan dropped the slightly buffed, and now slightly dented, lamp.

    “Flip. That’s an entrance!”

    “You knows the drill. Three wishes.”

    “Err, usual, I suppose. How’s about I wanna fly like a bird, be world famous… and I wanna see the World Series.”

    “Not sure that’s ‘the usual’ but no probs.”

    The genie alalkazamed and hey presto! Dan was a duckling with aspirations.

    A sparrow hawk swooped. ‘This isn’t how I wanted to fly!’ (translated as: ‘quack quackkk!’).

    Eventually the hawk dropped fluffy over Wrigley Field just as the hitter swung. Skur…patch! Duck paste!

    Dan was splattered all across the red top world.

    —
    WC:100
    duckling, baseball ground, fantasy
    @zevonesque

    Reply
15. 

    Stella Turner

    8 April 2016

    @stellakateT
    #FlashDog
    110 words
    Garden Gnome / Garden / Horror

    Retribution

    He thought it was funny to buy a garden gnome for a flat with no garden. She thought he was an idiot standing the gnome on the bedroom windowsill. Watching them every day he needed to bide his time until he could live in a garden. One night it happened, the next morning the bedroom was a crime scene. The duo lay across the bed, bodies riddled with bullets, blood smearing the walls, the quilt no longer white. Inspector Brown was mystified no sign of a break in, no motive. The gnome spooked him, carrying a machine gun, wearing a bandoleer; he’d never seen a garden gnome like that before.

    Reply
16. 

    Meg Kovalik

    8 April 2016

    Transformed

    “Cygna! Cygna! Cygna!”

    Beneath the stadium, Cygna smiled into her mirror. The half-time show approached and her fans had whipped themselves into a frenzy.

    Breathing deeply, she opened her box of talismans: a lock of hair; a tattered rag; a picture of the deformed street urchin she once was.

    “Showtime for you,” she whispered, drawing a frightened duckling from her bag.

    Cygna placed the squawking bird inside the box, now pulsing with a purple glow. Suddenly the duckling exploded into a glittery smoke that engulfed Cygna with its shimmering radiance, leaving her tingling from head to toe. She turned to the door.

    “Mmmm, and showtime for ME!”

    @meg_mediocre
    107 words
    Duckling; baseball stadium; fantasy

    Reply
17. All Who Fly Are Not Ducks – LearaWrites

    24 April 2016

    […] Written for Microcosms (15). Prompts were Duckling/Baseball Stadium/Fantasy. WC […]

    Reply

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