The 50
By paborama
Inspired by the Scottish Book Trust's monthly 50 word writing competition.
- 1405 reads
Hebrides Overture (Fingal's Cave') Op. 26’
The organic slap of seaweed against the base of the basalt organ-like pillars. Swelling, falling. Darkness falls quicker here than outside, not long till the melodious fugue would cover him up.
- Read more about Hebrides Overture (Fingal's Cave') Op. 26’
- Log in to post comments
- 482 reads
Macaroni to the Masses
Removing the macaroni cheese advertisement, Laura reflected on her success.
- Read more about Macaroni to the Masses
- Log in to post comments
- 575 reads
And Your Little Dog Too
Rounding the corner, my feet leave the pedals, my hand hits the brake and Toto leaps from the basket. The girl, in blue gingham dress, draws on her...
- Read more about And Your Little Dog Too
- Log in to post comments
- 471 reads
And Your Little Dog Too
Rounding the corner, my feet leave the pedals, my hand hits the brake and Toto leaps from the basket. The girl, in blue gingham dress, draws on her...
- Read more about And Your Little Dog Too
- 1 comment
- Log in to post comments
- 651 reads
Winter Draws Near
'Naked Monopoly!' My flatmate has been getting alarmingly erratic since her divorce. Mother shifted suddenly on the sofa, looking at me eyes wide, '...
- Read more about Winter Draws Near
- Log in to post comments
- 451 reads
Da Wars
Duh Duh Duh da de Duh da de Duh... The top of the man's head appears over the parapet of the bus' stair Dee Dee Dee... he answers the 'phone, fingers...
- Read more about Da Wars
- Log in to post comments
- 473 reads
Bengali River Night
Caressing his otter, Mahmud gazed out over the sluggish waters of the Bhairab awaiting the Zaminder's return. Twelve days gone and the tension grew...
- Read more about Bengali River Night
- Log in to post comments
- 499 reads
Pens
Silver Pen, click perfect. Parker a favourite but bloody expensive, ain't it? What're the chances that a ten pound pen is worth more in literature...
- Read more about Pens
- Log in to post comments
- 490 reads
Henricus Rex
Henricus Rex. In him Eleanor, Queen of the Franks: incest, though were the most devout of spouse. Therefore divorce for marriage unjust to be devised...
- Read more about Henricus Rex
- Log in to post comments
- 692 reads
Christmas Term
The pantry looked different in the snowy reflections from outside. The car door slammed. Peregrine wolfed down the last handful of cake decorations...
- Read more about Christmas Term
- Log in to post comments
- 494 reads
Chance yer Luck
Twenty one, the sum of one die. Six to one, the chances of rolling any single side on a single die. Twenty one, the chances you have with a dice pair...
- Read more about Chance yer Luck
- Log in to post comments
- 431 reads
Fireside
The sausage fell off the stick. Sizzling in the ashes only to be plucked once more by hopping fingers; pierced back on the skewer. 'Whoop!' Johnny: '...
- Read more about Fireside
- Log in to post comments
- 585 reads
Condensed Blancmange
Lucea was grateful to take a bite, her free hand darting for the tiny pastry triangle flaking off with the cut of her perfect teeth to tumble...
- Read more about Condensed Blancmange
- Log in to post comments
- 560 reads
Abigail
'Abigail' the tree said, 'come further in and leave the world behind.' She stepped off the path and into the wooded grove, a shiver running up her...
- Read more about Abigail
- Log in to post comments
- 413 reads
Come on Tae!
I wiz walking along the seafront doon Portybella wey, when ah thought 'ah could dae wi an ice-cream, gey Hot it wiz. So, ninety-niner in ma haun I...
- Read more about Come on Tae!
- 3 comments
- Log in to post comments
- 1528 reads
Orange bridge over the Sea
One Sunday my brother led me to make a bridge to nowhere. The uprights of stumps, orange crates for boxed walkway. Bridging the sea from an extrusion...
- Read more about Orange bridge over the Sea
- Log in to post comments
- 478 reads
Black Sal
Hither, Black Sally, do my bidding this once. Take of this herb ash, this wax from the sconce. Rubbed by your feline paws into my lover's abode, to...
- Read more about Black Sal
- 2 comments
- Log in to post comments
- 840 reads
Gyoza
She glances at me as I wet my fingertips, smoothing the pastry’s edge, tucking and pinching as I go. Her hair black; smile scarlet and rude. Six...
- Read more about Gyoza
- 2 comments
- Log in to post comments
- 743 reads
Arunachalam Muruganantham
Arunachalam Muruganantham reached his nadir when the soothsayer was called. Blood dripping from the bladder between his legs, he trudged to the next...
- Read more about Arunachalam Muruganantham
- Log in to post comments
- 380 reads
Paulie's Fairy Godmother
Spit-back, Chat-back Johnny, who once burnt-down the bus-stop. Paulie's getting a hard time off the 'Pine-Cut Crew'. It's not his fault he's...
- Read more about Paulie's Fairy Godmother
- 3 comments
- Log in to post comments
- 988 reads
Terrence Damp
Terrence needed a drink. The hollow was fine for keeping water WHEN it rained, but rain was in short supply lately; his olives were getting...
- Read more about Terrence Damp
- Log in to post comments
- 455 reads
Sable Sable
Catastrophic calm and blue, blue skies. Bleeding into the water. Moments ago a slice, like an ice dip, at the edge of the toe. Such a lovely day for...
- Read more about Sable Sable
- Log in to post comments
- 414 reads
Sky 'scape
I paint skyscapes. I always start by washing the canvas in blue. Land comes next, flat beach or moor; there's amazing variety within such simplicity...
- Read more about Sky 'scape
- 2 comments
- Log in to post comments
- 645 reads
I, Cassandra
Festooned, the city belches back the flapping birds of 'Art' from the horrific pit they've slunk within these past eleven months. The augurs tell any...
- Read more about I, Cassandra
- Log in to post comments
- 366 reads
Summer Fête
Delight springs eternal from the otherwise sodden streets. Acrobats, clowns, comedians, Actours! Take my hand and run with me into this or that...
- Read more about Summer Fête
- 2 comments
- Log in to post comments
- 1102 reads
Rattatattat
Knock-knock, three times a knock. Pulling on socks; straining to look at the clock. It's stopped! Fumbling at my pocket, I locate my 'phone and check...
- Read more about Rattatattat
- 1 comment
- Log in to post comments
- 563 reads
Cornucopia
Corrugated camel trouser leg, stained in gravy, straining at the waist. I'd love another slice of cake, dear, but I cannot. Drag myself to loo to poo...
- Read more about Cornucopia
- Log in to post comments
- 336 reads
Bon Feu
Twelve seconds to go, mother! The midnight whistle on the express train shrieks. Nine seconds to go, brother! The fuse is lit and the sparks sizzle...
- Read more about Bon Feu
- Log in to post comments
- 346 reads
Honey Froyo
'Smooth, darling! Like you've just been eating honey froyo?' I throw my eyes in his direction, killer intent is not hard to conjure. Alex clicks away...
- Read more about Honey Froyo
- Log in to post comments
- 403 reads
Bees
Bees sing the history of those they have seen over walls, in bathrooms, and behind trees. A bee exists for each and every one of us. When the bees...
- Read more about Bees
- Log in to post comments
- 411 reads
Snoorking on the Moon
Hollow little footsteps I'm following, like miniature craters. The bouncers were not far ahead of me, I saw them from the rise. Coming here and...
- Read more about Snoorking on the Moon
- Log in to post comments
- 527 reads
Sweet talk
She hands me the twist of cloth, filled with sugar. 'Granny Robertson has a sweetie for you, Sally.' I take the gift, and she hers. We suck between...
- Read more about Sweet talk
- Log in to post comments
- 291 reads
In the midst of it all
Your hands plunge beneath suds, with the tap plunging rinse waters amongst it all. You held me as I cried, the washing-up sidelined. Now, with my...
- Read more about In the midst of it all
- Log in to post comments
- 279 reads
The Jump
'As if!! You do it...' She looks me in the eyes, falling gracefully away from the edge of the pier. I'm left, heart beating like a fledgling; waiting...
- Read more about The Jump
- Log in to post comments
- 288 reads
McCluck
Ah wis born intae the great McCluck family business, only for ma mum, Pecky-Sue, tae die when ah wis fourteen year old. A young age tae fledge. Ah've...
- Read more about McCluck
- Log in to post comments
- 298 reads