Start by reading James Tate’s poem “The List of Famous Hats.” Now, write a poem that plays with the idea of a list. Tate’s poem is a list that isn’t – he never gets beyond the first entry. You could try to write a such a non-list, but a couple of other ideas would be to create a list of ingredients, or a list of entries in an index. A self-portrait (or a portrait of someone close to you) in the form of a such a list could be very funny. Another way into this prompt might be a list of instructions.
How hard could it be to write the instructions on how to fall in love? How could I write something that I have long forgotten? How could I write something that I have not experienced for a long time? Certainly, it is not that hard.
The first is to have someone I like. How do I know I like them? Do I have to like something about them? Does the feeling come naturally?
Hush, let me continue. Next, you need to approach them. Are you serious? Approach them how? Asking them out? Text them? Is it even appropriate to do that nowadays? Doesn’t that make me look like a creep?
Hush! Let me finish. After you approach them, talk to them. About what? I hate small talk. Should I be upfront? How long should I wait before I bring up a date? Can you be more specific?
Hush. Can you wait? If they are comfortable and match your energy. Then, ask them out on a date. What kind of date? Does tea and coffee cut it nowadays? What should I wear? Should I suggest a place?
Hush. Hush. Hush! If everything goes well. Communicate more after the first date. But… But… But… This is why you will never find any. I’m not going to bother. Yes, but we are sharing the same body. Don’t we?
It is quite late as Amy entering the 24-hours stores to get something for her hunger state condition. As she entered, it triggers the door chime and the store staff greets her with the most friendly smile followed by their greeting slogan. Amy head straight to the chips rack hoping to find something to her liking. She turn around and starting to browse the chocolates and candies offered. Right now she is hungry and yet she shows no interest and have no idea what should she get. She walks to the next section where the instant noodles cleverly arranged.
While she slowly go through the various brands and flavors of instant noodles. Ranging from different prices and sizes. Another customer entered and the door chimed with the staff greets as the new customer walks to the counter. Amy slightly turn to peek at the new customer. She saw a tall guy wearing quite thick jacket with dark colored muffler and talking to the employee on the counter. She ignored them as she found an attractive packaging of instant cup noodle. She grabbed the cup and focusing on the layout, it says ‘Super Spicy Kimchi Flavored’ packed with striking red color.
As she heading to the counter she was quite surprised that there are now three person around the cashier counter and somehow the staff was kinda intimidated by the three of them. Amy quickly try to hide and at the same time curious on what is happening right now. She tried to listen carefully on what the conversation all about as her distance is just few feet away and the only thing that blocked them from seeing her are the tall racks inside the store. She tried her best to get near and listen without being detected. She heard the voice of the staff speaking in a shaky and scared manner. She is being very cautious now as she suspects that the three guys are trying to rob the store.
Their voices are getting louder and followed by shoutings. As the staff lean away from the counter but one guy who came earlier walking towards him. Amy heard the clearly the staff shouting asking him to stay away and do not come near. The other two guys seems to be looking around the store and almost caught glimpse of Amy’s presence. Amy getting more panic and slowly sitting down. She embraced her legs and rest her chin on her knee. What can she do at this time, thinking how to react in this situation. The earlier cold nights turn sweaty and nerve wracking for her and all sort of situations popped out of her head. She is getting more anxious as she heard footsteps coming towards the racks. She can’t just sit there, she have to do something but what can she do now. She heard nothing from the store counter as she more occupied with the presence of the footsteps meaning that one of the robbers coming to check the store. Slowly she stepped aside and try to move further away without being noticed.
The footsteps are walking away now. She felt relieved but it is not over yet for her. She needs to find a way to get outside and run. Then she saw a red door and she believe that this door is her way out from the store. It is the door to the store’s office and there must be a back door. She slowly crouch towards the door because if she stands she will be caught because the door located quite near to the store counter. Suddenly, she heard a gunshot and she was startled and the rack on her right shaking then dropped few packets of candies. The robbers were alerted and slowly approaching her. Amy getting worried as she can feel how bad it will be if she get caught. There are no other options for her, she needs to decide what to do before they manage to catch her. Without having any second thoughts, she bolted to the store’s office and quickly the two guys who were looking for her managed to see her but Amy right now are on the other side of the door and locked herself in there.
The two robbers rushed to the door and knocking the door. Amy could hear them ordering her to open the door or they will break the door. Amy getting desperate and scared. She holds the doorknob tightly and unable to think straight what she should do next. There are no positive thoughts in her head right now and only the worst thing popped out. She turned around and looking for something to buy her some time before the robbers decide to break the door. The office is quite tidy and organized and she found the working table and tried to push it against the door. That would help her for the moment. Loud knocking with shouting telling her to get out and the shaking of the door made Amy clueless on what her next action would be. Then she remembered the back door she was planning to use earlier, it should be in this room. She searched the room and looking for the door. She found one located far behind and run for it. She reached the doorknob and it is locked.
The banging on the door getting louder and louder. Amy believes the robbers might be breaking the door soon. Amy tried her best to open the door but it is locked. Amy looked around and search for some key that she can use, searching from wall to wall for key hanger. She cannot find such thing. She tried the drawers one by one. No keys at all. The door were opened a bit and she is now scared to death and trying to scream. She can’t think of anything else except the fact that her life now is in danger. Worst things flashes in front of her as she is trembling throughout her body. Her knees became weak and shaken and she dropped both to the ground. The door then smashed so hard that it broke and the two robbers pushed the table that Amy had used to blocked the door. Amy can only scream and tears falling endlessly as she try to get up but her mind feel blank and empty. She does not know what can she do now.
As the two robbers almost done pushing the table aside, Amy let out a scream and run straight towards one of the robbers who were in front of her. She headbutt the robber and the impact landed on the chest and made three of them fall down. Amy does not stop there, then with all her might she stand up and stomped on the face of the robber that she was atop off. First stomp and the robber getting confused and feel blood flowing from his nose, Amy stomped for the second time and precisely hit his mouth. Amy broke few tooth and the robber passed out due to the shock and gruesome pain. Amy looked at the second robber who already on his stand. The robber looked scared and lost on how a girl can get so brave and violent. His hand is shaking and the plan was not to hurt anyone but now he know if he does not do anything, he might end up like his friend covered in blood.
He warned Amy if she do anything stupid he is going to hurt her. Amy is fearless now, as her blank mind only think of surviving and she managed to take down one of them so she have the confidence at the same time. Ignoring his warning Amy slowly walked slowly then rushes towards him. She tried to do the same thing she did earlier but the robber managed to stopped her by holding her body and he slam Amy to the ground. Despite the pain of falling her head and body to the tiles, Amy grabbed his arms and forcefully push it up and strike his left waist with her knee. The attack barely flinched him because of the thick clothes he wore. Now the robber slapped Amy with his right hand, the slapped was so hard that Amy feels numb on her left cheek.
With a scream Amy managed to reached the robber’s face with her hands and scratch his face, with his furious voice and calling Amy a bitch the guy wrapped his hand at her neck and strangled her hard. Amy feel pain and suffocating at the same time, she does not want to give up here. All she wants now is to run away and stay alive but the situation she is facing right now is tight. Amy placed her hands again to his face and forcefully push her thumbs to his eyes. For Amy, she needs to do everything she can right now and there are no other options. The pain of his eyeballs getting pushed is uncomfortable and punishing, he let go of his hand from strangling her and screaming from the excruciating pain. While he steps backward Amy who was still on the ground kicked his crotch and his scream stopped. The feeling of pain on his eyes and crotch right now left him nothing but pain that run through all his body from top to bottom. He then fell down and passed out.
Amy did it and she try to recover by standing up but halfway her hair was grabbed and she screamed immediately. She forgot about the robber in the store counter. If he is here then what happened to the staff, did he killed him are the thoughts playing in her head. He dragged her back into the staff room. The pain is unbearable to Amy as her hair being pulled and forcefully dragged for few meters. If she struggles, the pain are doubled or more and she feels hopeless now. She barely feel her tears now as her anger infuriates her more. She have to do something to escape and end this misery.
He tied her hand and force her to sit down. The robber said something and slapped her few times and she can feel her lips bleeding now. Amy look at him with her furious look and the robber feel hesitated on what he should do with her. He punched her at the stomach made Amy feel pain and weaker. The robber asked her if she wants another one, Amy looked at him and screamed angrily. He landed another slap but this time Amy not even flinching but she gathered all her strength and leaps forward. Both of them fell down and Amy fell on the top of him. Amy then head but his nose few times before he pushed Amy aside. Then the robber stand up and kicked Amy on her chest then her stomach. The only word coming out from him is die, die, die and die.
After he let his final kick, he walks away and leave the room. He heard sirens from the outside and getting panicked. He rushes towards the back door but it was locked. He kicked the door over and over again but the door does not even budged. Amy slowly stand up while the robber trying forcefully opening the door. Amy rushes to him and managed to land an impact that made the robber backed to the door and Amy kicked his leg just above the knee and he forcefully kneeing and Amy let out another kick to his face. Just after that the police came in and rushingly handcuffed the robber and attend Amy.
It was a night that Amy would remember for the rest of her life. She was slapped, punched and kicked with blood dripping from her lips. Her quiet and hungry night turned out to be something that she have never expected in her life. Something that she would never ever wanted to happen again. She is thankful to be given the chance to get through from all that. Instead of just being a witness, she is the heroine who took down three man robbers alone.
Hi guys! Just a little bit info on the short story. I wrote this short story before I have the blog and I realized that I had it all this long in my Google Drive. Sorry for the lack of post but I think I can do this much for now.
Sorry if there are errors, do enjoy and let me know how it goes!
Peter smiled at him and pats her shoulder tenderly.
“You know what, Amy? The sky was much clearer hundred years ago. From what I heard, the sky was vast and blue, and the air was so fresh that once the air enters your lungs, you will feel energize instantly! Isn’t that healthy?”
Amy reaches for Peter’s hand, gripped his hand firmly.
“Do you think, we will feel the same thing again? I wish we can. I want to taste that kind of air. We are quite lucky today that the air is pretty much better than other days so far. If we are lucky enough, it will rain in plain water instead of poisonous water. Perhaps, those days, they dances in the rain and have fun in it. How it came to this, Peter?”
Both of them knows the answer to the question. They knew the clear reason why everything totally changed. The world changed.
Human greed. Human ego. Human selfishness and stupidity. Just because they have the capabilities and resources, they did not think clearly on their actions.
“Mistakes are made, Amy. Some mistakes are too big to cover and involved others too. Let this be a lesson for us in the future like many mistakes done by the people before them. Some may never learn but some stood up and points up their mistakes. Right now, all we can do is to keep on living and voice out what humanity has learned.”
“I’m not brave enough… I guess… I mean… How hard it is to ask a girl out?” Nick disappointed of himself.
“Well, man. If you ask me, it is hard. Some people had it easy because both of them are on the same page. Some did not and some… I’d say they got lost in translation…”
Nick looked at Jeremy before he let out a big sigh.
“I guess I’m the one with the ‘did not’ group. Oh man! I’m seriously frustrated. What should I do? I really like her!”
Jeremy who was wiping the glass frame in front of him stopped and turned to Nick.
“You know what, Nick. You are overreacting and overthinking about it. Why don’t you text her now and ask her out? Because that is how you start the dating process. It is step number one! Gosh, you are making my work slow.”
Nick ignored what Jeremy just said and instantly took off his gloves and grab his mobile phone from his pocket. He paused and take a deep breath before starts to tap his screen.
Hey, Ellia! How are you? Do you have any plans tonight?
“Alright sent! I can’t help to feel excited! Do you feel the same, Jeremy?”
Jeremy pretends he didn’t listen to Nick and focusing on his cleaning duty. He doesn’t want to put extra time today because he prefers to get home early and watch his favorite series.
A few minutes later, Nick received a reply.
“Hey, Jeremy! She replied me. Oh nooo… She said she had other plans. I can’t live anymore. She rejected me, man!”
Suddenly a cleaning cloth flew to Nick’s face and slowly fall down to the floor.
“That is what you get for not doing your work when you supposed to work. You better clean it up fast or the mops will be the next thing flying.”
“I lost him because of my stupidity.”
“If I were not too down that morning.”
“If only I can find it back.”
“If only I can turn back time.”
“If only I were not so stupid.”
“I was careless.”
Those were the thoughts I had when I lost you, my friend. I just can’t stop thinking about you for the day. I feel like I have lost something that is so valuable and yes indeed. I lost something that is important to me. Thanks to my stupidity that morning. On 17th of April 2012, I lost you. Forever.
I still remember the first time I met you. It was almost the end of the year 2005. I still remember the place we first met. Not to mention you were the latest model in the market at that time. Having you is like having the grandfather of the latest phones in the market right now. Nokia created you with the latest technology back then, Symbian. One of the phone that possessed the most advanced technology. I was so excited when I held you for the first time. I can’t stop watching you when I held you in my hand even until I arrived home that night. I just can’t take off my eyes with the body you had, everything was so brand new. You are going to be my new best friend. I browsed you nonstop, looking at your contents and your system. I was pretty amazed on your joystick because it’s unique. Everything about you fascinated me.
The ability to store more than 1MB was so cool at that time. Not to mention you are one of the phones that can store memory up to 512MB. Yet, I only gave you 256MB of memory card. I used you to capture meaningful moments, panorama, people and everything that I thought worth to capture. Sometimes, what you already had was not enough, so I had to find better software for you. Installed MP3 software, camera software, video camera software and video games. I filled you with wallpapers, themes, videos and songs just for my pleasure. I also changed your original fonts and when people looked at you they were amazed.
Since I had you, you woke me up as my alarm clock, even though sometimes you fell asleep too. For how many years that you’ve been keeping awake? Well, 7 years my friend. You’ve been my alarm clock for like 7 years now my friend. Starting with a simple alarm sound such as the cuckoo, to a more annoying sound like the drill and the last one you sang to me was this morning ‘Happy End’. Why you left me with a sad song you idiot!
We really had good times together, I still remember the first song I downloaded from the Internet. It was Broken Wings by Tomoko Tane from the ending of Trinity Blood. I downloaded using Opera for 6600! Such a nice thing to have! Also, we went crazy when Celcom isn’t charging anything when we browsed the Internet. So, I went crazy downloading wallpapers and browsed on sites. It was fun!
There was a time when I have 3 different phone numbers. It was crazy right, friend? 3 different phone numbers with 3 different operators, Celcom, Maxis and Digi. In the morning I used Celcom, then at night, I used maxis and only sometimes I used Digi. Well, I had Celcom first and then Maxis when I was in Form 4. Then I got myself a Digi in Form 5. Maxis for gaming actually because they have this gaming community and there was this one game that can be played online and most important, it is free! As for Digi, I used it to contact my Chinese friends. Somehow, it was luxurious life compared to now.
My dear friend, we did a lot of things in this 7 years. I will always remember it. Even though you are gone now, but the memories will always be in me. Sorry that my stupidity cost me to lose you. I have a lot of things to share but it’s hard to recall everything because I feel so lost right now.
Rest in peace, my friend!
Nokia 6600
2005-2012
This post was extracted from my old blog that was posted on 17th April 2012. There were no smartphones back then.
“You know that you are a bad person. All the things you ever did, are mistakes and errors. You are an animal in human flesh and you don’t deserve any pardon or be forgiven. You should just go ahead and do it. When you are no longer here, you don’t have to worry about making other mistakes. Do it!”
This is an excerpt from a short story I have submitted to Notion Press.
The theme of this short story is depression. The story is about a guy that need to decide on what he should do about his life. To be honest, it was inspired by my depressing August. Pretty much something close and I hope you enjoy it.
It is a competition so I will be so happy and grateful if you share your thoughts about it and share the story!
I would also like to include a special shout out to my wonderful friend a.k.a editor (which she generously helped me on this one) Afifah Adnan! You can find her blog here and her Instagram here. Thank you for your help!
It was not fair. Why did her sister get to have a horse when she was not allowed to have a dog? Erica could not understand the reason behind her parent’s decision. She is determined, she needs to deal with this matter herself.
Later that night, while everyone has fallen asleep. Erica has been pretending sleeping but now she is awake and slowly living her room. She then heads to the storeroom to grab a machete. Her father usually takes the machete when he travels into the wilds but when he is not, he will usually store it.
After she took the machete, now she heads to the barn. The sky was clear and stars glitter far away. Erica believes that the god is with her. This is the only way to show her parents that they are being unfair to her. An action that will definitely send the message clear. A message that her parents need to understand and stop favoring her sister.
She opened the door to the barn slowly. Not even a creaking sound heard. As soon she entered, she closed the door back. There, she finds her sister’s horse. The horse was kneeling and sleeping.
Erica has plenty of thoughts in her mind but she focused on one right now. To kill the horse with the machete in her hand. She grabbed the machete tighter and move closely to the horse. The horse opened her eyes and started to stand. As Erica noticed the movement from the horse, she raised the machete high and struck the horse as quickly as she can.
The first strike hits the horse’s forehead. The horse neighs and started to jump around and ready to stamp on her. Erica managed to dodge and strike the side of the horse. Blood bursts out and sprayed her. The horse then tries to run ahead but Erica lay down another strike and hit the horse’s leg. The wound was shallow but enough to lead the horse stumble.
The horse falls down and without waiting long, Erica thrust the machete straight to the horse. The machete pierced into the horse’s stomach and blood flows around the machete. Erica feels satisfied and relieved about it.
She finally did it. The clear message that her parent needs to understand. A few moments later the door was opened and her parent was standing and shocked to find their daughter covered in blood and the horse was lying on the ground.
Her mother screamed while her father rushes to her and take her outside. Then, her father asked Erica what happened. Erica just laughs and laugh. Suddenly, a thunder strikes and blinded everyone.
The horse woke up frightened and panic. She realized that it was only a dream. A dream that feels so real that she still remember the machete slashing and piercing her body. She tried to close her eyes when suddenly, the barn door was opened and she saw Erica holding a machete.
A two lane road. It was jammed because there is a road construction work ahead. He looked at the clock on the dashboard of his car. 8:45 AM. He is late. Way too late because he would already arrived in the office by now. No thanks to this stupid construction they decided to have in a rushing morning hour.
He keeps tapping the steering wheel while listening to the beat from the radio. He have no other choice. He looked through the back mirror and he saw the driver behind his car. The guy looks definitely unsettling and furious.
“Maybe, he is way too late now. Better text your manager now, sir.”
He then turn his head to the right. Another car with silver in color. A female young driver. He guessed that, she was in her twenties. He was staring until she caught him. He smiled shyly. She smiled back.
Then, he heard someone honking him from the back. He looks ahead and the traffic was clearing. He looked to the right one more time and the girl was laughing. He smiles and drive ahead.
Questions popping inside his head. The loudest one would be.
Using the following setting, write a short story or poem:
the ferry line to your home on the island, 5:00 PM
“You’ll find the ferry to the island will be arriving shortly. At five, which will be here in ten minutes.” Said the man who sells the ticket.
It has been years since he was here. Ten years to be exact. Richard has been away for ten years in order to serve the country. He was stationed very far north by having winter every single day. When the real season arrived, it really kills him to the spine as he was never fond of the cold.
The ticket man was right, the ferry was in time. Without wasting his time, Richard board the ferry and on his way to the place he grew up, together with his family and friends.
“Are you going for a trip here?” Said a man to Richard.
Richard assumed the man was in his forties and a tourist with his family on board.
“No, sir. I’m here to return home. I lived in that island until I was enlisted to the army ten years ago.” Replied Richard.
“Oh, the war was ended years ago was it? We are proud of you and on behalf of the others, we thanked you for your duty, young man. Even so, it must be hard for you.” The man somehow was overjoyed after learning that Richard was in the army, protecting the country from invasion of the North. The war was an ugly one with hundred thousands of deaths.
“Thank you, sir. I’m just doing my best for my country.”
Richard then left the man and sit in a spot where the air is most open. He still remember them clearly, their faces, their voices and the memories they had. His home. His beloved home that none can compare. The warmth and cozy bed. The peaceful nature that surrounded him.
How he missed it all. The past years was harsh and rough. The sound of shots and bombs. The tough terrains. The hard walks. The smells of blood and flesh. The wounds and blisters. Not even close on what he had at home.
If only he can share it with others. How fortunate they are to enjoy long lasting peace. How fortunate they are to sleep on their comfy bed. Waking up having breakfast, lunch and dinner. Fully stocked food in the fridge. How not to be grateful with all the blessings that they cannot even count.
At least now, once he reached home. He will finally feel the peace. Once more.
A long time ago, there were ten trees in a deep forest. Each with their own species and living peacefully.
One day, they heard a sound. Then the first tree asked the others.
“Did you hear the sound? What could that be? Faint and distant.”
The others heard it but they do not know what sound is that or where it came from. They are familiar with the sound of the wind and the animals in the forest but not this one. They hear the sound frequently, day and night. They are pulled by the sound especially when in the middle of the day and night. The sound is longer and they enjoy it dearly.
As years passed, the sound getting clearer and louder. The third tree said to the others.
“The sound is from over that hill. How I wish I can see what it is.”
The other trees agreed with the third tree. Then came a bird to them and said.
“How silly! That is the sound from a human village. The sound of a bell rang. All of you will never get the chance to see it.”
The seventh tree then said.
“How envious I am with you bird. You can fly to wherever you want but here we are, rooted to the ground.”
After few seasons passed, the trees can hear the clear bell rings. Their branches will sway left and right as if the wind blow them. The fifth tree then said.
“Worst! Worst! The four trees before me has died! They were chopped down by the human.”
Soon, only the tenth tree still stood and said.
“Oh dear, how much longer before they cut me down too. I grew up together with the other trees. Now, I am left alone. Oh human, we still remember the first chime of your bell. Far and distant. Captivating us. We enjoyed it. But no more. The chime is a warning for us and how scared we are now. Evil! It was not the sound of happiness but the countdown of our demise.”
The human does not hear what the tenth tree has said and keep on cutting it down and the last tree of the ten trees.
Write Ally! Write! 