Manatita is an esteemed author living in London, UK. He writes spiritual books, flash fiction and esoteric poetry, his favourite genre.
Bill's Challenge
Bill Holland has given us a challenge to kick-start our muses ... to complete a poem or prose, according to the following:
"I’m going to give you three photos below. Those are your prompts. I’m going to ask you to use all three of them in your story. The length of your story is up to you, but it must relate to the photos. And yes, if you are a poet, feel free to write a poem about the photos rather than a short story or flash fiction.
That’s it! Easy Peasy!" - Bill Holland
Below is my contribution
Courtesy of Bill Holland
Eventual Outcome
Opinions, opinions, opinions! Scattered thoughts
Fly across the internet like autumnal leaves.
Wounds run deep like scarlet crates, from the
Constant chatter of fake news and conspiracy theories.
Truth is not worth much these days! It lies in a container
Sealed to prevent it knocking on consciences. It escapes
From open cardboard boxes, blown about by zephyrs, or
Swept away like yellow leaves, by the broom of corruption.
courtesy of Bill Holland
The grass is always greener on the other side,
They say. Yet amidst the lush suburbs where the
Verdure of the foliage glimmer with beauty, the neatly
Paved roads and trimmed pathways, whispers of a red
Sign that says ‘Stop.’, for you’re not wanted here.
courtesy of bill holland
The Antagonist pushes his programme of demarcation,
Splitting the country in two … then segmented parts.
The Protagonist spins a successful web, switching the
Stop sign to ‘full speed ahead’, while the sojourners await
With bated breath, unable to tell the eventual Outcome.
- Manatita, The Lantern Carrier. 9th December, 2020
Writing Challenges
© 2020 manatita44
Comments
manatita44 (author) from london on December 10, 2020:
Thank you, my Didi ji. Appreciations!
manatita44 (author) from london on December 10, 2020:
Indeed
Spun a beautiful web. Thank you, Devika
Chitrangada Sharan from New Delhi, India on December 10, 2020:
That was quick, and thoughtful. You did a wonderful job of integrating the images into the well composed poems. Well done with the challenge and thank you for sharing.
Devika Primić from Dubrovnik, Croatia on December 10, 2020:
You put together a well thought of hub on this challenge.
manatita44 (author) from london on December 09, 2020:
Thank you, Jason and welcome!
Appreciated your heart-warming comment. Thank you!
Jason Nicolosi from AZ on December 09, 2020:
Fantastic. You did a marvelous job with the images and the challenge. Nailed it.
manatita44 (author) from london on December 09, 2020:
Hi John. Thanks bro!
Frankly, the muse thing does not apply to me. I do performance poetry in lockdown and folks are surprised I can do them, as my usual genre is the spiritual pieces. Yet I'm really a very versed creative writer. I give all credit to the meditation and inner life. Yet I was always this way as a child. Written English, is my best subject.
Thank you so much!!
Note: This piece was a deliberate mundane take on current trends. I'm sure you have figured it out. I'm subtle and tricky. (Chuckle)
John Hansen from Gondwana Land on December 09, 2020:
What a fast and marvellous response to Bill’s challenge. I applaud you manatita. Great poem.
manatita44 (author) from london on December 09, 2020:
Thank you, Rosina. 10 mins plus about 30 mins trying to load the first photo.
Appreciate that you like this mundane piece. Awesome!
Ah, Bill. So sweet! Appreciations!! - Lantern
Rosina S Khan on December 09, 2020:
Excellent poetry in response to Bill's challenge. I really enjoyed it. Thanks for sharing your quick and marvelous response.
Bill Holland from Olympia, WA on December 09, 2020:
You are brilliant! That is outstanding poetry, accomplished in such a short period of time. Well done my talented friend. Well done indeed!
manatita44 (author) from london on December 09, 2020:
Dee, thank you! So good to see you! Stay well and blessed! Gratitude!
You see, Peggy. You looked into my Heart. Bet you didn't know you can do this? Stay well and blessed! Haha.- Lantern
Peggy Woods from Houston, Texas on December 09, 2020:
Wow! You took these photo prompts of Bills and wove a bit of what we are experiencing here in the recent U.S. Presidential election. There surely are opinions flying about, much like falling autumn leaves. Lines of demarcation are solidly expressed in many places. Just take a look at the feed on this very site! That is my take on what you wrote.
Dora Weithers from The Caribbean on December 09, 2020:
Waiting on the outcome sounds like a good position to be in. Still, the consciences which shape the outcome may be in the dark about their own chances of survival. We need to be concerned about each other. Thanks for making us think!
