FICTION IN A FLASH CHALLENGE 2021. WEEK #39. #IARTG #FlashFiction #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts @pursoot

This week’s challenge brought out thoughts about memories and birthdays. I thought about my years on this earth, riding through it like a ferris wheel. And, I though Of people who have rode my ferris wheel of life briefly or for a long time. There are those who taught me lessons, some caused me to fear, with others I shared laughter, or joined in love.

Here is the photo prompt for this week.

Courtesy of Amanda Cottrell
LIFE IS LIKE A FERRIS WHEEL
AGE
IS JUST
A SIMPLE NUMBER
THAT EACH YEAR INCREASES
NO MATTER WHAT I DO
THE SKIN THINS AND WRINKLES APPEAR
BUT THE LIGHTS OF MY BEING GLOW
MAKING MY LIFE LIKE THE TURNING FERRIS WHEEL
EACH DAY SPINNING INTO THE NEXT ONE
 ONLY STOPPING TO SAY HELLO, FAREWELL
 TO PEOPLE JOINING OR LEAVING
 MY WHEEL OF LIFE
FOR EIGHTY YEARS,
WHAT A
RIDE!

I chose this design for my poem for two reasons: I wanted it to start at one word, go to eight words and then back to one. Our first birthday is “one”. Then each sentence represents ten years…to 80…and then back to one…reflecting back on my 80 years in ten year increments. The first half is about coming to the age of 80 and my physical and spiritual changes. The second half reflecting on those who have been a part of my life.

THANKS & GRATITUDE

There are no other words that completely express what I feel each Thanksgiving Day: THANKS & GRATITUDE

                                       T: TIME
                                      H: HEALTH
                                      A: AGE
                                  N: NATURE
                                  K: KIDS
                                  S: SUNRISES
                                            &
                                 G: GRANDCHILDREN
                                 R: RELATIONSHIPS
                                 A: ART
                                 T: TEACHERS
                                  I: INVENTIONS
                                 T: TRAVEL
                                 U: UNDERSTANDING
                                 D: DESIRE
                                 E: EACH OF YOU

I am thankful for each of you who have supported, followed, and encouraged me. Your friendship crosses over many miles, yet it is no less treasured. I pray that you will be blessed with thanks and gratitude every day, all year long.

WISHING YOU A BLESSED THANKSGIVING