Fragments

These fragments are six-word stories or poems. Often working in such a limited form can rouse the imagination and spark creativity. Any of these three ideas could become a story or even a book.

The watch stopped; no one moved.

Two dogs, too many, to master.

Now, no one answers the phone.

As a prompt, try six-word stories. You may find you have a way out of the doldrums. Forms can be a creative vehicle of great power.

As I play with fragments, there are always haiku. So here is one.

We can fall over
Ourselves trying to behave
Outside who we are.

© Jo Ann J. A. Jordan

Haiku In My Quiver

This ocean into
Which I wade slowly, swallows
My fear, in its love.


I accept I am
Written differently than
Those average most.


Death, we avoid it,
But in the air, food, water,
We taste it, consume.


The calendar turns
Another time dated, gone,
Life passing – away.


The light rises bright
But only a thimbleful
Against Autumn night.

© Jo Ann J. A. Jordan

I will believe these challenges are only a small inconvenience given to produce determination and strength. Will you believe you are destined to succeed in abundance? I can only do so, else hope evaporates.

Speak Living

When opportunity presents
We may speak encouragement
Into another person –
Everyone needs inspiration,
Kindness, generosity;
Love is a gift, blessing
The giver, as much as
The one who gathers it in.
Positive words can
Change lives weighted by despair,
Teaching the act of living,
Being is worthwhile to keep
Doing, happening, growing.
Personhood is precious,
Belonging is a treasure,
Life is made to pour out –
In all directions, enriching,
Motivating, teaching, through
Creative effort, how wonder
Becomes an existential capability
In each moment, place, thing,
Ever proposed and accomplished.

© Jo Ann J. A. Jordan

Use Your Words

When we are upset
The best thing to be done is
For us to use words
Well;
Communication is key
To get all the things we need.
Better not resort
To violence and destruction,
Working situations out
Through
Discussion is a better option,
Which brings stronger resolutions.
Putting words on paper or screen
Can be a valuable tool
Letting us approach
Clarity,
Discovering our concrete ideas.
Using our words
Never indicates weakness
But shows intelligence and strength
Because choosing devastation
Is often a more straightforward solution
Than
Formulating a plan
To progress in creativity,
Building the present, ushering in
The future by making
The riskier effort to implement change.
Words build us up,
Encourage and inspire
To conquer difficulties
Eroding mountains of opposition
Into crowds of consolation
Where positivity can overcome
The landslide of negativity
Directed toward each of us
Perpetually.
It all began with the Word,
We withstand pain, trouble,
With carefully chosen words
That defend and guard us,
From what would harm us.
We do well to employ
Words
To do what seems too high
A hope, too large a dream,
A huge impossibility,
Because words have power
To change the world, reality.

© Jo Ann J. A. Jordan