Here’s a collection of very short stories and poems (tweet-length) I did based on prompts from vss365today.com over this past week. I’ve found these prompts are a fun way to keep the creative juices flowing and also are seeds for potential future stories. The prompt is the word next to each date. I hope you enjoy!

4/18/21 Blessing
It was the tradition of the elders to convey a blessing upon their children. Marcus, though, wasn’t sure what there was to offer.

For years, he watched the many-headed creatures emerge from the cave and devour the children.

It wasn’t time for blessing, but war.

4/19/21 Watch (1)
Jedidiah volunteered to take first watch. He had the sharpest eyes and keenest ears. He wasn’t as sure a shot as Ryan but could hold his own.

It didn’t matter. They’d all be dead by morning light. The creature swooped down from above. He didn’t have time to even scream.

Watch (2)
Setting sun
Orange, pink
Lingering light
Holds on
Breathe

Darkening sky
Light fades
Twinkling eyes
Stars emerge
Watch

4/20/21 Personal 
“It’s nothing personal.”

“Then what is it, Frank?”

“I kill. It’s what I do.”

“We’ve been neighbors ten years. Our boys are best friends. We coach together.”

“Sorry, Tom. I can’t stand your laugh. I’ve hated it since I met you.”

“I thought it wasn’t personal.”

“I lied.”

4/21/21 Only
If only for a moment
Facing the setting sun
Souls embrace
Hearts aflame
Whispering secret oaths
Raging in the dark of night
Fates conspire
Who can stand in lasting love
As war drums beat
Far away
Last breath
Star-crossed lives

4/22/21 Settle (1)
“What’s in the beyond, daddy?”

I stood beside my daughter and gazed across the prairie. Humans had ventured to the Great River, but none who crossed returned.

There were rumors of unimaginable beauties, but none certain.

“Adventure.” I grinned. And new land to settle.

Settle (2)
Steady gray eyes
Clouded in time
Gazing ahead
A mighty oak stands
Tall beside the Great River

Leaves turning
Falling
Seedlings grow
Carried by floods
A vision, a distant thought
Happy, sad
Tears for both

Longing
Dreaming
Her voice calls
Come, settle
The Elysian Plains

4/23/21 Thunder
The thunder rolled, a gentle rumble across the plains. The young men labored. Rain or shine, the cattle needed care.

The old cowboy gazed toward the hills at the rider on the horse. This was no ordinary storm. For five hundred years he’d escaped. But Death had finally found him.

4/24/21 Rings
Hollowness rings
Platitudes, promises
Lies told to win the masses
Red-faced talking heads
Twisting truths
Tossing knives into the cage
Eat your own
Destroy the other
Where is hope?
Where is love?
The quiet stillness far away
Hearts longing
Searching
For a better story

Image cred: unsplash.com/@noaa