'How Dragons Pray' by Suzanna Lundale

You would look lush on a dragon, way up skyward, folk of all lands hungry for your favor. You could. You should. Show crown’d brows who soars by clouds, and who holds only land. Your sojourn’s young. Show us. 

'Shun T I M E, Fun T I M E' by Ann Wagner

 

You can prolong.

You can hang on.

You hurry, slow, or sojourn.

You can snub.

You can laugh off.

You can shroud, bury, and cloak.

You can pass.

You can brood.

You can always draw, gnaw, or plan.

How, you all ask?

You only crush, duck, and bob.

'Andy and Lady Sky' by Mina Otsuka

 

Lady Sky hugs Andy, and Andy swallows all words. Knock knock. “Door?” Lady Sky asks. Andy nods.

 “Would you cook lasagna for lunch?” Andy asks. “Hungry? Good,” Lady Sky says.

Andy has Lady Sky’s lasagna, and Lady Sky looks happy.

“Now,” says Andy. “Do you know your way back?”

Lady Sky nods.

“Good, good. Would you show Andy your back?” Andy asks – and sobs.

Knock knock.

“Hurry,” says Andy. Lady Sky follows Andy’s words.

Andy slowly walks and unplugs Lady Sky. Hush. No knock.

Lady Sky holds Andy fondly.

'No Way' by Rachel Burrows

 

You look across Oakford Ward…

Dad’s up!

Dr Ball was wrong… Dad’s so Lazarus!

 

'Walk' by Lynda McMahon

 

You walk towards your land. Your hand holds a young boy’s. You know who blows cold upon a bold soul; who now bows down; who shows darkly. Your hand, cold, clasps hard and wards off your son’s cool kahuna who’s four forms: lynx, swallow, dragon, frog, hold on. Carry on! Your land’s upon you. Stay! Watch  hours go by. Your land can colour your days. Your soul and your son’s soul can hold hands upon  gold and rock. Go forward. Lay down your walk

'Time Immaterial When Revenge Is Nigh' by Jaime Bree

Glass cracks. Shards fall. You cry… Hold.

       You gasp. A gash on your hand.

          You fall as your blood drops.

             A word. Allay worry. Roar!

                 Call on your guard.

                    War draws you...

                      A clash follows..

                       Shards wound

                           You. Can.

                              Crush.

                                 All

                                   .

                                   .

                                   .

                                   .

 

NFFD 2023 Prompt #13: Time Out!

 

 

Time Out!

Welcome to The Write-In!  This year, we're celebrating the 2023 National Flash Fiction Day Anthology theme of time.  Throughout National Flash Fiction Day, we'll be posting one time-related prompt on the hour every hour from now until midnight (BST), for a total of 25 prompts in all.  You have until midnight on Sunday (BST) to submit your responses for possible publication here at the Write-In.  We'll start posting responses on Sunday, 25 June 2023....

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For this prompt we're borrowing inspiration from the Oulipo tradition, and trying our hands at some constrained writing.

Try writing a short piece without using the letters T, I, M or E.

(If you're having trouble getting started, you may wish to consider experimenting with writing in the second person....)

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If you’re submitting this to us, make sure to note that this is a response to Prompt 13: Time Out!

You can submit responses until 23:59 BST on Sunday, 25 June 2023 for a chance to be published here at The Write-In.

You can claim the badge for this prompt until 23:59 BST on Sunday, 2 July 2023 by going to the here (hosted by the NFFD website).