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

karenringalls

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.

22 thoughts on “FICTION IN A FLASH CHALLENGE 2021. WEEK #39. #IARTG #FlashFiction #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts @pursoot”

    1. I think people would enjoy and learn from life’s experiences more if they did not worry about aging. I have always believed in trying to learn from each experience and person and truly celebrate one’s birthday with great enthusiasm. I wrote the poem on my 80th birthday, giving myself a gift to remember.

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      1. How wonderful that you wrote it for your 80th birthday, Karen.

        I used to attend a poetry class but not during the last year and a half. One member in this group just passed away due to the complication of Covid. She was 96 1/2. She had been in this class for years and years, and still wrote poems at 96 years old. She could remember and recited the poem she wrote at 6 years old. She had a caretaker taking her to the class and picking her up. There was another member in the class also came with a caretaker.

        These ladies are an inspiration to me.

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  5. I love this take on the prompt, Karen. It had me smiling and nodding my head in understanding. “What a Ride” indeed.
    I’ve just shared it.

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  7. I absolutely love how you wrote this poem, Karen, and the meaning behind it. You really captured life’s ride so perfectly:)

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    1. Thank you, Denise, for sharing your thoughts. When I saw the photo prompt, I knew immediately what it represented to me. I wrote the poem on my 80th birthday, giving myself a special present.

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