Tags
Fiction, Flash-Fiction, Horror, Life, Love, Relationships, Stories, Word Count 33, Writing
The prompt word for 33-word flash-fiction is “Vampire” – the word ‘vampire’ need not be in the fiction. Take a look at the flash below and also the previous three parts.
Vampyre – Part Four of Four
Eternal life filled with eternal love – so, what is the trade off?
Some women believe the way to a man’s heart is not through sex (Tsk! Tsk! Tsk!) but through his stomach.
Earlier episodes, all 33 word flash-fiction on the prompt word: Vampyre (or, if you prefer, Vampire)
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I welcome your contributions. Go wild! Walk on the dark side. Let’s hear some Urrrgh! And throw in some howling.
Some guidelines:
1. Your contributions can be prose or verse but must draw from the prompt word – “Vampire” – remember, your contribution does not have to include the word vampire.
2. Please come in at spot on 33 words – yes, that’s the real challenge – excluding the word count of your title, if any. The default title is “Vampire”.
3. Deadline for submissions 10 days from today.
If you could post your contributions in the Comments below, I shall collate and publish them in a Gallery on Friday, 12 July.
If you are new here, please take a look at the Previous Galleries to get an idea:
(a) WOLF
(b) PORTRAIT
(c) BEDPOST
(d) GUTTER
(e) LITERARY SLIPS
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“Come, live forever at my side.”
She trembled, whispered “Yes, my love.”
He kissed her lips, her breasts, her neck – without hesitating until she lay motionless.
“Oh, did I mention, as my servant.”
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LOL! That last line – a real killer 🙂 Was that a pun?
Thank you, Bill, for this great contribution – I think you just upped the ante – injecting a dash of humour into a dark theme.
And so the drum roll commences —-
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thanks Eric – I always envisioned that evil immortality might make one tend to sarcasm
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The upside-down vampire bats cling to the dark stony walls of their cave.
A mass of clammy wings wait impatiently for the night.
Hungry, little, upside-down, nasty-assed rodents they are.
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Ordinarily hyphenated words are treated as one – but what the heck 🙂 As the world gells, more hyphenated words will be the norm.
Love your contribution. Many thanks, Bumba
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Yes, I was unsure about the hypenated words. Now I’m up-dated and ready-to-go.
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This gave me a chuckle. Good one, Bumba 🙂
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This is beyond my league Eric, so I will wait for July and read the creations of your gifted followers
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No worries buddy. That word ‘league’ triggered this:
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Two thousand leagues, I travelled, hiding from the cursed sun. The stars my compass. The howls of the children of the night, my foghorn.
Come my beloved, now you will be my bride.
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See you back on 12 July, if not sooner 🙂
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You are so spontaneous ‘league’ shows this. Very nice.
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Did you say – spontaneous?
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“Let’s fly away, my love, to a land where we can live without fear.”
“Why so spontaneous?”
He did not mention that torch-bearing villagers with hatred in their eyes, approach his castle .
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Thank you, Indira – am leaving now for an appointment. See ya 🙂
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Great on e Eric. Here is mine. Thank you for the opportunity to submit.
“In the still of the night he comes to taste the sweet life giving nectar she has to offer. He takes what is not given freely. He is the master of the night.”
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Thank you, Susan and you’re very welcome.
I was expecting one from you, knowing how much you love these creatures of the dark 🙂
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Am I that predictable? I am goint to have to mix it up a bit. 🙂
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Here is my contribution. Thank you for the opportunity
Night’s emperor roams alone
His red feast
evident in his face
Humans cower,
but a feeble street dog
launches itself on him
and he trembles
as his mortal fears
follow him in afterlife
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Hello Padmini,
This is a good one – mortal fears keeping old vampie in dithers 🙂
Thank you for joining and supporting,
Eric
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Buffy’s vampires were ugly and stupid.
Bella’s vampires were perfect and strong.
My vampires don’t wait in the night or glitter under the sun.
My vampires are in my head, consuming my thoughts.
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This can actually be scarier – how does one get rid of vampires that reside in one’s thoughts —
Thank you for this nice twist to the genre,
Eric
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TRUE SUCCOR
Flapping a cape of a much different color,
True Succor lands where evil once stood.
He saves the day and the damsel then warns us:
“Don’t ever send bad blood after the good.”
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Hello Cynthia,
So very lovely to have you on board 🙂 and with such a marvellous contribution. Thank you dear.
True Succor wins again!
All good wishes,
Eric
P/s I can’t log onto your blog as WordPress claims your blog ‘doesn’t exist’ – could you let me have your blog link please – you can post it here in the Comments. Thank you.
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Heres mine:
Dark creature of the night
Is there any hope for you?
More a vulture than a man,
Have you a spirit too?
“The life is in the blood, my friend,”
Back into gloom.
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Hello Nicole – hope all is well as can be.
Nice one – I like that question – “Have you a spirit too?”
All good wishes,
Eric
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Intriguing as hell, Eric. But I think your story affronts my poor sensitivities 🙂 Why, a baby! But of course it could be theirs, from the one night stand 🙂
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Well, Celestine dear,
There is too much romanticising of this foul creature – and I thought a dash of ‘reality’ might add some balance.
No, the baby is not theirs. According to legend, vampires are sterile. Why a baby? – Easier to abduct a baby than a man, woman or even a crying child. What’s more – a baby is so pure and clean with minimal chances of illnesses and afflictions. Calculatively disgusting – but there you have it.
Hope it doesn’t upset you too much dear,
Eric
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Your explanaation is well understood, bu it still does 🙂
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Hi Eric. Love the prompt, as always. Here is my take…
I lick
that trickle
at the corner
of my mouth
I hold her
so I won’t spill
I try not to make
a mess because
I hate blood
on
my shirt
stains suck
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This caught my attention – a vampie who is a stickler for clean turnouts.
“Excuse me dear, wait till I wear my blood red shirt – then we can have an orgy!”
Hello and thank you, Troy. Nice to have you back 🙂
Cheers,
Eric
P/s I think my comment on your Post > You Used to be Cheese > went into spam. Yeah, I love WP when it does that!
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I couldn’t hold back from laughing about the road to a man’s heart. Are we (men) that predictable? Look forward to the offerings of your contributors.
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Well, common wisdom is – men can be read like books, while women – you can’t figure them. If true, we men have an excuse for all the gaffe 🙂
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Acrostic Vampire
Vainly ignoring her
Amber lips, making his dead heart stir
Moving in he thrust himself into her
Pounding their hearts desired
Impaling, screaming raw animal sex
Erotic, orgasmic, blood, saliva and semen everywhere.
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What an erotic and acrostic vampire 🙂
Hello Willow dear – many thanks for joining the fun.
Peace and blessings,
Eric
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I hope it was not too erotic, I posted it also ( at the same time) on Poetry Corner http://poetscornerblog.wordpress.com/ and the only comment I got there, so far that it was too vulgar for the commenter’s taste!
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Willow dear,
You know what they, we each have our own tastes.
No, I didn’t find it too vulgar but we must also respect the wishes and tastes of others, I believe.
Cheers,
Eric
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This sounds like fun. Mind if I play?
Glance at the clock, there is more time
Dark, cold, quiet in this tomb
Resist the urge to rise early
Boxes don’t move themselves, it takes a vampire
For I’m a cargo pilot
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Don’t mind at all, Rob – in fact, you’re very welcome 🙂
This touched a chord – as I’m an aircraft engineer and spent more than 30 years around airplanes.
All good blessings,
Eric
P/s Left a comment in your “Back to the drama” – I think it landed in your spam 😦
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I love meeting folks who are/were involved in aviation. What type of engineer were you, who did you work for, what airplane?
Fixed the spam problem, maybe. Remember I am a pilot and I reside just one step above a monkey. Sorry about that.
Good Blessings to you sir!
rob
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What sort of engineer? The smart type, I hope 🙂
But seriously, I’m a maintenance engineer – trained on airframe/powerplants on both fixed/rotary wing. Worked in the private sector throughout Asia Pacific – not in the military. Made some very good friends throughout the world – still keep in touch with many of them.
All good wishes my aviator friend,
Eric
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I think smart is a requirement for all engineers.
Nice, I like that we speak some of the same language. It is good to have a friend.
Best wishes to you!
rob
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Eric… where’s the babe with the red cloak? Us guys need a bite now and again too! ‘~’
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LOL – yeah, bring out the vampish ones – and don’t forget the black leathers 🙂
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Oh boy!!
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am shivering- this is so dark.
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Hello Willowmarie – yes, it is shocking!
But the current crop of vampire stuff we see on cable, all tend to overlook the murders of babies, who are probably the primary source of blood for these fiends.
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Eric, so you DID introduce a baby – or did I plant the seed (no pun intended)? I feel for the poor wee thing and I suggest that her boss needs to strike that woman off his payroll and off his Outlook directory As you must have guessed I’m not much into this Vampire orgy thing, but I do enjoy your challenges and so I offer a thirty-three word historical comment.
“The village had a Vampire invasion. First, they scattered seed in the graveyard; then they dug up Old Joe, and finding him un-rotted, drove a stake through his heart. The vile attacks continued.”
Cheerio, Jane
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Yes, Jane dear, I had to expose the foul creatures that these vampires are – nothing alluring or romantic here. Okay, and I blame you – initially, I had a crying child in mind. But a baby is so much more —- vulnerable.
I love this flash fiction – the vile attacks continued – Killed dead Old Joe for no reason, didn’t they?
All good wishes,
Eric
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Yap, you were right about the price to pay on this final slot. One night stand has to be for fun. Anyway, here’s what I have :
He marveled at her smooth and flawless skin.
She quivered with ecstasy as he plunged in.
Morning awakens; she ran her fingers down her neck
and found two fangs…”oops, too much botox. “
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He left behind clues – Hmmm, and is that what Botox does – act like glue 🙂
Thank you Jasey dearest for supporting the Gallery.
Much luv and hugz coming your way,
Eric
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I do not like those scary films, I have to close my eyes
Although in truth I’m forty one, I feel like I am five
Romance & comedy, that will do for me
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Thank you dear, for this contribution – a very fresh approach, which I love.
Cheers,
Eric
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Hi Eric,
I enjoyed not only the lead in to your ‘vampire” based word challenge but some of the very creative inputs received. What made you think of vampire?
Shakti
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Well, Shakti
Seeing the overwhelming interest in vampires, werewolves and zombies – it was a given! Thank you for your kind words and yes, we’ve received some very good contributions – unique in approach.
Cheers,
Eric
P/s I see that you’ve not posted lately
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Dear Eric,
Great to be back, and great to read your words once again! Excellent prompt, and I thoroughly enjoyed all four passages.
Here’s my take on this crepuscular creature of the night, in at 33 minus the title:
Succumb
“Come.”
It was but a single word, but she complied.
Quavering, she said, “I…I’m frightened.”
The tall pallid stranger extended a bleached hand.
“Come. With me. Delight in my dark realm of Eternity.”
I look forward to reading your other posts as well. It’s good to be here. 🙂
Take care,
Paul
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Hello Stranger 🙂
Welcome back and it’s great to have you here.
I learned a new word today – crepuscular – thanks, Paul.
Many thanks for supporting our Gallery with this wonderful contribution.
Take your time, catch up as/when you settle down more.
Peace,
Eric
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Aargh!
That should have read, ‘…other posts as well.’ My ‘a’ button gets stuck once in awhile.
As Pooh was wont to say, “Oh, bother.”
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I know that feeling too – done that so many times 🙂
Fixed it, no worries.
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You probably used my name to try to access my blog, Eric, and so it didn’t work. I’m at littleoldladywho.net. –Cynthia
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Got it, Cynthia – many thanks, my dear
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OM…been waiting and waiting for this and then I’m late in reading it!!!! Well, let me tell you THAT was a horror story if I’ve ever read one! You were so right about the high price of eternal love! Sounds to me like we needed the anti-vampire brigade like three days ago or maybe the blood bank…hmmm… 😉
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“The bread of life sustains, my love.” He said, looking upon her bosom.
“Sustenance I bring you. The hunt for all your love fuels my desire to nourish you.” She lusts only him.
**You did it again and tempted me to come along on this delightful journey! Pure genius! **
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Hello, Eva dear and welcome 🙂
That is a nice one – in keeping with character, if I might add (naughty knowing smile)
Thank you for joining in the fun and for your kind words.
Peace and blessings,
Eric
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You’re very right, Georgia dear – there is so much rubbish put out by cable TV about vampires, werewolves and zombies – I tell you, it is getting as ridiculous as all those wrestling series.
I’m off to Transylvania and never ever returning – being a long time since I skewered prisoners on stakes – plenty of catching up to do!
But on a serious note – below the seductive veneer, lies pure unbridled evil that misses most, I reckon.
Peace,
Eric
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Yes Eric…evil indeed is being rendered seductive, everyone wants to be a vampire nowadays, I agree. Let’s remember that the first Count Dracula was a dispotic evil ruler who killed on a whim!
I don’t watch TV cable or otherwise so I’ve missed out on most of the vampires, zombies and werewolves…I only encounter them occasionally in books and stories.
I did like what Terry Prachett did to defuse a lot of the hype around these fabled creatures…humor is a great antidote to evil, it ridicules it into perspective I think. Peace to you too Georgia
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Count Dracula is a work of fiction based on that Transylvanian prince, Vlad the Impaler. All the lore about vampires emanates from Bram Stoker’s work of fiction. Surprisingly, there are no truths attached to any of that stuff about sunlight, holy water, stake, etc. But people are fascinated and remain enthralled — many, out of sheer ignorance.
Peace my dear,
Eric
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That’s right! He was a very nasty person, historically speaking and Bram Stoker had quite an imagination!
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PS- Eric, erotic fiction could be in your future! A quick re-read of this series and how few words it takes for you to toss me into a cold shower! Haha. You are truly a gift to this world. Kudos, my friend. XO
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That’s interesting as I didn’t view these 4 pieces as erotic, but now that you pointed it out…Hmmmm.
Luv and hugz my dear,
Eric
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You could re-write the phonebook and make it a best-seller. Hmmm, Take it down “Brothers G” style! Lol
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Oh, my, Eric, this one took me by surprise, but in a good way. Loved the twist, although, it was a little hard to accept the gift as a baby..I’m too much of a Mom, but I understand your reasoning; very good, as always, my friend! 🙂
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Sorry if this post shocked, Lauren, but that was the intention. As you gathered, I had an agenda when I started this micro series.
I write about Dark, am fascinated by Dark – but I’m no fan of Dark. Most people who read my posts would not think so – but that’s how much they know me.
Peace and blessings,
Eric
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“pink naked body” – I thought the obvious. But oh, what a close 🙂
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Yup! That was the idea – prime and pin – get them to peer in – and blow to smithereens (no pun intended 🙂 )
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Hi Eric, I tried something but please don’t laugh, make some correction if you have time.
‘I succumbed to his charm
so to liberate him
I poisoned my blood
which he drank greedily
now I sing a lullaby to him
‘you will never be a vampire again, my love’
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This is excellent, Indira – and what a creative twist – poisoning one’s blood. It is so out-of-this-world. Now I know where Somi gets it from 🙂
I’ll be proud to display your contribution in our Gallery 🙂
Cheers,
Eric
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I haven’t done one of these in a while, but I thought I would toss my hat in the ring as well. I love the topic.
Flap of wings
Dead of night
Fear it brings
Gruesome sight
Their blood he let
Twin punctures deep
Soon forget
Nightmarish sleep
Tonight’s the night
Vampires feed
Sleep ye tight
Lest ye bleed
Thanks for the great prompt.
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Hello Dom – happy to have your hat in the ring 🙂
A verse – that’s great, because we haven’t received that many in verse, this time round. Rhymes well too.
Thank you for your contribution and have a great weekend,
Eric
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I’m logging off – rushing off for a meeting – will be gone for the whole day – will catch up tomorrow
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Absolutely spectacular! Love this ending.
True night falls and moonlight dazzles the eye. She walks soundlessly, restless for her next conquest.
He is a brute, she sees his evil surrounding him. She beckons and flashes a final embrace.
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LOL, this is a nice twist too – turning the tables, I see 🙂
The Dark Avenger emerges silently from the fog, drawn inexorably to the evil exuding the brute’s very pores.
Thank you, Val for joining and supporting. Its alway a pleasure to have you with us.
Luv and hugz,
Eric
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Thanks Eric, don’t they say ‘ love is blind’ .
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Reblogged this on Jane Dougherty Writes.
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Thank you, and much appreciate this. Here’s hoping your readers enjoy the post.
All good wishes,
Eric
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Here’s my contribution. I thought I already posted it, but WordPress thinks different.
She flicks the switch. Nothing. Darkness.
Footsteps stop beneath the open window.
Close it!
Curtains flutter, terror grips; the scream freezes in the throat.
Shadow, charnel-stinking pours over the sill,
Bringing eternal night.
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This is lovely, Jane and thank you so very much 🙂
You’re right – your earlier attempt did not come through – as I usually check my Spam before mass deleting.
All good wishes,
Eric
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Here’s my contribution, Eric. Hope it fits in well enough:
Nourishment
Gomer,
Why delight
In vamp of world—
Life blood drained,
Removing you from
Nourishment tapped
Through my veins?
My passion not of lover’s vain
Promises of eternal mourning night
But forever blissful Light.
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Thank you, Peg – this is lovely 🙂
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Pingback: Nourishment | Listening for Joy
Thank you, Peg, for spreading the word. Cheers, Eric 🙂
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Hi Eric,
I’m busy at moments and lost in others… 😀 Here is my contribution;
“the full moon waits
he looks pale
with the bones rotted
and he prays
with lonliness weight
and a eternal punishment
blood carry others feelings
and thoughts clotted
empty accompaniment
bite and drain”.
Eternal kisses,
Msblackrose A.G
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Very happy to see you return to join the Gallery, Blackrose – missed your contributions somewhat. But yes, we all have our work/life distractions.
This is dark, in keeping with the theme of the prompt – and your blog 🙂
Peace and hugz,
Eric
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I’m heartened by the entries so far, so much talent in the world. I offer three, though two less literal than some.
Vamp Ire
“It’s red. Red,” she said, “with which you have besmirched my neck of white.”
“No need for dread, my dear,” he said. “It will soon turn black as night.”
“What about the holes?”
Budding Concern
Sweet buds in our ears tell the story of a need greater than blood. And the twitter and tweet of the world far and near may suck our her very life, or yours.
Hunger
Neither crosses, nor garlic, nor bullets carved from wood, will ever stake the heart of greed without love. Harsh death savages us daily yet, please tell, what or who you ate for lunch.
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I think you came throught twice, Phil 🙂
Three contributions! Wow! And I enjoyed them all – difficult to pick a favourite, not that I pick favs.
Thank you for joining in the fun,
Eric
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I did indeed come through twice. My mistake.Typing one-handed (recovering from shoulder surgery) and a neophyte at commenting in this manner. Please use the middle version from the first through (though you’ll need to drop the word “her” after “our”), if you post in your gallery. Phil
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Okay, Phil – got it 🙂
But you came through as “Anonymous” – I’ll never understand how all these gizmos work.
Cheers,
Eric
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I’m heartened by all the entries so far. There so much talent in the world and so many lovely directions to display it. I offer three, a couple with slightly different routes.
Vamp Ire
“It’s red. Red,” she said, “with which you have besmirched my neck of white.”
“No need for dread, my dear,” he said. “It will soon turn black as night.”
“What about the holes?”
Budding Concern
Sweet buds in her ears tell the story of a need greater than blood. And the twitter and tweet of the world far and near may suck out her very life, or yours.
Hunger
Neither crosses, nor garlic, nor bullets carved from wood, will ever stake the heart of greed without love. Harsh death savages us daily yet, please tell, what or who you ate for lunch.
Philip Brent Harris
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Welcome aboard Phil,
Happy to have you here 🙂
All good wishes,
Eric
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Hi Eric — I was about to sit this one out but then the words had their way with me and couldn’t sleep until I wrote this down. As I remember, you said the title isn’t part of the word count.
“Darkly Held Dreams”
Vampire, creature of the night
Tales of you give such a fright.
Will I wake to find your bite?
Or will I be tomorrow’s delight?
The dawn casts all my fantasies to flight.
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This is lovely, Alia
And I’m glad you decided to enter the ring 🙂
Yes, the title is not part of the word count and it’ll be my pleasure to include your contribution.
All good wishes,
Eric
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Thanks Eric — what fun opportunities you create for us. Alia
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Good one.
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Thank you, Hattie
All good wishes,
Eric
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Eric,
Thanks for the like.
There are many places to publish flash fiction under 100 words.
Good luck with your writing and your publishing of them.
Pat
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Hello Pat,
Good luck with your writing and ‘calender’ competition too.
Eric
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