This chapter contains random pieces of writing. Typically writing done as practice, but may be worth sharing.
This was writing practice prompted by these :
Upanddownandupanddown
thenumberskeepongoing
Backandforthandbackandforth
theirdoinginmymind
thoughthegridandpastthebeads
Ipushthedailygrind
allthewhileIlongtolearn
thegentleartofsewing.
2021-06-11
This was written as apart of the creative writing group. The brief was to take a common neutral phrase and write a story in which it has an unexpected meaning. Like taking: “What is the time?” and making it ominous. I chose the phrase “Oh god.”
“Oh got that’s funny!” she exclaimed between bouts of laughter…It was a great evening with friends. Jokes, stories, company and camaraderie. Many exclamations of shock, “Oh god, that’s awful!” Of surprise, “Oh my god thank you!” And general good conversation.
She was now on her way home, walking though the park. There was a glimmering over to the left. Being in a good mood and not in much of a hurry, she went over to look. When she entered the clearing she saw something truly awesome, even awful, wonderful and dazzling. A light and a presence illuminating to the core and loving. The presence was with someone else when she arrived, but presently turned to her. As the gaze fell on her she was filled with awe and the sense of her smallness, without being crushed or belittled, but rather called up into a divine beauty. “Oh, um, God?” she asked. “Yes” the presence replied.
It felt like ages that she was there being loved and drawn into all she was, and set free. Many things had been discussed in few words, but now she knew the Presence.
On her way home she walked passed a bunch of fragrant blossoms adorned in filigree. She exclaimed “Oh God these are beautiful!” A whisper came back “Yes.” She realised that she was no longer merely exclaiming, she was continuing the conversation.
OntherockofGodisabedofpiece.
Outofitshootsthestemoffaith,
buddingintheblossomsofJoy.
IntimethisyieldsthefruitoftheSpirit.
ahopebasedontrust
andahopefoundedinlove
givesgreatpeaceandjoy
faithandhopejoinlove
inagrowingunity
bearingpeaceandjoy
howcanIhope?
whatisit,andhowsure?
hopeislovesecured.
Jesuslivesinhope
andyetindeathHelaydown
butthenHestoodup
Haveyoueverseenabutterflyflutterby
andwonderwhy
itisnotcalledaflutterfly?
The grass was green and the sky was blue and the song in my heart sang loud. The rain was wet and the air was keen and joy ran through my veins. The from of a passer by was a mystery while a chance smile was the most obvious thing. See how the world pulses with life! Oh the buzzing of the bee and the curiosity of a child!
The 2019 Rugby world cup.
I remember it fondly and with pride. We won the Rugby. Our boys in the beautiful green playing hard and well. Obviously the excitement had been building for some time. Indeed rugby was used as a symbol of reconciliation and unity in the transition into our free democracy. When our newly elected first black president celebrated with South Africa in what, at that time, would have been a white man’s sport, thus showing that we are one nation. Not two vying for power through revolution.
That was more than twenty years ago, but still it echos now. In all the difficulty and tension of the year over various political and often racially charged situations we all celebrated our might Springboks, together. What a refreshing sense of unity leading up to the final. The game itself was great.It was hot and felt like a holiday. My church, in a surprising act, hosted the game. We put table cloths over the big windows and streamed the game over the data projector and through the sound system. Some of the men sacrificially cultivated the braai as we watched the epic back and forth as walls of muscle tore up the trembling earth and strained over the small ball for the heavy cup.
Skill, strength and good sportsmanship made these men my hero’s and they put forth all of their might in this final game. And won! In euphoria we were one land. Anyone could embrace any other in the aftermath of the game.
2021-10-16
OnceIwroteapoem
Asatestofskill
Andabitoffun:
Canyoubraidandstill
Causetheversetoroam
Andthesoundtorun
Steadyasamill
Turninginthesun
Splashinginthefoam?
Orwhentheworkisdone
Willthewordsbeshrill
Andbringoutagroan?
Causingdreadfulshun
Likeadirtydome
Oranuglyspill
HaveIusedtheform
Likeachocolatebun
Forasillyrill?
OnceIwroteapoem
Forthesimplethrill
Andabitoffun.