He drove the familiar yet alien highway to the coast. He noticed things he hadn’t before: the scent of salt and seaweed in the air, a vibrant mural of a reggae singer graffitied on the bridge, the horns of barges and boats coming and going.
Overhead Radar. Hah! (You just have to capitalize that, don't you.) Such a great sobriquet. Sobriety is hard won -- an almost insurmountable struggle. I have seen many failures in the battle, and I have seen ONE beautiful victor - whom I admire and respect. Your excellent story here is just for her. Thank you, Justin
Thank you so much, Sharron. 🙏 I’ve seen many struggle and fail as well, but some have been able to reach the other side. “An insurmountable struggle” is the best way to describe it because it’s true!
A woman says to her man, ”You have to choose. Which is more important to you: me and the kids or alcohol. Because you can’t have both.” So many choose alcohol! It is not a disease. It is a choice. — a difficult choice, but a choice all the same. Thankfully, a few pull themselves through.
The big ball dropped and ‘24 became ‘25. Kissing time. Keir was smooching alright. In the coat closet with someone else’s wife. His own was wandering the party like a lost sock. Keir resolved to do more of this in the new year. Who said resolutions had to be good?
Early morning rain jog around the night pathways that sleep alludes. Jack is my dachshund dog. He burns trails, kicks up the University’s track before anyone knows we were there. He’s really a hot dog that runs to return home to finish his food to the end with gastronomic delight .
We were so careless, and in the end, nothing remained on the Earth. We destroyed everything.
After many millennia, we arose again from the bog, starting over, with nothing to sustain us but a bed of leaves, a bubbling stream, and wild goose plums.
The scariest part about some of these stories is how possible they seem. These are perfect details, Sharron, that tell of entire ages come and gone. The whole world being born again. This is right up my alley, especially of late! Excellent stuff, as always, my friend!
The drone pinged Eddy’s car fifty times a second. Keeping him slow and sensible. Controlled. Who were the real drones now? Humans were backups, deadened hands on deadman’s handles. Well no more. He plugged in the Dallas chip. ‘Multipass’ said a woman’s voice as Eddy eased the speedo to fifty-one.
In the beginning, the trip was boring, not much to see but dry desert. Driving through the mountains was a different story, with city life much closer. Finally, we arrived in Vegas where the real sights would begin. So many lights, shows, and casinos to see! We rushed to unpack.
If the speed limit was to be governed by overhead radar. why were birds flying so quickly? Did no eagle or hawk, bluejay or sparrow get busted for flying too quickly past the obvious signs?
They all soared. Without a care. Higher and faster than radar could track.
I love the imagery here, Justin. The scents, sights and sounds that have resurfaced for someone who lost them due to addiction. This tells a whole, long, hopeful story in the fifty word constraint.
I can’t help but think of kids in school (and the education system in general) who conform to social norms because it’s the expectation. There is one correct way to solve a problem—one way to construct a response, etc. Hopefully, link by link, we can break those chains. What a thought-provoking piece, RI!
New Lens, fiction
He drove the familiar yet alien highway to the coast. He noticed things he hadn’t before: the scent of salt and seaweed in the air, a vibrant mural of a reggae singer graffitied on the bridge, the horns of barges and boats coming and going.
Sobriety altered his perspective forever.
Love this, Justin! Sobriety is the end, and the beginning. In that order. You really captured the metamorphosis.
I really appreciate the kind words, Sharon. Thank you!
Outstanding final line. Inspiring work, Justin.
Thank you, Barrie! 🙏
A real beaut!
Beautifully written in fifty, Justin! I could see that highway and then the final line nailed it.
Thank you so much, Caro!
Overhead Radar. Hah! (You just have to capitalize that, don't you.) Such a great sobriquet. Sobriety is hard won -- an almost insurmountable struggle. I have seen many failures in the battle, and I have seen ONE beautiful victor - whom I admire and respect. Your excellent story here is just for her. Thank you, Justin
Thank you so much, Sharron. 🙏 I’ve seen many struggle and fail as well, but some have been able to reach the other side. “An insurmountable struggle” is the best way to describe it because it’s true!
A woman says to her man, ”You have to choose. Which is more important to you: me and the kids or alcohol. Because you can’t have both.” So many choose alcohol! It is not a disease. It is a choice. — a difficult choice, but a choice all the same. Thankfully, a few pull themselves through.
Shall New Acquaintance/Fiction
The big ball dropped and ‘24 became ‘25. Kissing time. Keir was smooching alright. In the coat closet with someone else’s wife. His own was wandering the party like a lost sock. Keir resolved to do more of this in the new year. Who said resolutions had to be good?
Ha! A valid point. Loved this, Scott.
Naughty Keir! Good one this!
Thx. Some resolutions easier to keep than others 😊
You mean like resolving to eat more donuts? I didn't even know you could do that?
Loophole!!
👍🏻
I never thought of a resolution in this light, but hell, why not??
Gotta zag sometimes 😊
A lost sock! ha ha ha! That is wonderful, Scott
Thank you!!
Jog around track with Jack
Early morning rain jog around the night pathways that sleep alludes. Jack is my dachshund dog. He burns trails, kicks up the University’s track before anyone knows we were there. He’s really a hot dog that runs to return home to finish his food to the end with gastronomic delight .
Loved this. Much respect to those early morning walkers and joggers—now we know you’re out there!
😄 Thanks for sharing, Richard!
I thank you for prompt. Dog tired.
My Life Now, CNF
My life now
Spending precious time
Making sandcastles in the bottom of my hourglass
Had I known
I would still be here
I believe I would have started creating, sooner
But I love my sandcastles
My here and my now
I took the long road home, it’s my life now
Such a lovely story with such beautiful sentiment, Sharon. 💜
It's the journey that counts, not the destination.
My own thought: If you actually get there, it wasn't much of a trip.
Yes. The "monomyth".
Thanks for reading. I agree. Life is a journey, and as long as am learning, I will be traveling.
Sand castles in an hour glass. I love this image, Sharon.
Thanks, Sharron! The older I get, the bigger those sand castles are going to be! (;
I hear you!!
Enchanted, poem
We danced with silver light, in twilight’s glow,
Your laughter echoed through enchanted woods,
A fae’s embrace, where dreams and wishes meld,
And then dissolve like mist in morning light;
As stars fell softly, marking time’s swift flight,
A symphony of memories and sighs,
In every ending, love renews, relights.
Oh, this is beautiful and elegant, Caro. It is absolutely brimming with magic. ✨
Magical! This is a delightful 50 words, Caro!
Thank you, Sharon!
Beautiful!
ROUND AND ROUND, fiction
We were so careless, and in the end, nothing remained on the Earth. We destroyed everything.
After many millennia, we arose again from the bog, starting over, with nothing to sustain us but a bed of leaves, a bubbling stream, and wild goose plums.
We’ve been given one more chance.
The scariest part about some of these stories is how possible they seem. These are perfect details, Sharron, that tell of entire ages come and gone. The whole world being born again. This is right up my alley, especially of late! Excellent stuff, as always, my friend!
Thank you, Justin. If we think of second chances, it helps keep hope alive, right?
Without question!
Wake up and smell the petrol (fiction)
The drone pinged Eddy’s car fifty times a second. Keeping him slow and sensible. Controlled. Who were the real drones now? Humans were backups, deadened hands on deadman’s handles. Well no more. He plugged in the Dallas chip. ‘Multipass’ said a woman’s voice as Eddy eased the speedo to fifty-one.
This is such an awesome little dystopian world and story you’ve created, Jon. I could easily get lost in it for pages and pages. Well done, sir.
Humans were backups, deadened hands... Creepy. And Possible. Thank heaven's I won't be here to see it...
The Vacation Begins! Fiction
In the beginning, the trip was boring, not much to see but dry desert. Driving through the mountains was a different story, with city life much closer. Finally, we arrived in Vegas where the real sights would begin. So many lights, shows, and casinos to see! We rushed to unpack.
Road trips can be exhausting, but the end destination is always worth it. Good one, Kim! Thanks for sharing!
Essay, Fiction
If the speed limit was to be governed by overhead radar. why were birds flying so quickly? Did no eagle or hawk, bluejay or sparrow get busted for flying too quickly past the obvious signs?
They all soared. Without a care. Higher and faster than radar could track.
Or perhaps?
Love this, Jill! My kids and I watched a red-tailed hawk dive towards the ground yesterday…looking for lunch? They were in awe of how fast it dove. 🐦
Speed Trap, Fiction
“Fuck you.” Said Speed to Radar, who was bouncing radio waves off her at a rate of 23GHZ.
“You must slow down.” Said Radar, “Your velocity is too high.”
Speed continued breaking the sound barrier. Radar could only record how quickly she passed: he could not prevent her from passing.
Love it, Jason! Very clever! Thank you for sharing.
I love the imagery here, Justin. The scents, sights and sounds that have resurfaced for someone who lost them due to addiction. This tells a whole, long, hopeful story in the fifty word constraint.
I agree, Andrea. No blaming, no shaming, no preaching. Just celebrating a victory and expressing hope. That's why we love Justin Deming.
💜 The feeling is mutual!
Thank you so much, my friend! I’m happy you liked it. 🙏
An Ending
My sister has pancreatic cancer
She has quit all treatment
Her ending is close
How great for her that she will not have to be seventy, when inherited familial Grover disease begins.
When you know your ending, you can prepare for it.
She lost her husband last year.
Her son remains of them.
I will be thinking of you and your family, Theresa. 💜
Thank you, Justin.
BABY'S FIRST 50 WORDS
It's my birthday, but why's Mom so pushy? Dad's at one ear. Hot nurse at the other. PUSH,HONEY!
HUFF!
YOU GO,GIRL!
PUFF1
Yeah,I'm precocious,but I aint studied THIS in THE WHOLE EARTH PRE-BIRTH CATALOGUE., the latest rave.
PLOP! FIZZ!
GEE! WHIZ!
When does the dancing start?
-Ernie Brill
erbrill69@gmail.com
Stay in Your Lane--Free verse
What power is it that I answer to?
I look, see nothing,
Yet I am guided, coerced even,
By some force of compliance.
I am being watched, not by some
Specific entity but by some
Shape-shifting entity that
Demands compliance to conformity.
Color within the lines.
Do not stand out.
I can’t help but think of kids in school (and the education system in general) who conform to social norms because it’s the expectation. There is one correct way to solve a problem—one way to construct a response, etc. Hopefully, link by link, we can break those chains. What a thought-provoking piece, RI!
I venture to say that that "force of compliance", that "shape shifting entity" is society itself. Excellent piece, RI. Thought provoking.
Sometimes it happens at a leisurely pace, waiting for the gears to sync from first to second.
Occasionally, it shreds the clutch or snaps the flywheel, proof that good things can be fatal.
And rarely, love laughs at General Relativity, because energy like that cannot be quantified by mass alone.
This is excellent, Chase! I enjoyed the progression line by line.
Thank you very much!