Sunday, October 2, 2011

Flash Fiction Alert!

Rachael Harrie over at Rach Writes is at it again.  The second challenge in the campaign is to write a piece of 200 words or less using these words: oscitate, lacuna, synchronicity, and miasma. It should also have the word imago in the title. Referring to a mirror gets you extra good stuff!
I didn't think I would have time for this one with our move West this week, but as we were driving through the endless fields of corn I was transported to a time long ago.  Here is my entry I'm #183.  Hope you enjoy it.

Letters From Imago

Dear Brother,


    Please forgive the lacuna in my writing. These months have passed quickly and I scarcely have time to put quill to paper.  I fear you would not recognize me, for since I lost Robert I have changed considerably. I'm afraid I would not know myself if I glanced in a mirror.  This is what transpired since Robert and I left the city.
 
   Our covered wagon traverses golden fields that stretch as far as I can see.  Heavy heads of prairie grass sway in the breeze with mesmerizing synchronicity. My head bobs mimicking the monotony. I oscitate. Three more weeks of this scenery.  Dull compared to city life.  It is peaceful though and the air is clear.  I see why Robert wished for us to make this journey.  The putrid miasma that filled the city streets is merely a memory.  Only the light sweet scent of Purple Prairie Clover surrounds us.


In the distance a great cloud approaches.  Maybe it's buffalo. The ground trembles and the air around me roars.  It is no herd. I see the dirt filled wind twisting around itself dancing like an enraged devil.  I am thrown from the wagon and am engulfed in blackness.



I'd love to hear your comments and if you liked it vote for me.  :)   Happy October!

Kathy
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26 comments:

  1. AnonymousOctober 2, 2011 at 11:25 AM

    love it! Very grounded and natural. I still don't think I will EVER get used to those words in any sentence, anywhere, ever, but you've come as close to natural as is possible. Love the tornado. :)

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  2. Ronald L. SmithOctober 2, 2011 at 1:36 PM

    Wow, very nice. And also nice to read something that is set in an environment that I haven't seen in a while. Nice job!

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  3. Sheri L. Swift, AuthorOctober 2, 2011 at 2:40 PM

    Very nice and different. I love a good prairie story. ; )

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  4. AnonymousOctober 2, 2011 at 3:05 PM

    Bravo! Love the letter approach and you made those words sound...well, normal :)

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  5. Tara TylerOctober 2, 2011 at 4:06 PM

    that was refreshing! what happens next!

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  6. MISHOctober 2, 2011 at 7:07 PM

    I love the letter-writing aspect of your piece ... definitely a one-of-a-kind approach to the challenge ! Well done !
    My entry at no.#185

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  7. TrishaOctober 2, 2011 at 8:09 PM

    Very nice, rich description. Good job!

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  8. kjmckendryOctober 2, 2011 at 10:24 PM

    clickerbug- Wow thanks! It was quite a challenge to use those words.

    Ron- Thanks, I've been thinking a lot about the old wagon trains lately so I thought I would give it a shot.

    Sheri- Thanks.

    Raelyn- Thanks, but I'm not sure those words could ever sound normal! lol

    Tara- Funny you should ask, I'm thinking of actually using this as the base for a longer piece.

    MISH- Thanks, I'm heading over to check yours out!

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  9. Sarah TokeleyOctober 3, 2011 at 2:46 AM

    I too am impressed at how 'normal' you made the words sound. Well done :-)

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  10. Christy FarmerOctober 3, 2011 at 3:57 AM

    I like this story Kathy, I like it a lot:) Well done!

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  11. K.T. HannaOctober 3, 2011 at 9:36 AM

    Oh I love that this is set in the past. Very different take on the challenge and the words fit in seamlessly

    Great job.

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  12. Talli RolandOctober 3, 2011 at 1:29 PM

    That's fantastic! It's hard sometimes to work in such disparate words, but you've done a wonderful job.

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  13. Kittie HowardOctober 3, 2011 at 3:22 PM

    Hi, I'm dropping in from Alex's blog hop. Nice to meet you. *waves* I'm your latest follower.

    Btw, loved your post. Great job!

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  14. ruth.the.writerOctober 3, 2011 at 3:36 PM

    Good job adding those words. I think the pioneer point of view suits them perfectly. You've drawn the scene very well.

    I'm no. 44.

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  15. Carrie ButlerOctober 3, 2011 at 7:11 PM

    Nice work, Kathy! Those words blended seamlessly into your letter. :)

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  16. David P. KingOctober 3, 2011 at 7:17 PM

    That was excellent!

    This did something I have yet to see. A letter! Such a well written one, too.

    Great job, ! :)

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  17. PaulaSJwriterOctober 4, 2011 at 1:00 AM

    I like the unique approach: not only a letter, but a historic letter too! Nicely done.

    Paula (#192)

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  18. Angela BrownOctober 4, 2011 at 11:19 AM

    A very nice touch with this entry. I really enjoyed it, especially that ending.

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  19. F.E. SewellOctober 4, 2011 at 5:18 PM

    Love the image of the "light sweet scent of Purple Prairie Clover"

    Very well done.

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  20. the wild magnoliaOctober 4, 2011 at 7:19 PM

    Excellent, there is more to the story, right?!

    Great job.

    #188

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  21. elizabethanneOctober 4, 2011 at 7:35 PM

    And you leave us there? We'll never know what happened? Oh my...

    That was very very good. Unique, and good use of those words.

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  22. Alex J. CavanaughOctober 4, 2011 at 8:20 PM

    Now that was original! No one else has written a letter.
    Ready for Wednesday's post?

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  23. kjmckendryOctober 4, 2011 at 11:42 PM

    Wow thanks so much everyone! I'm blushing over here at all the positive responses! I thought the words were insanely difficult to use correctly! It took me quite awhile.

    Alex- Yup I'm ready for tomorrow's post. Can't wait to read what everyone has to say. :)

    And extra thanks to all my new followers! You guys are awesome! I might just hit 100 this week! YEAH! :)

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  24. Angela CothranOctober 5, 2011 at 1:06 AM

    I love the creativity of this piece :) Well done!

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  25. SarahOctober 6, 2011 at 2:39 PM

    I really like this. A very different and interesting take on those crazy words. I am a huge fan of Buffalo...ridiculous looking creatures. I'm a new follower too.
    Good job! :)

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  26. JenOctober 7, 2011 at 10:46 PM

    Great job making those challenge words fit naturally! I also want to know what happens next!

    Mind is #3.

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