As a writing group exercise, Helen came up with the theme of 'Rose' as the basis from which to write a microfiction. Microfiction is a subsection of Flash fiction and can be as small as fifty words. It's pretty challenging to tell a story with so tight a word count.
Here are some of the results, one of which is a series of Haiku (but still under 50 words).
ROSE
by Clare Hawkins
‘Gentle Hermione looks delightful next to the Viburnum,’ she said.
by Clare Hawkins
Speaking as Hermione herself, I’d have preferred to have been further away. You can never be too sure with Viburnum. Then when I saw the grubs on his leaves I really panicked.
‘Shift me.’ I wafted my strongest scent at her, but she didn’t heed, didn’t see his leaves going brown, or smell the stink, until the next day.
‘What can we do?’ she squealed when she came dead-heading.
I tried to prick some sense into her.
‘Spray him! Diazinon, Paradichlorobenzene, Paraquat, anything, just do it! I’m your prize rose!’
ROSE
by Helen Chambers
Rosemary: leggy, blue-grey, Mediterranean type with dry sense of humour, seeks another with an interest in climbing, growth and possibly to establish an anchored root network. Applicant must complement foliage, evergreen nature and promise to keep warm during leaner times. Only aphid-free specimens need apply. Photos required.
ROSE
by Sue Whytock
All thorns, these bloody roses. Ended up wrapping the stems in kitchen towel - Snowman and Snow Dog on it. Well I can’t get to the shops, can I? It’s either that or bloody bog roll.
We’re not close neighbours. I’ve always found her a bit stuck up; but before all this, we’d wave and pass the time. Her Colin was the outgoing one. Always whistling.
Should be lillies really...can’t be helped.
I put them on her doorstep anyway, just rang the bell and crossed back to mine. I would have told her to mind the thorns. Can’t be helped.
Haiku in four verses
by Philippa Hawley
ROSE
by Sue Whytock
All thorns, these bloody roses. Ended up wrapping the stems in kitchen towel - Snowman and Snow Dog on it. Well I can’t get to the shops, can I? It’s either that or bloody bog roll.
We’re not close neighbours. I’ve always found her a bit stuck up; but before all this, we’d wave and pass the time. Her Colin was the outgoing one. Always whistling.
Should be lillies really...can’t be helped.
I put them on her doorstep anyway, just rang the bell and crossed back to mine. I would have told her to mind the thorns. Can’t be helped.
Anniversary
Thirty-eight years you and me
Red roses and fizz?
Anniversary
Rose fields and pink champagne or
Fish and chips with beer?
Anniversary
No presents just a card and
Let’s leave it at that.
Anniversary
Lucky people you and me
We have all we need
