Thanks to everyone who took the time to write
and post entries. It was such a pleasure to see your work. I've missed these
contests!
Herewith the entries that caught my eye.
Kregger
“For the love of Mike, Doug, he can’t fly!”
said Les Nessman Jr.
The yellow-helicopter blades pulsed.
“He’s fine,” came from above. “He’s got
feathers. Sister’s Imaginarium paid for his stunt.”
“He’s going to buy the farm if he jumps.” Les
peered up. “My dad tried this. It didn’t work.”
“It’s okay. He bought a customized insurance
policy from Liberty Mutual.”
“Which is?” asked Les.
“Accidental death, and I'm the
beneficiary." Doug kicked Kevin Emu from the chopper. “Next time, don’t
object to LiMu’s marriage!” Cupping his mouth and shouting, “Watch out, Les!”
On the ground, Les exclaimed, “Oh, the
humanity!”
Still one of the greatest episodes of all
time!
WKRP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGFtV6-ALoQ
Karen McCoy
The canoeing trips with my family are a more
frequent occurrence. My sister, the daring one, is reluctant to steer today;
says her hair is falling out. Little brother is at the helm instead, and my
paddle swings fruitless while he drives the canoe into shore. I lunge, ready to
thwack him with my oar but stop when father pulls me back with love. Mother
says, “Chill. Johnny takes it far more hard.” My oar is now lighter than a
feather, family frozen like mosquitoes emulsified in amber, showing me what
life could have been. If only I’d shown up.
ohhh! I'm not sure I quite understand what's
going on, but if this was the first part of a query, I'd surely want to read
more.
Steve Forti
While other clutches wasted their days in what
she called the Outback Imaginarium, Mom made us ready. Trained us for the day
the Aussies would return. “This time we can’t merely resist. Eradication is the
only way.”
Still, the day came too soon. Even with the
knife at her long, feathered throat, Mom remained defiant. Her last command,
drilled like the familiar tone of her zuffalo: vengeance. There may be far more
of them, but this is our land. The human who killed Mom would be the first to
die in the Second Emu War, but far from the last.
Zuffalo: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zuffolo
Love learning new words!
Colin Smith
I touch the dry blood on the feather scarf.
It’s all I have of my sister after they took her. I can hear her voice:
"Emu feathers." Still don't know what that is. Or where she got this
thing. Black market no doubt.
When darkness falls, I slip out the back.
After miles of farmland, I reach the government building. I can taste my fear,
but my sister’s love is with me.
I take out my only weapon. The paint runs down
the wall, but the words are clear:
bù zìyóu wúnìng sǐ
Give me liberty or give me death.
I'm a dunderhead; I don't get this. Can
someone explain "as if to a young child or a golden retriever*."
* https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmHl7hKlVj4
from one of my all-time favorite movies Margin
Call.
Michael Seese
The life of an emu is nothing to flight home
about.
That's a little joke I tell myself to ease the
sting of having feathers, but only vestigial wings. Even Henrietta, that
annoying little clucker, sometimes takes off and alights on the roof, just to
show she can.
My sister Ostrid tries to lend a sympathetic
ear. But she's so tall, it's not like I can whisper into it.
How I'd love to soar, a far more glorious
existence than scavenging for scraps, earthbound and ashamed.
At least I don't taste like chicken, I thought
as they led Henrietta away.
As always, Michael Seese makes me laugh out
loud.
This is not really a story, but I don't care.
Here are the three entries that really stood
out for me. Each one produced an emotional reaction. Either laughter or gasps!
Either way they reached off the page and grabbed me.
S.D.King
Wish List
Farmer’s Daughter
5’ 2” frame - featherweight
Sister Act
Two big cups
Black underwear
Stilettos
Pert (but demure)
Blender- but flashy
Bunny
“Jason, about your Christmas List.”
“What?”
“They don’t make Pert Shampoo anymore.”
“Huh?”
“And 'black underwear' - do you want boxers or
briefs?”
“Mom, you woke me up.”
“You need to be specific if you expect to get
what you want, love.”
“I want a MacBook.”
“That’s not even on your list. “Farmer’s
Daughter” - DVD? The wine? And stiletto- is that a knife? Is the featherweight
frame for your bike?”
“Whoa - wrong list. Erase that. I’ll resend.”
This is wonderful.
Bethany Joy
Friends, rivals, comparing notes. Sipping
cocktails sweet as nectar from stemmed glasses.
"He swept me off my feet.
Literally!" He waved a token from our ex-lover. “Isn’t it divine?”
"A feather?" She laughed. "Not
impressed. He showered me with gold."
"I win," said L. "Our precious
daughters." One sister outshone the other, but still L had a point.
All three looked at me. Far meaner, my
experience. "I don't kiss and tell."
They booed. I blushed.
Hell, I couldn't even admit to myself I fell
for Zeus disguised as an emu.
What a lovely off-beat look at that notorious
cad Zeus!
Luralee
Sister opens the door. I hop out.
“Can’t you sleep in a bed like a normal kid?”
“It’s cozy in there.”
I get skittles on my Captain Crunch.
“Tell me again, how’d we defeat her?”
“I defeated her. You…didn’t do anything.”
“And then we ran?”
“Yes.”
“As fast as we could?”
“Wasn’t far. Maybe a mile.”
We have some music and we bake cupcakes.
I can’t eat cookies anymore.
Late at night I go back.
The house is mostly gone now ‘cuz mice and
foxes and stuff.
The old coal oven is cold.
I didn’t always have gumdrop eyes.
And this entry just took my breath away! A lovely twist on an old story.
This one takes the cake (sorry) this week! Luralee, if you'll let me know your preferred mailing address and what kind of book appeals to you, I'll send you a prize!
