Making Tracks

by the tracks
locomotive breath
made them cry
at goodbye
she stood at the platform’s edge
he was on the train

Kim M. Russell, 2017

Tracks

My response to Mindlovemisery’s Menagerie Saturday Mix – January 14, 2016

Welcome back to Bastet, who has been thinking about doing a mix day of poetry and one of the various forms of flash fiction or perhaps a dabble into a specific genre – a sort of potpourri.

To start her new series, we are looking into a form of flash fiction called power shorts.  Bastet reminded us of a post she wrote in 2013 about ‘power shorts’, a technique used by Rick Mallery in his study of the short story, which involves compressing them into the smallest possible structure:  a story in 100 words (better if less) with a conflict or ambiguity which creates a surprise ending. She has given us an example and a photograph for inspiration.

For those of us who prefer poetry, she would like us to write a shadorma or a sijo (this is a traditional Korean poem composed of three lines, 14-16 syllables each totalling between 44-46 syllables.  A pause breaks each line approximately in the middle; it is not based on metrics).

12 thoughts on “Making Tracks”

    1. Thank you, Lorraine, for thinking of me. It’s a week ago since I visited Mum, the day before she died, and I still can’t believe she’s gone. I don’t have a date for the funeral yet but should know by Tuesday or Wednesday. I’m kind of up and down at the moment. At least I’m back writing again.

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      1. I’m sorry for your loss. I’m glad you did get a chance to see her before she passed.
        It’s a tough time, and everyone grieves differently and at their own pace.
        (((((hugs))))) Will be thinking of you this week as you plan the funeral, etc.
        Writing will help, I think, move you along. Things do get easier with time.
        Wishing you good thoughts to help you through.

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