This blog is for all who desire to create with words and images.
You are encouraged to participate in any way that is meaningful to you.

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All prompts beneath the photos are only suggestions.
You are free to use the photo to be inspired to write any way you desire.
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There is no deadline on posting,
you may offer your writing to any prompt anytime.
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Write and you are a writer.

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Stop

Photo by Steve Gravano
visit his beautiful Photo Blog - Take a Look Around
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Suggested prompt...
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Waiting at a stop light...



_____________________

Kara sat in her car while she waited for the traffic light to turn green despite the steady blaze of red that seemed to taunt her into more waiting.

"It's my turn", she said out loud. Even though no one else was listening.

Disgruntled at the long wait and determined to get on with her commute, Kara began to tap her fingers on the steering wheel.

"It's my turn", she said out loud. Even though no one else was listening.

Her heart began to pound harder and harder as her irritation bloomed into full blown anger. She couldn't fathom a reasonable explanation as to why the light was taking so long to turn green.

"It's my turn", she yelled out loud and pounded her balled up fists on the steering wheel. Even though no one else was listening.

A car pulled up on her left side and Kara turned to look. As she did, her eyes caught a glimpse of a young girl who was firmly buckled up in her car seat in the rear of the car. The little girl began to entice Kara with a game of peek-a-boo.

Kara's heart immediately melted. Of course she wanted to play with this sweet little girl who was all smiles. The mom in the front seat of the car smiled and waved and nodded in approval of the game.

The tiny little girl dipped and tried to hide behind her hands with the grandest peek-a-boo gestures.

"It's my turn", Kara said out loud. Even though the little girl couldn't hear her. And, reciprocated with a big smile and wide eyes that gave way to an even more animated peek-a-boo.

....and then, the light turned green.

Sad that the game ended so soon, Kara waved goodbye to the little girl as both cars began to accelerate.

She patted her belly, now protruding with 7 months worth of new baby, as she grinned and said, "It's my turn! It's my turn to be a mommy soon."

~ Denise ~




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12 comments:

Ana - The Writer Today said...

Another stop light. It is late at night. No other cars in sight. This just isn't right. I rather be flying a kite. I don't want to go home to another fight. My shoes are too tight. I just want to get home and write.

Heather said...

Each morning, I leave my house in the school bus. As I reach the end of the road, it is enevitable that the red light stops me.

I sit, talking with my boys and I wait for the light to change.

As I look around, I see many faces who appear disturbed or stressed. People are looking tired, talking on their cell phones, drinking their coffee, eating their breakfast or even putting on make-up. I've even seen one brushing their teeth once.

We are all in a hurry to go somewhere when waiting at a stop light. Why must we hurry? Can't our heart be comforted to realize that we're living in this piece of time...this moment? What is up the road will most likely be another stop light anyway.

Should we not, take the cue; recognizing the hint that our busy life needs to slow down. Not that we should come to a complete hault, but for just a moment - in the timing of a stop light, breathe in and relax? Should we not?

Unknown said...

The Epitome of Irony:

Jeremy needed everything fixed. His job paid too little, his car squeaked when it turned, and his computer didn't read disks anymore. Luckily for him, though, he knew a man at work who could fix his car and was just waiting on a price quote for the part and his computer was still under warranty.

He found a place about 20 minutes away that could fix his computer in just a few days, which was great because Jeremy played video games on this computer to take his mind off his troubles. Yesterday, he was finally able to pick up his computer after a very long and boring four days.

He drove out towards the shop on the interstate. It was a little out of the way, but it was quicker. He had figured out, after getting lost the last time, that he needed to get off at exit 87, not at 84 and this is where he turned.

At the end of the ramp was a stop light. He needed to make a right turn here. Even though the light was red, there were no cars coming so Jeremy made the turn. About 20 feet up, he saw a cop standing in the road, who waved him to pull into a parking lot. Jeremy wasn't sure why. After the cop had motioned four other cars into the same parking lot, another cop came over to his car.

"Did you know you made a right turn on red where prohibited by law?" The cop asked. Jeremy didn't as he had never been to this town before and was actually still very new to the state. He did not see a sign that said not to turn on red, and the four cars behind him apparently did not either, but Jeremy stayed quiet. He handed over his license, registration paper, and insurance card, and received a receipt-type paper which stated he owed the state $136.00 for his crime.

Nervously, Jeremy was finally free to go and he drove the rest of the 50 feet it took to get to the computer shop. He picked up his computer, signed his work order after making sure that the warranty had covered the repair, and went back to his car. He sighed and cursed as he looked at the ticket when his cell phone started buzzing in his pocket.

It was his friend from work. The price to fix the car would be $135.00. Jeremy couldn't help but laugh. "Sorry, Manny.. fixing the car will have to wait..."

-Cynthia

True story that really did just happen yesterday.. and then THIS is the prompt today??? That really is the epitome of irony...

Ian Buchan said...

As a slow-footed pedestrian, I'm very careful at STOP-signs in my neighbourhood, walkers seem to be invisible to certain types of drivers! I loved being in Switzerland, Germany and New Zealand, places where drivers have good sense, and good road manners -- which of course means being considerate to everyone around you.

Sarah said...

Red means stop
but in love it means go.
And if she's looking green
It's best if you go.

Crafty Green Poet said...

red traffic light -
I rattle the coins
in my pocket

~ Denise ~ said...

@ Sarah - that's great! ;)

*** *** ***

Kara sat in her car while she waited for the traffic light to turn green despite the steady blaze of red that seemed to taunt her into more waiting.

"It's my turn", she said out loud. Even though no one else was listening.

Disgruntled at the long wait and determined to get on with her commute, Kara began to tap her fingers on the steering wheel.

"It's my turn", she said out loud. Even though no one else was listening.

Her heart began to pound harder and harder as her irritation bloomed into full blown anger. She couldn't fathom a reasonable explanation as to why the light was taking so long to turn green.

"It's my turn", she yelled out loud and pounded her balled up fists on the steering wheel. Even though no one else was listening.

A car pulled up on her left side and Kara turned to look. As she did, her eyes caught a glimpse of a young girl who was firmly buckled up in her car seat in the rear of the car. The little girl began to entice Kara with a game of peek-a-boo.

Kara's heart immediately melted. Of course she wanted to play with this sweet little girl who was all smiles. The mom in the front seat of the car smiled and waved and nodded in approval of the game.

The tiny little girl dipped and tried to hide behind her hands with the grandest peek-a-boo gestures.

"It's my turn", Kara said out loud. Even though the little girl couldn't hear her. And, reciprocated with a big smile and wide eyes that gave way to an even more animated peek-a-boo.

....and then, the light turned green.

Sad that the game ended so soon, Kara waved goodbye to the little girl as both cars began to accelerate.

She patted her belly, now protruding with 7 months worth of new baby, as she grinned and said, "It's my turn! It's my turn to be a mommy soon".

SSQuo said...

I didn't go with the suggested prompt, I just went with the word 'Stop!'.


Stop!
Those words come so easy
The hurt comes easier

Stop!
Tickling me
The soup will fall

Stop!
Its 30 miles up
Thanks for the ride!

Stop!
She’s a child
Mistakes happen

Stop!
Sleep
Tomorrow is a new day

Leon1234 said...

Great photo! That was a good angle you got it.

Quoyle said...

The traffic light turned red.

It was such an irony that for all the times that I've wanted to go back and start all over again, and that now I've fin'lly found the courage
to change the course of my journey and lead back to myself and forgive, I found myself standing there, held back by a lifeless, monotonous glow
of a powerful red light.

and then the red light started to blur,its rays bent and diffused,
as the tears silently broke and fell down my cheek.

I'm coming back home.

babbler said...

"Don't." "Stop." "Don't." "Stop."

"Don't Stop."

"Sir, may I see your license and registration?"

~ Denise ~ said...

Thanks so much for choosing my post...I'm way flattered! ;)