With Regret

I have unfortunately lost my job after 17 years and it has been a major trauma as I am sure you can imagine. I will need to focus my energies on making sure my family and our home are taken care of and to that end will not be posting here at PP&P for a time.

I apologize to all the wonderful writers who have become my friends and who have shared so beautifully with the all the amazing photographs and art here. I do hope soon I will be in a position to refocus and resume this site and the joy that it has brought to my life.

But for now, it is with regret, that I will not be posting.

Laura Jayne

Direction

Photo by Simply Heather

Visit her Blog - http://simplyheathersblog.blogspot.com/

And her Photo Blog - http://simplyjoyfulphotos.blogspot.com/

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Suggested prompt...

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Use this wonderful photograph to inspire your writing today.

A poem about a direction, a story involving a weather vane,

a memory of traveling a certain direction...

just get creative with a direction.

Rose

Photograph by Bryan B - aka BoardBreaker93

visit his gallery at - http://boardbreaker93.deviantart.com/

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Suggested prompt...

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Yesterday you wrote a poem for a dandelion,

today offer a poem for a rose.

Just a Weed?

Photo by Jessica
Visit Jessica's 365 Day Photo Project Blog
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Suggested Prompt...
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Write a poem for a dandelion.
I have always thought they are more than just a weed.

At the Bar

Art by Stephanie Taylor

For more of her art and creativity visit -

http://stephanietaylorart.com/

http://picasaweb.google.com/staylorstudio

http://flickr.com/photos/stevieart

Art Blog - http://stephanietaylorart.blogspot.com/

Stories Blogs - http://movingnarratives.blogspot.com/

and http://fremontparkart.blogspot.com/

Current project - http://valleyhilibrary.blogspot.com/

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Suggest prompt...

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Use this art to inspire your writing today.

Imagine a scene at a crowded bar and spin that into a story.

Metamorphosis

These wonderful photographs are by Kim Martin

Visit her at -

Google Profile - http://www.google.com/profiles/SciFyGirl
Orbitgal Creations (my portfolio) - http://orbitgal.com/

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Suggested prompt...

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Use these images to get creative today,

the idea of metamorphosis literally or figuratively today.

Safe Landing

Photo by Jim Pankey "WildSpirit"
Jim's Photography can be found at Picasa and Fotothing
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Suggested prompt...
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Write from the perspective of one of these skydivers
a story or perhaps an inner dialog.

Friday Night Lights

Photo by Dan Felstead
Wood and Pixels Narratives - http://www.woodandpixels.blogspot.com/
ETSY Shop: Wood and Pixels - http://www.woodandpixels.etsy.com/
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Suggested Prompt...
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Offer a memory from a high school football game.

(Or another sport if you are not American.)

A Boy

Photo by Basir Seerat
visit Basir's photo blog at
http://www.basirseerat.blogspot.com/
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Suggested prompt...
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Give this boy a story.

__________________________

The street is not silent but for his pounding heart, slapping feet, and spinning tire. There are other noises: distant car engines rumble; horns scream point and counterpoint; air force planes roar overhead; and somewhere close by a couple is arguing.

But he hears only three things: his heart, his feet, and his tire. They consume his reality, shoving all else to the side, discarding it as unimportant.

The only thing that matters is getting his prize home before they find him.

He does not turn his head at the sudden shout behind him. He does not feel the struggle of his heart and legs to keep him moving.

Only home matters. He will be safe there. His prize will be secure there.

But then he reaches his street and as he turns to cover the final fifty feet to his front door he sees them waiting for him. He skids to a halt but the tire continues on its way, wobbling on unsteady rubber before collapsing midway between him and them.

He pauses in the midst of silent, swirling dust. They stare at him with no expression. Then smiles creep onto each scarred, dirty face, one by one.

And then they raise their guns and the silence is no more.

Marc

One week after the photo or picture is posted I will pick one offering to put beneath the image. This is a way of celebrating exceptional creativity. Any and all posts are available for your creative mind to make an offering at any time (even ones where a writing has been placed on the front page like this one). If you are new here and want to offer to every image here, feel free. We are writers, WRITE! If this is your exceptional writing posted here on the Front Page Pictures, Poetry & Prose invites you to include the Exceptional Writing Award Button on your blog. Visit the Exceptional Writing Award post for the details and the button to download.

Looking Out

Photo by Kane Hsieh

Visit his blog - Crimson-G-B

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Suggested prompt...

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Use this image to inspire your writing in any creative way you are moved to today.

__________________________

I feel so alone
Looking out at the world
No one could truly love me
I've been told all my life
What I am is so wrong
How could anyone possibly see

It is not a choice
There is not a chance
For me to happily be free
I am only what I am, you see
I can be nothing else
But little ol' "unnatural" me

I look out at the world
I feel so alone
For no one can see me for me
Those ones down the street
At the church building- no
Neither the ones in my
Very own home

I am so alone
Looking out at the world
I see no one really loves me
For I long for those unlike myself
I long for those
...just like me

---

I feel I may need explanation for this poem. I personally know and love some wonderful people that are outcast because of their sexuality. Whether it is religiously something I embrace or not, I embrace them as wonderful, loving, and beautiful people who need love and acceptance as much as anyone else. Please embrace those around you- don't let them feel alone!

Dani

One week after the photo or picture is posted I will pick one offering to put beneath the image. This is a way of celebrating exceptional creativity. Any and all posts are available for your creative mind to make an offering at any time (even ones where a writing has been placed on the front page like this one). If you are new here and want to offer to every image here, feel free. We are writers, WRITE! If this is your exceptional writing posted here on the Front Page Pictures, Poetry & Prose invites you to include the Exceptional Writing Award Button on your blog. Visit the Exceptional Writing Award post for the details and the button to download.

Challenging Path

Photo by Brett Trafford

visit his site 365 to 42

for more beautiful photographs.

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Suggested Prompt...

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Use this image to inspire your poetry today.

__________________________________


It is a challenging path
This life that we live
Each step taken forward
Some back

Keeping eyes straight ahead
Stumbling rocks at our feet
Learning obstacles around us
We grow

Rest for a sweet moment
View life all about you
Sight hands reaching out for your strength
Encourage them

Sharing steps with another
Leading points from your view
Understanding new faith
Sweet release

Life’s path is inspiring
Not without care or hearts effort
Able forgiveness and love
Stand tall

At the top of the mountain
Find yourself to be true
A life worth the living
Your path

Simply Heather

One week after the photo or picture is posted I will pick one offering to put beneath the image. This is a way of celebrating exceptional creativity. Any and all posts are available for your creative mind to make an offering at any time (even ones where a writing has been placed on the front page like this one). If you are new here and want to offer to every image here, feel free. We are writers, WRITE! If this is your exceptional writing posted here on the Front Page Pictures, Poetry & Prose invites you to include the Exceptional Writing Award Button on your blog. Visit the Exceptional Writing Award post for the details and the button to download.

Working Farm

Photo by Simply Heather
Visit her Blog - http://simplyheathersblog.blogspot.com/
And her Photo Blog - http://simplyjoyfulphotos.blogspot.com/
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Suggested prompt...
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Include a farm in your writing today.

_______________________________

Hard work is how I learned to live my life. This is why, when I was sent to the newly built school a few miles away from the old one I had been used to, I was surprised by the other kids my age.

I couldn't understand them. I felt so outcast and yearned to be like them. Yet something else inside me knew I really didn't want that. My flannel button up shirt and worn jeans looked so faded and old next to their sleek appearances. I didn't know the names of the clothing they wore, but I knew everything had a distinct name.

If I wore something like that, it would probably only be for church. Mother would spank me silly if I wore something like that on an ordinary day. It would surely be ruined by my daily chores, and I could hear her saying, "No one should be so wasteful."

Occasionally someone would talk to me. It would seem friendly at first, but soon they would laugh at something I said that hadn't meant to be funny. Or if not, they would look at me shocked or surprised and then withdraw awkwardly.

For instance, that girl with the sleek blond curls and ruffled shirt came up and smiled at me once. She made a comment about how she wished school could be at a later time because she hated to wake up so early on weekdays. She'd gone on complaining and then stated that she couldn't wait for the weekend. As she looked at me expectantly, waiting for my reply, I hadn't known what to say.

Finally, I told her I was used to waking up much earlier, that school started a few hours after I'd usually been up at least a couple hours. I didn't realize anyone slept in so late! My mother would have walloped me for being lazy and missing breakfast.

The girl only looked at me oddly and walked away to talk to her regular friends. It felt so strange to be there among these people who had such smooth skin on their hands- hands that appeared to never have touched the ground- never been in a wrestling match with cow dogs or even got grass stains from falling.

I longed for home that day. And when I came to it, I was relieved to see the blue siding on the house, the red barn with white trim, the little red well, and oh the green, green grass. I never had looked at home with such pleasure.

The familiar scent of straw and fresh-mowed lawn was in the air and I immediately wanted to get my hands dirty. No problem at all doing that- it was time to feed the horses. As I went about my chores I though about school. I wouldn't ever make a friend at that new school. Why did our farm have to be built just inside the new district boundaries? All the other outer farms still went to my old school. The rest of the day was full and I found myself busy and able to put school out of my mind for now.

But the next morning came too soon. I woke before the sun to carry out the days duties and prepare myself for another day among the aliens to my lifestyle. Perhaps today I will find at least one person with a little dirt under their fingernails.

Dani

One week after the photo or picture is posted I will pick one offering to put beneath the image. This is a way of celebrating exceptional creativity. Any and all posts are available for your creative mind to make an offering at any time (even ones where a writing has been placed on the front page like this one). If you are new here and want to offer to every image here, feel free. We are writers, WRITE! If this is your exceptional writing posted here on the Front Page Pictures, Poetry & Prose invites you to include the Exceptional Writing Award Button on your blog. Visit the Exceptional Writing Award post for the details and the button to download.

The Path

Photo by Jim Pankey "WildSpirit"

Jim's Photography can be found at Picasa and Fotothing

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Suggested prompt...

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Offer your creativity in any way you are inspired today by this delightful photograph.

_______________________

We all follow a path. Old, young, rich, poor, black, white, whole or damaged.

Whichever path we take is the right path for us, there is no other.

Sometimes we walk in brightness and light and all goes well. Sometimes we walk in shadow, and things seem hard.

In the dark times remember the light, it's still there - we need light to cause shadows. Walk onward to find the light ahead, draw strength from the light you left behind.

Whe your path runs in the light, store some up for the dark times you hit, then you'll never run out.

This path is your path, make it a good one :)

christine

One week after the photo or picture is posted I will pick one offering to put beneath the image. This is a way of celebrating exceptional creativity. Any and all posts are available for your creative mind to make an offering at any time (even ones where a writing has been placed on the front page like this one). If you are new here and want to offer to every image here, feel free. We are writers, WRITE! If this is your exceptional writing posted here on the Front Page Pictures, Poetry & Prose invites you to include the Exceptional Writing Award Button on your blog. Visit the Exceptional Writing Award post for the details and the button to download.

The Laundress

Photo by Dan Felstead

Wood and Pixels Narratives - http://www.woodandpixels.blogspot.com/

ETSY Shop: Wood and Pixels - http://www.woodandpixels.etsy.com/

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Suggested Prompt...

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Write a story or poem for her.

____________________


Elijah was killed last year in the main tent collapse. It was the worst tragedy to smite Philadelphia in years. Just like any other morning they rolled into town with the fanfare of ancient Rome. Colorful horse drawn wagons from Europe, Elephants from Africa, Indian Tigers and Elijah spinning on the flatbed wagon inviting the young and young at heart to the Greatest Show on Earth. Sarah and their young daughter was on the flatbed spinning the rope so the trapeze would swing while Elijah performed for the crowds lining Main Street.

The night of the tragedy, Sarah was ill with the fever so she and her daughter stayed away while Elijah performed.

At 8:30 that evening Sarah was stunned by the whoosh of air and screams of the crowd...as she looke outside...all she could see was splintered tent poles and in one moment of terror...she realized the devastation she saw and the realization that the crowd and the Elijah lay at the bottom underneath the white cotton grave that spread out before her like a vision. Was it the fever? Was she really seeing this?

The Circus was the only thing she and her daughter knew...the family tradition went back 2 generations. From that day forward, she and her daughter carried on the tradition in honor of Elijah.

The laundry finished just in time for the small leotard to dry for tonight's performance..."The youngest performer ever to take to the high flying trapeze" was now top billing.

Dan Felstead


One week after the photo or picture is posted I will pick one offering to put beneath the image. This is a way of celebrating exceptional creativity. Any and all posts are available for your creative mind to make an offering at any time (even ones where a writing has been placed on the front page like this one). If you are new here and want to offer to every image here, feel free. We are writers, WRITE! If this is your exceptional writing posted here on the Front Page Pictures, Poetry & Prose invites you to include the Exceptional Writing Award Button on your blog. Visit the Exceptional Writing Award post for the details and the button to download.