inspirations

Hi everyone,

I need to get back into creative writing on a consistent basis, but I don't have much imagination right now. It's caused a major block in my writing process. What I want to do is establish a collaborative writing project and invite friends, family and acquaintances to join in.

Here are several things you can do. You can pick one or any:

1) Offer up a photograph. It cannot just be a picture of a flower; something needs to be going on.

2) Had a vivid dream lately? Share it with me. Write me a paragraph about the dream.

3) What is going on in your life? Any interesting events? Quirky mishaps. Write me a few paragraphs about it.

4)What memories have been on your mind? Share briefly about it. 1-3 paragraphs.

I do not know what I will do with these prompts...a poem, short story, one-act play could come out of it. Even a lot more, if it leads there. I can change names and specific details, and of course my stories will bounce off of yours. It could take on new shapes and forms. But if I use your prompt, I will certainly credit you in future blog postings or even publishings.


Please comment below or send me an e-mail at janelloespo@gmail.com

Thank you for any help you can offer,
Janelle

neighborhood starbucks: picture 2

Please keep in mind that these poems posted recently are only 2nd drafts and so are in their mold phase of their evolutionary process. Thank you.

A tiny man- barely there, except

Out of him exutes a loud, raspy shout.

The voice is still small- but boisterous.

It seems to carry an echo

Like a voice marred by 50 years of smoking

But still won’t notice his inability to talk

Everything he says comes out in this same

Raspy, friendly yell.

He bounces around as he walks-

A joy and restlessness to his stride—

A wanting to be liked

By younger co-workers and customers.

As he cracks out a dirty joke.

He greets you cheerfully—

With a rough gleam in that tiny voice.

And serves coffee heartfully,

He tells you he’s been there 8 years.

But neglects to ask “Room for cream?”

You take your seat at a window bar booth-

But through the reflection—you see the

Employees jostling, cleaning

He jokingly cries—

“you’re fired!”

As he picks up a heavy black matt

And wriggles off the water as if to

Prove something about his capacity—

He can do it. He can do anything.

The congenial supervisor sees him along—

Afterall, the smokeman is off at 10.

He sweeps the café,

Shuffling chairs around like cards

With their legs uneccessarily scraping the floor—

He sweeps, and then mops,

Through all the curves and nooks,

Careful not to intude on a reading or chatting customer.

After 8 years, he still cares by the way

He pushes the bar stools far back, so

He can sweep the

Coffee cake crumbles,

Straw wrappers, and

Smooshed Splenda packets.

From your position you hear

A sudden grunt! An exclamation!

He must be displeased by the mess

the customer unthinkingly leaves.

He works steadily and then notices you

Before he leaves. He says goodbye—

And re-inroduces himself.

“I’m ANDY! Are you single?”

You grin and say “Yes I am.”

“You’re beautiful!!” he exclaims “Like a model!”

“Maybe we should get together!” He moves his

arms in a suggestive way. You just laugh.

Aside from the dirty suggestion, that’s the

Nicest thing a single person has said

To you since you moved back 2 years ago.

He puts his bomber thrift jacket on,

Nods his head,

And then leaves the store, in his

Bouncy, cheerful stride.

neighborhood starbucks: picture 1

Watching a father and

a daughter—down syndrome?

The father gingerly orders his drink

While the daughter chooses a spot—

Right next to me—

I felt flattered by her choosing,

But then again,

She was unaware of my general presence

She took a seat at the couch-like booth

Crossing her legs and taking off her shoes

Which expose her bare, chubby feet

And puts them on the window sill—

This makes me silently giggle.

The father laughs and tells her,

Unseriously, to put them back on

He takes a sip of his coffee-

As she takes from her bag

From next door,

A dunkin donuts glazed

Crumbs go everywhere

As she delightly devours it

I enjoy watching them interact

They speak so intimately

So tenderly, like they had

Ten thousand inside jokes

I wish I talked to my loved ones like that.

After eating, they re-locate to a bar booth,

As if they were bothering my reading,

After returning from the restroom,

He laughs and gives her tiny nose

A gentle kiss.

And my eyes water, for just a bit-

Realizing this was not just any picture

Of a Father who loves me more than this.