Category Archives: Factual

#writephoto-fresco #The shelter

It was frustrating. For two days we had been sitting down in the hot, humid cellar. Our wine was warm, our food was cold. At least we could breathe down here, unlike in the street above. The choking fumes clogged our nostrils, the tiny wind-blown cinders got into our throats. Everyone was coughing and the stench was unbearable.

From what they said it seemed to be getting worse outside. Last night only a few of us had come down but today more and more people started arriving. Most had not brought anything down with them in their panic. They were just concerned with getting away from the ash cloud that sat like a dragon atop the hill. The very ground had started to groan and shudder as if all the denizens of the underworld were on the move.

My father had told us that we need not worry as this had happened many times before.He stayed in the villa thinking that it would soon pass but the Gods appeared to be really angry this time. No-one was sure how to placate them. Even the priests from the temple had decided to join us.

As the daylight, what there was of it, Helios having been smothered by the dark, impenetrable cloud, began to fade for the second day, we heard a strange noise as if the very rocks and earth beneath our feet was moaning in pain and it seemed to be getting louder.

I shouted for everyone to be quiet and as our babble subsided we realised that the sound was coming from a great wind that was blowing through the passageways. Some of the women started to wail and before long both men and women started to sob as we realised something terrible was about to happen. Strangely there was no panic and I could hear my companions muttering low incantations. Before long even the chanting ceased.

Wrapping my cloak around my shoulders I took my wife and daughter in my arms. Their eyes were wide with fright and tears in the warming air. We huddled against the wall and the stifling air grew steadily hotter. We will try to rest, perhaps sleep and with the aid of the Gods return to our beloved Pompeii home in the morning.

 

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Filed under As you read it, Factual, Flash fiction, History, Self compositions, Temperatures rising

Ocean farming for Carbon Kapture

Ocean farming is something I keep an eye on. It’s potentially a climate solution, a way of feeding the world, and a way of restoring marine ecology, …

Ocean farming for Carbon Kapture

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Filed under Eco posts of note, Factual, General post, Re-blogged

Sammiscribbles weekend writing prompt #289 #Last of the few

This week it was sad to see

died Johnny Johnson MBE

on his medal his name engraved

for those lives his bravery saved.

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Filed under Factual, From the heart, Self compositions

Another string to my bow

Not only do I try to be a weaver of words, I’ve also discovered the joy of weaving on a loom and this is my first creation, all I need is a cane, a top hat and a skill at song and dance.

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Sammiscribbles weekend writing prompt #257 #Isn’t nature wonderful

The glow worm is a quite

small bug that goes out at night

he has a luminous bum

to invite females to come

and check out the eerie green light.

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Filed under Factual, nature inspired, On the lines of romance, Self compositions

Crimson’s Creative Challenge #176 Greenhouse tips and tricks

I’d like to impart to you something that I’ve learnt

if it’s a hot, sunny day your plants can get burnt

so leave the door open or perhaps a window instead

but make sure that you close it before you go to bed

for it sometimes gets very cold, especially through the night

and to find your precious plants all dead is not a pretty sight

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Filed under Factual, Humorous, Self compositions

Ronovan writes #Haiku challenge #402

The eyes of the world

watch those who choose to be free

often filled with tears

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Ronovan writes #Haiku weekly prompt #399

Bring your bell and pan

that rough justice may be given

to the unfaithful

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Filed under Factual, History, Rural life, Self compositions

Ronovan writes Decima poetry prompt #94 #Commitment

Julian sat in her stone cell

from behind a window of glass

she could watch as they performed mass

while confined in this living hell,

tickets to see her, priests would sell,

in the mid fourteenth century

an anchoress she chose to be

while all through those long lonely years

she recorded her thoughts and fears

so that all, her passion might see.

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Filed under Christian, Factual, Self compositions

Sammiscribbles weekend writing prompt #244 #All in a day’s work

When asked about June twenty eighteen

I will always remember the scene

What I did was not being brave

Rescuing the boys who were trapped in that cave

The, “Wild Boars,” junior football team

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Filed under Factual, Self compositions