Art FLASH! / 55 in December

As this is the last Art FLASH! prompt in The Imaginary Garden with Real Toads, and in response to a recent request, I am sharing my own art in the form of Oracle Cards I made with a few of my paintings from October/Inktober 2019.

Oracle Cards are simply a tool that offers a way to focus your intuition so you can tune into spiritual guidance and insight. They are cards that we can use to access our own source of inner Divine wisdom, spiritual guidance and insight. Read MORE.

Pharos ~ The Lighthouse
Kerry O'Connor
@skyloverpoetry

The first card I am sharing, I have named Pharos after the first lighthouse constructed in the city of Alexandria, Egypt and one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
The symbolism of any tower is dual at its core: on the one hand it is phallic, mighty, erect, denoting power and spirit reaching from the earth to the heavens. On the other hand, it is feminine, reminiscent of an enclosed area, a walled sanctuary, and a safe haven. The Tower of Ivory was one of the names given to the Virgin Mary in her protective role of offering refuge and comfort. Read MORE.

Pacifico ~ The Pacific Ocean
Kerry O'Connor
@skyloverpoetry

Since this is December, and we are approaching the end of the Real Toads cycle, I am offering this bonus card: Pacifico. The name 'Pacifico' is a version of 'pacify' or 'peaceful'. It was named by the explorer Ferdinand Magellan in 1520 as he sailed through a calm patch of water on the ocean. Despite its name, the Pacific is a vast body of water teeming with activity and still waiting to be explored. Read MORE.


For this challenge you may select either of the cards (or both) and write an original poem for this prompt. Let the cards speak to you and guide your pen to write something:  Literal! Figurative! Reflective! Narrative! Symbolic!

As an alternative, you may write a Flash Fiction 55 inspired by the art, or on a subject of your choice, in memory of Galen, who first imagined this challenge.
Prose is acceptable but must be within the limit of 55 words!


If you repost the image on your blog, please give attribution to yours truly,  Kerry O'Connor, using the following link: https://www.instagram.com/skyloverpoetry/

If you post your poem on Instagram, using either image, please tag me @skyloverpoetry.

The prompt is open all weekend, and please feel free to enter two poems to the Linky below, if you feel inspired to write to both.

Flash 55 PLUS!

Greetings to all poets and friends. It is time for the Flash 55 Challenge!
The rules of this prompt have not changed: Write a piece of poetry or prose on a subject of your choice in precisely 55 WORDS.

Alphabet by Erté
Fair Use

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PLUS! 

For the OPTIONAL EXTRA part of this challenge, I invite you to consider the art of Romain de Tirtoff a.k.a. Erté . Follow THIS LINK to view examples of his works on WikiArt.
Feel free to post more than one 55-word piece to this prompt, which will remain first on the Home Page until Tuesday morning. Please return to enjoy the poetry of fellow poets.

Flash 55 PLUS!

Greetings to all poets and friends. It is time for the Flash 55 Challenge! The rules of this prompt have not changed: Write a piece of poetry or prose on a subject of your choice in precisely 55 WORDS.



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PLUS!

 For the OPTIONAL EXTRA part of this challenge, I invite you to consider the theme of the GHOST TOWN. Follow THIS LINK to view and read about some of the 'world's eeriest ghost towns'.

Feel free to post more than one 55-word piece to this prompt, which will remain first on the Home Page until Tuesday morning. Please return to enjoy the poetry of fellow poets.

Flash 55 PLUS!

Greetings to all poets and friends. It is time for the Flash 55 Challenge! The rules of this prompt have not changed: Write a piece of poetry or prose on a subject of your choice in precisely 55 WORDS.

Fair Use

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PLUS!

In February this year, NASA announced the discovery of a solar system called Trappist-1, in the constellation Aquarius. I'm sure most have read about this already, but for those who would like to read more, please click HERE and for a 360 degree virtual tour, click HERE.

Our optional extra part of this challenge is "Worlds Apart" vs "Extremely Close". Feel free to interpret this in any way that seems relevant, Sci Fi/ Space themes are welcomed but not mandatory.

Flash 55 PLUS!

Greetings to all poets and friends.
It is time for the Flash 55 Challenge! The rules of this prompt have not changed: Write a piece of poetry or prose on a subject of your choice in precisely 55 WORDS.

Fair Use

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PLUS!

For the OPTIONAL EXTRA part of this challenge, I have selected the novel 1984 by George Orwell. My choice was made easy by following the headlines: Classical Novel '1984' Sales Are Up In The Age Of 'Alternative Facts'

I leave the direction of your poem/prose open but remind you of some of the words and phrases from the novel, which have become part of common expression and seem more relevant now than ever before:

Big Brother, Doublethink, Newspeak, Hate Week, Ministry of Truth (also of Love, Peace, Plenty), Prole, Telescreen, Thought Police, Thoughtcrime.
For a definitive source of quotes, click HERE.

Feel free to post more than one 55-word piece to this prompt, which will remain first on the Home Page until Tuesday morning. Please return to enjoy the poetry of fellow poets.

Flash 55 PLUS!

Greetings to all poets and friends.
It is time for the Flash 55 Challenge! The rules of this prompt have not changed: Write a piece of poetry or prose on a subject of your choice in precisely 55 WORDS.






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PLUS!

For the OPTIONAL EXTRA part of this challenge, I invite you to watch the short clip from the movie, Samsara, conceived and directed by Ron Fricke. This clip features performance artist, Olivier de Sagazan. Prepare yourself for something a little disturbing ...
Saṃsāra is a Sanskrit word that means "wandering" or "world", with the connotation of cyclic, circuitous change.

Feel free to post more than one 55-word piece to this prompt, which will remain first on the Home Page until Tuesday morning. Please return to enjoy the poetry of fellow poets.

Flash 55 PLUS!

Greetings to all poets and friends!
It is time for the Flash 55 Challenge in the month of September. The rules of this prompt have not changed: Write a piece of poetry or prose on a subject of your choice in precisely 55 WORDS.

Namba Parks in Osaka
Bored Panda

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PLUS!

I was recently perusing the Bored Panda website, when I came across the post, 15+ of the most Amazing Examples of Japanese Architecture. I was transfixed by the ergonomic and/or economic use of space.

Thus, today's optional extra bit of inspiration for your 55-worder is the concept of SPACE. I encourage you to click on the link below the picture to see more examples of the way space has been utilized in creative both living and work places, but the prompt is open to your own interpretation.

Please Note: From next month, Flash 55 PLUS! will alternate with Play It Again, Toads!

Flash 55 PLUS!

Greetings to all poets and friends!
It is time for the Flash 55 Challenge in the month of September. The rules of this prompt have not changed: Write a piece of poetry or prose on a subject of your choice in precisely 55 WORDS.

Golden Fishes in the Dark Sea
© Twins Seven Seven (2006)
FairUse

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PLUS! 

For the OPTIONAL EXTRA part of this challenge, I invite you to consider the artworks of the Nigerian painter, sculptor and musician known as Twins Seven Seven. Born Prince Taiwo Olaniyi Oyewale-Toyeje Oyelale Osuntoki (3 May 1944 – 16 June 2011) in Ogidi, Kogi State, Nigeria, Twins Seven Seven is best known for his paintings in the Naive Art or Primitivism style. His work is influenced by traditional Yoruba mythology and culture, and creates a fantastic universe of humans, animals, plants and Yoruba gods.
You may peruse his work on WikiArt.Org.
Please Note: If you upload a painting which is protected by copyright, it is best to cite Fair Use Principles:

• It is a historically significant artwork 
• The image is only being used for informational and educational purposes 
• The image is readily available on the internet 
• The image is a low resolution copy of the original artwork and is unsuitable for commercial use

Flash 55 PLUS!

Greetings to all poets and friends!
It is time for the Flash 55 Challenge in the month of August. The rules of this prompt have not changed: Write a piece of poetry or prose on a subject of your choice in precisely 55 WORDS.

View Across the Lagoon
James McNeill Whistler (1879 - 1880)

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PLUS!

For the OPTIONAL EXTRA part of this challenge, I invite you to consider the word LACUNA.
According to The Free Dictionary.com, it means

1. An empty space or a missing part; a gap
2. A cavity, space, or depression, especially in a bone

Its origins lie in the Latin word, lacus, meaning lake - hence lacuna (pool or cavity) and the Italian, laguna (lagoon).
If you select this part of the challenge, explore the idea of a missing part or the more literal meaning of the definition.

Feel free to post more than one 55-word piece to this prompt, which will remain first on the Home Page until Tuesday morning. Please return to enjoy the poetry of fellow poets.

Flash 55 PLUS!

Greetings to all poets and friends!
It is time for the Flash 55 Challenge in the month of July. The rules of this prompt have not changed: Write a piece of poetry or prose on a subject of your choice in precisely 55 WORDS.

British troops advance in the Battle of the Somme, 1916, WW1

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PLUS! 

July 1, 2016 marked the centenary of The Battle of the Somme, a ferocious bombardment which saw the deaths of 19, 240 British soldiers in a singe day, with a further 38,230 men wounded or missing. The siege lasted for 140 days.

For the OPTIONAL EXTRA part of this challenge, I invite you to reflect on the Battle of the Somme or the legacy of war and history as it impacts on us, living in the 21st Century.  For an hour-by-hour account of the battle with historical photos, click HERE.

Feel free to post more than one 55-word piece to this prompt, which will remain first on the Home page until Tuesday morning. Don't forget to return to enjoy the poetry of fellow poets.

Flash 55 PLUS!

Greetings to all poets and friends!
It is time for the Flash 55 Challenge in the month of June. The rules of this prompt have not changed: Write a piece of poetry or prose on a subject of your choice in precisely 55 WORDS.



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PLUS!

For the OPTIONAL EXTRA part of this challenge, I invite you to choose a line or two of one of the saddest songs ever written as inspiration for your piece. The quotation itself will not fall within the parameters of the 55 words. Feel free to select words from a song featured in the clip, or from a personal favourite of your own which did not make the list.

Flash 55 PLUS!

Greetings to all poets and friends!
It is time for the Flash 55 Challenge in the month of May. The rules of this prompt have not changed: Write a piece of poetry or prose on a subject of your choice in precisely 55 WORDS.

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PLUS!

For the OPTIONAL EXTRA part of this challenge, I invite you to consider the prefix IN- and what it does when added to a word.
Select any such word that is to your liking and include (see what I did there?) it in your piece. Here's a page from Wordfind.com to help you out.

Flash 55 PLUS!

Greetings to all poets and friends!
It is time for this month's Flash 55 Challenge. The rules of this prompt have not changed: Write a piece of poetry or prose on a subject of your choice in precisely 55 WORDS.

Source: Bored Panda
Copyright John Atkinson
Fair Use

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PLUS!

For the OPTIONAL EXTRA part of this challenge, I invite you to consider The Classics in whichever form appeals to you: Novels, Music, Art. I have used the term loosely in these examples, but if you prefer to kick it old school, then here is information regarding the Greek and Roman Classics.

Flash 55 PLUS!

Greetings to all poets and friends! It is time for this month's Flash 55 Challenge. The rules of this prompt are simple: Write a piece of poetry or prose on a subject of your choice in precisely 55 WORDS.



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PLUS! 

For the optional extra part of this challenge, I invite you to include the word EXTREME/ EXTREMES in your title or the body of your work. The following site showcases 10 "Extreme" themed quotes, which may provide some food for thought: www.ranker.com

Flash 55 PLUS!

Greetings to all poets and friends! It is time for this month's Flash 55 Challenge. The rules of this prompt are simple: Write a piece of poetry or prose on a subject of your choice in precisely 55 WORDS.

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PLUS!

For the optional extra part of this challenge, I invited you to visit twentytwowords.com and peruse the examples they give of several foreign words, describing common experiences, which have no direct English translation. Use the word, or its meaning as inspiration for your poem.

Flash 55 PLUS!

Greetings to all poets and friends!
It is time for this month's Flash 55 Challenge. The rules of this prompt have not changed: Write a piece of poetry or prose on a subject of your choice in precisely 55 WORDS.

2015 National Geographic Grand Prize Winner
Dirt by James Smart
Free Wallpaper

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PLUS!

For the optional extra part of this challenge, I invited you to look back on the past year by viewing the winners of the National Geographic Photo Contest 2015. (Click HERE) The photos are offered as wallpaper, which may be downloaded free of charge. Please acknowledge the photographer on your site if you decide to use a picture from that source.

Flash 55 Plus

Greetings, denizens of the Garden, hedgewitch here standing in for Kerry, who has been dragged away by the tedious demands of the real world and nasty things like employment. I will do my best in her place to host this monthly event, where the rules are short and sweet:
Write exactly 55 words--no more, no less--of prose, poetry or microfiction  on the topic of your choice, and link it to this challenge.






PLUS!

Public domain

To make things more interesting, as always there is an optional plus to the prompt for those who want additional challenge or guidance, and for this month of the winter solstice, it comes from the seasonal theme of a traditional English carol called The Holly and The Ivy. (Though this song is about as Christian as you can get, for some reason it always reminds me of Druids.)

So, using the emphasis of the carol on the two plants, and on pairings, in your 55 you must explore, contrast or complement  the idea of two: two colors, two symbols, two plants, two animals, two events, two people--well, you see where I'm going here, two of anything--or you can employ various pairings of elements as the carol does.

I want to emphasize, the Plus! part of the challenge is optional, and your piece does NOT have to be in any way about the holiday or season, but it can be if you wish.

Here is a link to the full text of the carol: The Holly and The Ivy

That's it, toadlings. Have at it, link up the results below, and don't forget to hop by your fellow toads' lilypads. I look forward to seeing double and hearing 'sweet singing in the choir.' And as always, fond memories and gratitude to the G-Man, who hosted this meme for so many years with grace and incomparable humor. He is missed.

FLASH 55 PLUS!

Greetings to all poets and friends!
It is time for this month's Flash 55 Challenge. The rules of this prompt have not changed: Write a piece of poetry or prose on a subject of your choice in precisely 55 WORDS.

This is Halloween by polish-girl
DeviantArt (2007)
No Infringement of Copyright intended

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PLUS!

Samhain, All Saints' Eve, Halloween... Call it what you will, the night of 31 October has its own significant spot on the yearly calendar. Centuries before it became what it is today, Halloween served as a night of prophesy rather than partying. Samhain, the festival for the Celtic new year, marked the day when summer ended and winter began. Associating winter with human death, the Celts believed that the border between the living and the dead became blurred, and the dead would return in the form of ghosts. It was thought that in the presence of these spirits, the Druids, or priests, were better suited to form prophesies. People would build a bonfire as a sacrifice to the Celtic gods while wearing costumes comprised of animal heads and skins and attempt to predict each other’s futures. They would later light their own hearth fires with the bonfire’s flames for protection from winter’s devastation.

Though some scholars believe Allhallowtide developed from these rituals, others maintain that it originated independently of Samhain and has solely Christian roots, as the time in the liturgical year dedicated to remembering the dead, including saints (hallows), martyrs, and all the faithful departed believers.

The optional extra prompt today, invites you to write to the theme of Halloween.

FLASH 55 PLUS!

Greetings to all poets and friends!
It is time for this month's Flash 55 Challenge. The rules of this prompt have not changed: Write a piece of poetry or prose on a subject of your choice in precisely 55 WORDS.








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PLUS!

The optional extra for this challenge comes in the form of a song:
O Fortuna, composed by Carl Orff (1935 - 1936) and featured in the iconic 1981 movie, Excalibur, directed by John Boorman.
I suggest you pump up the volume and let the words and song inspire your poetic thoughts!

FLASH 55 PLUS!

Greetings to all poets and friends!
It is time for this month's Flash 55 Challenge. The rules of this prompt have not changed: Write a piece of poetry or prose on a subject of your choice in precisely 55 WORDS.

theguardian.com
(Fair Use)

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PLUS!

For the optional extra prompt of this months FF55, I invite you to visit Dismaland, the anti-themepark brainchild of the artist known as Banksy, and add your poetic voice to his creative vision.

The event has all the hallmark details of a traditional Banksy event from its initial shroud of secrecy to artistic themes of apocalypse, anti-consumerism, and pointed social critiques on celebrity culture, immigration, and law enforcement. However, there’s one major deviation: the bulk of the artwork packed into three main interior galleries was created by dozens of other artists. (Source Christopher Jobson. Read more by following the link above.)