Last week I set the following Challenge:
Hello everyone and welcome to my new “Fiction in A Flash Challenge!” Each week I’ll be featuring an image and inviting you to write a Flash Fiction or Non-Fiction piece inspired by that image in any format and genre of your choosing. Maximum word count: 750 words.
Here is the image prompt.
Contribution … THE KEY – A POEM by Roberta Eaton Cheadle.
There is no key
Secret or otherwise
To unlock a mind
That has gone awry
Stretched to breaking point
By three wretched visitors
Stress, the spirit suppressor
Anxiety, the spirit disabler
Fear, the spirit destroyer
There’s no front door
No easy access
You need to delve
Take the time to explore
To test and experiment
Following the clues
Traveling the paths
Half formed and rutted
With your tiny hammer to hand
Built of unconditional love
You must chip away
At the filters and barriers
Unraveling the maze
Breaking down the walls
Removing the debris
It could take months
Or even years
There is no way of measuring
Its unfathomable presence
You have to persist
Until you find your way in
And the healing can begin
By Roberta Eaton Cheadle
Contact Roberta Here …
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Thanks so much for stopping by! I look forward to reading your comments.
I can be reached here …
Welcome to the World of Suzanne Burke. 
Super poem, Robbie. Excellent use of the prompt.
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Thank you, John.
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Great poem, Robbie! Let the healing begin!
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Thank you, Jan. I agree, it is time.
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Beautiful insight, Robbie.
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Thank you, Denise.
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A beautiful poem, Robbie. You capture that whole distressing process so eloquently 🙂
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Thank you, Harmony. I am glad you liked it.
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A powerful poem, Robbie.
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Thank you, Karen. It was nice to finally be able to write a poem. It’s been a while.
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What a great poem. And this makes you think even more.
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Thank you, Michele. I’m glad it makes you think.
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Well done, Robbie. Your poem is excellent.
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Thank you, Mae. I’m really pleased you like it.
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Oh, I love this poem, Robbie! And you are so right. One must work through those emotions to begin healing. 🙂
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Thank you, Yvette. I am glad this poem held meaning for you.
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It happens, Robbie.All the fear, anxiety, and stress that invaded our mind, it’s not easy to fix. It’s true to take years and chips away a little at a time for the healing to take place. Great job on this poem and great use of the prompt. 🙂
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Thank you so much, Miriam. Our lives are overly busy and complex so we never rest. So much is expected of people now.
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I know, Robbie. I used to be conscientious of people’s expectations – people from family, work place, and social circles. I cared about keeping my work close to perfect. When I sent in an annual government application, I neglected to change the date because I did it so many times and didn’t do with fresh eyes, the superintendent called (because it needed her signature) and told me. I felt bad for a long time for not meeting my own standard. I tried to keep all the relationship smooth without needing to amend.
The cancer changed my life and perspective. I just have to let go of all the effort. People say crisis can tell friends from foes. Most of the people at work were not friends because they only watched out for their own interest.
The friends I have now are friends of 30+ years and I can only count on these people.
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Thank you for sharing my poem, Suzanne, and for the lovely prompt.
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My pleasure, Robbie. I hope I can keep right on finding prompts that inspire such lovely work. 😊
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Beautiful, Robbie. Perhaps more than ever, we’re called to heal….all the hurts. ♥♥
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