Writing Challenge|Word Prompt
I Usually Salivate For Summertime
A Double Trouble Writing Prompt
You know how it is writers. Those moments when you sit in front of a blank screen or piece of paper and tell yourself you haven’t the foggiest clue what to write about?
Well, for me, it didn’t happen today.
See, me and the missus were just finishing off our Return to Shandy Bay story and I had the conclusion to get out. No, I had to. It had to be today. Sharon would have beat me senseless had I not cranked that puppy out today.
It’s really cool to collaborate with someone on a story, but the downside is if you’re collaborating with your life partner and you like to eat, you need to take care of priorities. Like, eat later get the freaking story out now.
I’m jus’ sayin’.
So, like I said. I was whipping out the conclusion because after all the discussions and storyboard wine sessions we’d had on this Henry James story the ending was a foregone conclusion.
Uh, sorry/not sorry about that one folks.
In the back of my mind, as I was tending to Henry, Sunny, and Roberto’s details, I kept wondering what I was going to write about. Not another HJ series ’cause we’ve got a little sumpin’, sumpin’ up our sleeves on that. I was wondering what to write in between. Now, Sharon calls them “filler — pieces” and to this day, I haven’t figured out why, but whatever. So I started thinking.
And then my dear writing friend Sherry McGuinn posts a pretty slick poem on a writing prompt she was tagged in, provided a word prompt of her own — salivate — and then tagged my ass.
Wait, it gets better.
No sooner did this wunderkind ruby red-lipped babe from Chicago whip out the first word-prompt piece, than she rips off another one about “summertime” and what does she do?
You guessed it. She tags my ass again.
Okay, Sherry my dear, I thought since you had the audacity to lob a pair of writing challenges all the way from Chicago to Texas maybe I should oblige. I’m going to call this a “double trouble” writing challenge by including both prompts into one absolutely fandamtasticlly horrid poem. So Sherry, without further ado (and a shit ton of fanfare) I give you:
I Usually Salivate For Summertime
I usually salivate for summertime, As seasons go it’s great, This Texas heat, it can’t be beat, I often do appreciate, It’s when I’m in my prime.
The lakes, the pool, the water sports, The mowing of my lawns, Grilling in the parks, those wonderous larks, But those days they’re all gone, Replaced by COVID reports.
I usually salivate for summertime, But lately if I did, You’ll never see, ’cause you’ll find me, Behind my mask I’m hid, And I wear it all the time.
How did my summertime become this plight, This freak of nature bug, I’m scared to shop, for fear I’ll drop, No vaccine yet, no wonder drug, No way we have to fight.
I usually salivate for summertime, But not this year or next, This dreaded foe, it just won’t go, I really am perplexed, This really is a crime.
When 2021 goes by, I hope I’m still alive, But don’t just yet, start making bet, On whether I survive, As one we all must try.
I usually salivate for summertime, And hope to slobber soon, I’ll keep my steaks, for a summer break, And hope I’m still immune, Till COVID’s death bells chime.
So here’s my own word prompt — gesticulate — let’s see what you tagees can do with this one.
It’s tag time!!
Sherry McGuinn, Rasheed Hooda, Timothy Key, Denise Shelton, Holly Jahangiri, Joe Luca, Paul Myers MBA, kurt gasbarra, White Feather, Brian Abbey, Kristi Keller, Robin Klammer, Suzanne V. Tanner
AND:
Anyone else who reads this drivel of mine and wishes to take a shot at the word — gesticulate.
Thank you so much for reading. You didn’t have to, but I’m certainly glad you did.
Let’s keep in touch: [email protected]
© P.G. Barnett, 2020. All Rights Reserved.