This week’s prompt words from Colleen – ambition and change really attracted me. My youngest is going through quite a lot of impending changes at the moment. She plans to go to University in September to study Fashion Management, and I am so excited for her. Also my husband and I are considering plans in the not too distant future to move abroad, not definite yet, but we are talking about it! Change is exciting but it is also scary too. But, you’ll never know how new challenges will develop unless you give them a try. So that is going to be my motto for 2018. Try new things, be adventurous!
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So here is my Tanka using the synonyms, aspiration for ambition, and transform for change.
I am including the following short extract from The Curse of Time – Bloodstone – Book 1 in which the main character Amelina considers how someone you’ve just met – Ryder – can seem to change at an alarming rate. And yet, that person captivates you into wanting more of that dark, dangerous charisma!
Every nerve ending in my body flooded with a multitude of emotions until I felt like a quivering mound of nervous, trembling jelly. Taking deep soothing breaths, I reached for my headphones to shut out this horrible, senseless world. I craved ear-piercing rock, a vault of high adrenalin noise. That would be sure to do the trick.
I turned up the sound and relaxed, lying in my bed. My thoughts returned to Ryder. What did I know about him? He had appeared as a stranger and then surprised me by coming to my rescue. He had scared those creepy boys off. I had to admit that I didn’t understand him or them either. His personality had switched. One moment he’d been all smiles and then boom, he’d changed, a scary intensity erupting out of those incredible eyes. I imagined his face staring at me again. He had a mysterious power in him that much I could see, so much so, that even the ground beneath his feet responded to him.
I remembered that Ryder had introduced himself to me but hadn’t bothered to ask my name. I scratched my head in puzzlement. Yet he knew who I was. Somehow, he knew those boys’ names too. It struck me as strange and unsettling. But one thing I knew for sure I experienced a trickle of life flowing in my veins. This sensation had long been missing from my life. It heralded an awakening, and I shivered in delight. I felt excited, confused, and more than a little scared. But I felt alive.
I experienced this magnetic pull of some hidden power that drew me towards him. With little difficulty, I realised he was a secret I would be wise to keep to myself. Mum and Dad would go mad if I mentioned that I’d met him down the river pathway. Hero or Prince, they wouldn’t understand. Besides, the possibility of keeping dark and mysterious secrets appealed to me. They were the best, most wicked kind.
Hope you enjoyed the extract. Feel free to comment below I love receiving feedback from you all.
Hope your 2018 started off better than mine did! I’ve been a bit poorly so apologies for the late message to wish you a very Happy, and Healthy New Year! xx
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A beautiful tanka in honour of your youngest! How exciting for her…and for you considering moving abroad!! We start looking at unis for my son this spring for next September…and also have a very vague idea about possibly moving abroad as well…nothing at all decided yet!
I love the extract and the sense of life Ryder breathes into her! Wonderful writing, immediate, intense and descriptive.
Oh, wow, good luck to your son. Does he know what he wants to study? And where he wants to go? Thank you so much for your kind words about the extract and tanka. 🙂
He is a keen and gifted musician but also very interested in computer science so at the moment he wants to study the latter at uni whilst continuing with the music in his spare time. He is looking at Leeds Uni (where I went) or York – he seems to feel a pull to the North!! Where is your youngest daughter gong to study? Have you seen your eldest since she flew out? It seems ages since she left.
My youngest is planning on going to either Manchester or Nottingham. She is a keen photographer but like your son is keeping the creative option as something to do in her spare time. Natasha is having a fabulous time in South Korea. She visited Toyko for New Year. Haven’t seen her but have talked to her often via Skype. Good luck to your son. Exciting times ahead!
Lovely poem, Marje, and a super extract too.
Thank you so much Robbie. So glad you enjoyed. 🙂
I love this Tanka! The book excerpt is one of my favorites. OMG!! Where are you thinking of moving? How exciting. Ron and I always said we are part gypsy because we love to move to new areas. Hugs to you, Marje. <3
Thank you so much Colleen. We are thinking of moving to Portugal once the girls are settled. So not for a good while yet. We both love it there. <3
OMG! How cool is that? You must keep me informed. <3
Brilliant just brilliant 💖💜
Thank you Willow. 🙂
My pleasure 💜