The Second January Writing Prompt Post for the Year of the Rat Writing Contest — 75 words exactly

Here are the next possible writing prompts.  Remember, this month your entry should be exactly 75 words.

From “Buying Lady Lobsters,” by Barbara Gearen

She has a new man, so regards
the lobster tank at Tamashiro’s Market,
shortly after sunrise, hugging her
cookbooks to her sweatshirt
like a schoolgirl.  She
chants the instructions to herself
as if their confidence, like grace
might descend on her:

A live lobster should look thoroughly lively.
She should arch her back, flap her tail
against her underside, and wave her big claws.

From Bamboo Ridge, the Writers’ Quarterly, No. 33, Spring 1987, First Quarter

* * * * *

From “Song for Alice,” by Holly Yamada

I remember.  The sound.  The sound.  Nothing else matters.  And my fingers work the stops.  There is nothing else.  My fingers and mouth making the sound.  The sound making my fingers and mouth.  And the sweet becomes a growl and then sweet again.  And the weeping and the growling and the sweetness are all the same.  And I am wailing into my tenor and the sound has to stop.  And the sound keeps going because that’s all there is.  And then it stops, and the stopping is part of the sound.

From Bamboo Ridge, the Writers’ Quarterly, No. 33, Spring 1987, First Quarter

* * * * *

From “Listening,” by Kathleen Andrasick

Looking across the valley basin
I admire cloud patterns
over evening mountains

and the grey line
of rain, to miles away.
You remember a valley

and the light tells you
it is the time they began
the sunset bombing raids.

From Bamboo Ridge, the Writers’ Quarterly, No. 33, Spring 1987, First Quarter

* * * * *

Why?

* * * * *

Whatevahs.

* * * * *

Go for it.  Come up with exactly 75 words.  Happy New Year!

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