Shorts for October 16th

All of this is a work of fiction, except where it isn’t.

Haikus and a note on structure

Leaf watching, bonfires

Ashes becoming the stars

The herdsman rests, goes,

Each poem is organized in a 5-7-5 with the traditional kireji: a dash, ellipsis or exclamatory particle “how” to give it cyclicality. More often I structure it to be narratively recursive, but where I can be creative enough for the “ideal” form, I attempt including a (English-translation) kireji.

“Cruel Summer” and Horror

Sticking with the horror theme, the pop song I tried to construct a flash short from was T. Swift’s “Cruel Summer”

She found him covered in blood and mud. She said, "I love you". But her fragile confession hung lifeless. He looked up from his work, a devilish grin spreading. "Isn't that the worst thing you've ever heard?"