They Say

September 2, 2023Na'ama Yehuda Anecdotes of Life, Current events, Muse and Flow, Reflections, Things Kids Say, Trauma and Development, Writing Tags: Choice, Current events, Gaslighting, Reality, SoCS, Trapped, Trauma, voice, Women's rights, Writing prompt 10 Comments

(Photo: Molly Blackbird on Unsplash)

They say she gets to choose to be obedient, or face the consequences.

They say she gets to choose to accept her fault, or be blamed anyway.

She gets to chew on what she’d done. Even if it was done to her. It is still somehow her doing. Her consequence. Her crime. Her punishment.

She cradles what is left of her. Tucks it away. She will not be allowed to be. Or flee. Or seek a help. Or have a voice. Or make a choice. Not really.

It does not matter what she needs. It never did.

Her body just a vehicle for others’ machinations. An incubator for others’ agendas.

The growing despair is meant to put her in her place. Clip her wings. Keep her there.

She never mattered. No matter what words they pretended to say.

She gets to choose what they say she must do. Any other path is deemed a sin. A wrong she does.

She has no right to choose. They choose for her.

And if she dares seek freedom for herself, dares to try and claim back what is left of her body, she’ll be, to them, a killer.

For Linda’s SoCS prompt of chews/choose

A Matter of Faith

April 16, 2022Na'ama Yehuda Anecdotes of Life, Current events, Muse and Flow, Reflections, Trauma and Development, Writing Tags: Be yourself, Coersion, Compliance, Flash Fiction, Have a voice, Lexicon, Micro-fiction, Reality, Religion, Resistance, Weekend Writing Prompt 13 Comments

(Photo: Bernard Hermant on Unsplash)

It mattered not how many times he’d pressed the issue, urged she ‘see the light.’

She would not deny her own reality for his. She could not worship his Gods. His requirement of absolute adherence to ideas over facts. Over reason. Over voice.

“It’s not about facts,” he insisted, annoyed by her refusal to acquiesce. “It’s about compliance. The lesson of faith.”

“That kind of faith isn’t in my lexicon,” she said.

“Then pray on it till it is,” he turned, locked the door, left.

For Sammi’s Weekend Writing Prompt: Lexicon in 85 words

Not Long Now

December 12, 2020Na'ama Yehuda Anecdotes of Life, Current events, Life and love, Muse and Flow, Poetry, Reflections, Writing Tags: Creative writing, Current events, Facts Matter, Insecurity, It is time, Niggle, Not Okay, Poetry, Politics, Reality, Weekend Writing Prompt 20 Comments

(Photo: Wilhelm Gunkel on Unsplash)

He failed but would not let it go.

He would not let things rest.

He has to prod and press and woe

In niggling senseless tests.

He cannot accept evidence.

He contradicts all fact.

His weakness grows in petulance

Yet haggle seems he must.

A pity he’s so insecure.

His desperate noisome pouts.

Yet reason in most still endures

And his time will soon run out.

For Sammi‘s Weekend Writing Prompt: Niggle in 66 words

Backseat Jostling

August 15, 2020Na'ama Yehuda Anecdotes of Life, Funnies, Life and love, Muse and Flow, Poetry, Reflections, Things Kids Say, Writing Tags: Car ride, children, families, Jostle, parenting, Poetry, Reality, Siblings, Things Kids Say, Ultimatum, Warning, Weekend Writing Prompt 25 Comments

Photo: Thais Ribeiro on Unsplash

“Mama, he’s touching me!”

She tightened her grip on the steering wheel.

“Mama, he’s breathing on me!”

She inhaled.

“How come he always gets the window?”

She sighed.

“I don’t have room!”

She braked.

“Stop this or you can all walk home!”

For Sammi’s Weekend Writing Prompt: Jostle in 42 words

The Misanthrope

August 8, 2020August 8, 2020Na'ama Yehuda Anecdotes of Life, Current events, Life and love, Muse and Flow, Reflections, Writing Tags: Creative writing, Current affairs, Disdain, Dysfunctional, Misanthrope, Narcissism, personality, Politics, Reality, Sarcasm, Weekend Writing Prompt 21 Comments

Photo: Sarah Kilian on Unsplash

There is nothing anyone could say to change his mind.

Or his attitude.

Or his demeanor.

One could hardly expect him to respect those who practically asked to be demeaned, who did not try to rise above their lassitude, who did not take the opportunity when it presented.

So what if his wealth was carved out of others’ misery?

Someone had to do it. Someone had to step up to the plate and be the boss.

What did they expect him to be? A sniveling, prattling sissy like the ones who follow him?! They are lucky to have him.

For Sammi’s Weekend Writing Prompt: Misanthrope in 99 words

Disclaimer: No offense intended to any amphibians. I know they are better than that. Image presented for illustration purposes only….