Princes and Ladies danced in the Hall,
	While Kings and Queens would feast;
Tapestries and paintings adorned the walls;
	Their riches would never cease.

But time and change are constant foes,
	Relentless in their pursuit;
The kingdom witnessed many woes,
	Their riches turned to loot.

Now the birds dance through the Hall,
	Partnered by the wind;
Ivy now adorns the walls,
	No feasting ne’er again.

Gold and riches, ye may amass,
	And may rise to power anon,
But things of this world cannot last,
	In an instant they are gone.

Ye may build your castle with strength of stone,
	Have riches beyond belief,
But be wary they do not leave you alone,
	Mired in sorrow and grief

Copyright © 2022 Brandon Ellrich

This poem was written in response to Simply 6 Minutes at Stine Writing. Please visit their page to participate and read other responses. (117 words)

Thanks…

This post was written based on the following prompts:

Fandango’s Flash Fiction #184

Fandango’s Story Starter #63

What Do You See #151

Twiglet #296

Three Things Challenge #M83

Three Things Challenge #M84

Three Things Challenge #M85

Simply 6 Minutes – Welcome to the Challenge: 09/13/2022

When he decided to spy on his wife, the last thing he expected was to discover this. Now maybe is she’d been a badger, or a fox, or some sort of wildlife, he wouldn’t have been surprised. A spider though had been completely unexpected, and Marty, the earthworm, wondered how it would all end as he continued through the unlit corridors towards their home, where his beloved waited.

“Darling I’m back,” Marty called, as he entered the ballroom of the dilapidated castle, “How are the little ones?”

“Hungry,” Came the disgruntled response, “But its alright, another one of those delinquents moved in…

Today’s picture for Christine’s Simply 6 Minutes is from thebrokebackpacker.com

This is a picture of the countryside with a small body of water. On the edge of the water stands the old stone structure of a church or a castle. The house is beyond repair.

Today’s prompt is:

https://christinebialczak.com/category/photo-challenge/ and written for https://christinebialczak.com/category/stinewriting-2/

When I was younger, about ten years old, I was curious about my dad’s part in the second world war. He was a paratrooper. Part of the D Day landings, he also went through Italy to play his part to help win the war.

He spoke of a little church, which was in the middle of England and Germany fighting. Located somewhere in Italy. I’m not sure whether the church was bombed, but Dad spoke of the dilemma they faced because some of the German army were based there.

It was the only way they could get through the border and move further into occupied territory. I asked way too many questions – Being a child I was curious, but I understand now, how it must have affected Dad. Especially during Remembrance week. He never forgot his friends, never forgot the lives lost on both…

A Drowning Church: Shettihalli

Things are so changed

I’m out of place

I do not recognise this space.

I try to touch

Bare stone

Grey grass.

My hand through everything does pass.

It seems that I have been away

The years have gone

And left decay.

While I have lingered

Wasted time

Moved on while I lay sleeping.

Now what has woken up my soul

Returned me to this world?

If once I left this mortal coil

Then why am I reborn?

A call, a cry, birds circle high

A human calls in pain.

I flit and float and find the ground

Upon which wastes a babe.

Oh, what has happened here, sweet child?

Oh, why are you abandoned?

This must be why I’m called to earth

To save you is the challenge.

I sit beside you, desperate child

My presence holds off vultures.

All I can do to is…

Dylan looked around the used bookshop with little more than a mild interest, but then something at the back of the shop caught his eye. There was a door with caution tape across it in an “X” and the tape read “Crime Scene Do Not Cross.” Naturally, his curiosity got the better of him. He looked around to make sure no one was watching before he casually sauntered toward the door. He pretended to look at some books near the doorway, and when he was sure that no one noticed, he turned the knob, opened the door and peeked inside. He heard a voice behind him, so he swiftly entered the room and shut the door. He could hear muffled sounds all around him and he quickly realized they seemed to be coming from the books themselves!

He cautiously took a book from the shelf and opened the cover. It…