Another week, another six-sentence story —and this one took an unexpected turn for me. Let’s dive into “Late Mornings.” I had planned to lean into the spooky and eerie, to explore a different edge of my voice in the recording too. But the prompt led me somewhere else entirely. My interpretation of the male character left me feeling a bit... empty at first —but somehow, this six-sentence story became one of the most romantic pieces I’ve ever written, especially through a man's perspective. And honestly? I think I really adore this one.
The prompt was created by our wonderful girlieontheedge
Rules of the hop:
Write 6 Sentences. No more. No less.
Use the current week’s prompt word.
PROMPT WORD: COFFEE
Others stories can be read here.
Six-Sentence Story - Late Mornings
I prayed that the wooden floorboards wouldn't creak under my weight as I got out of the bed, because God knows that hell had no fury like her majesty awoken suddenly from her slumber.
And knowing that yesterday might have gotten a little out of hand, with her wine and her favourite poetry, our last oil burnt through the lamps by the dawn, and me feeling her carcass sinking into our mattress while she was in this state of languor, I wanted nothing more than to love her as a man should love his wife, but she lost the battle to her dreams within minutes.
Somehow ridding me of sleep in the process so I laid there waiting, I waited 'till noon to make my way to the stove to start a fire in the destitute state that I was in, and the crackling of it reminded me of how I fell in love with her soul, it was warm and quite loud, yes... she was fiery, one could easily get burned by her if not careful.
Chuckling to myself I carefully open the burlap and place a bean in my mouth, somehow I always found myself gently sucking on it while preparing the liquid of life for the sleep-deprived and as I kept grinding the beans I dreamt about the day I could finally use the new drip pot, truth be told, I had it carefully packed and hidden (for our lady was having a birthday this weekend).
But on this morning, as on countless of others, I just stood in our kitchen while letting the water that just got to a boil sit for 30 seconds on the edge of the stove before adding the grounds and stirring for a few minutes, finally topping it with a lid and letting it sit for another four minutes off the heat - a routine that never made sense to me but the lady would insist on.
I can hear the soft creaks of the floor as I carefully pour the mixture into two cups and catch myself on the thought that even if she were six feet under, coffee would raise her from her slumber and bring her to me.
Links to more of my work:
If you like reading stories: Six-Sentence Stories, Short Stories, Romance and All That, Dead Poet
Or poetry : On the margins of the First Draft
and more reflections than poetry: On the Margins of the Second Draft
My band "Chaos in Spring" can be listened to on YouTube, Spotify and other streaming services.
That liquid of life is so essential now. Excellent.
Yes, without it the world seems dim.
Nicely unfolded tale and well described ritual.
Thank you so much!
cool
(It remains a part of my enjoyment of the bloghop to not only enjoy a Six well written, but to also deconstruct it. To try and figure out how an effect is achieved, or an emotion portrayed, the better for me in future efforts. The sense of a focused POV describing the setting/scene is strong, but the underlying emotions of the MC, even more ‘helpful’)
Good Six
Thank you so much, I sometimes think that I should be even more descriptive of the “emotional” world of my characters… And I do enjoy dissecting a good poem/story/book myself too, I definitely know the enjoyment it brings. Thank you once again.
Delightfully told tale of character and coffee.
Thank you so much, your kind words bring a smile to my face. Or was that the coffee, hmm.
super job!
Thank you, Paul!!! I feel flattered.
Yes. Yes!
Ah, coffee…can’t live without it. Can’t live with Homeopathic as well, since the very first thing they say is No more coffee for you. lol
The ritual of preparation…always so important – i agree with the lady.
Beautiful , tasty and dark…like we like our coffee!!
( upon listening your recording, an idea – imagine just a tad slower speed and having as an echo the same words spoken by your mate…Duality in a cup of coffee! )
That seems like a nice idea, and surely I could emulate it… perhaps I did speak a little faster this time than on the last story, but I was on my fourth cup of… Oh well, never mind… Yes, the ritual is very-very important. Thank you!
I listened first to the audio (without reading the story), then read your Six. Totally enjoyed it both ways! I love your leisurely buildup to the prompt word. Your last sentence so made me smile because unless you drink coffee, you can’t fully appreciate the sentiment, lol
*thank you, CP, for your kind words after your intro
Thank you so much for your kind words too! They really did bring a smile to my face once again, so lovely. Yes I did think of the coffeeholic sentiment, am truly happy that it struck!
I’m pretty sure coffee could elicit a similar response out of me!
Me too!!! The smell of it already!
A really enjoyable read, all the more so being a coffee lover!
Thank you so much, dear. It really makes me so happy to read such comments! And it was also written by a coffee enthusiast.
Beautifully wrought!
Thank you so much!