Just 50 words to write a story with a beginning, middle, and end? That is the challenge Vivian Kirkfield sets up every year beginning 2016. And what a great kindness it is–awesome prizes to entice us to ‘exercise our writing muscles and force us to make every work count’ as she explains.

This year I gathered up my courage and plunged right in:
Going Home After School
A star-punched sky
As Mom arrives.
Steady steed in the morning
At night the car a cockle-shell craft
Launched into this rushing river
Today, though,
My golden river changes
Into a red-eyed monster
Screeching to a halt.
I know then
Home will be a long time coming.