Don't Worry
Be Happy--for Poppy's Prompts
Silently,
metal shatters the window
beside my bed,
piercing the flesh
of the little old woman
who watches me sleep
every night.
I do not hear
the report,
only the “thwup”
as it fashions
it’s hole
through the middle
of her chest.
But she does not die,
nor will she ever,
for she is but a doll,
my Babushka,
a treasure since childhood
& respite for me
in this troubled place.
The streets are quiet,
the only witnesses
to the night’s transgressions
a few dandelions
poking through
the sidewalk cracks,
ubiquitous
in their ability to survive
even the trampling
of crowded feet.
She’s already
a patchwork of repairs.
What’s one more
tiny swatch
added to her quilt?
I should dig out
the bullet
from the wall
& glue it
up inside
as memento
to her tribulations.
I glance at
the alarm clock.
2am.
It can wait
‘til morning,
assuming I can still
fall asleep,
of course.
Ah, the city—
never a dull moment
even when asleep.
Probably shouldn’t
share this with mom
when next we speak.
About the Creator
Randy Wayne Jellison-Knock
Retired Ordained Elder in The United Methodist Church having served for a total of 30 years in Missouri, South Dakota & Kansas.
Born in Watertown, SD on 9/26/1959. Married to Sandra Jellison-Knock on 1/24/1986. One son, Keenan, deceased.
Reader insights
Nice work
Very well written. Keep up the good work!
Top insights
Easy to read and follow
Well-structured & engaging content
Excellent storytelling
Original narrative & well developed characters
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Comments (38)
What a chilling sense of normality.
Wow, this was eerie, but fascinating to read. 👏👏👏 your words painted the picture and brought me into the scene. 
lovely. nice job.
Surreal and loaded with details that catch the eye and ear. Makes one want to read it again. So I did.
I've enjoyed reading all of these for Poppy's challenge. This was no exception. Very well-crafted prose.
Love the ending especially... Probably shouldn’t share this with mom when next we speak. So true!
Amazing Randy!!
How did 'i miss this? Wooooo! Congrats on the top story...very well done
Awe-inspiring work! Keep up the remarkable effort—congrats!
congratulations on TS. This is fantastic. loved every word.
More excellent words Randy , well deserved accolade
Very well written!
Your ability to tell stories and keep the reader charged with tension, anticipation and suspense, almost have them enter an unbreakable contract with a form that breaks so often is really unparalleled, Randy! I was on the edge of my seat, wheezing through the lines until I hit the ending hard. Such an amazing piece of work! STUNNING!
Back to say congratulations on your Top Story! 🎉💖🎊🎉💖🎊
Outstanding Randy!!! Easy to read yet has depth and symbolic meaning. Great work as always!!! Congratulations on the Top Story!!!
Nicely done! Congratulations on your TS!
This shows a deep character study that really proves your understanding of humanity's darkness and spectrum of emotions. Excellent work!
Well done on your T.S. 😁
Fabulous!!! Loved it!!!💕❤️❤️ Congratulations on Top Story!!!
Back to say congrats on the TS.
Very Deep, Pastor Randy.
Blimey. That was dark. The picture made me wary but I was still unprepared. Great use of the prompt words to create something chilling and threatening.
👏 oooo so cool ! I’m a fan
Brilliant work Randy! 😱 BRAVO!
Damn Randy!! This is so unique and masterfully done! “a patchwork of repairs.” Is a great line!! And I love how you follow it up with the usually related “quilt”. You used all the prompt words so well and the ending was great too!!