Symbolism Archives - James Kirst Short Story and Novel Blog

Short Story Saturday: Red Roses and Russian Roulette

Posted on June 29, 2019September 2, 2020 by jkirst

Hello everyone! As part of Short Story Saturday, I have posted another short story, this one entitled Red Roses and Russian Roulette. Please enjoy.

She did not know how she entered that room. It was devoid of any portal to the outside world. Each of the featureless walls loomed and felt as though they were closing in. A distinct odor wafted through the air. It was the smell of roses. It reminded her of melancholy and despair.

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Short Story Saturday: A Cabin in Winter

Posted on May 11, 2019September 3, 2020 by jkirst

Hello everyone! As part of Short Story Saturday, I have posted another short story, this one entitled A Cabin in Winter. Please enjoy.

It is the dead of winter. Snow descends slowly and the bitter cold chills his bones even through the many layers of furs. His head feels it the worst despite the raccoon skin hat and thermal mask scavenged from one of a multitude of putrefying bodies that litter the mountain trail. He is holding a giant ax. On his back are a rifle and a rucksack. His destination is his cabin in the middle of the woods near the peak which was once his family’s vacation home.

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Short Story Saturday: An Artist’s Passion

Posted on April 20, 2019September 3, 2020 by jkirst

Hello everyone! As part of Short Story Saturday, I have posted another short story, this one entitled An Artist’s Passion. Please enjoy.

“You don’t understand, Dad, art is my life!” the son screamed.

“I understand more about life than you’ll ever know!” was his father’s retort.

A chair flew across the kitchen floor as the son rose abruptly from the table. He ignored the yells of his father and the pleading cries of his mother as he stormed into his room. This was the aftermath of yet another almost cliche argument between the father and son over the boy’s grades.

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Short Story Saturday: The Tower

Posted on April 6, 2019August 24, 2020 by jkirst

Hello everyone! As part of Short Story Saturday, I have posted another short story, this one entitled The Tower. Please enjoy.

Arthur and Merlin approached the oblong, white-bricked tower. The two had journeyed far and had overcome many perils to reach this place. Their goal was to reach the top. What Arthur sought awaited him there. Dangling around his neck was a silver locket.

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Short Story Saturday: The Journey

Posted on January 19, 2019August 25, 2020 by jkirst

Hello everyone! Back on schedule this week. Hat tip to my father for giving me the prompt for this story. As part of Short Story Saturday, I have posted another short story, this one entitled The Journey. Please enjoy.

Dark clouds covered the sky. A faint bit of moonlight managed to penetrate the thicket of tree branches dangling overhead. I clutched my coat against my chest. Not in response to the cold, though the wind had picked up and the temperature certainly had dropped significantly as the night approached the witching hour. No, it was due to the fear induced by my hostile surroundings.

Wolves inhabited these coppices. Their howls were barely audible at first but had grown noticeably louder and angrier. They were savage. Merciless. Cruel. They would not have hesitated to eat me alive. Those woods had claimed many a traveler. Only the bravest or foolhardy dared to make this trek.

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Short Story Saturday: Christmas Eve in Utqiagvik

Posted on December 22, 2018September 4, 2020 by jkirst

Hello everyone! As part of Short Story Saturday, I have posted another short story, this one entitled Christmas Eve in Utqiagvik. Please enjoy.

I’m sure for most diners having a stranger visit isn’t exactly breaking news. It’s an industry that thrives on that sort of thing. However, when you live in my neck of the woods, or should I say tundra, all you have regulars so an out of town visitor leaves an impression. Having said that, I think the visitor I got a few nights ago would leave an impression, even the busiest restaurants in New York.

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Short Story Saturday: Non Morieris in Somnis Memorias

Posted on December 15, 2018September 3, 2020 by jkirst

Hello everyone! As part of Short Story Saturday, I have posted another short story, this one entitled Non Morieris in Somnis Memorias. Please enjoy.

I’m walking through immaculate streets. Once vibrant and full of life, now sterile. The wind blows the leaves in front of me and serves as the town’s only occupants. The ticks of a large clock tower in the center of town reverberate against my brain with each passing step. It acts as a reminder of the inexorable nature of time. Its presence is inescapable.

I am exhausted. Not physically, mentally. Physical fatigue is impossible here.

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Short Story Saturday: An Amusing Tale of Scriptwriting

Posted on November 24, 2018September 3, 2020 by jkirst

Hello everyone! As part of Short Story Saturday, I have posted another short story, this one entitled An Amusing Tale of Scriptwriting. It‘s quite a bit less sad than last week’s story but hopefully just as enjoyable. Original writing prompt taken from https://www.writersdigest.com/prompts/one-shot

The click of the pistol’s hammer woke me. A velvety voice lilts me out of my vision, “Give me a good catchphrase and I just may let you live.”

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