Flash Fiction; An Attempt

Writing Prompt: Put your iPod on shuffle and write a story based on the first song that plays.

'Run The World (Girls)' by Beyoncé


"But do you think he's eligible to run?"
She puts on her best President smile.
"I think we can all agree that a man of his type is not at all suitable. Think of the hormones, the aggression! We don't want another war like-...Well, like all of them. The time of man's power is over."
"Thank you, Mrs President. In other news, a Lakers fan was beaten to death outside a baseball stadium late last night. Police say it's a tragedy, but he really should have considered what he was wearing more seriously. Basketball fans in a baseball town are just asking for-..."

He switches the TV off. Reaching into his nurse's bag, he takes a large mouthful of antibiotics.

The Times I Have Not Been a Lady

Knee mere inches that were really feet

From the ground,

I rode dizzying laps for

Six-year-old hours

An engine roared in my head,

Growling like the tiger that

Had once come to tea

I was on a motorbike

Hands gripped the hardened rubber ring

Of this big green box

My seventh birthday presents were white knuckles

And a heart daring to escape

Over my shoulder,

My Father's smiling eyes glitter

His feet worked the pedals,

I steered

And our driveway was eaten

Up beneath us

Wrists pinned to my stunted

12-year-old hips,

Held by my Mother's icy grip

This was not an age

For waving to friends

There was darkness in my pits,

A darkness that was scandalous secret

My throat started to tighten

At caught observers

That night I braved the razor

Long lines of red unearth

My clumsiness

Youth

What does it mean to be youthful?
Thigh gaps, bright eyes and long hair
Long eyelashes that curve
Perfectly at the ends
But-don't-you-dare-ask-if-they're-real
Unnaturally natural, dark lips
White teeth
The vision of social perfection
Not youth

Youth is the uncontrollable laughter that turns into a snort
Which, of course, makes you laugh harder

Youth is the genuine smile when someone remembers your name
Even if they did pronounce it wrong

Youth is the fluttering in your chest when you look through your photos
Back when you loved yourself enough to wear a bikini

Youth is not self-conscious
Youth is not apologetic
Youth is not humble
Youth is not dictated by the world