Sunday, June 5, 2011

The Rapture, A Saturday Centus

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Jenny Matlock


Welcome to my contribution to week 57 of Saturday Centus, a fun and challenging writing meme hosted by that darling of Arizona’s high-society (yes, there is one) and everyone’s favorite literary blogosopher (which is not a real word yet, but should be by next week), Jenny Matlock!   

Each Saturday her legion of Centusian followers makes the cyber-trek to her blog, off on my tangent, to receive their instructions for the week’s writing exercise.  On a typical Saturday we will be given a prompt, generally a short phrase but occasionally she’ll use a photo, and we are tasked with writing a short story or poem using said prompt and only 100 words.

Well, this isn’t your typical Saturday here in Centusland! 

In what could aptly be described as a Saturday Quarter-Centus, Miss Jenny has challenged us to complete this week’s assignment using only 25 words and the prompt, “the end.”  The other rules of Centus forbid the use of vulgarity and photos or illustrations as well as the altering of the prompt. 

Now I know that 25 words doesn’t sound like a lot when it comes to writing a story, nor 27 words for that matter, but these are not your typical writers you’ve got here.  Centusians are highly-skilled wordsmiths who have honed their skills in ridiculously short story writing for over a year now, so click on the Saturday Centus button and check out their various takes on this week’s prompt.  You will be amazed what can come from 25 words and “the end.” 

Here is my submission for this week’s 25-word challenge.  I have entitled it:


The Rapture


Like a fool I gave it all away.

The end, they said, was nigh.

Pitied those left to stay

As heaven-ward I’d fly.


My poor, deluded soul.


Postscript

Rev. Harold Camping, the 89-year-old president of Family Radio, a 150-station Christian broadcasting network and the originator of the May 21st rapture claim, has now reinterpreted his prophecy to say that May 21st was a “spiritual” judgment day and that the world will still come to an end on October 21, 2011.  The millionaire broadcasting mogul told the press that his company would not return money donated by followers to publicize the failed May 21st prediction saying "We’re not at the end. Why would we return it?"

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Jenny Matlock

Here's an interesting tidbit: a poll of Republican primary voters revealed that 65% of those who felt Sarah Palin would be raptured thought the rapture was coming on May 21.


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21 comments:

  1. Please, Rapture, take her now! I'm so tired of seeing and hearing her!

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  2. Bad math? I wonder what his excuse will be in October! I agree with Eva.

    Tom, good one here! It is simply criminal, the ignorance of Republican voters.

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  3. There's a sucker born every minute.

    I think you said it all in 25 words! I liked it!~Ames

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  4. I still have it all, just don't know where I put it! Don't know how people get sucked into these things:@)

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  5. The whole rapture business was absurd and sad. There was even a service that offered to look after your pets if you were sucked into the skies...and now, once again, no refunds are offered. I heard they collected $35,000. Good use of the prompt, Tom, and timely!

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  6. Guess Camping could always go the "Kool-Aid" route.

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  7. I'm going to throw a "Rapture Party" on Oct. 21! I'm not gonna miss the fun this time! :) Hey Tom, I gave you an award on my blog. Thanks for your visits and comments!!!!

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  8. the reverend is deluded. But also, I am glad you are still here with the heathens.

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  9. It's all so crazy that it's hard to believe people bought into it. And now, apparently, they're going for it again?

    Sheesh.

    Well done, Tom.

    =)

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  10. Clever and charming little twist on current events with the prompt!

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  11. Clever post ... there is one born every minute ... so they say

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  12. I wish somebody WOULD rapture away S P. We need to get rid of all the scary politicians we can. As always your Centus (or should I say Mini-Centus) rocks!

    Namaste..........cj

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  13. Outstanding job !

    I would like to drop kick that guy for how he took advantage of people and their hard earned money and faith in the name of religion by fear and then backpedaling like it was all o.k. but then we did have a near miss of a small asteroid so I'm surprised he didn't use that as an excuse too !

    I can't stand Sarah Palin and I'd pay real money for her to go home and shut up ! That stupid poll was a joke that everyone was in on...

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  14. I enjoyed this and the postscript. It's very relevant. Of course, here in Chico/Paradise, there's a Judgement Day billboard still proudly marking May 21 as the day. Maybe some idiot will write "Oct 21" on a post-it and stick it on the billboard.
    Be well, Tom.
    xoRobyn

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  15. Very clever and brilliantly done! :o)

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  16. Sorry Tom. I don't know about these people that your text refers to; but there are always charlatans trying to gain by other's gulilbility.
    Always the sceptic!
    Best wishes,
    Anna
    Miss O'Hara's Last Words" SC wk 57

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  17. What's amazing is people keep believing in him!

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  18. Oh, that was brilliant, Tom...lyrical, poignant and topical all at the same time! I enjoyed it thoroughly!

    And thank you so much for stopping by my page...I'll definitely see you again on Saturday Centus...:)

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  19. I guess we'll all have to wait til October 21st now eh :)

    Thanks for visiting me and the lovely comment.

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  20. I think lots of folks were left wondering after the non-event. Personally, I'm glad I'm still here!

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  21. Tom, this was superb! I'm loving these short little links this week. Really fun and fascinating reading.

    A new Grandchild? Ummm.... aren't you only like 35?

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