I watch my childhood friends put on their straps. They are velcro and the collective sound of strapping reminds me of a deck of cards shuffling. The final shuffle is loudest; the one right before you’re dealt your fate.
“Never look, it’s bad luck.” Benny pulls down his Circle-A t-shirt without peeking. He only opens his eyes when the contraption is out of sight.
I struggle to adjust my straps. Worn this thing for months but it still doesn’t fit right. Poker’s a pointless game, anyways. Sure, the outcome’s random, but if you play long enough, failure is a sure bet.
I shake my hands out and grab the contraption circling the room. “Baby’s on tight tonight.”
“Look! Ready to pop.” Benny smacks his gum. We start to roam. The detonation is random, so if all do their duty, they need not fear harm.
Artwork: “A Friend in Need” by Dave Berns
Ingrid’s host for d’Verse’s Prosery. A 144 word response that incorporates a quote. Tonight’s quote, “so if all do their duty, they need not fear harm” comes from William Blake’s “The Chimney Sweeper.”
Join us in “Doing our duty.”
Yard Sale of Thoughts 
eek. Sounds more like roulette!
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yeah… that’s what I was thinking!
❤
David
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Thanks, David. Seems many people are willing to risk their lives and the lives of others for a cause. The only difference is that in the individual’s mind, their cause is always worthy. It’s a sick, sick game.
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Right. Another game with a lot of loss. Thanks, Mr.B.
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I think we found a thread here.
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I’ll risk the harm I think, rather than play with that mean looking bunch! 😂
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They are, aren’t they. Found this artwork after I wrote this flash. I thought, well, isn’t that perfect.
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👍
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Yes, it made me think of Russian roulette, too! A grim and gripping take on the prompt, thank you K. and I love the artwork!
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Thank you, Ingrid. Late-night prosery should come with a warning. I searched poker and anarchists and this painting popped up. It’s kind perfect for this motley crew of characters.
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Great art paired with a dark tale. “If you play long enough, failure is a sure bet!” 💯
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Thank you, Tricia. Guess I was in a brooding way late last night when I put my prosery pants on and tried this out. Fun to just be evil and grin at the bad behavior of my characters.
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Have you ever read Graham Greene, “Doctor Fisher or the bomb party”… this random roulette with your life reminds me exactly of this story.
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Round and round we go … it’s the stops that are deadly. Well done!!!!!
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What a fun poem on such a serious matter! Well done.
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Thank you. This late-night short spilled out and I found the perfect image for this motley crew online.
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it works that way sometimes. When it flows it goes and becomes something special. Great job.
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Thank you. 😊
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Oh, this is a dark tale matched with some wild art!
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Thank you. Wrote the piece and then found this wicked painting.
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You’re welcome! Cool!
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This makes me think of Russian roulette! Brilliant, brilliant response to the line by Blake! You rock 😀
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Why, thank you. My late night prosery has a mind of its own, but it sure is fun to let myself wander.
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