Poetry Hub

The Turn: The Hollow Shortcut

The map promised a shortcut through the ridge.
But the wooden post stood splintered and bare,
The warning sign long swallowed by the brush.
The Turn: The Hollow Shortcut
I followed the tire tracks into the limestone mouth,
Where the headlights died against a wall of damp stone,
And the humming engine finally fell silent.

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PebbleGalaxy

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Comments

13 responses to “The Turn: The Hollow Shortcut”

  1. murisopsis Avatar
    murisopsis

    Jaideep this is so ominous!! Makes me wonder if that was the end… or just the beginning of an adventure!!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. PebbleGalaxy Avatar
      PebbleGalaxy

      Thanks.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  2. crazy4yarn2 Avatar
    crazy4yarn2

    That is one frightening cherita, Jaideep!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. PebbleGalaxy Avatar
      PebbleGalaxy

      Yeah! Perhaps.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  3. shaun tenzenmen Avatar
    shaun tenzenmen

    Ominous and claustrophobic. Nice write 👏

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. PebbleGalaxy Avatar
      PebbleGalaxy

      Thanks!

      Like

      Reply
  4. ben Alexander Avatar
    ben Alexander

    Jaideep, I really like this—the restraint makes it feel natural, and the ending lands without trying too hard.

    ~David

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. PebbleGalaxy Avatar
      PebbleGalaxy

      Thanks, David 🤗

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. ben Alexander Avatar
        ben Alexander

        *hug*

        Liked by 1 person

  5. ben Alexander Avatar
    ben Alexander

    hi, Jaideep❣️

    Sorry for the delayed message (my life has been very hectic of late), but this week’s W3, hosted by our beloved Marion, is live until tomorrow. Here’s the URL:

    https://skepticskaddish.com/2026/01/21/w3-prompt-195-weave-written-weekly/

    Much love,
    David

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  6. ben Alexander Avatar
    ben Alexander

    hi, Jaideep❣️

    Just wanna let you know that our new W3, hosted by our beloved Svenja, is live until tomorrow:

    https://skepticskaddish.com/2026/01/28/w3-prompt-196-weave-written-weekly/

    I’m sorry for the delayed note – I’ve started a new job and my schedule is all over the place.

    ~David

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. PebbleGalaxy Avatar
      PebbleGalaxy

      Thank you, David 🤗. Take care.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. ben Alexander Avatar
        ben Alexander

        🤗

        Liked by 1 person

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