Reach

Writing Challenges: Inspiration and ideas to spark your creativity every day

Begin or end a story or poem with, “If only I could reach a little farther ...”
[Unsplash, photo by Marc-Oliver Jodoin]

Respond

Responses to this Challenge

Feb 21

poem 0 comments challenge: Reach

c.mcintire

If Only

If only I could reach a little farther,
I would reach and feel the clouds.
I would love the souls that are in despair.
I would go to the places that need my smile,
And help.

If only I could reach a little further,
I would visit my loved ones in heaven,
As they are missed dearly.

If only I could reach a little further,
I would reach to the universe to see what else is out there.
I would overlook the earth, observing it all.
Wishing for peace, love, and happiness for all.

….If only I could reach a little further…

Posted: 02.21.20

Feb 21

poem 0 comments challenge: Reach

TristanTheSlumpGod

Reaching

If only I could reach a little further.

Then maybe I could have saved them.

If only I could reach a little further.

I would not be alone.

If only I could reach a little further.

We could all head home.

I had a dream last night.

I was in that place with them.

This time I could reach a little further.

I grabbed their hands and lent a helping one.

I learned I am never alone

Because I can reach

A little

Further.

Posted: 02.21.20

Feb 21

poem 0 comments challenge: Reach

MaryRose Newhall

Farther

If only I could reach a little farther.
As we hop from rocks
Onto broken down trees to cross the noisy river.

Time is frozen.
From the corner of my eye
I can see you struggling,
My head is spinning,

How can I help you?
Two rocks behind me
I can see that the water
is rising
as the rain comes down heavy.
You're stuck.

I stretch my body as much as I can,
I feel like a rubber band about to snap.
You reach out to me
But you’re too far

I panic

As you start to yell
With terror while
The water sweeps you away.
If only I could reach a little farther.

Posted: 02.21.20

Feb 21

poem 0 comments challenge: Reach

fionataylor

Farther

If only I could reach a little farther
the study machine stared back at me,
as if I displeased it.
I kicked the machine, wincing
at the pain that my foot endured.

I pressed the buttons multiple times,
hoping that a miracle would happen
and the package of fruit gummies
would fall into the cubby.

My pasty wallet was filled with
cobwebs and dust as I searched
for coins and cash.
I let out a groin that filled the hallway,
the package staring at me and laughing.

$5 down the drain, as I watched the machine
in disbelief, whispered to myself
“If only I could reach a little farther.”

Posted: 02.21.20

Feb 21

poem 0 comments challenge: Reach

Emerson.K

From Above

If only I could reach

a little farther,

then maybe I could reach

the bottle of water just beyond the ledge.

But I’m not tall and I don't have long arms,

not like Adam,

who’s too clumsy for the height

that makes him a menace

to those around him,

those who have to look out for him

and make sure he doesn’t hurt himself.

But I don’t mind that he’s taller and clumsier,

not really - it just means I have to watch him

closer

to make sure he’s okay.

There’s no one else who will,

not when neither of us have parents

to speak of or a home

outside of each other, and I know

that he does it for me.

Though I’m also sure that,

before he left this morning,

he’s the one

who put my water

just out of reach.

Posted: 02.21.20

Feb 21

poem 0 comments challenge: Reach

jasperj802

The End

The end
If only I could reach a little farther.
My story is coming to an end
And I will never see the climax.
My body is giving up on itself
And slowly I become numb.
My legs.
My eyes.
Almost my eyes.
I look around the hospital room
And see the emotions of my family.
My dad melting into the floor
As if it were his recliner.
My sister who babbles nonsense
And hugs me.

And my mom.
She is strong.
She cries but holds my hand
Firmly.
I can almost feel her grip.

These are my final moments.
I had already said goodbye to everyone
Last night.
I will miss them when I am gone,

But know they will miss me more.
I can’t feel pain and that is kinda nice.
It’s been a week since I have felt much of anything.
Morphine and Fentanyl are pretty strong.

Now as my lungs breathe
Their final breath.
My heart beats once more.

Posted: 02.21.20

Feb 21

poem 0 comments challenge: Reach

forrestd_

If Only

If Only

If only I could reach a little farther

If only they had waited longer

If only they heard me through the thunder

If only I could have been a little stronger
If only I didn’t load that gun

If only he gave me his wallet

If only I hadn’t panicked

If only I ran
If only I studied that night

If only I passed the test

If only I graduated

If only they didn’t kick me out
If only I had some luck

If only I went to church

If only if someone cared

If only
If only I tried harder

If only I didn’t make excuses

If only I cared about anything

If only
If only I was a better person

I wouldn’t be losing blood on the asphalt

If only I wasn’t selfish

I wouldn’t have hurt those around me
If only

If only

If only

Posted: 02.21.20

Feb 21

poem 0 comments challenge: Reach

Charlie Cronin

I will Fall

If only I could reach a little farther
reach the light, the soft clouds and blueberry skies

I reach
And I

Fall

The hallow shadows creep around me
Ready to sink their teeth in,
Draining my hope from my legs up
Coloring my vision a spotty grey

As I reach and grab at nothing

I see the sky,
I could almost taste the silky wind
If only I could reach a little farther

Posted: 02.21.20

Feb 21

poem 0 comments challenge: Reach

Yuki_B

If only I could reach farther

If I had the motivation

The desire

The courage to reach farther
But

   It’s

       Too

           Hard
If only I could take a leap of faith

Take a chance

Not think twice
But

   I

   Think

       Too

Much
My arms stay low

Everything feels so close yet so far

I want what I cannot have

I do not try
If

      Only

   I

       Could

              Reach

                  A

                   Little

                       Further

Posted: 02.21.20

Feb 21

poem 0 comments challenge: Reach

Lydia_blake

a little Farther

If only I could reach a little Farther

I don’t like being stuck here
where I have nowhere to go

I reach out
with all my might
but there is nothing for me to grab on to

If only I could reach a little Farther

my hand is extended out
Into the darkness

I’ve been told
there is nothing on the other side
but I know there is something
there has to be something

I just need to reach a little Farther

Into the darkness
and out into the light
where it will be brighter than here

a little Farther
just a little Farther
I need to reach a little Farther

If only I could reach a little Farther.

Posted: 02.21.20

Responses to this Challenge

Pages