AFTER THE MOMENT

Challenge theme: After The Moment Not the argument, not the confession, not the goodbye — but what follows. This challenge focuses on the quiet aftermath of something significant. It might be the stillness in a room, a lingering thought, a small action that carries weight, or the slow realisation of what has changed. Write about what remains once the moment has passed. Form: Epistolary poem (letter form) An epistolary poem is written as a letter. It can be addressed to anyone — a person, a past or future self, an object, a place, or something abstract. It should feel like it is meant for someone, even if it is never sent. Tone and voice matter more than strict structure. Keep it under 200 words. Example: Dear friend, The cup is still on the table where you left it — tea gone cold, a thin skin across the top. I thought I would move it, wipe the ring it made, put everything back where it belongs. Instead, I’ve left it there all afternoon, as if the shape of your absence might settle into something I can keep. I don’t know what comes next. Only that the room is quieter than it should be, and I am learning how to sit inside it. — me