Dear Writers and Readers,

We noticed some less-than-exemplary behavior on Prose today, which forced us to take action against some users. This is a gentle reminder that, while we try to remain as uncensored as possible, some forms of content are simply intolerable. Please note the following passage from our Terms of Service, under Prohibited Content:

Content that is unlawful, libelous, defamatory, obscene, pornographic, indecent, lewd, suggestive, harassing, threatening, abusive, inflammatory, fraudulent or otherwise objectionable, or invasive of privacy or publicity rights;

In today’s case, harassment was the keyword. We have taken steps to punish infringing users, and prevent future infringements. Note that we will not be adjudicating arguments, disagreements, or squabbles between users, unless we deem the language used to be grossly abusive or inflammatory.

1. We have added a report button to all posts. You’ll find the button in the lower-right options menu (indicated by an ellipsis icon) of every post. If you encounter a post that violates the Terms of Service, please report it.

2. We have instituted a temporary posting restriction policy against first-time offenders. If we find that you have been harassing folks, spamming, or posting any other sort of Prohibited Content, you will be prevented from posting, commenting, and sending messages for a minimum of three days. Repeat offenders will be permanently banned.

3. We have added an internal feature to remove offensive posts. Posts that violate our Terms of Service, or that provoke grossly abusive or toxic comment threads, will be marked as such and removed after 24 hours. During that period, commenting on such posts will be disabled.

Refer to Section 10 of our Terms of Service for all forms of Prohibited Content: https://theprose.com/p/legal/terms

Happy Writes,

The Prose Team

Every day for lunch I go to Watermelon's Diner and sit at the same seat, at the same time, for the last six years. After today though I don't think I'll be going back. While waiting for my BLT three hooded men walked in all brandishing weapons. It was disruptive. As they walked by I grabbed the barrel of the first man's shotgun. The first shot demolished the ceiling, the second his partners.

Disarming him the third shot sent him flying through the window.

"Joe, I'll take my sandwich to go, please."

With my sandwich boxed up, I walked out.

Today is the day.

After watching his parents soar through the forests of Early Cretaceous China, this young Microraptor is going to take flight for the first time. He's small, but his feathers have grown. 

Just one jump from one branch to the other. The Microraptor posed himself, mimicking his parents as they glided over to the furthest branch. He first takes a quick look down. It's a long fall.

No going back now. 

The perfect breeze blows through the forest. He launched forward. His feathers spread out. He felt the wind carry him over like a graceful leave flowing.

An Autumn Afternoon: Anna ascended Alberta Avenue. Anna's airy aura almost agitated aggressive Adienne, always attacking anyone as appealing and aspirational as Alex; an acquaintance ages ago. As Anna approached, Adienne automatically abandoned all agitation, and admittedly adored Anna.

"An Angel?" Adienne Asked as Anna Allured and ascended aimlessly and airily, atop an autumn adorn avenue.

© 2017 Nokulunga Mazibuko

There's always that one friend who sticks to the group like a discount sticker on a used book, and who is tolerated by necessity because any removal might leave behind a sticky residue. Among Skye, Keith, and Kim, this was Lames, whose Mom had long admitted to being high when she tried to write "James" on his birth certificate. When Skye, Keith, and Kim came upon the Cube, without hesitation they excluded Lames from the Pact. And they didn't care years later when, at Lames's 89th birthday, he glared bitterly at their youthful bodies. They could wait a little longer.