A Fifth of Times (Found in the 31 weekly editions of A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens)

the stain of it would be red

to justify much national boasting

Death was a recipe much in vogue

squeezed the innocent

conceived the luminous idea

ferret out the nature

of his danger.

I shall not go

the head was lifted for another moment

tranquil bark in such an anchorage

vulgar embarrassments

laid for two,

brightness

mid-day.

my friend;

"it's a buryin'."

They had said little

whispering at his side.

fast-spreading murmur

sounds of sorrow

scattered far and wide.

cruel fingers at his hungry mouth

mouths

like strong root-ivy.

dread experiences

moment,

a similar short pause

a blessing on my love.

asked some question.

one.

this was at first.

[Method – began 5th day of the month so chose 5th paragraph, 1st sentence of each of the weekly editions of A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens, giving 31 sentences. If no 5th paragraph, then 5th sentence of the piece. 747 words. Cut to leave 1/5th of the words - 149. Each sentence must remain alone. Play. 31 lines.]

Writing by LISETTE AUTON

Artwork by LISA VIGOUR