5852. Writing flash memoir. Filial love

 Writing magazine Dec 2025. 
Real Life Great Stories. Short and Sweet. Jenny Alexander. 
Writing flash memoir and prose poetry.
 

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This write up focuses only on flash memoir writing. 

A flash memoir is a short story from your own life, 500 words or fewer.
No room for complicated plotting and exposition but story must deliver  CHANGE POINT.

The reader has a glimpse of how things have been and how they are changed because of what happens in the story.

TRY THIS

Think of an incident in your life that made you change your mind in some way or take some kind of action. No need be a big thing - maybe you experienced a moment of joy in nature when the world was feeling bleak, or somebody said something kind or mean or you tried something new.

Write on sentence for each of the following:     
1. What happened? The story.
2. How did it feel? The physical settings, using your senses.
3. How did it feel emotionally? How did those emotions feel in your body?
4. What did you learn? What changed for you because this happened?
 

Write the story in 500 words, then in 100 words and finally in 50.

Then take one of your flash pieces and create a narrative prose poem from it, redrafting it to tell the story using poetic devices and language.  

Finally, visualise the little story as a film, pause it at a key point and picture the still. Focus in on ONE object or character, describe that and allow your thought to develop as it will.

Or take several objects and describe the scene using those.

Write a reflection - how did it feel to distil a scene from your full-length memoir right down to 500 words or fewer in flash memoir and then to a fragment in a prose poem? 

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 Think of an incident in your life that made you change your mind in some way or take some kind of action. No need be a big thing - maybe you experienced a moment of joy in nature when the world was feeling bleak, or somebody said something kind or mean or you tried something new.

Write on sentence for each of the following:     
1. What happened? The story.
2. How did it feel? The physical settings, using your senses.
3. How did it feel emotionally? How did those emotions feel in your body?
4. What did you learn? What changed for you because this happened?
 

 The 77-year-old mother. Widow. 2 busy working adult children.
Loved cloudscapes. Sunrises. sunsets. 
One day, central vision looks blurry or black.
Adult daughter concerned. Immediately see private specialist. Mount Elizabeth.
 Wet macular eye degeneration. Private hospital. NO waiting unlike SGH.

Daughter seeks private specialist. 

Treated. Repeat injections. Lunch.

Ship cruise with mother. Sunrise. clouds. 

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 1. An 80-year-old frail-looking widow and mother stays home alone. She is a Chinese woman, thin and medium height living in Singapore. Two adult Chinese children in their 40s are busy working.  She photographs cloudscapes especially sunrises, by herself now. Her husband who also loved photography had passed away.

2. One morning, she saw dark spots and blurry areas in the centre of the cloudscapes and sunrises. Her 40-year-old daughter Abigail quickly checked her into a private hospital eye specialist. "Why not consult the government hospital eye specialist?"  I asked her. "No, no," she told me, eyes seriously. "She will not be seen or treated immediately. She will be blind due to the delay."

3. In the private hospital, she was treated and recovered her vision. Her daughter visited her. 
 

 

4.  An adult 40-year-old daughter and her 80-year-old frail looking mother are on the deck on the side of the cruise ship appreciating the beauty of the sun set over the green sea.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WET MACULAR DEGENERATION

 blurred, distorted, or lost central vision

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Cumulus clouds

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pre-sunrise atmosphere

 

 

 

 

 

How did it feel? The physical settings using your senses.

The sea breeze - salty taste
ship motion ?

wake?
NO blurring of central vision
Sunrise 

 

 

 

 

 

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Gemini AI video generating  

 

Create a video of the sunset over the green ocean in the Straits of Malacca, Malaysia. Sun set sky has orange, blue and pink tones with white cumulus clouds. Ripples seen on the side of the deck of the large cruise ship which has 20 stories of cabins. A distant ship is seen in the horizon. An adult 40-year-old daughter and her 80-year-old frail looking mother are on the deck on the side of the cruise ship appreciating the beauty of the sun set over the green sea.

 

 

 

 

 

 REFERENCE:
pika - 2 videos

 Pika 2.2 AI video generation platform

chatsgpt - diagram Wet macular eye degeneration

5851. Macular eye degeneration

 Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a common, progressive eye disease damaging the macula, causing blurred, distorted, or lost central vision, particularly in people over 50. It has two types: dry (common, slow-progressing) and wet (severe, rapid leaking). Early detection via dilated eye exams is critical to managing symptoms. 

 

 

Key Symptoms

• Blurred Central Vision: A dim or blurry spot in the center of vision that may enlarge.
• Distorted Lines: Straight lines appear wavy, bent, or broken (metamorphopsia).
• Reduced Color Vividness: Difficulty distinguishing colors, especially dark from dark or light from light.
• Dark Spots/Blind Spots: A dark or empty patch in the center of the field of vision.
• Slow Recovery: Difficulty adjusting to low light or bright light. 

Causes & Risk Factors

• Age: Primarily affects people over 50.
• Genetics: A family history increases risk.
• Lifestyle: Smoking, obesity, and diets high in saturated fat.
• Health Conditions: Cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure (hypertension), and high cholesterol. 

Prognosis & Treatment

• Prognosis: While it causes significant, irreversible loss of central vision, it rarely leads to complete blindness. Early detection helps maintain quality of life.
• Dry AMD Treatment: No cure, but specialized nutritional supplements (AREDS2 formula) can slow progression.
• Wet AMD Treatment: Includes anti-VEGF injections to stop abnormal blood vessel growth/leaking, and photodynamic therapy. 

Diagnosis

• Dilated Eye Exam: A comprehensive check to view the retina and macula for drusen (yellow deposits).
• Amsler Grid: A test to detect wavy or missing lines in central vision. 
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•  Macular degeneration affects your macula, the central part of your retina. Your retina is in the back of your eye and controls central vision. People with macular degeneration aren’t completely blind. Their peripheral vision (ability to see things off to the sides) is fine.
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  What are the types of macular degeneration?

  There are two types of macular degeneration: dry and wet.

  Dry (atrophic) macular degeneration

  Nearly 90% of people with macular degeneration have the dry form. It develops when tiny yellow protein deposits called drusen form under your macula. The built-up deposits dry and thin your macula.

   

   

  Medications to treat wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD)

  There are drugs that treat but don’t cure wet AMD. They include anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) injections. They block the production of VEGF, which is a protein that produces new blood vessels. Your provider, generally a retina specialist, will numb your eye before giving you a shot into the vitreous (intravitreal injections). Anti-VEGF shots can sometimes improve your vision.

   

   

  When should I call my healthcare provider?

  You should call your healthcare provider if you have macular degeneration and experience:

• Painful eye inflammation (iritis or uveitis) and sensitivity to light (photophobia).
• A feeling of pressure behind your eye.
• Eye floaters or flashers.

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5850. Filial love. Dream Cruise

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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 SINGAPORE - 8 SEP 2023: Cumulus clouds float over the blue ocean as viewed from a cruise ship outside Singapore waters. They are tall puffy cotton-like clouds with cauliflower tops and flat bases. They are formed close to less than 6,000 feet from the ground level and are usually called "fair-weather" clouds. Image was taken by Shan using her iPhone 13 Pro Max.

 

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Filial love is the deep, natural, and often instinctual affection, respect, and devotion a child feels for his or her parent(s). It represents the bond between generations, encompassing care, gratitude, and obedience (filial piety). It is distinct from romantic or friendship love, focusing on loyalty and familial duty. 

Key aspects of filial love include:

• Definition: The loving, caring, and compassionate bond a child has for their parents.
• Duty and Respect: Often associated with "filial piety" (especially in Confucian traditions), it includes honoring, obeying, and caring for parents, particularly in their old age.
• Nature: Considered a natural, unconditional, or instinctual bond of blood and affection.
• Context: It is commonly used in discussions about family dynamics, moral duty, and, in Christian contexts, the devotion between believers and God.
• Synonyms: Parental affection, devotion to parents, child's love, respect for parents
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•  Create a video to show filial love. An adult Chinese daughter brings her aged mother to consult a doctor for eye surgery in Singapore

 

 

Here is a simple cinematic concept and script you can use to create a video about filial love (孝顺) in Singapore. It is designed for a 1–2 minute emotional short film.

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🎬 Video Title

“Clearer Tomorrow”

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Scene 1 — Early Morning Care

Location: Small HDB apartment in Singapore

Visuals

• Soft morning light through the window.

• An elderly mother squints while trying to thread a needle or read a letter.

• Her daughter gently notices and looks concerned.

Dialogue
Mother (softly):
“My eyes… they are getting worse.”

Daughter:
“Don’t worry, Mum. I’ll bring you to see a doctor today.”

Emotion: Concern, tenderness.

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Scene 2 — Journey to the Clinic

Location: Bus / MRT ride through the city

Visuals

• Daughter holding her mother’s arm carefully.

• Mother slowly walking down HDB corridor.

• They travel on the train with Singapore skyline outside.

Possible landmark establishing shot:
Singapore General Hospital

Emotion: Quiet devotion.

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Scene 3 — Consultation

Location: Eye clinic

Visuals

• Doctor explaining eye condition with a model of the eye.

• Daughter listening attentively and asking questions.

• Mother slightly nervous.

Possible condition mentioned:
Cataract

Dialogue
Doctor:
“The surgery is simple. It will help your mother see clearly again.”

Daughter:
“Please do whatever is best for her.”

Mother looks at daughter gratefully.

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Scene 4 — After Surgery

Location: Hospital recovery area

Visuals

• Mother slowly opens her eyes after surgery.

• Daughter sits beside her holding her hand.

Mother smiles.

Mother:
“I can see you clearly now.”

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Scene 5 — Emotional Ending

Location: Park or waterfront in Singapore

Possible location:
Gardens by the Bay

Visuals

• Mother walking slowly with daughter in the garden.

• Bright flowers and sunlight.

• Mother looking around in wonder.

Mother:
“The world looks beautiful again.”

Daughter (smiling):
“You deserve to see it.”

Final shot

• Daughter supporting mother as they walk away together.

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Closing Text on Screen

“Filial love is seeing the world through your parents’ eyes.”

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✅ If you'd like, I can also help you with:

• A detailed shot list for filming

• AI prompts to generate the video (for tools like Sora, Runway, or Pika)

• A storyboard with images

• Chinese dialogue version for authenticity.

   

   

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   Create a 60–90 second cinematic short film about filial love in Singapore.
  
  The story follows an adult Chinese daughter in her 30s caring for her elderly mother who has poor eyesight. The film should feel emotional, gentle, and realistic, emphasizing love, family responsibility, and compassion.
  
  Scene 1 – Early Morning
  Inside a small Singapore HDB apartment in the early morning. Soft sunlight enters through the window. An elderly Chinese mother with grey hair and kind wrinkles struggles to read a small letter, squinting because her eyesight is failing. Her adult daughter notices and looks worried. The daughter gently kneels beside her mother and reassures her.
  
  Scene 2 – Leaving Home
  In the HDB corridor, the daughter supports her mother while walking slowly toward the elevator. The daughter carefully holds her mother's arm. The corridor is bright with natural morning light and feels very Singaporean.
  
  Scene 3 – Traveling in Singapore
  Inside a modern MRT train. The daughter sits beside her elderly mother and holds her hand reassuringly. The mother looks slightly anxious. Outside the window, glimpses of Singapore’s city skyline and urban scenery pass by.
  
  Scene 4 – Hospital Consultation
  Inside a modern hospital consultation room in Singapore. A doctor explains an eye surgery procedure using a medical eye model. The elderly mother looks nervous. The daughter listens carefully and asks questions, showing concern and responsibility.
  
  Scene 5 – After Surgery
  Inside a hospital recovery room. The elderly mother slowly opens her eyes after eye surgery and looks at her daughter sitting beside her. The mother smiles with relief because she can see clearly again. The daughter gently holds her hand and smiles back.
  
  Scene 6 – Emotional Ending
  A beautiful sunny afternoon in a lush garden park in Singapore. The daughter walks slowly beside her elderly mother among colorful flowers and greenery. The mother looks around in amazement and joy because she can see the world clearly again. They smile at each other and walk together peacefully.
  
  Final shot: the daughter supporting her mother as they walk along the path into warm golden sunlight.
  
  Style:
  photorealistic cinematic film, emotional storytelling, Asian family, natural acting, shallow depth of field, soft lighting, warm colors, gentle camera movement, slow tracking shots, realistic Singapore environment, high detail, 4K resolution, 9:16 aspect ratio, subtle emotional music atmosphere

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    Create a 20-second cinematic short film about filial love in Singapore.
  
  The story follows an adult Chinese daughter in her 30s caring for her elderly mother who has poor eyesight. The film should feel emotional, gentle, and realistic, emphasizing love, family responsibility, and compassion.

  
  Scene 1 – After Surgery
  Inside a hospital recovery room. The elderly mother slowly opens her eyes after eye surgery and looks at her daughter sitting beside her. The mother smiles with relief because she can see clearly again. The daughter gently holds her hand and smiles back.
  
  Scene 2 – Emotional Ending
  A beautiful sunny afternoon in a lush garden park in Singapore. The daughter walks slowly beside her elderly mother among colorful flowers and greenery. The mother looks around in amazement and joy because she can see the world clearly again. They smile at each other and walk together peacefully.
  
  Final shot: the daughter supporting her mother as they walk along the path into warm golden sunlight.
  
  Style:
  photorealistic cinematic film, emotional storytelling, Asian family, natural acting, shallow depth of field, soft lighting, warm colors, gentle camera movement, slow tracking shots, realistic Singapore environment, high detail, 4K resolution, 9:16 aspect ratio, subtle emotional music atmosphere

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   Gemini AI

   Create an image of the sunset over the green ocean in the Straits of Malacca, Malaysia. Sun set sky has orange, blue and pink tones with white cumulus clouds. Ripples seen on the side of the deck of the cruise ship. A distant ship is seen in the horizon.

   

  
  
  
  
  
   

   

   

   

   

   

  • Be Specific: Describe scenes, actions, and camera movements in detail
  • • Set the Scene: Include lighting, time of day, and environment details
  • • Use Action Words: Words like "zooming", "panning", "tracking" help guide camera work
  • • Image-to-Video: Upload clear, high-quality reference images for best results
  • • Aspect Ratio: Choose 16:9 for landscape or 9:16 for portrait/mobile content