Ever think about how many times we use the word “If” in a day? Although some more than others, we use “if” in a variety of ways. Well, it took an exchange with Marc (@Sorryless) initiate this idea – the If Challenge.
The Basics
- Write a post featuring If as the theme.
- Publish the post after I post mine.
- Link to my If Challenge post (NOT this page).
The Details
- An If post can be in any form: a short story, a poem, an artistic impression, a commentary, and more. You choose the format.
- At the end of your post, mention the If Challenge and encourage your readers to read more If Challenge posts that will be linked in the comments on my post. NOTE: Link to my post, NOT this page.
- If you choose, you may display the If Challenge badge.
- I will probably post my If post on Tuesday 6 February 2018 at 9:00 PM (Eastern US).
Here is my response to the challenge.
If by John W. Howell © 2018
“If I tell you a secret, can you keep it?”
“If I tell you I can, will you believe me?”
“If I tell you I believe you, will you believe me?”
“If I tell you I believe you, will you believe me?”
“If I tell you ‘yes,’ will you believe me?”
“If I say ‘yes,’ will you tell me the secret?”
“If I say ‘yes,’ will you believe me?”
“If you say ‘yes,’ I will believe you.”
“If you say ‘yes,’ I will tell you the secret.”
“If I say ‘yes,’ you will tell me the secret?”
“Yes.”
“Yes.”
If you would like to read other contributions go to:
https://afrankangle.wordpress.com/2018/02/06/on-if/
Fiction Favorites 
At least as I start my response, I’m the first to comment … woo hoo .. probably a first for me here!
I like the style because it emphasizes IF. ,,, and it reminds me of the number of people who can’t keep a secret. I can’t stand it when someone starts a sentence with, “Don’t tell ___ I told you, but …” …. I can’t them off with, “Then don’t tell me!”
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Ha ha ha. This is what I was thinking as well. The additional step of both parties trying to verify if their word was good was the fault of you know who. Thanks, Frank.
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Cheers to like minds!
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Avoiding the old saw “fools seldom differ.”
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PS: … and thanks for participating!
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Always a pleasure. 😀
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I will be thinking about the word if today and how it adds that question. Fun was to express it:)
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Thanks, Denise. I have it in my brain too. *shakes head. Hears rattle.
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One of my Favorite songs::(No doubt written for our laptops!!!) 🙂
‘IF’
If they made me a king I’d be but a slave to you
If I had everything I’d still be a slave to you
If I ruled the night, stars and moon so bright
Still I’d turn for light to you
If the world to me bowed yet humbly I’d flee to you
If my friends were a crowd I’d turn in my need to you
If I ruled the earth what would life be worth
If I hadn’t the right to you
If I ruled the night, stars and moon so bright
Still I’d turn for light to you
If the world to me bowed yet humbly I’d flee to you
If my friends were a crowd I’d turn in my need to you
If I ruled the earth what would life be worth
If I hadn’t the right to you
(Sung by ‘Ole Blue Eyes’ and many others – even, me, while driving, writing or taking a shower!)
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The shower image is one I will need to get over. I agree a great song. thanks, Billy Ray.
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I’m still trying to get over it! 🙂
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Ha ha ha.
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And now I’ll be singing this all day. Thanks, John.
Nice work on your take, btw.
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Thanks for the Bread song. *Pounds head with a hammer to get it gone. 😀
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Maybe I should look into the hammer-method…
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It does feel good when you stop.
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🙂
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Well done, good sir!
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Ahhh … soo many questions for us to ponder when we think of the tiny little word ‘If’.
I enjoyed where you took the challenge, John. A bit of an unusual challenge considering the word.
Hope you enjoy my interpretation.
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Oopppsss … forgot to leave my url … too focused on the ‘If’s’.
Isadora 😎
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I hope you left it with Frank. It is good message.
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Yes, I did leave it on aFrank’s blog. Thanks for the reminder though. You now how powerful ‘If’ is. ~~~ : – )
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🙂
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I’m with Staci, hearing the song “If” by Bread running through my head.
If I tell you how much I liked your post will you believe me? 😉
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If I tell you I’ll believe what you tell me, will you tell me?
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Somehow I just KNEW you’d come back with that–which proves my thought: I LOVED it 😀
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Ha ha ha. So much fun. Thanks, Mae.
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I regularly make notes at work with IF in them. (Stands for Idaho Falls.)
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So lucky to have a real IF.
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Looks as if these two don’t really trust each other. I’d be wary of telling anybody a secret — they might get it wrong, and where would you be then?!
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I think you are right. 😀
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This is the kind of conversation I can imagine having with my second child. Seriously. Great head-banger 🙂
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Thank you, Jane. Thanks for the visit as well.
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🙂
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🙂
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That was very nice, I enjoyed it! =)
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Makes me think of a conversation with HR…
Well done, John. Hugs.
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LOL. “So Teagan If I say you can have a bigger work space will you stop throwing hand grenades at the staff?” “Will you believe me if I say yes?” “Will you believe me if I tell you I believe you?”
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LOL, best not put that idea in my head, John. 🙂
TGIF hugs
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TGIF to you as well. 🙂
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A fun take on the prompt.
The Beatles, “Do You Want to Know a Secret?” went through my head. 🙂
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Do you promise not to tell? Thanks, Merril. Now I have it in my head.
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😉
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Closer. Okay I’ll stop now. 😀
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If I said I adore your poem
Would you believe me?
Well, I do!
So there…if! LOL!
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If I said I believe that you adore my poem, would you believe me? Ha ha ha.
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Yes! Lol!
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LOL. Thanks.
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Loved your head-spinning poem, John, and this sounds fun. I may try it IF…I can get my act together. 🙂 And that song took me back to yesterday. 🎼
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Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. That song?
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That, too. 😊
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😀
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Excellent poem for franks challenge. This ‘If’ poem flows like a song. Beautifully well done. 🙂 I too, have done franks’ ‘If’ challenge if you care to stop by and laugh.
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Thanks, Charlie. Going now.
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You welcome, John. 🙂
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Been there. It’s terrific.
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Thank you, John. I will reply in a second. It’s always good to read new poets. 🙂 I will follow your page now. 🙂
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Thanks
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🙂
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I do believe this is the first poetry I’ve seen from you, John. I love it. You did a great job.
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Thank you, Jan. You make me blush
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[…] https://johnwhowell.com/2018/02/07/the-if-challenge-a-prompt-by-a-frank-angle/ “If I tell you a secret, can you keep it?” […]
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Thank you, Traci. 😀
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