Every Friday, writers from around the globe join to write tiny tales in response to a photo prompt posted on Rochelle’s blog.
It takes discipline to write a piece using only 100 words!
This week’s photo prompt has been supplied by John Nixon
Joanna’s story ~ The Curse of the Curving Trees
We reach for the sky, arms tearing through the rigid surface of the planet. We need sunlight, air, the sustenance of rain. We drive our way through, demanding life.
We force the shell of the planet to yield.
Yet no matter how we strive for our freedom, for life above ground, our bodies and legs remain imprisoned in the darkness, the silence.
We signal one another, to ease the loneliness, the pain. We sigh, and we cry, and we breathe.
And we wait.
One day, this curse will snap free.
One day, we will again walk the Earth as giants.
[100 words]
~~~
Ron’s story ~ On Wing and Time
Those long, spiking arms reach up to me, their greening tips offer welcome.
Grey brown fingers crossing, click quietly in my supporting air.
Soon those bursting ends will nourish them, bringing me food and sanctuary:
My rest, my roost, where I hide my perch and knit a home of their discards.
Things move amongst their thickening bases, rarely glimpsing me soar.
Lives following different courses in different planes in the same space; rarely touching,
Save the knowing few who befriend my kind, us travellers on wing and time.
They exchange their protection and grounding and drift through eternity.
[98 words]
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The tales written by other writers who’ve taken part this week can be found by clicking the blue frog below.
Our earlier stories can be found here and on our old blog.
Hope you enjoyed these tiny tales! If you like writing and want to take part in Fictioneers, please visit Rochelle’s blog for the “how to” guide. 🙂
Oh, and if you’d like to connect with us on Twitter, we are @LazuliPortals. 🙂
Both of them very powerful pieces. I’ve missed your input in recent weeks.
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Thanks so much, Sandra! What a lovely thing to say. 🙂
We aim for once a month or so at the moment, but we might have to take a break when we start building towards the next book launch….!
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Lovely imagery…both.
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Thank you!
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One day this curse will snap free? I’m not going into any forests, national parks, or rich guy’s back yards for the foreseeable future!
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That might be wise, Perry! Even gentle giants can’t always see where they’re walking. 😉 Thanks for visiting.
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I agree that it’s been too long since the two of you wove your beautifully-worded webs. Don’t make strangers of yourselves.
janet
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Thanks, Janet – we won’t! We’ll be regulars . . . just not every week or every fortnight. 😉 Thanks for stopping by, it’s good to see you.
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Both stories are awesome! The imagery is spot on and your words flow as unexpected as the wind does through the woods! VERY good indeed! Nan 🙂
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Thanks so much, Nan! Please come again lol 😉
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The two of you were very much in sync it seems this week. Hmmmm…now what does THAT mean? 😉
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LOL! It helps to be in tune when you write novels and stories together!
Thanks for reading and commenting, and for your reply to mine on your story. 🙂 Welcome here anytime!
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🙂
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Dear Joanna (and Ron),
Beautiful words and imagery in both stories. It’s good to see you here.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks, Rochelle! It’s always good to return to the Fictioneers gang 🙂
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Such poetic imagery.. Loved them both.. smooth as silk … and yes I have missed you both too..
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Thank you, Bjorn 🙂 What a lot of nice warm fuzzies from you all this week!
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Love these! I’ve been intrigued by the notion of trees as frozen souls ever since Lord of the Rings. Great stories!
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Hi Nicky! So pleased you do! I’d forgotten about the LotR reference; I just thought it’d be interesting to get into the soul of a tree and see what it had to say! Thanks for visiting. x
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Like both of these. Joanna’s is particularly – the lonely signalling as waiting. Ron’s descriptions are very vivid and pull the reader in.
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Thank you, Sarah Ann, I’m glad you enjoyed them.
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What I really like about your pieces is always the contrasting points of view, I think it’s what makes your longer books much more interesting too 🙂
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Hi Linda! I love it when Ron chooses to write a counterpoint in the flash fiction, too, and I’m pleased you enjoy those dovetailings!
Thank you; I’m glad the co-authoring has given the novels a little extra ‘something’.
Good to see you here again, don’t be a stranger! 😉
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It’s been a little ‘busy’ over the last few months, but I’m almost at the end of two very big projects ….. so will be up and active again soon hopefully. 🙂
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It sounds a very rewarding time 🙂
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I just read the first story – very powerful and such a great sense of voice and purpose. When they walk as giants, I wonder how they will feel about us puny plunderers?
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Thanks Jennifer, I’m glad you enjoyed the tale. 🙂 How, indeed….!
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