Friday Fictioneers is hosted by the wonderful Rochelle, the undisputed master of what I call Sound Bite Fiction.
She sets the weekly challenge, the standard, and the prompt photo.
The idea, as always, is to write a story of around 100 words based on the picture below, which this week is one of my own.
© C. E. Ayr
Click here to hear the author read his words:
Pictures
I see pictures.
Inside my head, vivid and alive.
They can be memories, dreams, wishes.
I am with my grandson, in the park, hunting dragons.
I watch myself dancing with someone who once loved me.
I’m back in my homeland, on the braes of Bonnie Doon.
Flakes of happiness.
But recently the pictures are different.
They are still real.
But they are more mundane.
And, somehow, deep down, I know they are showing me the future.
I see my apartment.
There is the breadboard, dishes in the drying rack, my bed, unmade.
But something’s missing.
I no longer see me.
C.E.
I love your poetic audio rendition. And I’m a big fan of all your audios.
This is so evocative and beautifully told.
After all memories are all we have. 🙂
https://natashamusing.com/2020/05/a-star-is-born-fridayfictioneers-fridayfotofiction/
What a great comment to start my day!
Thank you, Natasha.
And, if you enjoy the audios, please check out my YouTube offerings:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1VzeyCgI56mxrlkvVIlwcg/
Likes and comments always appreciated!
Definitely will, C.E.
Have a splendid day ahead!
Lovely imagery and then a bitter end. Well written
Thanks, Michael, much appreciated
This is beautiful. I feel it resonating in these times of solitude.
Thank you, Sascha, I think we are all a bit more introspective at this time
Wistfully done.
I’m a wistful kind of guy sometimes, Dawn…
This was profound and very well carved.
Seeing ahead is a double edge sword, isn’t it?
Indeed so, Na’ama, I think most of us prefer not to know what lies ahead.
And thank you.
I don’t mind knowing a LITTLE of what comes ahead … 😉
Powerful piece! It seems as if he viewed the future just after he passes away. As all his personal effects are still there.
Thank you, Fatima, for your kind words and for taking the time to comment so thoughtfully
A great piece on reflection, where the past seems to have drifted away. It’s like standing at the station with a single ticket to nowhere and being left wondering which train can take you home. this is the point you wished you had bought a return ticket.
Thanks for the thoughtful comment, James, glad that so few words triggered such depth of consideration
The changes that come with age. Nice piece!
Thank you, Ali.
Sometimes it can seem that memories are all we have.
Very thoughtful.
Thank you, Trish
sometimes the past is worth remembering after time has smoothened is rough edges.
Very true, Plaridel, memories tend to be rose-coloured
You have, indeed, outdone yourself. This is a little work of art.
You are very kind, Alicia, and your comments elsewhere are equally appreciated.
I am slightly overwhelmed at the impact of such a short piece.
Thank you
This is a powerful piece of writing.
Thank you, Mike, glad it reached you
It is difficult to imagine a future without–well, US in it :). This is quite poetic, CE.
It is, indeed, Linda, we tend to struggle with concepts of other people’s lives when we are not involved.
And one of my alter egos pretends to be a poet…
Beautifully done. ‘Flakes of happiness’ is so evocative. You surpassed yourself this week.
That was my favorite line, too!
I do pretend to be a poet too!
Thank you, Sandra.
I was going to say that is the benefit of setting the bar low, but that would be churlish in response to such kind, encouraging words.
That was poignant and depressing. I’m gonna go hunt dragons while I still can.
Happy hunting, but don’t hurt the dragons!
Gripping, as usual. I love the audio.
Ronda
Thank you, Ronda, I am especially pleased when a reader is also a listener.
You might enjoy this video/reading of my work:
Ah no, the next one!
Unfortunately all the joy must be accompanied by some sorrow
Indeed, Larry, life’s rich cycle
Great story CE, and capable of being understood in so many different ways. There are some lovely images, especially you hunting dragons with your grandson. Flakes of happiness is delightful, too.
Hunting dragons! Yes!
And mammoths in trees!
Thanks, Penny, it is just a view of changing times and growing old with fond memories and inevitable doubts.
I am happy you found so much to enjoy.
You got me with that last line, CE, brilliant.
Thanks, Liz, ‘brilliant’ makes me happy!
This was brilliant, CE. You really got me with that last line, which is a sign of a killer flash.
Wouldn’t it be a terrible realization or premonition? My question is, does he have the power to change the end? Is it time for him to quickly quit smoking, lose weight and join the gym? Is there hope? Indeed, perhaps he should get hold of some hydroxychloroquine? It might just save the day after all.
Best wishes,
Rowena
Laughing.
First of all, thank you, I am happy you enjoyed.
Secondly, your barrage of questions is longer than my story!
Hugs and thanks
Ha! Curiosity might’ve killed the cat, but I’m still going!
I have many photos that were important back then, now they don’t seem at all like I remember them. You really touched a nerve, CE. I liked the grandson line, too.
Five out of five Kodak moments. 🙂
Times change, Kent, and people change too.
Five out of five faded snapshots for your comment.
It started out on such a positive note, then slowly became melancholic. Well done.
A bit like life, eh, Keith?
Mmmm…
I guess that is how life after death would be like. That was a poetic transition.
Glad you enjoyed, Ms JJ
Wonderful, thought provoking imagery. Very well written!
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
Thank you, Susan, this is all a writer can ask for in such a short piece
I gasped at your last line. The terminology “flakes of happiness’ is nice.
Thank you, Reena, ‘gasped’ is good!
Dear CE,
I loved the image of you chasing dragons in the park with your grandson. The latter half is heartrending. Well done, sir. Very well done indeed.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Thank you, m’lady, I did try to capture life’s highs and lows before the inevitable finale.
Downbeat and depressing. Such is life. Expertly done.
Thanks, Iain. Sometimes it gets this way, I guess.
Powerful and punchy lines. It’s almost poetic. Well written, CE.
Thanks, Varad, very kind of you.
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Moving.
Soothsayer’s words.
This will come in everyone’s life. Loved ones and we will no longer be around. We are guests here on Earth. As the soul never dies, it’s time for another birth!
Thanks, Anita. I don’t share your belief system, but it is certainly a nice thought.
Powerful words. It starts with a punch, ends with a bang.
Thank you, Tannille, glad it worked for you
I loved that last line.
Thanks, Neil, I guess 1 out of 15 isn’t too bad!