The Unicorn Challenge.
A magical new weekly writing opportunity from her – Jenne Gray – and me.
Visit her blog every Friday to see the photo prompt, and post your amazing story in her comments section.
Or on your own blog, and stick the link down in her comments.
The rules are:
Maximum of 250 words.
Based on photo prompt.
That’s it.
To hear me read my story, just click here:
Market Day
26 April 1937
It is market day in the small town.
Women go about their shopping in bright afternoon sunshine.
Children play in the quiet streets.
At first the drone from the sky raises no more than mild curiosity.
Aircraft flying overhead is not a new sight in this increasingly troubled region.
Then there is a growing awareness that something is different.
The planes are circling, coming back lower.
The first bombs fall.
People stare at the sky, transfixed by terror, as buildings are shattered around them.
Wave after wave of concentrated bombing reduces homes, shops and churches to rubble.
As mothers run searching for their children, and shocked men emerge from workplaces, they realise that they are in the midst of a living nightmare.
But now it gets worse.
Incendiary bombs tumble from the heavens, and fires break out everywhere.
Then the strafing begins.
Low-flying aircraft use machine guns to butcher the panic-stricken hordes fleeing the mayhem.
The blitzkrieg is born.
Pablo Picasso screamed his outrage at this atrocity in one of the Twentieth Century’s iconic masterpieces.
Guernica.
In 19_ _ ( not telling) as a sophomore at university, I decided to take an art history course. No reason just needed an elective – maybe an easy A. Turned out to be the hardest course but the most memorable one. Thank goodness a sorority sister pulled me through with a C.
I learned so much about the history of the world listening to the lectures about great artists and their works. Guernica was one of them. I don’t remember all the details but it certainly left an impression.
My deal LadySighs, I appear to have overlooked your comment here, so I apologise humbly.
Guernica is certainly an extraordinary work of art, but I’m actually more intrigued at the thought of you as an art student.
If only…
I only took the course as an elective and the info I learned did stay with me. No, I was never an art student and never was a model for any artist … but only because I was never asked. 😉 If only…
You as a model?
You temptress!
Can I ask now?
Sure. But be careful what you ask for. You’ll just get More of Me.
https://pcloscloud.com/index.php/s/LcL4WG7z2t5Cmd5
Beautiful. Just beautiful.
If only…
And tho we may never meet
Each time to me you give a tweet
As an answer short and sweet
From me you’ll receive a pps treat
I pray you don’t overheat
That ought to keep you quiet. 🙂
Not a student of anything. Just a dabbler and create for myself. Most never see the daylight. Below is pps of Starry Starry Night. Who isn’t in awe of the artist Van Gogh?
https://pcloscloud.com/index.php/s/3FgYopN6E9tZ59w
Maybe you overlooked the other one I sent you?
That is beautiful beyond words, the images, the lyrics, and the voice.
Thank you.
An incredibly graphic piece C.E. I wasn’t aware of Guernica ’til now. What a remarkable work of art it is.
Cheers, Keith.
Sorry I seem to have overlooked this comment last week.
Well, you and Jenne have both got a case of the glums this week. Powerful piece. I had a print of ‘Guernica’ on my wall throughout my student radical days. They were a Tuesday and a Wednesday as I recall. 😉
Landmark of the 20th Century, Doug.
I’m deeply impressed at your dedication to study!
Who would have thought that Guernica could also be conveyed in words?
Powerful piece that says it all – the horror of war.
Thank you for this story.
Thanks, Jenne, it’s one of those events that was a turning point, one that changed the world.
Glad it spoke to you.
Chilling, CE.
Noir ink as you mark the anniversary of Guernica.
Stunning piece today. 🖤
https://youtu.be/TKHAOTjNZoQ?si=utNj94sQ69GktJ_R
Thanks, Nancy, and how could I have forgotten this song? Just brilliant, thank you.
Most welcome. I have my moments, CE!
Horrific, CE. 😳
Not the writing, obviously.
This is the first time I’ve heard of ‘Guernica’, it’s really quite striking… as are your words.
Thanks, Tom.
It’s worth doing a bit of research on Guernica, a truly horrendous launch-pad for so much ensuing murder and horror.