Tag Archives: #FridayFictioneers

Friday Fictioneers – la belle France

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Photo Prompt Sandra Crook

Photo prompt @ Sandra Crook

So incongruous.

To finally make it to France and yet, not how I imagined it.

Romance, history, tragedy. Architecture. Hot blooded and glorious men.

So far, the airport. Escape via industry. Hop onto the freeway.

Wrong way traffic.

Drivers screaming obscenities.

Magnificently dressed women, dragging poodles.

Choking dogs, barking profanities.

Traffic. Rainclouds.

Refugees. Anger.

Masks.

I cannot find the fabled belle France – culture, fashion, beauty, history.

At least here is a moment to smile. Could be in any village of the world.

Traffic jam une cause de véhicule agricole.

C’est la vie. [94 words]

Thank you Rochelle Wisoff-Fields for continuing to set this 100 word or less challenge. It is certainly a commitment appreciated by many. Other 100 word stories can be read here.

Friday Fictioneers – Illusion

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#fridayfictioneers #rochellewisoff-fields #flashfiction

Photo by Penny Gadd

Bonnet up to cool the hissing engine. I abandoned the car.

Melting bitumen grabbed sandals. I cried at their destruction and tip toed into the bush.

A glance at my phone confirmed; dead zone.

A line of trees promised respite, perhaps water. A stream, shade and a place to rest.

To await a passing Samaritan.

Blessedly, I found a cool oasis. Passive and shallow water. Glorious willows, abundant shade with water so clear I could catch dinner.

A rudimentary fire pit. Recently used. Cooling embers. Blood.

A rustle behind me. I grabbed the long bone. [95 words]

Thank you Rochelle Wisoff-Fields for continuing to set this 100 word or less challenge. It is certainly a commitment appreciated by many. Other 100 word stories can be read here.

 

Friday Fictioneers – I wonder

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#fridayfictioneers #100 words #flashfiction

Photo by Ted Strutz

And I wonder, how he ended

Abandoned in the street

Alone at the end

And I wonder, was he loved

Are his memories kind

As he wheezes one last breath

And I hope

That tender hearts prevail

Trustworthy for the trusting

And I hope

There is a heaven

Tranquil and transcendent

To harbour and hold, even metallic souls

And I wonder, can I use

Any of his parts

 Are they useful to me

 Avariciousness blinding

And I wonder when I became

An actual Ass

All about me. All about me.

Aspiration eradicated [92 words]

Thank you Rochelle Wisoff Fields for continuing to set this 100 word or less challenge. It is certainly a commitment appreciated by many. Other 100 word stories can be read here.

Friday Fictioneers – Storm before the Calm

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Photo prompt by Dale Rogerson

We hold on tight, bodies taut with fright
The world around us shakes
Buildings scream, while wrecking wind walls rupture
Trees spear windows, glass detonates
The world shakes
The storm, it blasts and pounds, and rages, destroys
Homes are lost, cars crushed, detritus piles high
People crawl and hunker in basements, calling for mothers
The world erupts
Heavenly banks burst, demons let loose, hysterical fear abounds
Never-ending terror, noise.
We cover eyes and ears.
Who will stand at the end? Who will survive?
The world calms. Quiet returns.
We lift our eyes. And wait. (94 words)

Thank you Rochelle Wisoff Fields for continuing to set this 100 word or less challenge. It is certainly a commitment appreciated by many. Other 100 word stories can be read here.

Friday Fictioneers – wasted

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Friday fictioneers stuff

Photo prompt @ Jan Wayne Fields

Every time I glimpse the stuff it pains me.
I quiver with resignation of the writing dream.
Tucked away in a corner, dreams put aside. Hopes doused.
Mountains of ‘how to write’ books.
Stashes of notebooks. Such cute covers, always another one.
The many quality pens presented to ‘the author’ as hopeful gifts. Perhaps this would be the golden pen, the one that writes the bestseller.
The detritus of dreams. Corkboard, thumb tacks, paperclips. The laminator!!!
Collecting all this and not doing the work.
Reality bites. No matter how much stationery I collect, the words won’t write themselves. (98 words)

Friday fictioneers is a weekly challenge set by Rochelle Wisoff Fields to write a story in response to a photo prompt – in 100 words or less. You can find other stories here.

Friday Fictioneer – Gone

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Gone Trish Nankivell

Photo prompt @ Trish Nankivell

“They were never seen again,” drawled our loquacious guide, pulling up to the homestead of the abandoned cattle station. The hottest spot for paranormal activity in the southern hemisphere, so said the brochure.

“GONE fishing, GONE troppo, GONE to God. Take yer pick,” he continued. “Never seen again. The locals put it up. The sign. In memoriam, like.”

Twenty-five ghost hunting fanatics stagger from the steaming minibus, dodgy aircon still cranking, every one covered in red dust.

“Inside, cold beers and iced water. In yer go.”

The last to enter the house, I watched him drive away.

Friday fictioneers is a weekly challenge set by Rochelle Wisoff Fields to write a story in response to a photo prompt – in 100 words or less. You can find other stories here.

Friday Fictioneers – New Life

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Photo Prompt by Sandra Crook

Photo prompt @ Sandra Crook

“Surprise,” cried my wife, leading me into the garden.

Her smile was huge, and I found myself grinning back.

Her joy was so infectious.

I looked around eagerly.

It wasn’t harvest time, and I wasn’t expecting prize-winning vegetables.

My smile began to slip as I noticed the covered garden signs.

The patch was untended and out of control.

Unexpected.

“Darling,” said my wife, tugging me along. “Look. Our dream has come true.”

I looked to where she pointed.

A new garden sign.

Two words. Baby Born.

Rising from the soil, pink baby fingers.

Aghast, I looked at my smiling wife. (100 words)

Found this spooky ‘art’ the day after I wrote this piece 🙂

Friday fictioneers is a weekly challenge set by Rochelle Wisoff Fields to write a story in response to a photo prompt – in 100 words or less. You can find other stories here.
Thank you Rochelle!

Friday Fictioneers – Oblivious (2)

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AND since I forgot about word count, because I was so excited to be in the Top 10 contributors … here it is again, under 100 words 😁

Friday Fictioneers Steeplechase Robert Bultot

Photo Prompt @ Roger Bultot

My grandkids miss so much, faces pressed to devices.

In my favourite recce spot, I wait for mine.

Then, look down.

What’s the time, weather, shipping schedule?

Can you fish here? Where can I eat? Kids on their way?

Look down.

I hear, “Hi Grandad.”

Look up.

“Hello son.”

“Great weather,” he says.

Look up.

“Oh! Yes, it is.”

“Great fishing,” says the grandson.

” I was wondering …” I reply.

“I’d love a burger. Nathans do great food, ” he says.

Look up.

“Right. I was wondering ….”

Cop onto yourself, old man.

Look up! You’re missing out.

Friday fictioneers is a weekly challenge set by Rochelle Wisoff Fields to write a story in response to a photo prompt – in 100 words or less. You can find other stories here.

Friday Fictioneers – Oblivious

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Photo Prompt @ Roger Bultot

My grandchildren spend a lot of time on their devices.

I often think they miss so much of life, with their faces pressed to a screen.

I’m waiting for them now, sitting here in one of my favourite places.

I’ve always loved watching ships come and go, imagining where they’ve been; where they’re off to.

I wonder what time it is … look down.

I wonder what the weather … look down.

What ship is due … look down.

What fish can you catch … look down.

I’d love a burger … look down.

Are the kids on their way … look down. I can’t see a text message.

“Hi Grandad,” I hear. Look up.

“Oh, hello son.”

“Great weather,” he says. Look up.

“Oh, yes, it is.”

“Great fishing. I caught a blue whaler here once,” says the grandson.

“That’s nice. I was wondering about fish,” I reply.

“I’d love a burger Grandad. They do a smashing one here at Nathans,” he says, helping me to stand. Look up.

“Oh, right. I was wondering about dinner.”

Cop onto yourself, old man. Who is really disconnected here? Look up, or you’re missing out.

Friday fictioneers is a weekly challenge set by Rochelle Wisoff Fields to write a story in response to a photo prompt – in 100 words or less. You can find other stories here.

Friday Fictioneers – Grandma’s Garden

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sarah-potter-pic

Photo @ Sarah Potter

Grandma’s garden.

So many wonderful hours, working the earth. Every year, new plantings. Sweet-talking Grandad for the muscle work.

When her children brought their children, she was so happy. And to us, her grandkids, this was our magical playground.

Grandma would create Easter treasure hunts, decorate for Halloween, lights for Christmas, and oh boy, summertime.

4th of July was the best, cousins visiting, neighbours dropping by, barbeque, mouths watering, and sunburned faces. It was manic chaos, and awesome.

Grandma’s special place then, and for always.

Why I’ve never been surprised to see her shadow, still gently checking in. Working it. (100 words)

Friday fictioneers is a weekly challenge set by Rochelle Wisoff Fields to write a story in response to a photo prompt – in 100 words or less. You can find other stories here.