This
meme was started by Delores a long time ago. Computer issues led her
to bow out for a while. The meme was too much fun to let go, and now
Words for Wednesday is provided by a number of people and has become a
movable feast.
Essentially
the aim is to encourage us to write. Each week we are given a choice
of prompts: which can be words, phrases, music or an image. What we do
with those prompts is up to us: a short story, prose, a song, a poem,
or treating them with ignore... We can use some or all of the prompts, and mixing and matching is encouraged.
Some
of us put our creation in comments on the post, and others post on
their own blog. I would really like it if as many people as possible
joined into this fun meme, which includes cheering on the other participants. If you are posting on your own blog - let me know so that I, and other participants, can come along and applaud.
This month I am providing the prompts
This week's prompts are, first an image, a photo I took at a Hyper Real exhibition.
And for those of you whose creativity is triggered by words
- destined
- remarkable
- lure
- aware
- rules
The elderly woman sitting next to me on the train, was in a pensive mood. She's got a lot on her mind, not all of which is clear to her. After all, she's a simple, uneducated person, wearing, like most women of her age, two head coverings in CLAY BROWN color.
ReplyDeleteIt would appear, her grandson, a REMARKABLE young man, DESTINED to a big career in medicine, although AWARE of the RULES of his practice, has violated the law and been taken to court. Apparently, he has even managed to LURE his assistant nurse into it.
Great use of the words, Duta. I hope they pay for their crime.
DeleteXO
WWW
DUTA: This is such a sad take on my prompts. I wonder what will happen to him.
DeleteHi DUTA – so sad as to what can happen in families … story telling for us all to read – cheers Hilary
DeleteOh my!
DeleteI like this story.
DeleteYes, all this must have weigh lot on her mind. A good use of the prompts.
DeleteJulia
We do worry about our children and grandchildren. Things like this can tear a family apart. Well told.
DeleteIt's fortunate we cannot see what lies ahead.
DeleteHere's mine, all words, colour and picture used.
ReplyDelete------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
She stared at the rows of votive candles on the altar and pondered on the needs of all the parishioners who had lit them, year after countless years. Throwing their few pennies into the collection box fixed to the side.
She thought of all the candles she had lit too over the years.
Maybe us Catholics, she pondered, are more aware of the hereafter? The lure of the magical statues around us if we pray hard enough? If we follow the rules?
It was truly remarkable how many of her own prayers went unanswered, she reflected. The time her wee Angela had leukemia and died. The time Adam succumbed to his drug habit. The time her husband died at sea, even though she lit a candle every time he sailed off.
Ah, said the priest to her, it’s all destined by Himself Upstairs, maybe if you prayed harder?
She shook herself and got to her feet and stared down at the claybrown tiles on the church floor.
For once, she didn’t genuflect or cross herself.
She straightened her shoulders and walked like a soldier to the big front doors.
And then, with purpose, let them bang loudly after her.
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XO
WWW
Wisewebwoman: Maybe if you had prayed harder? Hiss and spit. This is powerful.
DeleteHi WWW - perfect ... so well told - and how often do we feel like she did. Cheers Hilary
DeleteHow sad.
DeleteWe should have invented female gods. They would have been much smarter!
Delete"prayed harder"? Pfft! Prayer is not the miracle or the answer. It just makes those praying feel more alone when the prayers go unanswered.
DeleteWisewebwoman, prayers without faith are useless.
Deletenever the less, a great use of the prompts.
Julia
You used the prompts very well. Prayer changes us. I've had many answered, many not. Even those that were not, later, I often saw the wisdom in what actually happened.
DeleteAsk the parents of the children of Sandy Hook how valuable the prayers were.
DeleteToo many trials of her faith - I hope she felt stronger, slamming the door on it.
DeleteThey were not destined for this.
ReplyDeleteShe grieves. Yesterday, today and for all her tomorrows she grieves. Her remarkable grandchildren are both gone, buried in clay brown dirt far from home.
What was the lure that took them to war? She doesn’t know, and wonders whether they were aware. All too soon they learnt that the rules of war are simple. Kill or be killed.
Hi EC - sad, but true ... short and not so sweet ... well done - cheers Hilary
DeleteThe sad truth of war.
DeleteAnd so it continues, generation after generation. .
DeleteEC, So poignant. So heart rending.
DeleteSandra sandracox.blogspot.com
And those left behind pay the price. Great story EC.
DeleteA short story but it says it all. It's happening all too frequently.
DeleteGood use of the prompts.
Julia
A very sad story, and true for too many people around the world.
DeleteElephant's Child: That sounds sad. I hope for a world where there will be no war or at least less of them. Good use of the prompts.
DeleteHave a lovely day.
Heavy yet timely. Thank you for the post. x
DeleteThe helplessness of war for those watching and waiting - heartbreaking.
DeleteVery well told in very few words, EC, kill or be killed. What insanity we have wrought on the planet.
ReplyDeleteXO
WWW
WWW; and even now it still goes on :(
DeleteHi EC - here's mine ... based on the image, as well as using the words and colour:
ReplyDeleteI'd say she's had clay brown rubbed across her face … look at the streaks, let alone the dirty wrinkles … I feel for her.
I wonder where she lived … I'd really need to know that before I could help her … rules are rules after all, being aware of them was essential.
That face was destined for a greater life, than the one she had … life could have been remarkable for her extended noble family …
But she'd been brought down by the Mafia … I don't know where it'll end for her – desperate isn't it.
Cheers to one and all - Hilary
Hilary Melton-Butcher: Desperate indeed. Her face seems to speak to so many of us. I hope the sculptor realises...
DeleteWell done Hilary, I really feel for her and think of how many women have lived their lives in chronic disappointment.
DeleteXO
WWW
That is a desperate situation.
DeleteA face can reveal so much. Well done, Hilary.
DeleteWell done.
DeleteHow sad for this poor woman. There seems to be no way out of this misery. \
DeleteJulia
Many find themselves stuck in a morass not of their own choosing. Good use of the prompts.
DeleteCaught in a web not of her own making.
DeleteSigh.
ReplyDeleteMike: With her or for her?
DeleteBoth.
DeleteMike: Thank you.
DeleteExactly. She makes me want to give her a hug and ask if I can help.
DeleteI keep threatening to break also. Maybe later.
DeleteSometimes the only response is a sigh.
DeleteWow. The photo (and probably the words) fits right in with my day today and yesterday. I'll get on it.
ReplyDeletemessymimi: I am sorry to hear about your difficult days and look forward to reading your story.
DeleteIt's not so much the days are difficult for me, but for someone I care about.
DeleteThe story will be over here.
A remarkable picture of an old woman reminiscing. I like that she has lipstick and pearly pink eyeshadow.
ReplyDeleteRiver: I think she is beautiful. Still.
DeleteA picture is worth a thousand words, as the saying goes. Take a good look at this face. Look at this sad defeated woman, full of sorrow, pain and hopelessness. Was she destined to become this empty shell?
ReplyDeleteOnce she was a beautiful remarkable woman, full of hope, dreams and laughter, and she had a twinkle in her eyes. Life hadn't been perfect but at least, it had been a mixture of ups and downs, but that was life. There was always hope that tomorrow would be better. Her peace was shattered when war broke out.
The lure of a happy life in the city faded as she became aware that rules were made to be broken and the people around her were all in the same state of desperation as her tears fell on the clay brown soil as she slowly made her way back to her make-shift shelter. All she had to cling to were her memories but they were just that, memories.
Julia
Such sadness is all too common. You used the prompts very well.
DeleteHeartbreaking and very well told.
DeleteXO
WWW
Julia: I can only echo messymimi and Wisewebwoman. Well done.
DeleteJulia - sadly often so true ... poor woman ... cheers Hilary
DeleteSad - but well told.
DeleteThis is so true for so many - shattered lives and homes, hopes and wishes.
Deletethecontemplativecat here. Such a well-written story.
DeleteLovely stories Ladies, well done. Enjoyed reading them..
ReplyDeleteThe lady is DESTINED to look as she does. What a REMARKABLE person she is. Not to be LURED into the RULES of her country but she is so AWARE of what was going on. All day she has been pulling bodies from the wreckage, the wreckage of war – she is so tied and despondent wondering what to do next.
Margaret D: I had to rescue you from spam again. Blogger really has it in for you. A sad and lovely take on the prompts.
DeleteNow that's sad. Still well done.
DeleteI think we would all be despondent in those circumstances. Excellent use of the prompts.
DeleteThis is the reality for so many today.
DeleteHi Margaret - that's putting another side of the story ... desperate times - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteHas it really come to this? Is this what was DESTINED to happen? Little wonder my face looks like a scene from Dante’s punishment. We had a REMARKABLE run of success. I am well AWARE of that. But just like Hitler, Franco, Mussolini and others you can only LURE the people with deception for so long. Finally, the lies and broken promises, the illusions and the injustices, catch up to you. Fascists and dictators ultimately have to pay for flouting all the RULES of decency. It is said that you can only fool some of the people some of the time, but sooner or later you can barely fool any of the people any of the time, and the reaction is predictable, violent and swift. I enjoyed the glamour and the prestige, but I hated him. Now he has paid the price and I can’t say I’m sorry. I’ll miss the caviar though.
ReplyDeleteDavid M. Gascoigne: How I wish that 'the lies and broken promises, the illusions and the injustices' caught up sooner. A lot sooner.
DeleteThe deserved end of all dictators. I won't miss caviar ;)
DeleteHe got what he had coming. I doubt he'll be missed.
DeleteToo many powerful leaders fleecing the population and still people are fooled by them.
DeleteI read this a few times David, it really got me thinking. Was it the Orange Jesus who were thinking of? Anyway, very well written (by Melania??!!)
ReplyDeleteXO
WWW
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteSorry for deleting. The link was broken. Trying again:
ReplyDeleteThanks for words and picture. I was inspired to contine my
Travel Log.
Just read your most recent post. We will miss you but we understand having to step back sometimes. I took a long break in December and it was much needed.
ReplyDeleteI'm on time for once. The link is here: Fiction: The husband slayer.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the prompts. I haven't been quite participating but I check out the prompts every week just in case something sparks.
Don't worry about the prompts for next month. I have them all picked and even set up the posts. I hope you get a nice break from blogging.
Have a lovely day.
xxoo
ReplyDeleteMe parece muy acertada la decisión que has tomado, ya que lo primero siempre, debes de ser tu y tu estado de ánimo, así que con mis mejores deseos de que todo vaya bien, te envío un fuerte abrazo.
ReplyDeleteManuel.
thecontemplativecat here. The photo of the old woman spoke volumes. Here is what I think happened to her
ReplyDeleteHaving lived an unremarkable life, Anna remembered. Her papa believed she was destined to enjoy a happy future. ‘Oh, there was Hal,’ she sighed. Anna was aware of his love, but she ignored the lure of husband and children. There is more, more! Anna broke the rules, leaving home and family.
Having discovered nothing of worth, Ana regretted that decision. Years of hard work in someone else’s home had led her to being an old woman in a clay brown world.
She sighed again. Oh, Hal. What happened to you?
The man stopped in front of her. ""The lure of your remarkable voice drew me forward and made me aware of you. We were destined to meet. There are no rules."
ReplyDeleteHer heart beat faster as her eyes moved frantically over the crowd. "Security!"
Isn't that an amazing photograph.
ReplyDeleteWishing you a good blogging break and sending lots of good wishes to you.
All the best Jan
Popped back a post so I could leave a comment, as comments weren't allowed when you announced you were taking a break. Hope things calm down for you. You'll be missed, but we'll leave the light on for you. Hope all works out the way you need it and best of luck with all the appointments.
ReplyDeleteThinking of you my friend and understand the need for a blog break. Take all the time you need and know I will be sending lots of healing vibes and energies your way. Big hugs and much love!
ReplyDeleteBuona giornata
ReplyDeleteMe again waving hi as I make my blog rounds. Hope all is well with you. Sorry to be commenting on an old post again vs your current one; but comments are turned off. We've got the light on for you and hope to see you make your way back again, SOON!
ReplyDeleteI just saw your updated post. Sorry it's a rough go on your end. Sending you lots and lots of huggs and love.
ReplyDeleteSending you hugs!
ReplyDeleteJust read your recent post, which we could comment on your newer posts. Leaving you a ((HUG)), and look forward to your return. Best of luck on all fronts.
ReplyDeleteHi EC, just checking in. Hope you are OK.
ReplyDelete