The pink blossom signalled the arrival of spring. The temperature turned to a pleasant warmth. The skies were blue, the air was fresh. The sense of a new beginning, a fresh start. Optimism and positivity.
Every year the same. The cold, harsh winter left behind. Neighbours emerged from their cocooned houses, smiling and waving. Children appeared in the street again, the sound of their laughter filling the day.
Something felt different this year though.
Beneath the spring blossom the rusting wheelbarrow sat. Left out all winter in the rain and snow, forgotten and damaged. The garden, neglected for months, was overgrown and tired. The climbing plant had covered the old stone ornament, causing it to break and crumble. The veneer of the joyous British garden lay exposed and corrupt.
Elsewhere in the world bombs fell. Children were killed in the streets, their laughter replaced by screams and tears. Turmoil and ineffectual leaders dominated the political landscape.
A stiff breeze blew through the garden. The pink blossom fell from the tree, adding to the debris on the ground.
Written as part of Sunday Photo Fiction. Write a story of around 200 words based on the photo prompt given (above). Hosted by Al Forbes. For more details visit HERE.
To read more stories based on this week’s prompt, visit HERE.
This month I am participating in the A TO Z CHALLENGE 2017 – a post each day based on the letters of the alphabet and theme. Find out more about it HERE. As this challenge will take up a lot of my blogging time I may not get round to commenting on everyone’s posts, but I hope to find time to read all your stories as usual, and still be able to participate in Sunday Photo Fiction each week.
I liked the story Iain. Well written and eerily topical.
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Thank you, a bit of a mood piece at the moment!
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A great description of events. Topical.
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Thank you
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Welcome
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Yeah, looking out the window I see spring…but only if I shut the laptop and stop watching the world. I suppose it’s always been this way, but now the window to the world travels in our pockets.
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I suppose that’s true, if only shutting the laptop would make it all stop!
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Thought provoking words.
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Thanks Sally, just some thoughts as we head for another pointless Election!
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This is very topical for the world right now, let’s hope it will never come true.
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Fingers crossed
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Life against the background of death. I wrote the mirror image.
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One of us is the optimist, the other the pessimist.
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Recent events have convinced me to move forward hopefully.
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This is a deceptively clever piece of writing, Liain.
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Thanks Neel
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Sadly true, Ian. Humans choose death, corruption, and destruction when all around us the world awakes in beauty.
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Nicely put. Thanks for reading.
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Very aptly mirroring my own sentiments right now, Iain. Good one.
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Thanks Sandra, if only we could all just be happy…
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I loved it. It hurt in a beautiful way. Thank you.
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You’re welcome.
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Very much a mood piece but a deep one.
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Hmm, cleverly done, Ian, although sadly not fiction.
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Writing as therapy unfortunately.
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Somber and so true. Great write, Iain 🙂
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Thank you Annie 🙂
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And here I thought there would be a nice little tale about the flowers. Not to take anything away from your post though. It definitely gives one something to think.
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Couldn’t bring myself to right a happy story with the thought of another government election here in the UK. Depressing times around the world. Maybe the sunny weather will help a little!
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Isn’t that the truth. Sadly. Well done.
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Thank you.
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I can imagine the scene Iain. Going from quiet blossoms falling, to children screaming and running, back to the blossoms falling. Well done.
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Thank you, much appreciated.
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The analogy between he outside world and this tree is very well done. Heartbreaking!
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Thanks Mandi.
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