A PROSE POEM:
A shallow stream with a pebbled carpet,
Dapples of sunlight on a shimmering surface.
Bare feet cooled in ripples of water,
Shouts and laughter and joyful splashes.
A father and a son joined in play,
A precious moment clutched from memory.
Quiet descends on a father alone,
A shadow of the boy glimmers and fades.
That beaming smile flickers one last glint,
Before the stream lies silent in contemplation.
The rays of light still shine down,
Their warmth no longer penetrates.
The father kneels, racked with pain,
His tears fall on the watery plain.
One last moment with his innocent child,
One last smile or laugh or splash.
Red drops colour sparkling transparency,
The father lies down and floats away.
Written as part of Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers. The challenge is to write a flash fiction story or poem in around 150 – 175 words, based on the weekly photo prompt. Thanks as always to the challenge host Priceless Joy. For more information visit HERE.
To read other stories based on this week’s prompt, visit HERE.
WOW
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Thanks Janet, trying something a little different for a change.
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This was an absolutely amazing write. I didn’t see that ending coming. Bravo.
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Thank you, much appreciated.
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Superb! Telling a story in verse, and sticking to the word limit is a greatet challenge than just telling a story.
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Thank you Reena, glad you appreciated my effort.
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Absolutely brilliant Iain👍
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Thank you so much 🙂
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going dark…
well done
cheers.
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Thank you. I couldn’t let it stay light…
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An impressive write. The prose poem form is beautifully fits in with this prompt.
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Thank you, I’m pleased a little change in m style worked.
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Beautifully written! Loved it!
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Thank you so much.
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Ehhhh, here I was imaginging two happy sould only to be plucked from my merry imagery. Ahhhh, you, that ending, noooooo
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Sorry Joan, I had started writing something happy, but I couldn’t leave it that way!
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Beautiful writing Iain. I’ve convinced myself the father is only sad because his son has grown up and has lost his innocence in a non-tragic way. I’ve also decided that the father only floated away figuratively speaking (I’m struggling to ignore the red dots though). Great take.
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Ha, the red dots are hard to explain, but I’m glad you saw that there could be an innocent reason for his son no longer being there. It does make me sad seeing how quickly my kids are growing up and those little moments drift away.
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That was amazingly tragic and as a Dad and Grandpa, there’s always the thought lying in the back of my mind about what would happen if I lost a child or grandchild.
Interestingly enough, I also wrote about a father and son and death but from a different direction.
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It is a horrible thought and a situation I hope never to have to deal with, I have no idea how any parent could come back from that.
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My neither.
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Absolutely beautiful, Iain but such a sad ending! I loved it!
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Thank you PJ, tried something a little different this week, glad you liked it.
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It really is different than you normally do, but I really like it!
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🙂
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Wow! That got dark really quick! That was so descriptive I almost cried! Wonderful writing!!
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Thank you, encouraging to know it provoked a reaction 🙂
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Excellent approach to this image Iain, though the ending was rather sad, but you had me in.
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Thanks Michael, much appreciated feedback.
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Beautifully sad, and a story for all times.
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Thank you Michael
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Wow! Very good!! You should do more prose!
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Thank you, that’s very reassuring to hear 🙂
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You are very welcome. 🙂
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that was lovely , something different from your usual style
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Thank you, glad you liked the change 🙂
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Hard-hitting stuff that. And amazingly brilliant.
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Thank you so much.
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I don’t think I’ve read a prose poem before, it is a nice change. Really beautiful 🙂
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Thank you so much 🙂
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