The sky is aflame at the end of the day.
Another heatwave sweeps over the country. We’re used to them now.
Soon it will be monsoon season again and the dust and dirt will be swept away and there will be some green lands. I’ll have a chance to grow some crops. But the sand will remain.
The cool breeze and welcome shade of dusk are a relief. This is the best time of day, when we can wander outside without overheating.
The Sussex desert rolls away into the distance. I take a few steps on the arid sand and remember when I could only do this by visiting the seaside.
They say the desert has spread as far north as Cambridgeshire now, nothing but waves of sand dunes. Most have moved north to escape it, but there isn’t enough land there for us all.
So I stay here and manage to subsist. It’s peaceful at least.

This is a response to the #writephoto Prompt – Aflame curated over at Sue Vincent’s Daily Echo. Click on the link to read other stories inspired by the image.
My first novel, ‘A Justified State,’ is available now
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In this heat, the north sounds even more appealing than ever… though at least the land is still green.
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Not quite as warm up here, but still stifling
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Too hot and muggy to even think down here…and the dog won’t come out of the bathroom, bless her.
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Thought provoking Iain, especially with temperatures the way they are right now.
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It certainly feels like the climate is warmer than it used to be…
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I’d go along with that.
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Climate change is scary!
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It feels that way at the moment for sure.
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Great post, Iain! For some reason, as I read this, I got the sense of waves of sand over a desert. It was cool and somewhat peaceful. 🙂
Blessings,
Debbie
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A nice way to see it. Thanks Debbie
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Beautifully penned.
Our heatwave finally stopped as of Monday. I couldn’t be more grateful! LOL!
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Hoping ours will break this weekend!
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I’ll cross my fingers and say a little prayer that it does. 🤞🙏
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Doom and gloom, written so well. Scary true because Ian it is totally possible 💜
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It may happen sooner than we think, unless those in charge start taking the threat seriously.
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Sadly then it will, we have no adults left in charge 💜
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It’s a scary thought the future as heat waves are experienced the world over. Well written Iain.
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Thank you Michael
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Not too far away, seeing how things are going 😦
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Certainly feels that way at the moment
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I hope this isn’t prophetic, Iain. Stay cool and peaceful in this terrible heat.
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It certainly feels like it could happen at the moment in this heatwave we are having!
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So pretty! Enjoy the cool time of the day, Iain. It’s very hot in New England, too.
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Awaiting the thunderstorms now to bring us some relief from the heat!
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Yes!!
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Very good, Iain. I am also going to write about global warming.
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It’s hard to ignore it in the current heatwave we are having here.
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Oh gosh, what a very possible future. I particularly like the tone of this, mixing resignation and purpose.
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Thank you
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Snuck a bit of global warming in there, eh? Nice work. I like it.
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Thank you so much 🙂
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