CAN YOU SEE?

~ Iain Kelly

Close your eyes.

What do you see?

Do you see me?

Us?

Snapshots. A picture in a frame.

Look closer.

Do you see our life? A life? Any sign of life?

Do those snapshots add up to anything? Does it mean anything?

I see you. You, with those dark brown eyes. You, with that pale skin. You, with that smile.

I see your story. Our story. Our life.

I see it all and I see nothing at all.

Emptiness. As you fade away.

Open my eyes. Where did you go?

A busy street. A shop window. Hustle and bustle.

And emptiness.

Blindness. I face it alone.

Copyright Roger Bultot

Written for Friday Fictioneers hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields (more details HERE). The idea is to write a short story of 100 words based on the photo prompt (above).

After a break from the Friday Fictioneers Fun, it’s great to be participating again, and to see, and read, so many familiar faces. I hope everyone is well and I hope to be back on a more regular basis in the months ahead. The summer wasn’t all rest and relaxation though, as I finished my next novel and am delighted to have signed a contract to publish it with The Book Guild Ltd. You can read more about ‘The Barra Boy’ HERE, and look out for publication in Summer 2022.

To read stories of 100 words based on this week’s prompt, visit HERE.

Published by Iain Kelly

39 year old writer, avid film viewer and book reader, employed in the media industry as a television editor.

51 thoughts on “CAN YOU SEE?”

  5. There’s an abruptness to the words. A staccato rhythm, which paces this piece. It’s both sparse and ironically, rich, for the silences and feelings implied, pervading the spaces between the lines, words. And yet, it is highly relatable – a “typical” conversation, held/shared with another, absent or not — such is real life. But wow, the ending? That speaks volumes. And the closing line – fraught with philosophical and existential angst. Word sharp story Iain!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  21. Wow – that’s quite a piece, Iain. It’s suffused with grief for parting. The narrator is almost blaming the other for not being there, and yet you very cleverly hint that she has died with “Emptiness. As you fade away.” Lovely and impressive writing.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

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