IAIN KELLY

CAN YOU SEE?

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 â€˜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.

51 responses to “CAN YOU SEE?”

  1. pensitivity101 Avatar

    Totally new for you Iain. I like it!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Di, certainly not my usual style. Glad you liked it.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. pensitivity101 Avatar
  2. magickmermaid Avatar

    I like it, too!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you, much appreciated.

      Liked by 1 person

  3. Liz H Avatar

    Sad with longing to rekindle the old and sweet in the new.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you, glad that cane across.

      Liked by 1 person

  4. neilmacdon Avatar

    An interesting new departure for you, Iain. Or, at least, one we haven’t seen here before

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Neil, much appreciated.

      Like

  5. WildChild47 Avatar
    WildChild47

    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

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you for such a considered reflection, much appreciated.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. WildChild47 Avatar
        WildChild47

        my pleasure

        Liked by 1 person

  6. Yamini Ali MacLean Avatar

    Hari OM
    …almost poetic in style. I too appreciated this piece! YAM xx

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you 🙂

      Like

  7. Sadje Avatar

    This is so evocative Iain

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Sadje 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Sadje Avatar

        You’re welcome

        Liked by 1 person

  8. Anita Avatar

    At the end there’s reality.
    Blindness. But, there’s imagination too.
    We see what our heart & mind sees.

    Like

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Nicely put Anita, thank you.

      Like

  9. Vartika Avatar

    It’s touching.. I can feel those emotions..

    Liked by 1 person

  10. Keith's Ramblings Avatar

    Now I see you, now I don’t. An impassioned piece indeed Iain.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Keith

      Liked by 1 person

  11. GHLearner Avatar

    That’s a wonderful piece, Iain. Hopes and dreams so often fade away into nothing. We have to deal with it and redefine what’s ‘our own’ life.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you so much 😊

      Liked by 1 person

  12. plaridel Avatar

    that’s so sad. to be alone in the world in utter darkness.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      A terrifying thought. Thank you.

      Liked by 1 person

  13. notestowomen Avatar

    A very profound piece of writing, Iain.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks so much

      Liked by 1 person

      1. notestowomen Avatar

        You’re welcome 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  14. athling2001 Avatar

    Intriguing story. Well played.

    Liked by 1 person

  15. msjadeli Avatar

    It feels like the person is a medium who went into a trance. The shop certainly has a certain curiosity aspect to it.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      I wasn’t thinking of a medium, but certainly they were lost in their own mind.

      Liked by 1 person

  16. Tannille Avatar

    Heart breaking. Fading away…

    Liked by 1 person

  17. rochellewisoff Avatar

    Dear Iain,

    Poetic and tragic. You told an entire story in verse. The grief is tangible.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks so much Rochelle, grateful that the meaning came across.

      Like

  18. draliman Avatar

    Such longing for something gone, very sad.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
  19. Dora Avatar

    A moment of respite when a life gone is relived only to disappear again. Lovely writing, Iain.
    pax,
    dora

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Dora, much appreciated.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Dora Avatar

        My pleasure!

        Liked by 1 person

  20. Bear Avatar
    Bear

    This piece speaks so loudly I can’t hear what it’s saying. Or, maybe I just need some coffee…

    Liked by 2 people

  21. pennygadd51 Avatar

    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

  22. Bill Avatar

    “All and nothing at all” — Well done, Iain.

    Liked by 1 person

  23. Inside the Mind of Isadora Avatar

    I was left with a bit of grief and sadness. You expressed so much in your words.
    An unusual write for you but I enjoyed it immensely, Iain. Welcome back … Stay Safe 😷
    Isadora 😎

    Liked by 1 person

  24. granonine Avatar

    So good to have you rejoin the ranks, Iain 🙂 And this story? A new direction for you, an extension of your already vivid imagination.

    Liked by 1 person

  25. Woman walking Max Avatar

    I like the way the story builds, as each question is raised, as the emotional power increases.. A compelling story I think.

    Liked by 1 person

  26. Michael Avatar
    Michael

    I rather enjoyed this,

    Liked by 1 person

  27. Laurie Bell Avatar

    Oooooo
    Love this
    Such sadness and loss the memories bring. Well done!

    Liked by 1 person

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