Rachel Harrie's blog had a challenge to write a short story/flash fiction in 200 words or less, excluding the title. We had to begin with the words "Shadows crept across the wall."
As an additional challenge, we could do one or more of the following:
- end the story with the words "everything faded."
- include the word 'orange' in the story
- write in the same genre I normally write
- make the story 200 words exactly
I tried to do all four, but I don't have a 'usual' genre. I don't even know what genre I used. It just flowed out of me. I didn't know where I was going to go.
If you like it, please go there and see how I'm doing. I'll be in the 150 numbers, I think. That is, if I posted correctly. If not, oh well...it was a challenge.
It Just Happened
Shadows crept across the wall of my back yard this evening as the sun retreated slowly to the west. I had forgotten how much I loved to get my hands in loamy earth.
It had been years since I endeavored to wield a shovel.
I didn’t want the night’s coming darkness to end my gaze on climbing climatis, yellow-orange rudbeckias and crimson roses.
I rediscovered myself here after my unfortunate divorce and realized I actually like myself, I like spending time with my inner child, and, oh, I love my gardens.
I carved out a few in my small plot of land.
My land.
My house.
These things are now of one.
There is no twain; no more vows or sharing.
The more I ventured toward my new horizons, the more I acquired a semblance of place and present.
I discovered my life is new.
What was is past.
I hardly noticed when everything faded.
15 comments:
Hi Susan,
I apologize in advance if this posts twice. I'm having trouble tonight with my comments disappearing before they post. I wanted to let you know that not only did I enjoy your story; my wife loved it as well. She is a gardener. We love the long summer nights in the Pacific Northwest because we can spend more time in the garden.
I'm #88. Comments welcome.
Richard
Great job. I loved it!
LOVE it! I like how she finds that she's 'free' at the end. Great job!
I'm entry #19
That's a lovely story, you capture all the doubts of moving on with your life on your own but also tinge with a lot of hope. well done.
You have a beautiful and lyrical voice. Strong story and imagery. I felt like I was standing in the garden. Fantastic!
I never had much of a green thumb, but that doesn't stop me from having a great picture from your writing. Nice one! :)
Lovely! I can feel the dirt in my hands and smell the "green" of a beautiful garden. :-)
I've never heard the term 'loamy' earth before. I'm not even sure what it means but I like it. I'll have to look it up! Also, I love Joni Michell. I even wrote a short story called the Circle Game once.
Beautiful story. Your imagery really made me feel like I was there in your garden with you.
Hello! Lovely to meet you! New follower :)
Are those your gardens in the pictures? They are beautiful! I love gardens! I also love your piece. You had so many beautiful lines, I can't just pick one to love. Definitely love how the narrator is so at peace with having things be hers, and her inner child!
Perfect!
I LOVE it!! Love the "Over the Rainbow" tune too.
Thank you all for your wonderful, heartwarming comments. Richard, Debbie, Jess, Sally, Ann, David, C.B., Jaye, marathonwriter and Ashley--you all rock! Jaye, I hope you know what loamy earth is by now! lol
I appreciate you all. I'm astounded at the feedback I got.
I hope you will all want to read my book when it's finished!
Until then--thanks again!
♥ Susan
Nice story!
Thanks, Traci and C.M. for your comments. It warms my heart! ♥Susan
Of course you are a naturally gifted writer/story teller. I love it and look forward to reading othe stories you write!!
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