As soon as I saw the photo this week, I knew where I’d go… it just took, me awhile to pull myself out of the happy stories I’ve written of late, to address this “squeamish” photo– brought to us this week by Madison Woods. That, and a very busy few days!
Friday Fictioneers is brought to you each week by the indefatigable Rochelle Wisoff-Fields, who leads our band of merry writers, in weekly photo-prompt flash fiction. You can find other 100-word stories on Rochelle’s blog, Addicted to Purple. Join us, or just enjoy the wide variety of stories. ** Please leave a comment. I always welcome honest, thoughtful or constructive feedback.
© Madison Woods
Broken Dreams (99 words)
Jonathan paused, the box heavy in his arms. He glanced around and swallowed hard, tears springing to his eyes again. He’d spent the weekend clearing the small room of anything that would remind her: freshly cleaned blankets and soft onesies; the “perfect lamp,” chosen to send dancing stars across the room at night; the cradle, passed down from her parents. Everything was packed away, the room returned to it’s previous benign status as an office.
They’d gotten so close this time… Three more weeks, he thought. Jonathan took these moments to grieve in private, the fourth and final loss of their dreams.
* * *
What do I want? I’d love to see my Tales From the Motherland Facebook page reach 500 likes in 2014. Have you stopped by to spread some fairy dust? Follow me on Twitter,it’s where I try to be brief. Most importantly, if you like a post hit Like, and leave a comment. I love to hear what readers think. Follow along; you’ll get each new post delivered by email, with no spam. If you see ads on this page, please let me know. They shouldn’t be there. © 2014 Please note, that all content and images on this site are copyrighted to Dawn Quyle Landau and Tales From the Motherland, unless specifically noted otherwise. If you want to share my work, please give proper credit. Plagiarism sucks.
TALES FROM THE MOTHERLAND 
Ah, so sad, and so accurately captured. Beautifully written.
But how did that strange photo get you there, I wonder… Hmmm.
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The broken egg (I think that’s what it is) immediately made me think about lost opportunities and missed dreams… even for the mother bird, who lost this egg. It took me to this story.
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Ah, now I see it. Such a mysterious photo. But definitely the loss of something.
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That’s how I viewed it. I saw a broken egg, and surely the end of something. That took me from A to B. Thanks for taking the time, Jen.
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I second the previous comment Dawn. Heart-wrenching and wonderfully written, as always. Perhaps it will always remain a mystery as to how the photo inspired your story…
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See the comment before… I too find it intriguing each week, to figure out what took various writers from the photo to their stories. For me, this week, it all came from the broken egg I see in this photo. Thanks for your kind words; I really appreciate the feedback!
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I cringe every time I see this photo, but I love where you took it. 🙂
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I know, right?! It totally creeps me out. I saw it and thought of the story right away, but have been busy… and, well maybe the photo just creeped me out more than I like to admit. 😉
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Tightly written. So much said in so few words.
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Thanks Susan. I appreciate that feedback, from a writer I admire so. xo
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Dawn, I was wondering when you would post a story. This is lovely and heart breaking. I had a friend who lost more babies than one would want to count – several so near to being born it was awful. Now she has ONE gorgeous daughter. Well told, my dear.
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Thanks Alicia. It took me ages to get to the computer this week, though the story was waiting right there. I’m so sorry to hear about your friend; I cant imagine that kind of loss!
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Dawn, well written, capturing of loss. How sad it must be to go from a dream back to the reality of an office. Very sad story this week, although truthfully, there haven’t been many happy ones with this prompt.
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I haven’t had time to read or to write this week, but I can’t imagine that this photo elicits many happy thoughts. Such a provocative photo though, I plan to catch up in the morning… just in time for another photo!
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Dawn, you took us right into the sense of loss and the room return to an office sealed the deal. Well done.
janet
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Thanks Janet. Sorry to take anyone to this sad, sad place… but that’s just where the image took me. I appreciate your positive feedback!
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Dear Dawn,
I had no problem connecting your story with the prompt. Exquisitely heartbreaking. So much skillfully said in so few words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I’m glad someone got it, Rochelle! I was beginning to think that I got this photo entirely wrong. Do you happen to know what it is? I was sure it was a broken egg, and that made me think of loss, instantly. I am honored to get such wonderful feedback from you; your stories always impress. Welcome back from vacation! Shalom, Dawn
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Ditto the other comments. Moving, well written and so compact! Captures the emotional draman if the experience so well.
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Why thank you bhksloss! I really appreciate those kind words. Thanks for taking the time to read my work, and share your thoughts.
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Dawn, Sad but well-written story. It must be heartbreaking to lose babies like that. I was blessed it never happened to me. My mom had a little boy that was stillborn at seven months. She used to talk about it. My dad mentioned it once and had tears in his eyes. Madison Woods wrote a comment on Alistair Phillips’s blog “dralimanonlife” and said that she had taken the photo, and that if was a cut grapevine. Who could imagine that that’s what’s inside a grape vine. —Susan
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Oh my. I would NEVER have guessed that it was something that simple. I totally thought it was a broken egg, from a nest. Thanks for clearing that up, Susan!
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Dawn- This is spectacular and heartbreaking. Nothing cuts quite like the hope of getting so close. Especially when there are multiple miscarriages before. Honestly, really well written snapshot of grief and the beginning of the healing process. Dana
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Thanks Dana. I’m glad that my story has made a mark on people. Now that I know what the photo really is, I’m a bit surprised. It still looks like broken egg… mostly developed… to me! Oh, the places our minds take us!
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Dear Dawn, Wonderful story, as always, and so very sad. This story was so good yet so sorrowful too. I read some of the comments above and the answers too. Is this really what is inside a grapevine? Creepy gook? Really? Oh well, I learn something new everyday! You are such an interesting person and a great writer. Thanks, Nan 🙂
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Thanks so much Nan. You’re so kind; your compliments are very generous and thoughtful. I really appreciate you taking the time to read and share your thoughts! I totally agree, that grapevine is totally icky! I would never have believed it, if I didn’t hear it from people who know. 😉
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Dawn. sorry for being late visiting.. this was heartbreaking.. especially that little word last.. there is a time to give up.. but it’s sad…
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Thanks Björn. Better late than never, but I also understand that folks can’t get to every story every week… sincerely, no worries! I’m glad you appreciated the story. Unfortunately, as we both know, reality is indeed sad sometimes.
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That was moving Dawn, I don’t know what else to say, anything with kids always gets me. Well done.
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Thanks so much! No doubt, kids are the ultimate equalizer, when it comes to grief. I appreciate you taking the time to read and comment. I barely made the rounds last week… and here’s another prompt!
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I literally have tears in my eyes. Stories like this one always break my heart, and this one especially with last line “fourth and final loss”. Poor parents. Perhaps they could adopt?
Anyway. Well done. Heart-wrenching, engrossing and written to perfection. Nothing less than I expected! 🙂
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Thanks Tiffany. I felt this story… and I’m glad that came across to readers. I’ve written lots of happy stories lately, so I guess I can do a few sad ones as well. Thanks for stopping by, Tiffany.
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