The week started on a sad note, with the death of David Bowie. It has washed over me over and over, since hearing the news–– moments after his family announced it. The world is an infinitely more interesting place because David Bowie was in it. Music, art, diversity–– life, has lost a truly great talent. If you haven’t seen is video Lazarus, which was intentionally released just days before his death, it’s amazing! The man made artistic expression of his own death!
Thanks to Amy Reese for this week’s evocative photo! I can imagine there will be so many interesting stories. If you would like to read more stories or contribute, please check out Rochelle Wisoff-Fields’ blog, Addicted to Purple. She is the magician who keeps all the balls in the air! As always, I welcome honest, constructive feedback.
© AmyReese
From The Inside Out
As we walk back through the empty streets, I hold your hand. Its firm warmth is as predictable to me as the intake of breath. Our steps are matched; your pace slowed over time to meet my shorter stride. I glance at you, noting your focused gaze. Your gray-blue eyes were the first thing I noticed, so many years ago.
It’s cold. We wouldn’t have come out, if this wasn’t the day for rations. We all flock to the delivery site, insects scrambling for crumbs. As we walk back to our dingy apartment, the decay permeates everything… including our love.
(word count: 100)
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TALES FROM THE MOTHERLAND 
Dawn,
You’ve captured the essence of this shot in all of it’s decrepitude. Yes, that is apparently a word because my auto-correct fixed the spelling for me! 🙂
Cathy
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Thanks Cathy. I had an image right away, of the characters, but it’s always interesting to see where each picture will take me. I appreciate your feedback.
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Fits perfectly with the photo.
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Thanks Louise!
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Perfect story for the photo, both of which I love! I am so amazed, always, at how you can pull out such descriptions and emotions in just 100 words. In the words of one of my little ones, read this with a 3 year old voice: Good one, Dawn!
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Thank you Heidi! Love the voice, and appreciate the lovely compliment. I do love this challenge each week!
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What a sad turn. Love the line about the insects scrambling for crumbs.
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Thanks Alicia. Insects covering crumbs is so clear… and it’s what I imagine of difficult living conditions: Everyone trying to get what they need. Thanks Alicia!
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This is almost like two stories..the love story and the decay which leave me wondering what has really happened… I’m drawn to something dystopian… excellent writing as usual.
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Thanks Björn… the image definitely brought a dystopian image to my mind, and I saw both the world around them and the couple falling into this state. I always appreciate your thoughtful comments; thank you!
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Dear Dawn,
Björn took the words right out from under my fingers. 😉 Your story has a dystopian feel to it just the mention of rations. At the same time there’s a love story there and so much more story layered between the lines. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle (Not sure about all of those balls.)
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Thanks so much Rochelle; I appreciate your kind words. And I think you’re doing pretty well with balls… hmm, maybe that doesn’t sound right? 😉
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A light at the end of the story.
DJ
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I’m not sure there’s any light here, Danny, but then it all depends on who’s holding the glass! 😉 Thanks for your feedback.
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Ooo! That took a turn I didn’t expect. And it worked with the photo perfectly. Well done!
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Thanks Susan!
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I think the first paragraph in itself is a story – a love story of give and take, togetherness. The contrast with the second paragraph, the slight tainting of the relationship – beautifully done.
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Thanks Sandra. From one of my favorite story tellers, the compliment means that much more.
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Until I read the comments, Dawn, I was thinking of the many refugees. It also fits the dystopian theme. Well written with great feeling and description. — Suzanne
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I think either would work, Suzanne. Each reader brings their own take to these stories… don’t be swayed. 😉
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I’m sad that their flame is flickering to the point of going out. Love is all encompassing and all important. Without it, the future isn’t worth living.
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That is so true, Russell… yet sometimes that flame does go out. Especially hard under such bleak circumstances. Thanks for the feedback; I always appreciate it!
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This is too sad. Love often fades over time, but if it fades because it can’t endure difficult circumstances, it is especially painful. Excellent story and I thought dystopian too.
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Thanks GAH. The path of love is rarely clear and easy… glad you liked this and thanks for your comment!
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sad story.
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Thanks for reading Plaridel!
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Wonderfully, if bleakly, positive.
Until the last 3 words.
Loved it all.
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Thanks CE. I always appreciate your feedback. 🙂
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Sad to see love decay like that.
Great story! I hope you’ll read mine here.
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Thanks Alice Audrey! It is sad… and I will. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
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Beautifully written, Dawn and such a multi-layered story. You accomplished so much in 100 words. Their relationship, the environment, the world they’re living in, the past, present. Well done!
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Thanks Amy! It’s always interesting to me, to see what pops up from the photo and where that takes each of us. Thank YOU for a compelling prompt!
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Your story reminds me of the cockroaches I saw swarming once – not a pleasant memory, though well written.
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Thanks Liz. Sorry for that image… I have an epic cockroach story, but it gives me heevies. Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts!
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It gives me a feel of 1984 and the end of civilization as we know it, but love still thriving. Or at least still thriving as best it can. Interesting piece, they still have something.
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Hmm, interesting, Perry. I loved that movie when it came out, and of course the book is haunting! Hadn’t thought of it, but of course it’s all in the gray room and must play a role in what I write. 😉 Thanks for the feedback!
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The romantic in me finds this to be a very sad story Dawn. There is so much emotion in so few words.
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It is a sad story, Dawn. No hiding it. Thanks for sharing!
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One would hope that such a deep love would continue through the most difficult times…
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One would hope, indeed, but then life is so unpredictable. Thanks for your feedback Dale!
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Pingback: Friday Fictioneers: Stone Cold Decay | TALES FROM THE MOTHERLAND
Very intense, how disappointing yet realistic that love too crumbles down.
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I think that it’s alway disappointing to see love crumble, Loré, but sadly, it sometimes does. Thanks for reading!
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Sometimes difficulties help love thrive. Sometimes, as in this story, they cast a shadow over it. I really liked your story, Dawn!
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Thanks so much Martin. So much goes into a life together, and challenges truly test that. I appreciate your feedback.
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