I went to our place today, no not our place because it was yours, you just invited me to share in it with you. Walks among the trees, through the wood, down stone staircase to shore lapping gentle waves, a lullaby. Sit silent, sun shine’s warming soul, body, heart renewed. Respite brief… silent stalker lights a match for the slow burn, retreats in stealth to the sidelines. Spitting flames sputter against rising resistance until fire’s rage takes dominion. Cruel devastation spreads, wildfire out of control, nothing left but ash.
Profound take Denise
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Thank you for reading, Sadje.
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It’s a pleasure
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Wildfires, or as we call them bushfires, devastate our Australian communities annually now. Yet my sympathies are always dulled by the lack of common sense in where people choose to build and their lack of preparedness for the ultimately inevitable and their expectation that volunteer fire brigades will risk their lives to rescue them. Firebugs are an abomination but they feed on human stupidity.
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Wildfires are happening more and more frequently in many countries. Building code changes should go hand in hand with community education about landscaping options etc. It’s a start.
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Indeed, Denise, but it seems we’re slow learners with short memories. 😉
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Cruel, unnecessary devastation, Denise… I always think karma’s on hand for events such as these.
Good six sentences!
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Karma is on hand for all manner of action/behavior.
Thanks, Tom!
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One match can do a lot of damage. Since a wildfire occurred as well I wonder if the stalker was able to get out in time.
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Without doubt, Frank. Without doubt.
Good question. A couple kernels for a story? If you see it, write it! (how that saying goes, right?😉)
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It started so well and then… Such a shame.
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No guarantees, Keith. No crystal balls.
Thank you for reading.
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Beautiful! I’m imagining walking along those trails, myself. But the phrase “no not our place because it was yours” suggests to me that this is (also) about a relationship.
Tragic ending, either way. 💔
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Thank you, Liz!
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Duality…pick your poison…
…the Alchemist laments with spring tears …but pity the fool who thinks that is all…
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…and so floats cosmic debris.
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A sad way for anything to end, burning down to ash.
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It is, Mimi but ashes to ashes, dust to dust.
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Oh my…great writing but oh-so-dreadful tale…I hope it’s fiction ❤ (I wonder if all women have a story like this buried within them…)
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It is whatever it is, to the reader, Zelda. The beauty of writing, yes?
At times an amalgamation of metaphor, pure fiction, real life or simple catharsis playing with the alphabet.
(if not all, very many of us. this is not that❤️)
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The beauty and fun of writing is exactly all that you included, the amalgamation–magical!!
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Oh, the devastation wrought by the careless and the malicious! Horrific, especially when it’s on your doorstep. You struck a chord with me here. We’ve just come through a pretty bad fire season.
A splendid write with the undercurrent of lost love, though. Great Six!
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It is beyond heartbreaking.
Oh, dear. I hope you and Cliff remain safe from the threat.
Thanks, Chris!
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Thanks, D.
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Good bunch ‘o words,
(kinda in sympatico with Spira… duality (or multiality)
…If we’re the center, there is mathematically no way to increase the distance between ourselfs and the fires started by those with stage passes. worse, in the same vein, to paraphrase Dr. John we never walk through the ashes of a total stranger…)
The people in our lives, (especially those appellated as answer-to-dreams?) they din’t bring matches with them… guess where they got ’em?
HEy! GReat Six!
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Thanks, Clark.
Yeah, you guys are on the money.
Rhetorical question of course! We damn well know where they got ’em.
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Great prompt! And what a story! Uttterly devastating ala a wild fire! Here’s my submission https://neelwritesblog.wordpress.com/2022/04/02/neelwrites-flash-fiction-shortstory-sss-slowburn-02-04-2022/
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A sad story, D, whichever way you look. Well chosen words there, and I like its pace 😎
I’ve seen the destruction of a few fires here too, both intentionally caused and natural. Sad to see the ruins left behind.
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Thank you for your comment, V. I was about a 1/3 of the way in when I came across Tom’s song. Can’t really explain it – but I believe the rhythm of the music had something to do with the pace – somehow 😎
Very.
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