PHOTO PROMPT© CEAyr
The sun was fading as Sal approached the Widow, the crag black against a golden sky. The breeze was chill, autumn coming on before her time.
Producing the flowers from her apron pocket, her voice shook as she spoke.
‘Widow, I bring you rosemary for remembrance of him I lost. Heather for an earnest wish come true. Windflower for anticipation of my dear man’s return.’
Hands quivering, she placed the stems in the rocky hollows, the stone cold and rough against her fingertips.
The breeze blew against her ear like a warm breath carrying a whisper.
Windflower for fading hope …
Written for Rochelle Wisoff-Field’s Friday Fictioneers. The most fun you can have at a keyboard. See here to join in and to read the other stories.
According to The Flower Expert, heather ‘indicates that wishes will come true’ and anemones (known by some as windflowers) ‘symbolizes anticipation’ as well as indicating ‘fading hope’.
Beautifully atmospheric
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Thanks so much Neil
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What a beautiful story, and how sad. Poor Sal! That’s lovely writing, Lynn.
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Thank you so much Penny 🙂
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Wonderful descriptions, and what an uplifting ending. Great writing, Lynn.
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Thank you Gabi 🙂
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Is it about a lady who is soon to receive the unfortunate news confronting the unfortunate word bracket she is going to fall into ?
So beautiful, so reined !
I loved learning the symbolism too. Thanks Lynn.🙂I don’t know what I typed as the screen is blank, as always.keeping my fingers crossed.🙂😀
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Hadn’t thought of that, but you could be right. I confess calling the rock the Widow just popped into my head as large rocks like this are often named and it had the potential to sound creepy! Thanks for bringing an extra depth to the idea.
I’ve had one other person say the same about the comment box, yet when I go on the site myself what I type comes up. Wonder what’s happening there?
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Oh okay . I hadn’t thought about rocks with names. Thanks.
Yes, it does happen whenever I am over at yours to comment. Perhaps, it doesn’t like me to comment .🙂
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Another blogger has mentioned it but when I go on the site myself I don’t have a problem. I’m looking into it but not sure what to do as I won’t know if I fix it! Not very tech savvy, sorry!
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Lynn, it’s only making me a better thinker and type-r.😀😀 Please don’t say sorry as I am really awkward in the technology department.😀
What matters most is the privilege to read your uniquely exquisite stories.
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Ah, thank you so much. And thanks for being so understanding. I will keep looking into it 🙂
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Oh that wasn’t reined but refined.😀
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🙂
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A medieval take on the prompt. Love the hints at elementism. 😊 I wondered and looked forward to where you would take this LL and I was not disappointed.
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Thank you so much Kelvin. Really glad you liked it 🙂
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That double meaning for windflower is a lovely contrast. Beautifully written Lynn.
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Thank Iain. Yes, a fortunate happenstance that I found that in a brief search. It seemed to fot the tale nicely. A warning that you ight not always get what you’re seeking. Thanks for reading
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Beautifully written and very atmospheric.
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Thanks so much 🙂
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So sad. Perfectly written.
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Thanks so much 🙂
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Reminds me of how some Catholics and Orthodox Jews pray at certain places, like the burial spot of a Saint or Tzaddek.
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Certain places hold a sway over religions don’t they? A power. As you say, it’s the same here. The rock has gained significance and importance over time. Thanks so much for reading James
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There mist be a tale behind why the rock is “The Widow.” If I ere superstitious I’d still try to find the shrine of someone more upbeat, like the rock of Good Hope. 😉
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(What A mess of typos! I still can’t see a word I’m typing! Grr…
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It confuses me this, as I’ve tried again to comment myself and see it no problem. Have tried to search how to fix it, but not sure how I’ll know if I have when I can’t see the issue from my end. Sorry it’s so irritating
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Ha, very true, Christine! Yes, there must be a story behind it, though I doubt it’s a good one. Thanks for reading 🙂
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In my story I mentioned “Old Wives Lake.” This gets its name from an Indian story of a massacre, which in time became a legend: the lake was formed by the tears of the old women. (If you’re interested you can probably find it on Wiki.)
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That’s a sad way for a lake to earn its name. But so often this is the kind of event places are named after. Events that stick in the memory of the people who experienced and survived them. Thanks for sharing the story Christine
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A sad tale, well written. loved it.
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Thanks so much Jelli 🙂
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Beautiful, my dear, just beautiful.
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Thanks so much Alicia x
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My pleasure
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🙂
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A tender tale which is a pleasure to read.
Click to read my FriFic
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Thanks Keith
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Really lovely and evocative piece this week
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Thanks Josh
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What a great interpretation of the image, to picture it as an altar, a place for place tokens of prayer and hope. What a sad answer she received, although I somehow imagine she wasn’t surprised. Beautiful piece, Lynn.
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Thank you Joy. Yes, whenever I see stones like this, I can’t help but think of the importance they once had in the landscape, for the people who lived by them. Some of the beliefs surrounding such monoliths continued for hundreds of years, right up to the start of the last century. Thank you for reading
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And you know I’m fascinated by those kinds of beliefs, and how they start, and how they change over time. Interesting stuff!
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Yes, isn’t it? I’ve roughly mapped out a plot for a novel all about this kind of thing, about a family who uphold the old traditions in a village (beating the bounds, wassailing, opening the back door at New Year to let the bad spirits out) but modernity is creeping on and other villages are letting the old ways slide. But these beliefs have been keeping some old evil at bay and when the lights begin to go out in these other communities, whole towns vanishing, until only our village is left to stop an oncoming, dark tide … Sigh. Another idea as yet unwritten
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Interesting idea! I know what you mean, though — I have countless ideas for the next story, and not enough time to finish the ones I’ve already started!
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Never, ever enough time! 🙂
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That was absolutely beautiful, Lynn. Oh that she didn’t know windflower had more than one meaning…or power
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Thanks so much Dale. Always be careful about the powers you mess with – and to be fully informed at all times! Thanks for reading
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You do an absolutely wonderful job with this story describing the features! This is such a sad tale that you worked your magic on – Really – I am so very impressed with your talent!
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Ah, thank you so much Nan. What a lovely comment. Thank you so much for your kindness
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I wonder if she was the only one to leave offerings at the stone. Good story 🙂
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I don’t think she was,Jane I think there was a tradition of it. And I’m sure not everyone got the answers they would have prefered. Thanks for reading
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It’s usually the case 🙂
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Be careful what you wish for
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🙂
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Magnificent.
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Thank you C 🙂
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A very sweet and thoughtful story. Full of good things to read, Lynn. Very edifying. And, of course, you WOULD incorporate flowers (which are always nice). 😉
Again, sweet job, Lynn. 🙂
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Ah, thanks Kent. I reminded myself of Hamlet, where Ophelia having lost her mind, hands flowers to the assembled cast. ‘Rosemary for remembrance’ when she is forgetting who she is. Thanks for reading
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Oh that last line tugged at the heartstrings Lynn!
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Ah, thank you, Louise. Glad it worked for you 🙂
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Very good writing. A tale of love, loss and anticipation. Loved it.
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Thanks so much. Glad you enjoyed it
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Lovely writing.
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Thanks Clare 🙂
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Such a well written sad story.
Come see mine here.
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Thanks so much for reading 🙂
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The cycle completes with the blowing away of the windflower. The contrast was beautifully set, Lynn.
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Thank you Neel. 🙂
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Dear Lynn,
“…autumn before her time.” I love that line. Beautifully written as always.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks so much Rochelle. Glad you liked it 🙂
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That last line was a killer. Very creative take on the prompt.
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Thanks so much 🙂
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I loved the flow of this piece. Masterful writing.
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Thanks so much Russell and thanks for reading 🙂
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Lovely. Poetic.
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Thanks Dawn 🙂
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