This blog is for all who desire to create with words and images.
You are encouraged to participate in any way that is meaningful to you.

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All prompts beneath the photos are only suggestions.
You are free to use the photo to be inspired to write any way you desire.
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There is no deadline on posting,
you may offer your writing to any prompt anytime.
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Write and you are a writer.

Friday, September 18, 2009

The Laundress


Photo by Dan Felstead
Wood and Pixels Narratives - http://www.woodandpixels.blogspot.com/
ETSY Shop: Wood and Pixels - http://www.woodandpixels.etsy.com/
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Suggested Prompt...
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Write a story or poem for her.


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Elijah was killed last year in the main tent collapse. It was the worst tragedy to smite Philadelphia in years. Just like any other morning they rolled into town with the fanfare of ancient Rome. Colorful horse drawn wagons from Europe, Elephants from Africa, Indian Tigers and Elijah spinning on the flatbed wagon inviting the young and young at heart to the Greatest Show on Earth. Sarah and their young daughter was on the flatbed spinning the rope so the trapeze would swing while Elijah performed for the crowds lining Main Street.

The night of the tragedy, Sarah was ill with the fever so she and her daughter stayed away while Elijah performed.

At 8:30 that evening Sarah was stunned by the whoosh of air and screams of the crowd...as she looke outside...all she could see was splintered tent poles and in one moment of terror...she realized the devastation she saw and the realization that the crowd and the Elijah lay at the bottom underneath the white cotton grave that spread out before her like a vision. Was it the fever? Was she really seeing this?

The Circus was the only thing she and her daughter knew...the family tradition went back 2 generations. From that day forward, she and her daughter carried on the tradition in honor of Elijah.

The laundry finished just in time for the small leotard to dry for tonight's performance..."The youngest performer ever to take to the high flying trapeze" was now top billing.

Dan Felstead


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4 comments:

Dan Felstead said...

Elijah was killed last year in the main tent collapse. It was the worst tragedy to smite Philadelphia in years. Just like any other morning they rolled into town with the fanfare of ancient Rome. Colorful horse drawn wagons from Europe, Elephants from Africa, Indian Tigers and Elijah spinning on the flatbed wagon inviting the young and young at heart to the Greatest Show on Earth. Sarah and their young daughter was on the flatbed spinning the rope so the trapeze would swing while Elijah performed for the crowds lining Main Street.

The night of the tragedy, Sarah was ill with the fever so she and her daughter stayed away while Elijah performed.

At 8:30 that evening Sarah was stunned by the whoosh of air and screams of the crowd...as she looke outside...all she could see was splintered tent poles and in one moment of terror...she realized the devastation she saw and the realization that the crowd and the Elijah lay at the bottom underneath the white cotton grave that spread out before her like a vision. Was it the fever? Was she really seeing this?

The Circus was the only thing she and her daughter knew...the family tradition went back 2 generations. From that day forward, she and her daughter carried on the tradition in honor of Elijah.

The laundry finished just in time for the small leotard to dry for tonight's performance..."The youngest performer ever to take to the high flying trapeze" was now top billing.

Dan

Monica Manning said...

@Dan: Wonderful picture and even more beautiful story. Kudos, Dan.

Unknown said...

Have you gone a day
without having bread
to give your girl?

I have.

After things
fell apart
when I was 19
I said goodbye
to my family
they died in the crash
life took off
and I got dizzy
watching it pass

I had my girl
when the second decade
started. My man
left me alone with her.

Her curls surprised me.

Now I have a little
lady.
She looks up at me
and respects what I do
even if I never would have.

With her curls,
and little swinging hips
and smart eyes,
I hope things are better
for her.

christine said...

Mummy, why can't I carry my basket on my head like you do?

Mummy. why does the basket seem heavier when we come back from the stream?

Mummy, why can't I have a white dress?

Mumy, why is the basket getting darker where the washing is?

Mummy, what's for dinner?

Mummy, I'm tired, can you carry me?