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7.12.17

PARTITION - a story in one hundred words

PARTITION

A Government official drew a line on a map and overnight we became aliens in our own country. Old enmities rose like vomit – neighbours took our homes and land.
Driven by soldiers and by fear, we walked for weeks, carrying our young and old, until we reached this place. At first we were glad to rest, but the shelter was an illusion. Crammed in like market animals, fighting for space and food, the noise and stink were indescribable.
Then disease came – weakened by starvation, many died, and our prison oozed despair.

The day I buried my babies, even the trees wept.
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The plight of refugees in many parts of the world is close to my thoughts while we prepare for a peaceful family Christmas here, so Dale Rogerson's photo prompted me to write this story for Friday Fictioneers, hosted my the lovely Rochelle on her blog  https://rochellewisoff.com/

My book A Volcanic Race, which is for sale now on Amazon, is also available to borrow from the town library in Ingersoll, Ontario, which is some consolation in view of my failure to get a copy - or even a leaflet - into my local library. I would also be delighted if some of you FFers bought a copy of your own and posted a review :)

36 comments:

  1. Dear Liz,

    Beautifully written but oh so tragic.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

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  2. Very moving take on the photo, Liz.

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  3. So sad - and so real.
    The last line is tragically beautiful.

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  4. Tragic and beautifully written, Liz

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  5. Oh, wow, Lizy. That left me speechless.

    Susan A Eames at
    Travel, Fiction and Photos

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  6. Powerful stuff

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  7. This is outstanding. Real. Heartbreaking.

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    1. Thanks Linda - what a shame it is close to reality.

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  8. We've experienced this in India not that long ago (1947) so it's all so real for us. Haunting times our grandparents went through, I wish there was a way those fighting across the world could be made to understand the tragedy any 'victory' would lead to!

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    1. I had the India/Pakistan debacle in mind as well as what's happening now in Bangladesh and other places. The human race can be incredibly cruel.

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  9. this reminds me of what happened in palestine during the mandatory period. very sad.

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  10. Very moving, Liz. And so sadly real.
    By the way, your book is in my iPad, waiting to be read... ;-)

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  11. Oh the plight of refugees... I expect this to happen over and over again..

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  12. An excellent - but tragic - tale

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  13. Oh, ouch! You did a great job of describing man's cruelty to man. Sadly, we never learn.

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    1. The trouble is that although many of us have learned, those in power do nothing about it.

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  14. Oh wow Liz, this is one of your best.

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    1. Thanks you Dawn - and thanks also for commenting so regularly!

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  15. This is a powerful, tragic and timely story, Liz. Suffering is heaped on suffering. Good writing. ---- Suzanne

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