CITYSCAPE
From sixty
storeys aboveground I’m a god, surveying the pointless life below.
Before
daybreak traffic began poisoning the air – no wonder there’s no sign of green
anywhere. People poured out of subways and scurried along pavements to spend
hours behind glass producing nothing of value.
I used to
live down there, taking pride in my skill at ducking and diving to earn a crust
while staying out of trouble. But no more – now it’s time to end it.
I move
closer to the edge and leap off ...... then spread my wings in the clean air and soar
away to the forest.
..........................................................................
The above photograph taken by Marie Gail Stratford was posted by Rochelle on her blog https://rochellewisofffields.wordpress.com/ for Friday Fictioneers.
You can follow the lik on her blog to read other writers' takes on the prompt - after you've commented on mine, please!
And here, for your delectation, is a photograph I took last night outside my home.
I used to work in the city so I can empathise with your narrator. I was never moved to jump off a tall building, but then I never imagined I possessed the abilities of your narrator. Nicely done, and love your evening sky.
ReplyDeleteI worked in London for a while back in my youth. Give me the country every time!
DeleteLove the description in this piece. It's a great image to be inspired by - although I'm finding your sunset just as inspiring. Beautiful shot.
ReplyDeleteThanks Annalisa - and the sunset was glorious.
DeleteDear Liz,
ReplyDeleteI hope that your narrator truly has wings. Your story put me in mind of a trip to Los Angeles years ago. I remember standing on a hill on Sunset Blvd watching a line of greenish brown smog rise with the sun. Ugh.
Well written story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Smog? Ugh indeed! I actually had a bird in mind as my narrator, hence the oblique reference to 'earning a crust', but it was obvioiusly TOO oblique!
DeleteVery nice - I grew up in the London suburbs and worked in London until I escaped to the orange groves of Spain. I did love London... but!
ReplyDeleteYour sunset is gorgeous!
Are you doing the A-Z challenge this year, Lizy? I'm giving it a go for the first time. :)
Thanks Susan, and no - I've done the A-Z challenge several times but haven't got the energy - or the ideas - this year. I wish you luck!
DeleteI pictured your narrator as a bird... and loved it!
ReplyDeleteWell done, Dale - you get the star mark!
DeleteReincarnation as a pigeon has to be better than being cooped in a sterile cube.
ReplyDeleteYou are right there, oldentimes, and thank you for coming back.
DeleteReally like the flash fiction, Liz. At first I thought it was about someone who had died, but then I realised with the ending that it was a bird. Birds do have a lot of freedom.
ReplyDeleteAn enviable freedom, Eve - glad you liked the story.
Deletelucky!
ReplyDeleteAnyone who has wings is lucky!
DeleteNow that's the kind of jumping off high buildings I like: when a pidgeon or other bird does it. Great story, nice misdirection, and that picture is amazing. Such gorgeous colours.
ReplyDeleteThank you Ga H - I'm glad you saw my bird!
DeleteFantastic. I love where you took this. The point of view is magic. Pity us poor humans who can't take wing and lift up above the street level. Lovely photo you took, too.
ReplyDeleteThanks margirene. Yes, it would be lovely to be able to fly. Do you press the 'publish' button twice, love? I always seem to get two identical comments from you!
DeleteFantastic. I love where you took this. The point of view is magic. Pity us poor humans who can't take wing and lift up above the street level. Lovely photo you took, too.
ReplyDeleteI thought this was a bird, Liz. It's far better off in the forest. The picture taken outside your home is fantastic. What a sky! Well done. :) --- Suzanne
ReplyDeletethan you Suzanne - I imagined the bird as elderly and tired of city life, so he retired to the forest.
DeleteA lot like the movie "Birdman." Glad to see she is soaring at last.
ReplyDeleteNever saw the movie - was it a Superhero one?
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DeleteLove this one, Liz, completely unexpected! ~Liz http://www.lizbrownleepoet.com
ReplyDelete