SOUL CLUSTER
“Fifty
people lived there,” the man said, “Including my family.”
The
camera crew began filming as the reporter asked, “In that small house?”
“We couldn’t
use the house – we lived in the cellar. “
“All
those months?”
“More
than a year.”
“What did
you eat?”
“Dogs, rats,
even grass. And there are always cockroaches.”
“No-one
can live on that.”
“Many didn’t.
My mother died first, and then the babies, but a bomb got them all in the end.”
“All except
you.”
“I was
fetching water. It is a small comfort to know that their souls reached heaven
together.”
...........................................................
Thanks to Rochelle for posting Vijaya Sundaram's photo on her blog https://rochellewisofffields.wordpress.com/ To read other interpretations of this photo, follow the blue frog link from there.
People who write these things as often as you do can't possibly produce a winner every time. But having read many of your flashes, this one has to be one of the best. A clever and moving interpretation of the image - which took rather longer than a flash to twig.
ReplyDeleteNeil
Liverpool UK
(Fellow TB'er)
Thanks Neil - and for reading enough of my flash fiction to make comparisons!
DeleteOh, so sad, really knocks the reader sideways. Very well written, once more.
ReplyDeleteI saw souls the moment I saw the photo prompt - I have a strange mind.
DeleteExcellent, Liz - echo Neil's post. :)
ReplyDeletethanks Susan - this was one of those instant stories - ten minutes from start to finish. Then an hour to polish, but we won't talk about that!
DeleteGreat imagery.
ReplyDeleteThank you, yarnspinner.
DeleteThe grim realities of war. Well told, Liz.
ReplyDeleteThaks GaH.
DeleteDear Liz,
ReplyDeleteGrim reality for some. Well written.
Shalom,
Rochelle
For some, yes, though others are saved, but it's a lottery with high stakes.
DeleteJust the right tone for the interviewee. Kind of dignified and phlegmatic. Well done.
ReplyDeleteAll the poor man has left is his dignity. Thanks Sandra.
DeleteAt least I hope they got the cockroaches too!
ReplyDeleteI doubt it - cockroaches can survive a nuclear blast!
DeleteTo live that way sends shivers up my spine. In a way, most people would think he is grateful for living, but on the other hand I would want to go with them. This is beautifully written and definitely soul crushing.
ReplyDeleteTo be the only survivor? One would never recover.
DeleteHoly... My second tragic story in five minutes.
ReplyDeleteWell done though! Keep up the good words.
Something about those lights in the sky ignited quite a few tragic stories.
DeleteOh this is a story that I think is being repeated everywhere... again and agian.
ReplyDeleteSadly, yes.
DeleteNicely written, Liz. Great title. What a horrible scene come to life with your words.
ReplyDeleteHi Amy! Thankyou for reading my story. Glad you like the title even though the contents are tragic.
DeleteGracias Anna - voy a leerlo mas tarde.
ReplyDeleteSmall comfort, indeed.
ReplyDeleteHis alternative would be total despair.
DeleteVery well penned.
ReplyDeleteStoriesandmore
Thanks Dahlia.
DeleteA beautiful, crushingly sad tale, told in a laconic vein.
ReplyDeleteWell-done!
Vijaya
Sometimes understatement gets the message across most effectively.
DeleteReally sad and realistic in this day and age, Liz. That's surviving not living. That's what's happening to many. Good writing and a hard-hitting story. ---- Suzanne
ReplyDeleteThanks Suzanne - sometimes it's up to writers to mark what others think but can't express.
Delete