THE SERF
The new
labourer is an odd bloke. He was mixing cement by hand till I showed him how to
use the mixer. Mind you, the brickies claimed his cement was the best they’d
ever used, so he knows his job.
Took some
persuading to wear a hard-hat, too, and his clothes are weird, but he’s a grafter –
looked shocked when we stopped for a brew-up, and can you believe he’s never
tasted tea? Said serfs weren’t given such luxuries, and Den asked him where he
came from.
“This place,”
he said, “Before cannons destroyed it.”
Fair gave
me the shivers, that did.
.................................................................................
I always sense the ghosts when I visit a ruin, hence this week's story prompted by Roger Bulltot's photo on https://rochellewisoff.com/ where Rochelle holds court.
As I am flying off to Canada on Friday to visit my son and his family, I apologise in advance for a) my lack of comments on other FF blogs, b) delayed or absent replies to any comments you are kind enough to make on mine, and c) my probable absence from FF for the next two weeks. Be good while I'm gone!
So, ghost or time traveler?
ReplyDeleteA ghost probably couldn't mix decent cement.
DeleteOh yes.. that would be an interesting thing to have ghosts of past coming in for work
ReplyDeleteHelping to rebuild their home?
DeleteThat's a word that can be taken several ways!
ReplyDeletePerhaps he is condemned to keep reappearing everytime they renovate and restore through the ages. Nice take.
ReplyDeleteRe-learning building practices as he goes?
DeleteFun story. Enjoy your trip!
ReplyDeleteThanks Dawn
Deletethey should have looked if his feet were touching the ground. if they weren't, he was likely a ghost. :)
ReplyDeleteIs that how you recognise a ghost? Wow!
DeleteBet he'd be impressed with the minimum wage - and the fact people can fly off the Canada! Have a great trip.
ReplyDeleteImpressed? I wonder!
DeleteDear Liz,
ReplyDeleteThis picture did inspire ghost storied, didn't it? Myself included. Good one as always. And you will be missed.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Thanks Rochelle - I'll try to read from Canada but I doubt I shall write - lots of Nanny cuddling to be done!
DeleteGreat ghostie, Liz. Have a good trip!
ReplyDeleteThanks Sandra.
DeleteSpooky tale, Liz! A ghost trying to mix cement...that was a great take on the prompt by the way!!
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed it, Esha.
DeleteYou have an ear for poetry. The sound in this is impeccable.
ReplyDeleteWow, thanks Kona!
DeleteGave me the shivers too . Never tasted tea? How old is he, exactly ?
ReplyDeleteGreat story , Liz.
Wishing you a fantastic trip !
Will miss your stories.
He'd be as old as the castle, I guess!
DeleteSpooky
ReplyDeleteNice take on the picture.
Click Here to see what Mrs. Dash Says
Thanks, DeeDee, though a ghost who's that helpful can't be too scary!
DeleteI loved this take, Liz. Leaves us posing questions, which is a good thing!
ReplyDeleteWhere in Canada - we are quite the vast country! ;-) Enjoy your trip. We'll be here when you get back!
Ingersoll Ontario, visit with son who married a Canadian, plus their two girls aged two and a half, and one month. Travelling with me are my daughter and her daughter aged two and a half.
DeleteConnie would love to have a laborer like him around here. :) Russell
ReplyDeleteOne who doesn't ask for much and doesn't stop for tea?
DeleteThat's an intriguing idea, to have a serf come back and work on the building. Maybe he'll finally find some freedom.
ReplyDeleteMaybe he will. Thanks for commenting?
DeleteI love the language in this, the time-travel. I always imagine who might have come before when I visit a place. Tidily done. Thank you. Travel safely
ReplyDeleteThanks Alicia.
ReplyDelete