Winter solstice
crisp air stung as darkness fell
lantern lit hung on burial spade
its job to dig
the pit
coffin raw in state bore no brass or copper handles
… rough sawn timber to conceal the dead
family mourned
waited for the driver dressed in black
with his horse to cart their dead away
…he the suffering witness to tears in grief
women on bended knees scream out
her name
– 1848 –
the sickness hit …bodies fell
prevent the germs from spreading
pulse weak hot bread on soles of feet
reaction none ….pronounced dead
burial must be quick
white and drained of colour
lain not on satin but threadbare cloth
they lifted her…. to hearse
gathered to walk the streets
listen to the iron wheels the sounds of hooves
her whispers could not be heard amongst their wails
I did not die I am alive
……she cried beside them
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
150 words or less of Fiction For Angela Geoff and
Ramblings From A Mum 
Ooh is this another weekly photo fiction thing?
Hi Mate – yes Visdare is one of my favourites – very unusual photo’s to work with – there are quite a few around now. 🙂 I will get to yours on Sunday hopefully 🙂
I think I’ll have a look at that tomorrow. Thanks 🙂
🙂
Where are those coffin bells when you need them? Like the jerkiness of this and you get in so much detail.
Thank you so much Sarah, I know, all I needed was them chiming in the background 🙂 It is rather jerky isn’t it, last night after writing, I lay in bed (too tired and cold to get up) and change but it worried me till I fell asleep. I shall let it go for a day then revisit see if I can tighten it up more.
No need to tighten it up. I think the jerkiness works.
ha, unbelievable… wanted to call my latest poem ‘bring out the dead’ but decided against it… and now i find this! 😀
very dark and powerful write… love it.
sorry for not replying to your email yet – am up for a photo challenge this weekend if you still want to – i am swamped right now! hope all is well… xx
Great minds… in light of worldly events perhaps the title is not very fitting, but I was trying to get the Cholera epidemic and that is what they called out. Thank you for reading & your lovely words. Re email that’s fine – yes definitely photo challenge this weekend! – All is well (hope you’re still buying toothpicks) 😉 xx
Wow; this is so emotional and raw. I love when you write the gritty stuff.
I appreciate such a wonderful compliment – thank you so much sweet xx 🙂
Wow this was so cool!!! I loved it, Mumsy…Hugs Paula xxxxxxx
I thank you for thinking it ‘cool’ 🙂 xxx
Sometimes macabre is just what is needed — and this was the photo to do it with! WOW this was beautiful – darkly beautiful, but with such brisk, spare, haunting, lovely lines. You really know how to fit a world of emotion and power into a handful of words. Well done!
Angela such a compliment I am honoured – thank you. I think your photos are the most captivating, many others I struggle with in prompts, but yours..I do not think there has been one that my muse and I haven’t challenged 🙂 Appreciate your kindness.
Bloody hell Jen… Forget the day job and concentrate on your writing.. Damn awesome woman.. xxx
I am so blushing right now – if only I could….. if only..
Thank you sweetheart so very, very much. xxx
xxx