She flipped through the photo album. Empty.
She stared at it, wondering again what kind of flower decorated the cover. Her mind tried to find the word for its color then thought about the emptiness again.
Running her fingertips over the delicate petals, she closed her eyes and started humming a lullaby she used to sing to her daughter at bedtime.
Notes floated around her room and she frowned trying to recall the name of the song.
Round and round like the seasons. Cycles of summer, autumn, winter…spring.
Yes. Those flowers blossomed in the spring.
In and out and back again. In the dirt, planting seeds, watering can sprinkles the earth. Stems push through the soil, leaves grow, petals unfold.
Peach. It was peach, that hue. The cover.
Pink.
And the flower, a rose. Carnation. Daisy.
Emptiness. Pink. Flowers. Spring.
With things that are alive trying to sprout from things that look dead.
The album was closed but she knew it was empty. They took the fading photos—black and white memories she was starting to lose.
#BlogBattle is a bimonthly writing prompt for flash/short stories hosted by Rachael Ritchey
Join in. Write a story. Read the stories. Vote for your favorites here.
Week 62 Prompt: Photograph
Genre: Drama
Wow. I really am speechless about this one, Sarah. It’s amazing. It hovers just at the rim of heartbreak. I can’t really describe it.
Just, wow. #mast ❤
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Aw, thank you. What a lovely comment. “hovers just at the rim of heartbreak.” That’s gorgeous. You are such a poet. #mast ❤️
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See? That’s what I say about you too. Especially when you do something like this. It’s not poetry, yet it is…Kind of like the stuff I write.
#mast ❤
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Please. Stop. For the love of the Gods. My writing is nothing like your beautiful poetry! I could never write like that. Don’t even argue because I just won’t approve the comment. Ha! 😘
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Ha! Goodnight, Sarah.
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Lovely, Sarah. Very touching, and so sad. I don’t look forward to ever suffering in such a way. This sweet lady knew she didn’t know. That makes it all the more sad. I like the way she drew the memories out, bit by bit. But she never formed the full picture. I wonder how much more she may have recalled had they not removed the photographs.
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No, this kind of suffering breaks my heart. I don’t look forward to this, either. Hopefully, neither one of us will ever have to deal with it. It does make it more upsetting that she’s aware. Thank you for the lovely comment, though. ❤
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I hope so too. Very poignant. Beautifully written. 🙂
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I disagree with Eric. There is no ‘hovering’ about the heartbreak at the end of this one. “The album was closed but she knew it was empty. They took the fading photos—black and white memories she was starting to lose.” – I look at a photobook and I see snapshots and reminders of great moments. To have those images reduced to mere clippings on a page, to me, is a terrifying loss, and is one of my greatest fears. You made me hold my breath, fighting tears.
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Oh, Allie! ❤ Didn't mean to upset you. I guess, as a writer, I'm glad it's so evocative but I didn't want to tug at a deep-seated fear. I agree. This is heartbreaking and would be a terrifying loss.
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Beautiful, haunting piece, Sarah. It’s perfect.
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Thank you. ❤
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Wow. So sad. Beautiful and haunting and wonderful.
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Thank you. What a lovely comment, Hugh. 🙂
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Beautifully sad. I love how you’ve said so much in so few words. ❤
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I do love the flash fiction. Thanks so much. ❤
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Very evocative. You gave us just enough backstory, but not too much. 🙂
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Thank you. 🙂 Glad I got some of her life/story across.
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Wow… It’s beautifully written, Sarah. Unfortunate, but beautiful.
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Thanks, Heena. ❤
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Pleasure!
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You write sooooooooooo well! Damn I wish you would write a novel because I would buy it. There is a wonderful haunting feel to this.
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Thanks, Lucy. ❤ Oh…I'm working on it (them). Now I'm wondering what program/software to use. Looking forward to yours. *nudge*
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Sarah, this is beautiful but also very sad.
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Yes, it is sad. But thank you. ❤ (It's good to see you at the Reef!)
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Beautiful and heartbreaking, Sarah! ❤
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Thank you. ❤️
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Poignant. Heart-wrenching. Regrettable.
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Thank you. 💛
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You are welcome, Sarah. 🙂
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Pingback: #BlogBattle 63 “Hero” Entries & Voting | BlogBattle
I concur with everyone else – beautifully melancholy writing, Sarah! A well-deserved win 😀👏
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Thanks so much, Helen! 🙂
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Thanks, everyone! ❤ I'm thrilled and honored to have won this BlogBattle. There were so many amazing stories. (And it is so awesome that I get to put the shiny, new battle winner badge on my blog.) 🙂
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Congrats on the win! 🙂
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Thanks! 💖 Love the new badge you designed.
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😀 Thanks, Sarah. I had a lot of fun working on it.
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