She was about five when she stopped crying. But she still crawled into bed with me. Me. The broken one, the brave one, the older one.
My identity was older sister.
I’d been alive three years longer than she. That’s all I had to offer.
She snuggled with me, her raggedy stuffed rabbit tucked tightly to her chest.
Sometimes, on summer nights, we’d tiptoe to the porch. I’d point to the trees and tell her they were our watchers. They would protect us.
I remember those evenings the most. When the skies were beautiful watercolor paintings of our bruises.
I’ve combined two prompts this week:
#writephoto, a weekly writing prompt for poetry/flash/short stories hosted by Sue Vincent which asks writers to use photos for inspiration (the photo above is this week’s prompt)
and Flash Fiction Challenge over at Carrot Ranch which asks writers to pen a piece in 99 words (this week’s prompt: Watchers).
February 16, 2017 prompt: Watchers – In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story that includes a watcher.
Chills, Sarah – excellent as always! I like the idea of trees being watchers. Keep them coming!
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Thank you! 💕 I love the idea of tress watching over us, too.
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Oh Sarah you’ve done it again. Another very powerful flash. I doubt I will ever look at skies that colour again without thinking of bruises.
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Ack! No… You’ve got many evenings to watch the sunset and think of lovely things. 💕 Thanks, Irene.
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Beautifully written and touches the heart. I live in an area where there quite a lot of trees and I do feel protected around them; watching us in their own way.
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I love trees. They are watchers for sure. I feel the same. Thank you. 💕
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You take an idea a well trodden path and in less time than it takes to slap your forehead you create a powerful script of a 2 hour film in 200 words. Extraordinary visual imagery
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Wow. Thank you, Geoff. 😊
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I would have said what Geoff said if I’d thought of it! Powerful stuff, Sarah. You have taken that sky and portrayed it beautifully with your words, even if what the image describes is more sad than beautiful. I might even go so far as to say this has got to be my new favourite. 🙂
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Wow. Really? That’s high praise, Norah. Thank you. 😊 💕 Yes…that sky. What a beautuful image.
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And story!
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💕😊
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I hope the sisters have better days ahead and the sky is blue and twinkles in their eyes.
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Aw. Yes. I wish that for them, too. Blue skies and sunshine. 🙂 Thanks!
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Wow, that’s lovely, well not the bruises part, that’s most assuredly not lovely, but the rest – the bond between sisters and the trees, beautiful.
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Thanks, Allie. 💕
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Awesome images and emotions in this — and an amazing punch(in the gut)line!
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Punch(in the gut)line. Nice one. Thank you. 💜
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Lovely flash. I love this line: I’d been alive three years longer than she. That’s all I had to offer. It’s so hard being the eldest sibling, especially when they’re children…
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It is difficult. Especially under conditions where all you have to offer is the fact you were born first. Thanks, Luccia. 💕
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So much happening in these 99 words, branching out like the watchers. It makes me think the older sister (her identity — wow) struggles to find a protector, but I love the myth that it could be the trees. You’ve achieved a balance between bruises and beauty.
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I know. That’s all she is (in her mind). I love the idea of the trees being watchers and protectors. Glad I managed that balance. Thank you. 💕
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Exceptional, Sarah… and heartbreaking.
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Thank you, Sue. 💕
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Brilliant as ever and of course I admire your economy in combining two prompts.
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Ha! The economy. Well, I wasn’t sure how that would go but, alas, here we are. Two little birds, one little story. Thanks, Anne. 💕
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Absolutely amazing. You know I am a fan of your work…I still insist you are the undisputed mistress of this kind of writing! So well done! #mast ❤
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I do know that. You are so supportive, my friend. But, still, this is a lovely compliment. Thank you. 💕 #mast
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I love the way you’ve linked the two prompts.
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Thanks! If I’m recalling correctly, it’s the first time I’ve ever done that. Worked out okay. 🙂
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Gorgeous writing!
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Thank you! 💕
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Reblogged this on Thoughts by Mello-Elo and commented:
Book Tuesday
I’ve decided to share this flash fiction piece for today as I feel it has such a strong imagery that speaks to the reader and tells a longer story.
Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
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Thanks so much for the comment and share! ❤
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Lovely Sarah. You, your sister’s watcher, and both being watched by the trees.I loved it. ❤
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Thank you. ❤
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❤
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Flawless Sarah! What a wonderful way to capture the relationship between the two sisters. Great Post! KL ❤
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Thanks so much! ❤
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