Here is this week’s entry into the weekly challenge brought to us by the lovely Rochelle Wisoff-Fields. Here are the rules: Use the photo as inspiration, write a hundred(ish) words – and share! Here goes my offering for this week – and I welcome your comments again!
Copyright – David Stewart
– Unreachable –
I can’t reach you any more. You’re distant, your eyes aren’t with me. You look the same, but you’re no longer you.
I think about when we were small, and the world seemed so big. Even though it was just our back yard, the brambles and creepers were our jungle, our wilderness, our desert, our uncharted territories. We were mercenaries, vagabonds and pirates. We climbed the mainsail to the crow’s nest, shouted out ‘Land Ahoy!’ and hoisted a Jolly Roger high, so achingly, heart-stoppingly high, from the old oak tree above our heads.
I can’t reach you now. You just see a ladder, where I still see adventure. You’ve let the world crush you.
You’re gone.
__
Freya Writes... 
Lovely use of the ladder image Freya. Great stuff.
Thank you, I’m glad you enjoyed it.
The world shrinks as we grow older and bigger, doesn’t it?
It certainly does. And we think, for a time, that we know it all. I would love to retain at least some of that childlike wonder.
Dear Freya,
If there were “love” icon I would click it. Your story is both heart wrenching and breath-taking. To say much more would just detract from the beauty of it.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Thank you so much, Rochelle. And thank you for offering us the weekly inspirations.
The former complicity feels true-to-life and reminds me of my own childhood and the games with my brothers and the neighbour’s son while the present contrast between the two characters is quite painful and sad. Lovely entry!
I’m glad you enjoyed it. I was an only child until I was not quite 13, so this is really and truly my imagination at work in that aspect. Or maybe it’s my child self talking to me now…
Let us all promise never to be crushed.
I agree, absolutely.
Great take on the prompt, and a convincing voice.
Thank you, Sandra.
I love the line “You just see a ladder, where I still see adventure.” What a total difference in perspectives.
Thank you, David. Sometimes, I have flashes of inspiration.
Ooh, the ending hurt. As David says, perspective is everything
I’m pleased that you ‘enjoyed’ the shift in perspective.
He’ll be back.
I hope so!
I thought your story was about lovers, then I thought about childhood friends. Thank you.
You won’t believe the meanderings I went through in my head on the ‘who’ for this piece! I’m glad you liked it.
Love this, Freya, and it’s right along the lines of my thoughts this week. Have a lovely weekend.
janet
Thank you Janet – I’m glad you enjoyed it and that it resonated with you. Have a lovely weekend too.
Wonderful imagery. Childhood is one big playground isn’t it?
It is indeed. Thank you for reading and your lovely response.
“You just see a ladder where I still see adventure.” – this was powerful, darling. Well done, and an excellent diversion from literal interpretation.
Thank you! Being contrarian can often produce positive results 🙂
Wonderful, though sad, as it’s very much true. Beautifully crafted.
Thank you very much, Troy.
Lovely story. Resonant. “You just see a ladder, where I still see adventure.” How many of my childhood’s best friends this seems to fit.
Thank you, thesupercargo (love your name!). I plan not to fall into that trap myself. Wish me luck!
This is a lovely story.. so sad when the magic of youth is gone.
Thank you Bjorn – yes, it really is sad.
Nice use of imagery. I like the nostalgic feeling, the reflection of what once was, and what now is.
Thank you, Lorri.