Reclaimed – VisDare 60

‘I have saved them – they are not lost, thank goodness, oh thank goodness!’

Judah’s thoughts raced and he released a shuddering sigh, expelling the pent-up adrenalin of the past hours. All he had left in the world, and he had snatched it from destruction with moments to spare. Someone – or something – was smiling down on him.

“Hey, hands off the truck, this haul is mine, mate!”

Judah’s hot temper flashed momentarily, but he knew when he was beaten – he had no energy left for a fight with Solly, the local prize-fighter. The time for acting first, thinking later, was gone. Times had changed.

As the truck coughed into life and roared away, he turned to his small daughters standing expectantly behind him – his only reason for living, now and always.

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After a long absence, I decided to return to Angela’s VisDare prompt, where the challenge is to respond, in 150 words or less, to the photo she puts up on her blog each week. Something about this photo really pulled me in, so the story wrote itself – result! I had in mind refugees escaping conflict – I have used Jewish/Yiddish names, because that is the tie in history I know most about, but sadly, the situation can be easily transferred to any conflict where civilians are the victims…

I hope you enjoy it, please do take part. I’ll be linking up now and commenting on other contributions later!

Dumped

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“Those damned scrap merchants are at it again. Dumping their stuff in our car park whilst they gallivant around the town! Mr Fletcher is going to go crazy! Jason, why haven’t you been keeping things under control?”

“Ah, Dad, that ain’t fair! You’ve had me chasing round this stupid car park all bloody day. It’s been chucking it down with rain and you’ve been up in the office, all cozy and warm, drinking coffee!”

“Less of your cheek, boy. And whilst we’re on duty, it’s Mr Allen to you, not ‘Dad’. Fletcher Park & Ride is a stickler for procedure.”

“Dad. I think – “

“Shush! I’m on the phone to ‘Crush & Burn’. I’m sick of these people, messing up our car parks, taking all the spaces and -“

“But Dad!”

But Dad just wouldn’t listen. He shooed his son away, intent on his revenge. They’d regret parking here, once they returned to find their precious cargo gone, crushed into a small cube of metal and wood and carted off to the dump.

Jason sighed, picturing the scene at home – a broken back door, TV, fridge and freezer gone, and now crushed beyond redemption. Mum would go crazy, never mind Mr Fletcher….

————–

I decided to follow last weekend’s footsteps into Alistair’s Sunday Photo Fiction  again, and get creative in a non-poetic way. This week, the story hasn’t been so obvious as my family history piece last week, but hopefully, it still entertained you all!

Do take part if you have time, or just pop over and read the other entries!

Talking Head

How shall I find the strength to chase my joy,

this passion that sets light to every hour?

Mundanity serves only to annoy,

turning my face to frown and darkling glower.

In days gone by, I dreamed, to hide away

in attics, writing, high above the throng,

romantic thoughts which, in the light of day

then fizzled out. How could I be so wrong?

To think that I could write, that old refrain.

A proper job is what you need, that’s right!

The voice inside my head inflicted pain,

and negativity took hold, turned hope to fright.

But I have fought right back, doubt shall not win!

This writer’s heart beats strongly, deep within.

———-

I’m a little late, taking part in Tony’s dVerse Meeting the Bar challenge this week. Yesterday I travelled to deepest, darkest Wales to stay with my best friend and fellow (non-writing) creative. My long train journey has offered up many fresh pieces of flesh for my notebook, I can assure you!

So here I am in the bird-tweeting and sheep-baaing countryside, finally getting to Tony’s challenge, which is to write a sonnet. As you will see, I have chosen Shakespeare’s favourite rhyming pattern, given that I was born in the Midlands (the only thing I have in common with the great Bard!).

Thank you to Jo-hanna for her comment on line three – I switched ‘serves’ and ‘only’ around, and it reads much better now!

I hope you enjoy it – please do visit dVerse and see how the other poets have tackled this juicy treat!