Every Friday authors from around the world gather at the virtual fireside of fellow WordPress blogger, author Rochelle Wisoff to share flash fiction stories of 100 words, all inspired by a common photograph, and exchange constructive criticism. Readers’ comments are also welcome. This week’s photo has been graciously provided by E A Wicklund.
Here’s the story this week’s photo has provoked out of me:
He Ain’t Heavy
… he just thinks he is.
But what if you can’t convince him?
“Hey, bro, stretch out your wings on the wind, lift your feet off the sand.”
What if you try to raise him – like a kite – to prove to him he ain’t heavy? And he just won’t make the effort.
You hand feed him where he is, stuck on the ground. Encourage him to try for flight. And he just stands there – stupidly, idly (you never figure which) his mouth open for food.
What if you then wheel away?
And he starves.
Dies.
What then … ?
Ann Isik
100 words
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Poetic Mapping: Walking Into Art 
That was an interesting take on the photo. You know that title took me back a few years in the music world. 🙂
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I had the album! Ann
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I took this to be more a metaphor for real life challenges. I really enjoyed it, Ann. We can’t assume all birds know how to fly or that they’re not afraid to take the first step.
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You got it. I learned this lesson the hard way and the photo reminded me. Life’s hard moments often have to be relived by artists so they can get something worthwhile from it, for themselves and to pass on. Art is hard come by, but it has its rewards when somebody ‘gets it’. 🙂
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Trying to lift up someone who doesn’t want to be lifted up is heavy work, that’s for sure. A salient reminder that we can’t force someone to fly; only they can do it.
janet
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Yes
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Dear Ann,
A thought provoking piece. Did you leave out the two question marks on purpose? A gull’s punctuation lesson? After a time I think the burden of someone who will not lift a finger to help themselves becomes unbearable. Reminds me of current events. Not going there. Nice story.
Aloha,
Doug
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No, I didn’t leave out the questions marks on purpose. Thanks for picking me up on that! You can’t proof your own work, that’s why crit is so important. Sorry to have touched a raw spot. Iip: you have to keep reminding yourself that it’s not your fault. 🙂
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Dear Ann,
A seagull who thinks he’s too heavy to fly? interesting concept, but it ain’t heavy. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I get up every morning thinking I’m too heavy to fly. But I always do. 🙂
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I can relate to that. Hard to make the decision to fly sometimes. 😉
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Yes.
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I’m glad you saw the photo prompt as ‘feeding the young’. I thought everyone would, but in reality few went down that path with it.
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Both birds seem to be juveniles so I couldn’t be certain that feeding is what’s going on. So I pretended. Thanks for reading.
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I like the flow here, but I’m curious, is this a dialogue between the gulls… or metaphor? Very interesting.
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It is thinking out loud. Not sure what the literary device is called! Thanks for reading. Ann
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Thanks for clarifying. I found it very thought provoking, and compelling, and reading it again, with your input, helps. Again, nice work. 🙂
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Nice one Ann and you are in a dilemma aren’t you. But they survive.
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