Here’s my entry for this week’s Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers.
Word Count: 147
This week’s photo provided by TJ Paris
He watched as the butterfly touched down on the branch, legs dancing over milky green leaves, fat with water. Salmon flowers burst into life around it, promising nectar.
The plant was a oasis, a respite in the endless sea of dirt. Sunlight pounded down mercilessly. Everything was dry and cracked, like the lips of a dehydrated prisoner.
He licked his own lips, trying to replenish the moisture they’d lost. They felt rough and lifeless, full of flaking skin.
He watched the butterfly take off again, soaring away with a flutter of translucent wings veined with black. His eyes remained fixed on it until it became only a speck in the distance, lost against the barren landscape and cloudless sky.
He broke a leaf from the plant and squeezed it for a few bitter drops. Then he walked off, holding the image of the butterfly in his mind.
[…] 2 awards, the Blogger Recognition Award and One Lovely Blog Award: 1. Reading Pleasure 2. kim881 3. J.A. Prentice 4. mandibelle16 5. Ameena 6. […]
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I nominate you for the Blogger Recognition Award and One Lovely Blog Award. Have a gorgeous day!
https://ladyleemanilasphotos.wordpress.com/2015/10/21/thanks-for-the-nomination-blogger-recognition-and-one-lovely-blog-awards/
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Thank you very much! This means a lot to me.
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You describe such a vivid scene that I felt like I was the one licking my dry lips, drinking the bitter drop and watching the butterfly fly away. Excellent story and so well written!
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Thank you!
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Great imagery and descriptions, really great writing, I loved it.
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Thank you!
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Wow…a moment of beauty in a difficult time. It reminds me of an episode of Babylon 5 when the Captain, with the weight of the galaxy on his shoulders, was taken to experience a moment of beauty in the dark. It’s a lovely piece, well done.
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Thank you! I’ve never seen Babylon 5, but I’ve always felt like I should.
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The butterfly and drops of water seemed to be enough to encourage him to keep going! What a great capture of hope, despair, beauty, and fragility through the use of vivid imagery and strong similes. I loved it!
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Thank you!
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How tender he is, observing the butterfly, watching it until he could see it no longer, imitating it by drinking from the same plant. This is a very gentle, sweet, caring man…love this story!
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Thank you!
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