I was looking for a little inspiration for writing and came across Sue’s Thursday Photo Prompt. I’ve not participated in any of Sue’s prompts but this one spoke to me. If you would like to play along too, you can read all about it here:
Thursday photo prompt – Glade – #writephoto
This is my offering for the prompt:
The Glade–
The crisp air tells of summer’s leaving. But Mother Nature’s greenery ignores the chill. I stroll through the glade, letting my fingers brush the soft fronds. The sunlight plays hide and seek among the trees, dappling the ground. The songbirds sing a tune that makes me smile.
Although cold, I’m exhilarated too. The day holds promise. My footfalls are hushed on the forest floor.
The glade holds secrets in its quiet embrace.
The sunlight falls on a stream bubbling with life. The sound it makes is like laughter as it winds through the trees. I step carefully across, using the wet stones that push their way up from the water. The water splashes across my feet sending a shiver through me.
As I jump to the other side of the stream, I see a flash of movement in the distance. I catch my breath. My excitement mounts. The forest is very dense here and my progress is slow. I push through the underbrush; the branches scratch my arms. I pay no heed. I do not feel the scratches. What lies before me has me transfixed. All else is forgotten.
There, in a small clearing in the glade lay the female unicorn; her small offspring just nuzzling up beside her. The tiny horn in the middle of the foal’s forehead shone as if lit from within.
I dare not breathe. I’m afraid to move. If the mother sensed anything out of place the two glorious beings would vanish from sight as if never having been there.
Suddenly, the mother’s head comes upright. She’s on alert. She’s got my scent.
With a small sound, like a child’s breath, the two of them disappear.
I knew my luck wouldn’t hold. It was too good to be true. To have seen a unicorn at all was amazing. But what I witnessed today was nothing short of a miracle.
I turn back the way I had come. My shoulders drooped, my head down. The walk back was unremarkable. The enchantment had gone from the day.
It was all too much, just too much. They humored me about the pixies. I know that’s all it was. Just to humor me. They would never believe this.
I cleared the glade and broke though the hedge that led to the back entrance. I couldn’t hide my soaked pants and the little bit of blood on my upper arms. I sighed and resigned myself to what I knew was coming.
As I pushed through the back door Nurse Clara bolted up from her seat behind the nurse’s station and came stomping toward me with that look on her face. That look that said I was going to spend the rest of the day fighting the straps that pin me to my bed.
Copyright © 2017 Penny Wilson
This is a great one, the part on the unicorn is beautiful! 🦄
Though I think that’s a sad ending, being locked up for seeing things. 🙁
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Thanks Nicolle!
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You’re welcome! ❤️
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Reblogged this on quirkywritingcorner and commented:
I had something else planned for today, but switched to this. I think you’ll understand when you read it. I love the twist at the end! I should have expected it, but I didn’t.
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THANK YOU for the Reblog! 🙂
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Fantastic Writing!!!
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Awwww, Thank You!
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Thank you Sue!
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Oooh, lovely and scary all at once! I love your twists and turns.
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Thanks Linda! I had fun with this!
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Wow Penny, this is wonderlicious! I love how descriptive your words are and smiled at the twist at the end. I have a long way to go to be as talented a writer as you are! 😃💛
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You are too kind my friend. You are awesome! Thank you Walt!
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Excellent, I enjoyed this.
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Thank you!
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💜💜
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A real twist at the end, there, Penny. I do woner how many who are treated for ‘seeing things that aren’ there’ actually do see them…
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Yes, makes you wonder! Thanks Sue!
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A great ending, Penny. I enjoyed your piece.
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Thank you Robbie!
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What an enchanted forest ! Where can i find it ?
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I wish I knew! 🙂
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😟😩😁
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