photo courtesy of Sandra Crook 
Rochelle’s challenge this week has the look of a long neglected space. Can you write a 100 word story inspired by this prompt ? Here’s my story.
END OF THE GARDEN
The place at the end of the garden where I never ever go. My twenty year old self, she hatched projects, planned schemes: low tech ideas to change the world, of course.
Now older, I feel a spasm of regret, what happened ? How did I let her hope slip away unnoticed, leaving this reminder at the end of my garden ? Which I have avoided until now.
I will go to the place at the end of the garden, witness this place of possibilities. desiccated dreams, cinnamon brown, curled leaves, where ghosts of ideas rustle, and say ‘she is part of me’.
August 8, 2018 at 10:42 am
Lovely & thoughtful.
August 10, 2018 at 2:44 pm
Thank you Lisa – pleased you liked the story.
August 6, 2018 at 10:28 am
Beautifully written, Francine, and I think many of us could relate. I did envision her taking one one curled leaf at a time and bringing her dream back to life, however. It’s never too late.
August 10, 2018 at 2:46 pm
Thanks Jan. I like your envisioning- feels hopeful.
August 5, 2018 at 6:55 pm
This was lovely, Francine. It is never too late to revisit those dreams and do something about them…
August 10, 2018 at 3:03 pm
Thank you Dale, glad you liked the hopefulness in the story. I agree, it’s never too late.
August 4, 2018 at 3:58 pm
Very thoughtful.
August 10, 2018 at 3:11 pm
Thank you Dawn, most kind.
August 4, 2018 at 3:18 pm
Dear Francine,
This is so true to life for many of us and, on top of that, beautifully and sensitively written.
Shalom,
Rochelle
August 10, 2018 at 3:14 pm
Thank you Rochelle, so pleased you found it true to life. I did wonder if it was a bit too melancholy, though wanted the story to be hopeful.
August 3, 2018 at 9:48 pm
I think all of us can identify with the person we were at an earlier age, where dreams were still possibilities. Beautiful writing.
August 10, 2018 at 3:27 pm
Thank you for your feedback – glad that the story spoke to you.
August 3, 2018 at 6:45 pm
I hope this ok to suggest – but I think you need a dash between cinnamon and brown so they stay describing the curled leaves
And need Dashes here: twenty year old
August 3, 2018 at 6:44 pm
So realistic and beautiful the way you grabbed this change in a person!
The ending was hopeful and decided!
August 10, 2018 at 4:52 pm
Thank you for your comments – most appreciated. I wanted the ending to be positive.
August 11, 2018 at 1:55 am
✌️😊
August 3, 2018 at 2:42 pm
This is so identifiable. Wonderful take.
August 10, 2018 at 5:03 pm
Thank you so much.
August 3, 2018 at 1:13 pm
Very few of us get to live all the dreams we have as our younger selves. Well written.
August 3, 2018 at 1:19 pm
Thank you for your feedback – so glad you liked the story.
August 3, 2018 at 12:00 pm
Beautiful, atmospheric story about a woman contemplating her younger self. Really loved this!
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
August 3, 2018 at 12:36 pm
Thanks so much Susan, glad you liked the story. I was trying to capture a certain mood.
August 3, 2018 at 9:00 am
A melancholy tale but her visit to the end of the garden may revive some of those aspects of her younger self.
August 3, 2018 at 12:37 pm
Thank you Jilly – yes, it is melancholy tale, inspired by the intriguing photo.
August 3, 2018 at 6:20 am
Yep, I identify with this. Nice one!
August 3, 2018 at 12:38 pm
Thanks Ali, I’m pleased the story spoke to you.
August 2, 2018 at 10:49 pm
I like this, especially, echoing Penny, the last paragraph. So, after she’s acknowledged her old self, then what?
August 3, 2018 at 12:40 pm
Thank you Neil, so glad you liked the story. Regarding your question, guess I had in mind, making peace with herself, accepting what is. What do you think ?
August 3, 2018 at 12:53 pm
I think action
August 2, 2018 at 5:59 pm
I like that story, particularly the last paragraph where you stack image after image to make a most satisfying collage. Kudos!
August 3, 2018 at 12:41 pm
Thanks so much Penny, pleased you liked the story. Loved your term ‘collage’ to describe the imagery.
August 2, 2018 at 5:15 pm
This rustles with regret, which only a crisp conscience can resolve. Liked the atmosphere in her, WWM, and the tone. Great writing.
August 3, 2018 at 12:42 pm
Thanks Kelvin – pleased you liked the atmosphere & tone. Most kind of you to say.
August 2, 2018 at 4:46 pm
Regrets,,, I’ve had a few…
August 3, 2018 at 12:43 pm
Thanks for your comments – yes indeed, regrets we recognise.