Click the Frogs to join the fun! Thanks to Rochelle for hosting and to Douglas M Mcillroy for the photo prompt.
ISOLATION
I take in the empty city-scape below me. Day twenty of isolation. I dream of sharing a joke with a friend and us both laughing.
Then the bird lands silently on my open window ledge. It stares at me, beady eyes fixed on my face. There is a faint smell of burnt feathers. I am mesmerised by its iridescent body. I can imagine a future where we care for each other, care for the earth again.
Suddenly the bird takes off, with a flash of bright light from its wings. I am alone again, differently.
April 7, 2020 at 1:34 am
An inspiring moment that will stay with you for a long time 🙂 I like it.
April 6, 2020 at 1:37 am
Many times messengers come in dreams. This one came in broad daylight. I’m glad she got the message.
April 6, 2020 at 5:40 pm
Thanks for your feedback, interesting observation about messengers coming in dreams. Set me thinking.
April 6, 2020 at 6:15 pm
You are welcome.
April 6, 2020 at 12:03 am
I have read and liked many of your stories, but this one is special. So concise, so eloquent, so timely yet timeless.
April 6, 2020 at 5:34 pm
Thank you so much for your appreciative feedback. I’m glad that you found the story so.
April 5, 2020 at 6:40 pm
I think we will come out of all this as changed humans… some will have learned that lesson.
April 6, 2020 at 5:29 pm
Great comment Bjorn. I can only imagine, as you say, that we will be changed as humans.
April 5, 2020 at 9:13 am
Alone again, differently is a wonderful turn of phrase, nicely done.
April 6, 2020 at 5:24 pm
Thanks so much, glad you liked the story.
April 4, 2020 at 10:58 pm
Everyone is trying to adapt, but the lockdown must be hell for those individuals who [cope with life] by outside activity’s.
April 6, 2020 at 5:21 pm
Thanks for your comment. Guess it’s really hard for very sociable people, not used to solo time.
April 4, 2020 at 2:13 pm
Perhaps, as you suggest, being in isolation makes us think about what is important in our lives.
April 4, 2020 at 2:35 pm
Thanks James, yes, I agree we have time to consider our lives.
April 4, 2020 at 10:29 am
Bringing a message of hope, one windowsill at a time 🙂
April 4, 2020 at 2:05 pm
Great comment Ali, spot on.
April 4, 2020 at 10:27 am
A very perceptive take on the prompt. I love the way she receives the bird and it’s very presence makes such a difference to her life.
April 4, 2020 at 2:09 pm
Thank you Michael for your kind comment. So glad you liked it.
April 3, 2020 at 7:35 pm
Eloquently done. Thank you for this!
April 4, 2020 at 2:16 pm
I appreciate your comment – thank you.
April 3, 2020 at 7:08 pm
Subtle and perceptive.
Excellent
April 4, 2020 at 2:20 pm
Thanks so much Ceayr, I appreciate your feedback. The theme of ‘isolation’ followed me around so I had to write about it.
April 3, 2020 at 4:47 pm
What a great take on the prompt! And what a subtle thought, that your MC is now alone ‘differently’.
April 4, 2020 at 2:40 pm
Thanks so much Penny,I am glad you enjoyed the story. Isolation is such a strange way to live. Necessary of course.
April 3, 2020 at 3:15 pm
Any little contact with the rest of the world is welcome just now.
April 4, 2020 at 2:46 pm
Yes Iain, I so agree. Find myself pleased to see people walking in my park, even if they are miles away !
April 3, 2020 at 3:02 pm
“Differently”. Isn’t that we all hope? That we will be different? That others will be? That there will be more harmony?
Well done, Francine.
April 4, 2020 at 2:55 pm
Thanks so much for your comment Dale. Guess we do hope for things to be different. I’ve heard people say that after the Pandemic we will do things differently, rather than return to how things were .
April 4, 2020 at 2:56 pm
I sure hope we do!
April 3, 2020 at 2:50 pm
Dear Francine,
You set the scene well. It left me feeling somewhat desolate.
Shalom,
Rochelle
April 4, 2020 at 3:44 pm
Thanks so much for your comment Rochelle.Interestingly, I think I felt a little sad about the emptiness surrounding the women in the apartment.
April 3, 2020 at 2:09 pm
Lovely. Hopefull we’ll all learn to be alone differently when this is over
April 4, 2020 at 3:45 pm
Thank you Neil, I appreciate your comment. Yes, I also hope we do.
April 3, 2020 at 12:13 pm
So that’s what the bird is. The Phoenix 🙂
April 4, 2020 at 3:49 pm
Aha ! interesting Crispina, thank you.
April 4, 2020 at 3:51 pm
🙂
April 3, 2020 at 12:12 pm
The bliss of being alone, yet some don’t see it that way. Well written.
April 4, 2020 at 3:50 pm
Thank you Susan, I like your reflective comment