Tree #writephoto Thursday Photo Prompt image (c) Sue Vincent
After a brief comments conversation with Helen Jones, I wrote my story inspired by Sue Vincent’s prompt and beautiful picture.
She danced when the world was young and green, and she was all that was in it. She danced for herself and for joy, and the glittering eyes of curious stars. Her dress billowed on the breeze, a filmy sheath of mist and moonlight, revealing nut brown limbs which beat a barefoot tattoo into the soil, matching the throb of life deep in the earth.
New flowers sprang up in her footsteps, animals hopped into being as she passed by, created by her energy. Life surged around her, for she was life.
Mankind watched first with fear, then with adoration, and reaped the bounty she created for them. Laughing, she twirled and leapt, swayed and span, wilder, faster, for their adulation.
Her dance bore her across the world, populating every inch with life, and she was mother to it all. But the more she danced, the more man took. They plundered her bounty, and began their own dance.
The earth whirled and froze and thawed and aged. She danced just like she always had, for life depended on it. But her limbs stiffened. Her skirts swirled and settled in folds around her, and finally she stood still. She lifted her arms to the heavens, and the universe took her back, leaving only a shell rooted in the earth, praying for forgiveness.
Reblogged this on Kate McClelland.
LikeLike
Ali… your writing is so moving… I truly enjoyed this one. The contrast is well shown… And the progression made me think of Persephone, who was related to Harvest… She was abducted to the underworld by Hades. Her mother Demeter searched for her for nine days and nights, preoccupied with her loss. Until she got her back to the surface… After her abduction by Hades she became his wife and Queen of the Underworld, six months of each year. Whilst she spent the other half of the year with her Mother on Earth.
I guess we as Human Race are also on a sort of dark phase… we struggle to make it better though, so maybe we also might have the chance to spend our lives in a less destructive environment… consider it a wish, and not much a factual statement… Half and half, you know… Both sides of the same coin.
Sending love and best wishes. Aquileana 🎇✨
LikeLike
Thanks Aquileana, that is such a beautiful story! So complex, with so many layers. I have become so focussed on Irish legends, that I have forgotten it is actually the Greek ones which got me started on mythology and archaeology as a small child. I lived in Cyprus and used to walk round all the ruins with my father. You are right, alternate sides of the same coin indeed!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Beautiful, poignant, sad story, Ali. Your description and images are vividly wonderful, I’m so glad you were inspired to write this. 🙂
LikeLike
Well, I do love this, Ali – it brought a tear to my eye. It reminded me of a Hans Christian Anderson story, especially how it ended – I’m so glad you decided to write it 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. I never would have if it wasn’t for you. 😚
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well, I’m so very pleased, though I take no credit whatsoever – the story was obviously waiting to come out 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
I think it was. But its hard not to be inspired by She’s photos.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, she has a knack for taking the most interesting photos, like capturing a story in one shot.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know. It’s the artist in her. I don’t think artists see things quite like the rest of us do.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Agree, definitely 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Quite brilliant Ali.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah thank you, Roy!
LikeLike
Oh, Ali, that is so beautiful.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Michelle! 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow! What great descriptions and storytelling, Ali. A sheer beauty of a story.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Hugh! I saw her dancing as soon as I looked at Sues picture. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
I knew you would write a beautifully inspired story!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you… it’s hard not to be inspired by Sue’s photography!
LikeLike
Beautiful, Ali, and wistful. I love the imagery. Lovely take on the prompt 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Diana! 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Story is a beautiful match for the image.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you very much… it’s a lovely expressive picture.
LikeLike
That’s so beautiful. Lots of posts about that tree this week, but yours stands out. (So does Helen’s)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! I do love trees. And I agree with you about Helen’s. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful story!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great imagery, Ali!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks so much Rachele!
LikeLike
Absolutely beautiful. I love stories and poetry about trees.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So do I Kim… love trees!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on Have We Had Help? and commented:
From Ali 😉
LikeLike
Love it Ali 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Jack! 😊
LikeLike
She does look as if she is raising her arms in dance, doesn’t she? Lovey, Ali x
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you. 😊 Your photos are very inspiring.
LikeLike
I like using images myself as a starting point.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I need an image when I’m writing my blog posts. And when Im about halfway through writing a book, I need the cover art to keep me going. 😊
LikeLike
I generally start with a cover… even if it ends up as something totally different.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Really? It’s not just me then. We are such visual creatures.
LikeLike
I think we all have different ways of working, but no, using images and covers… I always do that 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Gorgeous, Ali! Another story where being transformed into a tree is to find peace.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Jane! Wonder why that is. Maybe because they’re so large and immovable, or maybe it’s because they live in all realms at once.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’d think the old people would have been so blasé abour trees, wouldn’t you? I mean, that’s all there was then, except grass! But they obviously thought of them as magical. Must be something in it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Definitely. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person