This week’s photo writing prompt courtesy of Sue Vincent’s fun #writephoto challenge is entitled simply “reaching”.
Much of the inspiration for this, came from the repeated phrase “I will not sit and wait for a break in the clouds” from the stunning track “Break in the clouds” by Frightened Rabbit. It literally started playing as I sat down to write, and unconsciously I’d taken a counterpoint perspective. I then got a few paragraphs in and realised it was turning into a poor imitation of H.G.’s Well’s – Time Machine and decided to have some fun with it.
I said I would wait, so I sat down and I waited. And waited.
I watched the hours pass, and the sun slide across the valley floor. In time the dusk came. As did the night and I sat and watched the sunrise. I watched it the next day and the next. The earth turned, I did not. I said I would wait.
I watched the days turn to weeks, weeks blend into seasons and the valley turn from lush green through umber browns, until it stood naked in icy silence. I shivered as the snows came and went and the first green buds of spring blossomed. I’d orbit a star before I’d move. I said I would wait.
I watched the years flow by, an endless cycle of death and rebirth, and matched the rhythm of the valley’s breathing. Saplings grew into mighty oaks and reaching threatened to blot out the sky, only to die. I said I would wait.
I watched the millennia carve glaciers across the landscape. Watched them melt into rivers. Primitive settlements grew to cities of towering spires., a civilisation that would touch the stars before they faltered. Under unfamiliar stars, I wept as their empire crumbled back to dust. I said I would wait.
I’ll wait until the stars burn out, listening to your music and I’ll thank the gods that I’ve never been alone, every time you intone:
“Thank you for holding one of our agents will be with you shortly.”
I said I would wait!
15 comments
Peter's pondering
12th September 2019 at 10:31 pm
Ooo, clever! Very good!
Chris
12th September 2019 at 10:50 pm
Thanks Peter, not surprisingly I had a few endings for this, went with the whimsical in the end. Makes a change 😉
Pingback: With You Shortly — mused.blog – Peter's pondering
magickmermaid
12th September 2019 at 11:01 pm
It absolutely feels like eons have passed every time I’m on hold 🙂
Chris
12th September 2019 at 11:11 pm
It wouldn’t be too bad, if you had the vista in the photo. Unfortunately it’s usually in an office on a rainy Monday morning 😉
debbiejonesalwaysamused
12th September 2019 at 11:15 pm
Hi Chris, I came across you through Peter’s Pondering blog, & thanks to him for sharing! I really enjoyed your style of writing..and was not expecting that ending, ???? you led me along a totally different path..excellent!
Chris
12th September 2019 at 11:43 pm
Thank you and thanks to Peter for sharing. I possibly spend a little too much time wrong footing readers. Glad you liked it.
SueW
13th September 2019 at 7:08 am
I too am here via Peter.
You made me smile with your unexpected turn in the road, my imagination had taken taken a biblical route.
Chris
13th September 2019 at 7:55 am
Thanks Sue, if it made you smile then its mission accomplished 😉
trentpmcd
13th September 2019 at 12:18 pm
Been there, done that…. Yeah, it can feel like an eternity.
forresting365
14th September 2019 at 9:04 pm
Oh my God! That’s wonderful!!! You took me on a ‘Waiting for Godot’ kind of feeling for a while. A Godot for one. It felt so helpless….and then You made me belly laugh! Brilliant! Found You over at Peter’s and am so very happy he shared! Thank You and Cheers!!! 🙂
Chris
16th September 2019 at 4:34 pm
Thanks I’m glad it made you laugh 😉
EluminoraCreations
17th September 2019 at 6:37 pm
Love it! A whimsically poetic take on the horrors of waiting for assistance on the phone. 🙂
Chris
17th September 2019 at 7:29 pm
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it. I checked out your blog, some great stories and absolutely stunning artwork.
Sue Vincent
18th September 2019 at 7:51 pm
It was so beautiful… until that last line… 😀