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!