Here’s my response to Sue’s lovely photograph – her #writephoto prompt for this week:
At The Closing of the Day
I’d bought this place because of the view. It was never the same one day to the next; water and sky framed by the window of the ruined cottage, just a short walk from the main house.
It was supposed to have been a place to retire to, one hazy day in the distant future. A little piece of security, bought with what my parents had left me. That was before.
Before needles and tests and disinfectant took over. Before the rustle of robes and the indignity of naked flesh became part of life. Before my body began to fail me in ways I couldn’t imagine.
Now it was a refuge. A place to come to when probing hands and metal and words became too much for my battered soul.
And so I sat, watching sun setting over golden water. My hands, pale in my lap, were also tinged gold, an illusion of health gifted by the setting sun.
And my breath became softer. Until it was gone.
When I saw Sue’s photo, the line from The Lady of Shalott came into my head, which is why I think I ended up with the story I did. I do love how unexpected story ideas can be.
If you’d like to take part in this week’s #writephoto prompt, visit Sue’s blog, copy the image, and create a pingback to your own page. You have until June 1 to post this week.
Helen Glynn Jones 
Beautiful and poignant, Helen. Thank you.
Hope you are feeling a little better today. x
Thanks, Sue – I’m getting there 🙂 Hope your packing is going well (as well as it can do)
Good to hear, Helen. The packing…continues 🙂
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As always, another beautiful story, sensitively written, Helen. After your last post, I thought it was a reflection on your not feeling well lately. So glad it’s not. Hope your feeling perky today and back to normal soon. You need to be hale and hearty for June 11th!
Thanks, Ali! That’s right, I need to be well for the 11th (and I’m sure I will be) Really looking forward to it 😀
Me too! 😁
So sad. Sad too that you are suffering. I held in to an awfully phlegmy cough for four weeks. Bloody hell, bummer. Hope yours goes sooner, or maybe it’s already longer. See you soon, Anyhoo.
Thanks, Geoff 😀 this has been hanging around a while, but I’m confident I’ll be fighting fit for the 11th! See you then 😀
Reblogged this on Sue Vincent – Daily Echo.
Thanks, Sue 😀
My pleasure, Helen 🙂
Wonderful story. It’s amazing where a simple visual can take us sometimes.
Thanks, Craig 🙂 Sue’s photos are especially inspiring – she seems to have a knack for capturing images that contain stories.
I get a lot of my ideas from visuals. I’m a big believer in getting my daily dose on DeviantArt, or other social media.
Deviantart sounds like an interesting place to find ideas…
They have everything. Just search for landscapes, or science fiction, whatever. Then flip through the pages. Fun site.
Cool – thank you! 😀
This is a lovely piece of writing Helen, very well done 🙂
Thanks so much, Michelle, glad you enjoyed it 🙂
Pingback: Photo prompt round up– Still waters… #writephoto | Sue Vincent – Daily Echo
Still waters as refuge…pretty near perfect. ☺
Thank you 🙂 Glad you enjoyed it.
You do have a way with those endings, don’t you? Great story.
Oh, thank you – I do like a good ending. Often I surprise myself with the way things turn out! 🙂
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