Writing Prompt 34: Low Sun
These Long Shadows
I find shadows endlessly fascinating. The way a low sun can elongate a body to reveal impossibly long legs or how a high sun can shorten that same body into something more compact. I love how in this picture, the shadow of the tree, flanked by two people, creeps its way from the road to bend up the wall as the trunk divides into a mass of branches and leaves.
What can you find here for your writing? Is there an ephemeral detail about the world that might give you something to start with? Have a think and write on.
Until next time.
When Patty held her hand down to let the blood drain into her veins, her granddaughter squealed with delight.
Faye followed the bumpy lines with her finger. Patty laughed and held her hand high above her head. Faye stood close to her, quiet, breathing heavily, watching as the blood drained away from Patty's hand and the veins flattened.
"Princess!" said Faye, clapping her hands. "Do the wicked witch again. Again!"
"Watch carefully now," said Patty.
Faye knelt squatting with ease in the way that young children can. Patty dropped her hand by her side and wiggled her fingers, the blood filling the veins again.
"I wish you wouldn't do that," said Lilian, coming into the room.
"Mummy, shush. You have to be quiet." Faye held her finger to her lips. "We're waiting for the witch."
Lilian shook her head.
"Look! There she is!" Faye clapped her hands together again her eyes shining with the magic of it all.
Patty tickled her under her chin. "Where's that kitten of yours?" she said.
Faye ran out of the room calling.
"You seem agitated this morning," said Patty.
Lilian flinched as her mother touched her shoulder. "Sorry. I'm just...distracted, you know. A lot on."
"You work too hard. Where's your partner in all of this?"
"Mum..please. Not now."
"You can't do this on your own."
Lilian took a deep breath before speaking. "I'm moving. Away. With Faye. Just the two of us. We’re moving away."
The blood drained from her mother's face.
Story first posted in October 2020 // Photo: Tanya Clarke 2020
