This is my entry for Sue Vincent‘s Thursday photo prompt Flame. #writephoto.
Flame The Haiku
Look into the flame
Hopes and dreams exposed the same
Turned to ash by morn.
Flame The Story
After a long vigil by the brazier, Cain found his mind wandering . The hopes he held for his family, the dreams he kept close to his heart were mingling in the glow of the flame.
Through the cold night he kept watch as the rest of the hamlet slept. Silence surrounded him like a cloak. It numbed him and he felt the cold and the worry slipping away from his shoulders. Just before dawn he fell into an uneasy sleep, filled with wolves and raiders.
Waking with a start he found the fire had died and the brazier was full of ashes. His head was swimming and he was full of guilt for drifting off. He looked back at the hamlet, it still stood smoke curling from the chimneys of the line of houses.
He saw his wife approaching with a hot drink. He shrugged off the fears of the night and greeted her with a smile.
Feb 09, 2017 @ 23:04:49
Lovely response Willow a brazier it is….Those late night/early morning patrols must have been hard to stay awake through…
Feb 09, 2017 @ 23:08:34
Yes they must of and the responsibility of being the first line of defense for your people! 😱💖
Feb 09, 2017 @ 23:40:06
I love the story and the photos. Real talent came out here.
Feb 11, 2017 @ 20:07:13
Thanks again 🤗
Feb 10, 2017 @ 02:25:17
Feels like a long, cold night full of worry and reverie. Lovely, Willow. 🙂
Feb 10, 2017 @ 05:52:32
A wonderful entry Willow ❤
Feb 10, 2017 @ 07:55:13
Thanks Ritu it seemed to write itself 💖
Feb 10, 2017 @ 08:16:47
I think the best pieces come about like that!
Feb 10, 2017 @ 08:17:27
Yes indeed 🙂
Feb 10, 2017 @ 06:20:10
It must have been a hard task, yet one that brought the people closer by placing sch responsibility on their shoulders.
Feb 10, 2017 @ 07:48:10
Yes I agree, in our modern pampered lives, at least where we are, we have lost that feeling!
Feb 10, 2017 @ 07:48:35
Sadly, yes, we do appear to ave done so.
Feb 10, 2017 @ 07:53:14
We hide behind our doors!
Feb 10, 2017 @ 07:53:35
We do… barricaded by security.
Feb 10, 2017 @ 07:54:07
Yes! 💝
Feb 10, 2017 @ 18:14:26
Well done Willow!!! 🙂
Feb 10, 2017 @ 18:15:03
Thanks Judy 😨💗
Feb 16, 2017 @ 09:38:51
Once again you nailled the prompt with descriptive feelings . I found myself lifting my collar against the chill. Well done.
Feb 16, 2017 @ 09:44:38
Thank you for reading, it was a cold night 😉
Feb 16, 2017 @ 13:00:18
Story so matched the flames — the hopes and fears resting upon his shoulders, and within his heart. Vigils can become hard to keep.
Feb 16, 2017 @ 16:32:41
Yes so heavily weighs the responsibility of the all night vigil !
Feb 17, 2017 @ 04:28:35
Nice–a happy ending. There’s nothing quite like a hot cuppa after you’ve been out in the cold for hours. 🙂
Feb 17, 2017 @ 07:20:08
Definitely, and a hot drink is key!