d’Verse prosery
“Ezekiel, we’ve assigned eight of our best to the transport, and the prisoner will be securely restrained and blindfolded. They’ve been briefed on Elijah’s history and, shall we say… proclivities. We’ve ordered them to keep their distance. So, if all do their duty, they need not fear harm. Nobody could possibly escape those shackles!”
“Great, Major. Seems you won’t be needing me then. So, I’ll just…”
“Sit down, Sergeant. We’re assigning you to the transport.”
“No. Forget it!”
“Now, Ezee, we know that nobody knows Elijah like you do. Sergeant… We need you on this one. Once he’s locked safely away at ADX Florence, Chief says you’ll make Lieutenant. We just can’t take any chances is all…”
“Major, put me on that transport with a gun, and it won’t be Elijah you should be worrying about because I’m gonna blow the bastard’s brains out.”
The prompt
d’Verse prosery is flash fiction with a beginning, a middle and an end, in any genre of the author’s choice, no longer than 144 words. This very short piece of prose must include an assigned line from a poem, within the 144 word limit. Writers may change the punctuation of the assigned line, but they may not insert words within the quotation.
So if all do their duty, they need not fear harm.
-from William Blake’s poem ‘The Chimney Sweeper’
The Skeptic's Kaddish 🇮🇱 
Wow. This is powerful. Arouses curiosity. What makes the prisoner so dangerous? Scary… 🙂
🤍 Terveen 🤍 – thank you so much!
Ooh. Brutal! Nicely done.
💛 Marion 💛 – thank you!
-David
Love the back and forth conversation … makes for a fascinating piece of prose! Well done.
💛 Helen, thank you 💛
-David
I can really feel the story behind there… I wonder what the prisoner has done… it seems personal actually
I think so too!
The dialogue so skillfully tells the story and I’m left to imagine the dark deeds of Elijah. Yikes!
💟 Mish, than you 💟
All best,
David
Excellent Tale!
💝 Thanks, Linda 💝
This is brilliantly done! 😀 Now I too am wondering exactly what Elijah’s ‘proclivities’ are.
🧡 Thanks, Sanaa 🧡
-David
A great powder keg of a prosery. The line is integrated beautifully. One of my favorites.
💛 thanks, KH 💛
hope we get to read more of this tale. loved it
❤ thanks so much, Roger! ❤
Now that was spooky freaky good.
🥰 Danial 🥰 ~ thank you!
Yours,
David