d’Verse prosery
Even as the King’s mages work desperately to repair my charred eyes, I cannot help but clutch my fists apprehensively, for how can I be sure I shall see again?
The world on the first of May was peaceful, no different than the last of April, really, although the skies seemed just a touch darker than the day before. I was out running across the Rocklands after morning melee training when a skeletal, crooked tree with bare branches caught my attention. I’d never seen it there before.
Fool that I am, I approached its broken frame as fel shadows roared up from its misshapen limbs and shot upwards, blanketing the morning sky in heavy, unnatural darkness and hypnotic, madly swirling stars. Squinting, I stared up towards the vortex in curiosity and gasped as I realized my blunder.
T’was then that all went dark.
Prosery?
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.
For how can I be sure
–From ‘May Day’ by Sara Teasdale (1884 – 1933)
I shall see again
The world on the first of May
‘What do you see’ Prompt #133
For Sadje’s weekly #WDYS prompt, she offered the photo below (taken by Tasos Mansour) as inspiration for writers to produce art.
@ Unsplash
The Skeptic's Kaddish 🇮🇱 
Very nicely done!!
❤ Muri ❤ ~ thanks!
Thanks David for joining in with this intriguing story.
❤ Sadje ❤ ~ thanks for the super intriguing prompt photo, Sadje!
My pleasure
You used quotation brilliantly. I loved it, dear David ❤️
❤ ❤ Jane ❤ ❤
Thank you, dear David! ❤️
Yipes. It’s a frightening world when anything can be weaponized.
❤ Lisa ❤ ~ crazy, right?!
Riveting!
❤ thank you, Carol! ❤
Super tense first line and a smooth use of the quote. Bravo!
❤ thanks so much, KK ❤
You’re welcome. 💜
This is another of those mini-page-turners that I wish would be fleshed-out into a longer work. Just enough to whet our appetites, then…darkness…! I love this. Well done, David. 🙂
❤ Mike ❤ ~ I feel like you & I really connect on the fantasy/sci-fi stuff!
Unfortunately it’s too real for too many people these days
❤ Larry ❤ ~ indeed!
Mystery and suspense with a touch of supernatural. ✨ Hope your new job is going well. 🌻
Dwight’s comment made me see your flash fiction piece in a different context. Now I see the importance of the word, blunder. Thanks, Dwight. My mind gravitates toward the mystical vs. war and explosives.
Michele ~ he made me see my own flash fiction in another light too!!!
💡I love when that happens! 👍🏻
❤ Michele ❤ ~ my new job is going very well – thank you! And thank you also for the kind compliment!
Wonderful news! You are welcome. 😊
Well-conceived and written! Bravo!
❤ thanks, Susan! ❤
Your poem is such a sad reality for many these days who have to watch thier step to keep from being blown up!
Well done!
❤ Dwight ❤
I like the way you worked in the prompt line. I think this story needs a next part, David!
❤ Merril ❤ ~ thanks for the prompt!
BTW – I accidentally posted this twice on Mr. Linky (once under another person's user name!) – could you delete the first entry, which is not under my user name?
The melee and the fel shadows did it for me
First time I read Sara’s quote but I can relate to it so much happens on that day in modern times, all around the world.
Still you sprung us a big surprise with your encounter with the tree in the image.
Reflecting on modern times, an attack from the skies.
🤎🙏🏻 Abi 🙏🏻🤎
You’re welcome. I was wondering about that. I just removed it.