My thanks to Rochelle for her photograph this week and for the continued support she gives to all the Friday Fictioneers. Each week she posts a photo prompt and urges us all to ‘say what we see’ – I apologise in advance for my mood this week. The news stories and film clips from the many war-torn regions of the world have occupied my thoughts for most of the week, to write anything in a lighter vein has proved difficult.
Copyright Rochelle Wisoff-Fields
Genre: Creative nonfiction
Word Count: 100
In Harms Way
In the early morning we claw at the overnight rubble and debris searching for the missing. The children are terrified, the women distraught. The angry and patriotic young men talk of taking up arms, while their mothers weep.
What rains down on us from the heavens is making our land barren, what little food we had is almost gone. Clean water is rationed and in short supply. Cats and dogs lie dying in our streets; it is only a matter of time.
War mongers and posturing politicians lie safe in their homes; their strategy reduces ours to dust, to memories.
++++++++
Man was made to Mourn: A Dirge – Robert Burns
Many and sharp the num’rous ills
Inwoven with our frame!
More pointed still we make ourselves
Regret, remorse, and shame!
And man, whose heav’n-erected face
The smiles of love adorn, –
Man’s inhumanity to man
Makes countless thousands mourn!
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40again's Blog 
This is beautifully done…so sad and so true…vividly forces us to “look”.
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Thank you Claudia
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I can hardly blame you for the mood you’re in. The hopelessness of the situation in Gaza, the horror of the Ukraine, Ebola outbreak… Dark days indeed. Aptly captured, Dee.
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Thanks Sandra… the mood just wouldn’t go away.
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Dear Dee,
Bleak, appropriately dark and well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Dee,
You have captured the despair of the powerless well. I understand how the last two weeks of ‘news’ could make your writing darker than you might otherwise wish. Take heart. You are one of the bright lights on this planet.
Aloha,
Doug
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Dear Doug
How could I not be cheered by such a kind and thoughtful comment? Thank you.
I think the dark cloud is lifting…
Thank you
Dee
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Disgusting but undeniable truth !
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You’re right of course. Thank you for reading.
Dee
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Wow, Dee. This was amazing. Truly. Bobby Burns DID say it very well at the end here.
I’m sure, though, there will be better days ahead, optimist that I am. Soon.
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Thank goodness for optimists like you Kent! And thank you too for reading, Robbie Burns did get it just right.
Take care
Dee
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I’ve always thought that those who “want” war and orchestrate it should be the ones to fight. Leave the rest out of it. Well told.
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I agree with you!
Thank you for reading 🙂
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Dear Rochelle
Thank you for reading. Very dark this week, the mood is lifting thank goodness.
Enjoy your weekend
Dee
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Dee, a powerful story that goes with the mood so many of us are struggling with. The world seems to be imploding some days! I started out thinking of Hiroshima, but went with a happy story… then, had to add a second story! So much news bombarding us; so much happening in this big blue world.
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Thank you Dawn, wanted to write a happy story but my ‘happy’ had disappeared!
Hope it returns soon, I’m usually a fully paid-up optimist…
Dee
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Even the most optimistic optimists need a vacation… we all lose our happy some days. Hope it’s back soon, Dee. I enjoy your writing, either way! 🙂
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That means a lot…
Thanks Dawn 🙂
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🙂
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Dear Dee, I agree with Alicia – the ones that want war and the greed should be the ones who fight. I’ve been in a despairing mood this week too – You hate to listen to the news and then are afraid not to. Excellent story! Nan 🙂
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Thank you Nan. Alicia hit the spot with her comment, shame it doesn’t happen.
Dee
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The realism made this darker still, great job 🙂
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Thank you Helen 🙂
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I’ve noticed that this weeks prompt has prompted quite a few sad tales. Inevitable I guess but a sad indictment of the state of the world we live in. On the flip side, its writing material, leading to a well written story.
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Yes, a sad indictment of the world today.
I appreciate your comment and thank you for reading
Dee
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I understand how you might be feeling saddened by everything that is happening in the world. It truly seems like the world is falling apart. So, you must write what’s on your mind. You captured despair so well here in your story. The last line is especially hard hitting.
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It does seen that everywhere you turn there is unrest, death and destruction.
People are just doing what people have done for generations, but it seems much worse when done in the name of religion.
Thank you for reading Amy, I hope to have cheered up by Wednesday.
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Dee. Good and realistic story considering things happening in the world. A bright spot was the news I heard that the young aid worker with Ebola is improving after a new drug was used on him. The name of the drug was not given.There have always been wars, and they’ll no doubt continue. People just can’t seem to get along together on this planet. Well written. 🙂 —Susan
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Thank you Susan, that was good news about the aid worker hope he makes a full recovery.
Dee
🙂
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