Sunday Photo Fiction is a weekly challenge presented by my old friend Al Forbes.
The idea is to write a short story (200 word max) inspired by what you see in the picture (below).
This week’s prompt, along with the sad news of Al’s imminent retirement from this challenge, reminded me of a piece one of my alter egos wrote a few years back.
It is, appropriately, a story of strength, of belief and, most of all, of courage.
Stay strong, mon ami.
It was written in response to a gift I received, a beautiful sculpture entitled ‘l’oiseau et la lune’, the bird and the moon.
Click on this link to enter your tale, and to see what others have written.
© Al Forbes
Click here to hear the author read his words:
l’oiseau et la lune
a bird on a wire
grows restless very soon
stretches wings and feathers
dreams of flying to the moon
turns towards the heavens
believes his indestructibility
strives towards dark rain clouds
unaware of the futility
climbing ever higher
harbouring no fear
struggling for a breath now
in the lack of atmosphere
an angel sees his effort
takes pity on his plight
breathes a puff of oxygen
helps his courageous flight
she thrills to see his bravery
can’t estimate his worth
refuses to let him perish
returns him safe to earth
a bird is now disconsolate
knowing he can go no higher
an angel sets his heart at peace
hangs the moon beneath his wire