Once Upon a Time

“There’s a glory day for everything, Harry, right?

The square here used to be filled with young students,

Practicing their moves, all in unison,

Beautiful synchrony of humans, wasn’t it?

And the race track where the horses kicked up dust as they left the gate,

Such electricity in the air as they pounded the ground.

And remember the swamp lands? Those great flocks of flamingos ascended like feathered angels.

Just say goodbye, Harry and remember the glory days. It’ll do you good.”

Harry picked up his trumpet and let the door of the music hall close with a final thud.

PHOTO PROMPT © David Stewart

For sure the story gleaned from the photo prompt is a stretch. The vacant courtyard made me think of a historic place that if you look long enough the ghosts of the past appear – line after line of warriors practicing their moves, an honorable procession, the pride of the province. Probably very far from what this place actually was used for! That’s the beauty of a photo prompt, make it mean what you want! Thanks to Rochelle Wisoff’s Friday Fictioneers challenge and David Stewart for this mysterious vacant place.

22 responses to “Once Upon a Time”

  1. Everything is gone but for the memories. I love what you saw, or didn’t see in the picture.

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    1. Thanks Keith!

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  2. Oh, great memory flash backs. Might be a link time ago but it will feel like yesterday

    Liked by 1 person

  3. I like the ghosts and the sense of nostalgia for times passed. I don’t think it matters at all that you made this into a parade ground. Inspiration not illustration, and the inspiration can come from the tiniest part of the photo or just a feeling you get when you see it.

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    1. Thanks! It was either go with the mental picture or skip it!

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  4. I did a Google image search to make sure I had the location right and did come up with Japanese names if it were in China or somewhere. It’s a Buddhist temple in Laos. If the picture sparks thoughts of bygone eras, the passage of time, and that’s where your story goes, run with it, stretch it. It would be boring if we all wrote different versions of the same story.

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    1. Thanks for the encouragement!

      Liked by 1 person

  5. what a great imagination. well done.

    Liked by 1 person

  6. Dear Clare,

    Remember our motto is “It’s not what you’re looking at that matters, it’s what you see.” 😉 And you wrote it well.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

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    1. Thank you for the thoughtful comment Rochelle!

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  7. I enjoyed what you saw here.

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    1. I’m glad Dawn!

      Liked by 1 person

  8. When everything has gone, all that is left is the nostalgic past.

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    1. It’s the treasure only a human can enjoy….and maybe elephants ! Lol

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  9. Beautiful descriptions. Well done.

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    1. Many thanks!

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  10. Love your take one the story, and your personal insight. I felt the same about the picture… Like there were still spirits alive and well in the city. Got the same feeling at Gettysburg looking over the battlefield as a layer of fog rose about three feet off the ground. It was just plain eerie!

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    1. Thanks Bear! I’ve never been to Gettysburg or any other battle ground ( that I was aware of) but visiting Alcatraz did feel inhabited by souls long gone!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Never been to Alcatraz, but I did visit a prison tour on the island of Grenada. It was still considered an active prison, so I asked the guide where the prisoners were. With all solemniity, he told us that the gunfire we heard at dawn and dusk were executions. gulp…

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      2. Okay, that comment from the guide would have stopped me in my tracks.

        Liked by 1 person

  11. That was a different take on the prompt. Enjoyed it.

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    1. Thank you Sandra!

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