You include the key details in each story to unlock the imagination to fill in the rest. Brilliant! I liked the ending of On The Run and Sacred Space, although it took me a minute to understand it was a photo rather than a bullet, but that made it all the better. Voicemail was touching and the father's message could be interpreted to mean he will talk to her later as in when they are joined again in spirit.
Thank you, K.C. That’s always my goal when writing these fifty-word stories: giving the reader the ability to use their imagination to fill in what’s been left unsaid. I always appreciate hearing what you have to say. Thanks for reading! 🙏
All of them are so rich in powerful detail! Contemplation reminded me of my father. The description of his face, the cigarette smoke..He was back in my life. Thank you, Justin!
Such a fine collection. ( Is Book 2 on the horizon?) My thought on Contemplation is that all those battle-hardened vets started out as innocent fresh-faced 19 year old boys -- brothers, sons. They did what they had to do to survive, whether they believed in the mission or not. You'd have it in you. No a doubt in my mind. As for On the Run, I have read it over several times and want to understand who the "her" is in sentence three. Matty's lost companion?
Thank you, my friend. The more I think about it, the more I’d really like to publish another book of Fifties. I’m getting the itch! I’d also like to publish some lengthier stories as well.
I appreciate your vote of confidence. I think many of us would do what we needed to do if thrown into a horrendous situation. I hope I never have to find out!
Your final question is a great one, and a part of my mind went dark when writing that story. For some reason, she is also on his list of regrets…and perhaps that’s why he’s on the run.
Thank you so much for reading and commenting! You make Substack a lot of fun for me.
WOW! These really span the breadth of humanity, Justin. Each one a gem as well as a spike to the heart. That last one really got to me. I wish I had a recording of my father's voice. And the timing of that last phone call ... a heart-breaker.
Here's my story for your prompt:
Armistice
The news finally reached him, alone in that foxhole, everybody around him, dead. Dragging himself out, he stood erect, breathing in the acrid smoke slowly dissipating. Shouldering his emptied rifle, he started walking without direction across the muddy battlefield. The cannons were silent. He didn't even hear that last bullet.
I loved the Memorial Day writing: the real question--do each of us have that in us? Do I? At 77, with a mouth so sore from a bitten, swollen tongue that I can't eat, I almost want to complain. Better not! It's a day to thank for beauty, life, love, generosity, and those poignant memories of ones gone past this life into?
It’s certainly a question I’ve pondered before, and I’m not sure any of us would ever know the answer unless we were thrown into the situation. Couldn’t agree more with you regarding today. We were sure to cheer on and thank the veterans who led the parade through our town!
Thank you so much for reading, Jill. It’s always great to hear from you.
I liked them all. Liked the first one best. Very appropriate for today.
Thanks so much for reading, RI. I think that’s probably my favorite, too.
I loved all of them, Justin!
Thank you for reading, Rea! I appreciate you!
Just mind blowing Justin- all of them!
Sunil! That’s so very kind of you. Thank you. Hope all is well!
All good bro! Keep inspiring us...
voicemail hits too hard
I appreciate you, Clancy! 🙏
You include the key details in each story to unlock the imagination to fill in the rest. Brilliant! I liked the ending of On The Run and Sacred Space, although it took me a minute to understand it was a photo rather than a bullet, but that made it all the better. Voicemail was touching and the father's message could be interpreted to mean he will talk to her later as in when they are joined again in spirit.
Thank you, K.C. That’s always my goal when writing these fifty-word stories: giving the reader the ability to use their imagination to fill in what’s been left unsaid. I always appreciate hearing what you have to say. Thanks for reading! 🙏
these are awesome, Justin
Thanks so much, man! I appreciate you reading them.
All of them are so rich in powerful detail! Contemplation reminded me of my father. The description of his face, the cigarette smoke..He was back in my life. Thank you, Justin!
Wow, Sharon, that’s incredibly moving. Thank you! I’m happy my story was able to do that for you. I appreciate you reading! 🙏
Such a fine collection. ( Is Book 2 on the horizon?) My thought on Contemplation is that all those battle-hardened vets started out as innocent fresh-faced 19 year old boys -- brothers, sons. They did what they had to do to survive, whether they believed in the mission or not. You'd have it in you. No a doubt in my mind. As for On the Run, I have read it over several times and want to understand who the "her" is in sentence three. Matty's lost companion?
Thank you, my friend. The more I think about it, the more I’d really like to publish another book of Fifties. I’m getting the itch! I’d also like to publish some lengthier stories as well.
I appreciate your vote of confidence. I think many of us would do what we needed to do if thrown into a horrendous situation. I hope I never have to find out!
Your final question is a great one, and a part of my mind went dark when writing that story. For some reason, she is also on his list of regrets…and perhaps that’s why he’s on the run.
Thank you so much for reading and commenting! You make Substack a lot of fun for me.
WOW! These really span the breadth of humanity, Justin. Each one a gem as well as a spike to the heart. That last one really got to me. I wish I had a recording of my father's voice. And the timing of that last phone call ... a heart-breaker.
Here's my story for your prompt:
Armistice
The news finally reached him, alone in that foxhole, everybody around him, dead. Dragging himself out, he stood erect, breathing in the acrid smoke slowly dissipating. Shouldering his emptied rifle, he started walking without direction across the muddy battlefield. The cannons were silent. He didn't even hear that last bullet.
Sue, I’m floored by your comments above. Thank you. That’s incredibly kind of you to say.
Your story is a gem as well…my goodness! And that final line…talk about a spike to the heart. So well done, Sue.
Thank you, Justin. I like doing these prompts.
Fifty-words, here goes for Memorial Day:
I am not lonely--am I?
Memories.
I bet my life on them.
The odds had been stacked in my favor.
Until I spotted the dead end of the trail
All those memories buzzed in hordes of insect sounds.
While I contemplated and concentrated on preserving today.
I am memories.
Lovely writing, Jill! Thank you for sharing.
I loved the Memorial Day writing: the real question--do each of us have that in us? Do I? At 77, with a mouth so sore from a bitten, swollen tongue that I can't eat, I almost want to complain. Better not! It's a day to thank for beauty, life, love, generosity, and those poignant memories of ones gone past this life into?
Thanks for posting all of them.
It’s certainly a question I’ve pondered before, and I’m not sure any of us would ever know the answer unless we were thrown into the situation. Couldn’t agree more with you regarding today. We were sure to cheer on and thank the veterans who led the parade through our town!
Thank you so much for reading, Jill. It’s always great to hear from you.
Thanks, Justin for all of these, they were great!
I’m happy you enjoyed them, Kim. Thank you!