Friday, August 2, 2013

A Life Unrecognized

After a week of reading your good work and offering my words of praise, I have opted for something darker with regard to this weekend's Trifextra photo challenge.  Hope that's ok?  :)   




A Life Unrecognized

Crossing the threshold of his house,
Henry was greeted by the absence of the life he recognized.

Tiny, bloody handprints;
Hardly children's art.

Henry's life,
like this photo,
had turned completely upside down.

                                                                          Chango/Foter/ CC BY-NC-ND









34 comments:

  1. Not your usual fare, but I like it.

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    1. My usual fare is what I most enjoy and am comfortable with. For that reason, I felt it was important to go outside of my comfort zone if, even just for this once. I always worry that people come to expect a certain style of writing from me and might not react well to a change. Glad you liked this version of me, as a writer. :)

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    1. It certainly would be for Henry. But, there is much of this tale left to tell. Thanks for your comments, Draug. Your time and interest are always appreciated.

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  3. Yep, this is dark...bloody handprints are never good!

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    1. There are sooooooo many children's art activities that incorporate some kind of child's handprints in it that, the contrast between the warm fuzzy of kid art hanging on a fridge, for example, and those same handprints, bloodied, seemed a good contrast to me and helped create an onimous mood for Henry to come home to. Thanks for stopping by with your comments.

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  4. Heart wrenching hell, Tom! I agree with Jo-Anne-this is really well done!

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    1. To find that something has happened to your family, in your absence, has to be a major blow, for sure. Glad my piece came across that way to you, too. Thank you for your supportive comment. :)

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  5. Sometimes life is dark and even children suffer. Well done.

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    1. Sometimes it is. Correct, my dear. Thank you for your comments, LaTonya. :)

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  6. TOM! So different for you and I love it!!!

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    1. I am still a gentleman and a nice guy but, just not all of the time. Glad that side of me agrees with you. :)

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    1. Thanks, Ruby. Hopefully, my version is a bit original. I haven't read many yet but, I knew that the shadows weren't really doing it for me in the picture. But, when I noticed the photo was upside down, it all came together for me and the result is what you have read. Thanks for stopping by with your comments. I appreciate it. :)

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  8. Scary stuff! I liked the flow of this. The smooth belied the horror, made it MORE.

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    1. Writing about horror! Wonder where I got that influence from, eh? Loved your "glitter/birthday/death day" story from this week's challenge. Must have been one of the reasons I wasn't feeling that warm, fuzzy vibe I usually give off. Thanks, Tina, for that and for your comments.

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  9. oh, Tom . . . heartbreaking 33. Well done, sir/1

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    1. Thank you Barbara. I can't imagine coming home to what Henry came home to. Hopefully, I will never know that feeling, either.

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  10. Coming from such an accomplished writer as you, I am, indeed, flattered and most appreciative. I like how specific your comments are. :)

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  11. Chilling Tom. I wish things like this were only always fiction.

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    1. I hear ya, Linda! Too bad we didn't live on a more peaceful planet, eh? Thanks for your comments. They are appreciated, as always.

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  12. From zero to horrifying in thirty-three words--this one's a kick in the guts. It gave me goose bumps (not to mention heart palpitations).

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    1. Wow! Thanks for the awesome reply! Glad my writing is capable enough of causing such a reaction. :)

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  13. Wow, Tom. This is so intense. You've captured the devastation of his life so beautifully and succinctly.

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    1. Thank you, Suzanne. I hope you and I never have to have a moment like that. :)

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  14. Bloody handprints are terrifying enough, but "tiny, bloody handprints" is even more unsettling. Shivers with this one.

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    1. Bad things should never happen to kids. Hate when it does. That's where the emotional wallop comes from in this piece.......at least, it is where I intended it to come from. :) Thank you for your comments. I appreciate them very much.

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  15. Very unnerving, but in a good way. I enjoyed reading. I think it is very brave to step outside your comfort zone and take a different route. It seems to have paid off well for you with this intense piece.

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    1. I know how you feel about children so, I imagine that this hit reasonably close to home. Thanks for your comments, Donetta.

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  16. It's always great to seen range and different types of writing, even if this is a scary detour from your usual fare, Tom! Great job!

    Thank you for linking up!

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    1. Thank you very much for your encouraging words. Thanks, as well, for doing the hard work that you do, week in and week out, because it is a big commitment. You are all to be commended for helping writers in the manner that you do.

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  17. Stepping out of the normal can be fun. Good job.

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  18. Thanks for your kind words. I appreciate the support and encouragement. :)

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  19. Very sad and well done. Sorry am late to reading. Had to hunt you down after your comments on my dark writing. I'll remember for next time.

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