…a spark cracked at the next attempt with the stones and the laid shrubs caught the fire. He set the swallow to roast.
He took a helping of it and savoured its taste with delight. Opening his eyes, a butterfly buzzed over the stream, to the applause of his eyes and he heard his last words.
‘You must not imprison beauty no matter how innocently; let beauty as truth roam freely’
He set a foot to the temperate of the stream, a cool breeze caressed him but the sparrows wailed in the distant background.
***
This is also a contribution to the #AtoZChallenge and for the regular fictioneers cafe at Madison Woods’ Blog
Fingerprints 
You write with poetic beauty. “He set foot to the temperate of the stream;” and “let beauty as truth roam freely” are very poetic images. Thanks for sharing.
Mine: http://www.vlgregory-circa1800.vpweb.com/blog.html
Thanks for such beautiful comment. Thanks!
“You must not imprison beauty no matter how innocently; let beauty as truth roam freely”…reminds me of “Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy . . . but sing their hearts out for us. That’s why it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.”
You may not have written a poem (as were your initial intentions), but your writing was very poetic, nonetheless.
~Susan (here’s mine: http://www.susanwenzel.com/)
Thanks Susan, i am glad you found that line, that’s my fav too! And many thanks for the Web love!
Very beautifully written!
Glad you had that to say! Welcome here!!!
This is what you call hitting two birds with one stone. Skillfully done.
Really?! Thanks for being here too!
Lovely poetic prose. Beautiful, original descriptive images. Nice work Charles.
Thanks, really thought of a different take for this week and i am glad it is making the impact i set i to make. Thanks for stopping by!
Oops…forgot to leave mine: Here it is:
http://www.triplemoonstar.blogspot.com
Sure, no problems!
This is quite lovely, Charles. A wonderful way to start the day of reading!
https://quillshiv.wordpress.com/2012/04/06/meet-me/
Thanks Rinn, am so glad to receive this comment from you…Thanks!
This was extremely poetic; the images so vivid that the reader might actually there, beside the river. Very well done indeed.
Thanks Sandra, you are always a big inspiration to me!
This is an interesting shift in mood – delight in the flavour of the swallow, in the beauty of the butterfly, the freedom of truth – yet the swallow died for your pleasure, and you hear them wailing in the distance…
Well done,
Lindaura
Laura, thanks for stooping by, am glad to know that you could review the moods i wanted to convey. Thanks.
A truly wonderful and evocative piece. It hearkens to the poetic spirit in all of us.
Thanks dear Jeffrey. Glad to see you here!
But the sparrows wailed. Simply beautiful use of words. Great job my friend.
I’m glad you enjoyed mine:
http://www.wakefieldmahon.com/1/post/2012/04/down-by-the-river-friday-fictioneers1.html
Thanks, Wakefield!
Vivid and poetic.. Philosophical too.
I enjoyed reading it.
Great work, thanks for sharing!
Oh and here’s my day late entry –
http://faitaccompli.wordpress.com/2012/04/07/this-is-the-end-beautiful-friend/
Thanks for stopping by, Parul!
Sounds like a warning. He had better become a vegetarian… 🙂
Very poetic and I loved the descriptive details – haunting!
Excellent!
Maybe he will take heed! Thanks Susie!
“To the applause of his eyes . . .” How beautiful. The whole tale was very poetic. I really enjoy your writing!
I am glad you liked it. Thanks for stopping by!
Very poetic! We had the same idea for F and flash Friday. LOL
Really, i enjoyed your creepy tale of red wine!
You rendered me humble with this piece. Beautiful.
Wow! your are wordlessly charming! This is it for me this week. Thanks a bunch!
As always you write wonderfully in your unique style. This time in particular, you place us right in the story, transporting our imaginations away to that river. As others have said, you write with a sense of poetry here. Great stuff.
Thank you for your kind words on my story this week 🙂
http://andyfloodwritersblog.wordpress.com/2012/04/06/the-lasting-kind/
Thanks for the devotion to my efforts; so thoughtful of you to keep a track of my works. thanks a bunch!
You painted a beautiful visual image with words. I must admit, the line “he heard his last words” threw me for a loop, and left me unsure of what to expect next.
One suggestion – name the protagonist. It seems like the word “he” was overused.
Thanks Russell for your suggestion. On a closer look i saw the confusion with the ‘Hes’ will add just a line later that will clear it up, and sure the names of the protagonists. Thanks!
Such a beautiful scene. Such a different (and serene) take on the prompt, well done!
http://garybaileywriting.wordpress.com/2012/04/06/fridayfictioneers-catfishing/
Thanks for your kind words!
I felt the morning breeze reading this. Your descriptions paint the scene with just the right words.
‘You must not imprison beauty no matter how innocently; let beauty as truth roam freely’ How beautifuly and apty captured. Strong metaphor.
Thanks for stopping by! Nice to meet you!
Nice meeting you too. Thanks for following my bog. Following yours too.
Many of the other comments said the same sentiment I felt – your story was poetry. I liked what you said about truth and beauty, and wonder why he was going to drown himself.
Really, was he? I thought he was rather mourning a loss…that’s why the ‘sparrow wail in a distant background’ Thanks for stopping by and bringing this together, a Nigeria friend will soon be joining in. Enjoy your day!
Ahhh, I thought he was wading into the river to drown himself because of grief or some other reason. I see now.
I’ll be watching for your friend!