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Sunday, April 21, 2013

Who He Is...A Short Story


The Weekly Writing Prompt

Those in charge of the prompt wondered if they should take a week off due to the horrible events of the past week. They then saw this picture. They changed their minds--I'm glad they did.

The rules for the writing prompt are as follows:

1) Use the photo and the 5 words provided in your story.
2) Keep your word count 500 words or less.
3) You have until Tuesday to link up your post. 
4) Link up with your blog hostess (Nicole, CarrieTena or Leanne) when you’re done add the link to your blog post at the inLinkz linky on their sites.
5) Have fun, don’t stress, let those creative juices flow.

This Week's Required Words:
Threat
Vitamins
Summer
Quarry
Eating
  
Who He Is

The crowd gathers but doesn't see him...a ghost among living souls. He carries memories of family, friends, and hometowns in every step on every road and trail in the nation. He walks alone as he watches people laughing, crying, eating, living. He is a shield.

He continues onward, through winter storms and summer heat. His resolve never waivers as millions rely on him. His nameless face passes a school, a synagog, a hospital, a quarry. Those learning, praying, taking vitamins, working never know he's there silently protecting against threat to home and family. He is a protector.

He stands with legions; he stands alone. He remains as long as he's needed, as long as he's appreciated, as long as those in whom it is his duty to serve acknowledge his presence and respect his calling. He is a soldier.

Work Count: 142

7 comments:

  1. Wow. Very intense!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Cindy. I tried to make it intense. Have a good one!

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  2. I enjoyed this very much. Reading it through again and again, I find something new to take away from it each time. Well done.

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    1. Heather--thank you. I'm glad you've found more than surface things in this.

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  3. This is quite profound, Scott. It speaks to the quiet humbleness of our soldiers in the midst of protecting and saving lives for an entire country... my life, our country. This brought tears to my eyes.

    Nice job, my friend.

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    Replies
    1. Hey Leanne--when I first saw the picture, I thought of telling one soldier's story, but in the picture, only some were actually looking at him, so I wanted to write a story and give an impression that he's a ghost, or a spirit that's around us, which, in a very real way, the soldiers who protect us do. I'm glad you liked it. Thanks for the incredibly kind words. Take care.

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  4. Just now getting a chance to go back and read the stories submitted from last weeks photo prompt. I liked how you did this with the man in the picture being a ghost (was trying to think of a different word, but it escapes me at the moment - not supernatural or paranormal)... Anyway nicely done!

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