Welcome to the Wakefield Doctrine (the theory of clarks, scotts and rogers)
Wednesday Warm-up.
Zoe, she hosts a bloghop called ‘Six Sentence Story‘. A new prompt word is provided each and every week. Everyone is invited (yes, that means you) to write a little story using, in some manner or another, the week’s prompt word. By ‘little’ she means six sentences in total (and absolute) length.
You really should try it. It’s fun and satisfying (when you finally count the ‘periods’ seven or eight times) and hit publish. Come on down.
This week the word is ‘MINE’.
In the seat next to mine, the old man’s eyes seemed to sparkle for an instant, then dim as his eyelids moved downwards, like sunset on a sideways planet. Across the aisle, a young couple smiled at each other, sharing a look that was both lifeline and desperately frantic waving for help as they settled back into the cheap-furniture fabric of their seats, now firmly locked in their upright position. The landing gear began reaching towards the Earth, giving rise to an oddly guttural sound that inspired unease in all but infants, zen masters and the terminally ill; what was arguably the oldest of man’s spiritual ceremonies began in earnest.
Airliners, for all of their solid-state, high-tech operating systems, do not always make the transformation from magical flying ship to everyday, rolling-over-tar vehicle smoothly; sometimes they bounce, rubber feet squealing in fear.
As surely as the lightning spoke of death and power to the Neolithic congregation, huddled under the protection of low, tree branches, the contest between man’s ingenuity and Nature was both a challenge and a prayer; the first by the near limitless ego of the species, the second by the solitary person trying to believe in life everlasting.
“Thank you, watch your step,” the priestess offered the ritual blessing for a continued life following the pneumatic benediction as the metal retracted and a brightly lit tunnel opened up on yet another world.
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Pneumatic benediction! I love the imagery
yeah…fun wit words and such
Are they travelling from the pre-historic past ( the Neolithic congregation and tunnel to another world makes me ask this question.)
The auspicious ceremony in air is interesting .
Brilliant, as always , Clark .
Thanks M
speaking of tunnels to another world, did you see that short story contest making the rounds on ‘the Facebook’? looks interesting and best thing, no entry fee (at least that I can find)
Seemingly effortless ease in description. Nice read today!
ty
Liked “pneumatic benediction”. You love to fly, and it shows!
actually don’t hate it, but there is that ‘moment of doors’ (i.e. very discrete decision point that devolved or branches into radically different timelines)… love airline terminals… “The White Zone is for loading and unloading only, the Red Zone…”
Whoa, what kind of freaky flight is this? (I take it you don’t care for landings…? Landing is my favorite part of flying…means the flight is over…lol.)
agree but only once the plane turns into a really big, and really fast bus… lol
Your tale took off well and landed without a bump. Excellento!
Click to visit Keith’s Ramblings
thanks, K
A very interesting flight! I haven’t experienced one like that! Although, it could happen any day now, expecially considering my age. Great story! :)
changes aren’t occurring too fast these days, are they?
Well told! And you have explained why i am scared to death to fly quite well, thank you.
lol… it’s just a very small percentage of the total time, isn’t it?
Reminds me of the scene in ‘Holy Man’ when Eddie Murphy cures a man of his fearing of flying by addressing his fear of dying.
excellent movie, that