Welcome to the Wakefield Doctrine (the theory of clarks, scotts and rogers)
‘Migrant Mother’
Dorothea Lange 1936
This is the Six Sentence Story bloghop.
Hosted by Denise, she, each week, suggests a prompt word and invites all to write a story relating to this word. The only requirement is that our stories come out to being exactly six sentences in length.
As I am wont to do, from time to time, before starting this week’s SSS, I wandered through the internet. For one reason or another I ended up on a page talking about the Dust Bowl which naturally lead to Black Sunday (April 14, 1935), which was one of the worst of the many dust storms that scoured the western plains states. This part of the country during the 1920s and 1930s is of particular interest to me, as it’s the setting for a good part of ‘Almira’, (my WIP).
While searching for images, I ran into the incredible photography of Dorothea Lange. I’ve encountered the photo as, I trust, have most of my readers, though I did not know much at all about this woman. (Have a link that will give you a start if you’re curious.) In any event, this is another case of a Six prompted by a photo/historical event.
This week the word is:
POINT
“We can’t wait no longer Ma, I got ever-thing we own, least what the banker ain’t took, in the truck; last Sunday’s may of been the worst so far, but it surely won’t be the last dust storm.”
Like a clockwork camel, the black-and-baling wire Ford, loaded to the springs with the Hutchin’s possessions, stood in front of the tar paper and raw-pine house; beyond it: acres of once-fertile fields, now a desert except for scattered groves of fruit trees, standing by virtue of deep roots and flexible branches.
A frown grew amidst the uncomplicated wrinkles and lines on the woman’s face, like clouds gathering over an exceptionally beautiful sunset.
Looking at her husband in the doorway, she spoke with a quiet strength that brought to mind water-rounded stones slowing a powerful river, “Next Sunday is Easter, would have loved to be here, in a home resting on the earth rather than rollin’ over it, but the good lord don’t always make his plan clear.”
Taking his hat off, as if to offer a part of himself usually kept within, he said, in a church-quiet voice, “Can’t say this was the life I’d a hoped to provide for you, Ida, but the point is the truck’s outside, gassed up and pointin’ west; time for us to get on the road.”
Five-year-old Ethan, leaning against his mother’s leg, clutching the fabric of her dress, looked up at his father, a soldier safely on the ground, unwilling to let go of the parachute that put him in a hostile land.
About clarkscottroger
Perhaps, because it is late and I read this by the light of a small beside lamp, Mississippi John’s melodic voice softly singing (perfect “mood music” for your 6), I am saddened by your story.
What devastation! The pictures are a horrific display of mother nature at her worst.
Sentence 3: perfect.
thank you…have always like him.
Beautifully written and great timing for such a story reminding us of this historical and tragic event.
Thank you, Pat (I really enjoyed it when, in research, I learned that the storm forming the center of this Six was so close by (in the calendar).
One of my “favorite” photos. It’s a work of art as is your post. Super six!
Thanks, Paul
Wow the picture, story and Mississippi John harmonize perfectly. Perfect Holy Week story.
ty
What a time, what lessons should’ve been learned then. Another Six with a point.
true that…in terms of seeds of Sixes, the under-written pages of history is a treasure trove for sure.
Ugh, I think my comments get dissolved. But I did enjoy the take. It’s a powerful photo and a powerful time.
nope, came through ok
A few weeks ago, i watched a special on American Experience about this very topic. You captured their hearts, sad but trusting for another day.
that photo by Dorothea Lange… if I could write half the story contained in the simple black and white picture…
Beautiful imagery of a sad time. How I wish I had written my mother’s stories.
Thank you, Lisa
Clark, this is beautiful! It makes me think of Grapes of Wrath, one of my very favorite books. You done good!
Thanks, D
…the event (dust storm) was interesting, but the photo is totally compelling.