Prompt: Google maps, Shoshone Lodge and Guest Ranch, Yellowstone National Park
POWERS AT PLAY
by
Kelvin M. Knight
He hated it in there. He would rather be out here. So what if the rain was dripping through the trees. Rain was cold and refreshing. Rain made him feel alive. Being in there with them, them and their silly songs, their nonsensical stories, was living hell.
Why on earth he agreed to this team building weekend escaped him. Before it had even begun he needed time out to recharge his thoughts, power down his emotions.
Emotions which could easily spiral. Sitting down on one of the benches in the quadrangle, he looked heavenward. Stars shimmered through gaps in the clouds. They were strangely beautiful. Up there, everything was beautiful. Why were things so ugly down here?
Burying his head in his hands, he watched rain pouring off his hood like unconstrained tears. Tears he no longer shed. For her. For him. For any of them.
Only smiling worked now.
(150 words)
Message from Karen Rawson, What Pegman Saw host:
This week Pegman takes us to Yellowstone National Park in the US. You’ll find both streetview and photo spheres to inspire you. Choose any place within Yellowstone and write 150 words inspired by it. Once your piece is polished, you can share it with others at the link up below:
Have fun and do your best.
Thanks to all who share their stories on Pegman!
Brilliantly written. Very emotive.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, lisarey1990. So kind of you to say.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Evocative and emotional. Well done.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Josh. Happy Easter 🐣
LikeLiked by 1 person
Every word does double duty in this powerful piece Kelvin. Great glimpse of intrigue behind this sympathetic character.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Karen. Glad you picked up on the sympathetic character. Happy Easter 🐣
LikeLiked by 2 people
A tragic story. A man who no longer weeps for those to whom he was once close. A man who clings to the beauty he imagines as transcendent because he can’t face what he sees as the ugliness of normal human life.
This is a lovely story, Kelvin, and very thought-provoking. It could form the basis for an exciting debate on the nature of beauty.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s such a beautiful comment, Penny – which has started an internal debate here! 🤭
LikeLiked by 1 person