Picture by Arch Angel Studios via Google
NEW LIVE CEMETERY
© Kelvin M. Knight, 2019
They swooped into this place looking for those silhouettes of raised arms. Their wings passed through trees, feathers and beaks as easily as they swept through space and time. But not stone. Somehow the slabs and towers of stone here inhibited their aerial dance.
Slapping sounds. Wet leather ripping open parched flesh. They wobbled in the air. They left iridescent marks on these gravestones. That’s when those rainbows blossomed momentarily. Always momentarily. But enough. Enough time to right themselves. Now their wings shimmered while from their rainbow-laced bodies arms extended. So many arms. So many dazzling hands of all shapes and sizes reaching out for those silhouettes of raised arms. Arms like stone. Rusting chains rattled, chains binding wrists, necks and ankles.
Swiftly they pulled this blackness into their light. Their iridescent light that faded in the blink of an eye. All this happened in the blink of my disbelieving eye.
(150 words)
The above story was written in response to the What Pegman Saw prompt, which this week took us to:
Selma, Alabama
You are warmly invited to the Inlinkz link party to read other globetrotting contributors’ stories inspired by this week’s prompt.
Kelvin M. Knight 
Your imagery of the resurrection of slaves is dazzling.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Penny. Hope you didn’t need to wear sunglasses… for too long!!
LikeLike
What a powerful vision, with such vivid imagery, both stark and heartbreaking and finally, hopeful.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Joy. Glad you picked up on the subtle emotional interplay, that it wasn’t blown apart by the vivid imagery and powerful vision – always a concern of mine…
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think the imagery helps with the emotional depth. But I agree, it’s very hard to get across much — much less something subtle — in these micro pieces. It’s something I struggle with too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good piece, Kelvin. The tone raised goosebumps on my arms …
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Na’ama. To evoke such a strong physical reaction is good, I think.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes, for writing to do that is good … 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
So nice to read you again, Kelvin. What beautiful writing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So nice to be read again Dale. Thank you. Hope all is well with you. 😇
LikeLiked by 1 person
Cannot complain! Not that I would….
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve missed you Kelvin! Great to see you back. Loved the vivid writing of this evocative piece. The precise word choice really makes this piece stand out. The ghosts of slavery past slumber uneasily, it seems.
LikeLiked by 1 person
They do indeed, Karen. Like how you spotted my precise word choice, and glad it made my piece stand out for you. So glad. I’ve missed Pegman and the Pegmaneers too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pegmaneers! Love that word 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sinister stuff! Visceral use of language too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Josh. Glad you enjoyed my choice of language.
LikeLike
Beautiful, Kelvin, in execution and sentiment. The idea that slaves should meet their Creator or somehow be swept up into iridescence before all others–perhaps to the exclusion of others–is fitting, with the crack of the whip as background music.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Haha – whip crack away – and not on the dusty stagecoach with Doris Day either… although, considering the sad news this week, maybe I will watch Calamity Janes just one more time. Glad you felt similarly moved by my humble prose, Andrea. Hope all is well with you.
LikeLiked by 1 person