(Entry #158 in the "Silhouette" contest over at The Clarity of Night, which is now closed, but hey reader's choice awards are open.)
Japan is far from here, full of imagination: pagodas and kimonos, koto players with painted faces, and Mahjong.
A special piece, painted with the Northern Wind, gusted to an antiquities market in Eastern New York City out for everyone to touch and admire.
A little man stops to admire the piece―it's been missing from his set for so very long. If he brings this home, he says to himself, his life will certainly change.
A little man stops to admire the piece―it's been missing from his set for so very long. If he brings this home, he says to himself, his life will certainly change.
(I sincerely apologize for using an old piece, but we have illness in the house so little time for the mom to stop and dream.)
Hopping over from Twitter.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know you're shadowsinstone! Cool. :)
I read "The Missing Piece" over at The Clarity of Night and admired it.
ReplyDeleteSecond reading? Yep. Still enjoy the writing!
Yes, life will change...
ReplyDeletePerfect, ominous ending. Classic Carrie. Where did I put my mask?
Interesting. I feel the need to study this, open it up, see how it works.
ReplyDeleteCarrie, do you realize how ominous that note about having illness in the house sounds directly after this story? That gave me chills. I do hope the wee one is better soon, (I didn't even know you're a mom).
ReplyDeleteChilling story that makes us sit up and take notice. Your work is just outstanding.
I agree, thourghly loved reading it...both times :) Thanks for sharing your beautiful talent.
ReplyDeleteCheers!
loved it there, still do.
ReplyDeleteReally liked this when I first read it.
ReplyDeleteHope everyone feels better soon.
You never need to apologise for pulling something from the archives, especially when it's as finely crafted as your writing always is.
ReplyDeleteThis piece was great - said so much, inferred more and left many questions unanswered - as any good microflash must.
This was so good I'm getting up right now to go wash my hands. Just in case.
ReplyDeleteClever and creepy piece--well done! I didn't really have to know anything about Mahjong to understand what was happening. Through context, I understood what I needed to know.
ReplyDelete(I duplicated the above over at Clarity of Night.)
Loved this. You have such a strong voice in your writing. I hope everyone at your place feels better soon because I do very much enjoy your original fiction! :)
ReplyDeleteEerie and well crafted. I look forward to reading more once you can get back to enjoying life and writing.
ReplyDelete♥ Ash
Love the ending! Ominous = good, in my book, as I'm sure you know :-)
ReplyDeleteAn item will bring change... shiver. Second readings perfectly fine, especially since I missed this on the first :^)
ReplyDeleteHope everyone feels better soon...
Peace, Linda
A second reading for many - a first for me. Hauntingly beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThat was my first read of this piece - you are such a talented writer. Loved it.
ReplyDeleteOkay weird formatting issue at the end of this piece. Oy. Thanks so very much for the warm commentary, you guys are my critique group. Never be scared to say "You stink Carrie." In writing of course. I'm a girl. and girls never stink, correct? Cheers to all.
ReplyDeleteI liked the distant narrative voice here. There's a lot going on here in such a short space. Good luck in the competition.
ReplyDeleteThis was very interesting to read! You have a great talent!
ReplyDeleteMaria
I loved the way the illness is held at such a distance, that it's something those people over there have to worry about. But not us. It couldn't happen here....
ReplyDeleteOkay, creepy feelings crawling over body...good story.
ReplyDeleteHelen
Straight From Hel
Hi Carrie,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this piece—nothing is ever really that far away. Nice mood, great writing. Good luck!