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This is a picture I did not take

…of brown leaves rolling on wet, golden-green grass as I walked through the park to collect the children after school. The sun shone down from behind me and all around, the kind of golden late afternoon light that trumpets between low puffy storm clouds breaking up after the rain. Ahead, the leaves were blowing slantwise up the hill in great droves before the wind, like hundreds of baby chicks fleeing after their mother. And beyond, in the near distance, dark clouds flowed over the foothills, shadow and mist, silky black animals stalking their prey.

Comments

  1. Nikolay on 2009-02-09 20:54:20 wrote: In school, I remember, a lot of the Bulgarian authors I had to read sounded somewhat like that. They would take an entire page or two to give you a single picture. I think I now realize what bothered me then - the first few sentences would set the imagination into motion, building the picture inside, and the rest of the page would scream: “Your imagination is wrong! Hear now the true details, as the ones you imagined are false!” And that just killed it for me. Moderation, I suppose is the key. Imagine also, how the picture would be influenced if you had inserted a hint of emotion, a single word or phrase, even. It has been a while since a post appeared here. Everything ok? Disclaimer: Please forgive the intrusion. After a long tiring day, the mind is much less capable of deciding what is appropriate to write to a stranger, and what is not.

  2. Chris on 2009-02-10 06:29:49 wrote: What an amazing description, and even more amazing idea. I DON’T take 25 pictures for every one that I DO take. The process of describing the missed ones has to be a good & cathartic thing. Thanks for sharing this moment of zen.

  3. John on 2009-02-10 06:55:25 wrote: @nikolay, just the fact that you compared me to a Bulgarian author flatters me. :-) Thanks for the suggestions. I am actually trying to practice creative writing. Everything’s okay—just busy. @Chris, no problem. I got the idea from a blog called unphotographable. You should check it out.

  4. MDM on 2009-02-11 12:44:08 wrote: Thanks for the link-back to unphotographable. It’s always great to see when other folks write their own. Best from here, - MDM

  5. Marites on 2009-02-17 21:25:11 wrote: Such a lovely description. I need suggestions on how to practice creative writing. I love to write & I want to get better at it.

  6. Marites on 2009-02-17 21:30:22 wrote: Thanks for the link to unphotographable. I started reading it & it’s what I’m looking for.