A short story

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I’m lying on a sandy beach, basking in the warmth of the sun. I point to the sky and trace a white line. White on blue. Bold to begin then billowing. Flimsy then scattered. There’s another, and another. Three white lines criss-crossing, this way and that. 

There are people up there. Hundreds of people. I wonder where they are going, where they’ve been. What are they are doing? Watching a movie perhaps. Some drinking, some eating, wide awake and looking forward of the holiday of a lifetime. Others tired, weary. Deals done, business dealt with. Dozing, dreaming of home.

‘Come fly with me’, I sing. Not very well. I write a message with my finger. ‘Hey, I’m down here, wave to me!’ I want my finger to leave a trail of white words, but it doesn’t. Oh well.

I’m burning. Where’s my sun lotion?

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Thank you Sadje for hosting Monday’s What Do You See? photo prompt.

16 thoughts on “A short story

  1. Mason Bushell's avatar Mason Bushell Jan 27, 2025 / 16:12

    I often gaze up at the contrails and think, ‘Gah the buggers took off without me again!’ haha A great reflective story, Keith. Well done.

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  2. Dale's avatar Dale Jan 27, 2025 / 16:29

    This is lovely, Keith. How often have we lain down, looking up at that blue sky and tracing the white lines, or the clouds or whatnot.

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  3. Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶's avatar Nancy ~ The Sicilian Storyteller Jan 27, 2025 / 17:21

    Dreamy write, dear Keith. You know what’s funny? Whenever I’m outside on my deck and a plane flies overhead, I’ll wave and wonder if anyone can see me from way up there in the wild blue yonder. Maybe …. with binoculars!

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  4. pensitivity101's avatar pensitivity101 Jan 27, 2025 / 18:28

    I remember when an AWAC passed overhead and my Mum asked what it was. I told her it was there to welcome her for her holiday and she could wave if she wanted. So she did, bless her. She stayed for a month and it was so good to spoil her and have her all to myself for a little while.

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  5. Sadje's avatar Sadje Jan 28, 2025 / 10:59

    Love this contemplative poem Keith. Thank you so much for joining in.

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  6. Chris Hall's avatar Chris Hall Jan 28, 2025 / 12:38

    Ah, the beach… and the sky – delightful (apart from going red). Good one, Keith.

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  7. Violet Lentz's avatar Violet Lentz Jan 28, 2025 / 19:43

    Excellent added perspective. And very possible an answer to why skywriting is so often seen when lying on the beach.

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  8. Indira's avatar Indira Jan 31, 2025 / 05:59

    ‘Where is my sun lotion.’ Now, that’s a practical thing you remembered. Nice story, Keith. Imaginative.

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  9. Susi Bocks's avatar Susi Bocks Feb 4, 2025 / 23:56

    That sounds exactly like the conversations in my head. And especially for what I would entertain were I at the beach. Good job, Keith!

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