A cold haze illuminates the sky. Silver orbs of light pollute mountaintops. The invaders bicker as they burn, so dull in conversation, I work hard to block their frequency.
I hear trains blowing in the distant stations as I let my mind drift, wander in thick forests of ideas and sleepy dreams. I steal hidden data encrypted in old trees:
“So if all do their duty, they need not fear harm.”
I’m amazed. Nature is stubborn. The trees huddle together in defiant unity. No fear. Even while the sun and moon inch further away.
I know I don’t have to reside here. I could reach out to my power, I could tear the seams of space apart, like stiches in an old dress that doesn’t fit. I could flee. But then who would tell the story? I quiet my thoughts and start to record.
Written for Prosery: Doing our duty at dVerse where Ingrid hosts. The word count cannot exceed 144 words.
Tonight’s line is from William Blake’s poem ‘The Chimney Sweeper:’ In Songs of Innocence (1789)
So if all do their duty, they need not fear harm
Tricia Sankey 
Tricia, your prosery is exquisitely well-told. Indeed, let’s hope someone will (choose to) be left behind to tell the tale.
Thanks, Lisa! It should be an interesting one for those who stick around! 💯
You’re welcome ❤
Awesome writ, TS.
Thanks, glad you enjoyed, Ron! 💓
I steal hidden data encrypted in old trees: writers have so much to be inspired… excellent ✍️
Thanks, Sarika, yes nature definitely inspires me! ♥🌲♥
This is brilliant, Tricia! I love the subtle blend of sci-fi and realism. ‘I could tear the seams of space apart, like stiches in an old dress that doesn’t fit.’ – what a sentence! 🤩
Thanks for hosting! Glad you liked that line, it was my niece who helped craft part of it. She gives me the best ideas and now I want to write another sci-fi short story soon! 💕
You should definitely go for it! How lovely that she inspires you 😊
So good, Tricia! Great fantasy world-building.
Thanks, Jane! 💓
Excellent sci-fi tale filled with poetic phrases, Tricia. I like the “hidden data encrypted in old trees.”
Thanks, Merril, if trees could talk! 💓
❤️
How good is this‼️
-David
Thanks, David! 💕🙏💕
The burning bickering, exquisite. I love the tree wisdom and how they are braver than we are. Much enjoyed, Tricia.
Thanks for your feedback, glad you enjoyed it! 💝
Ooooh! This is fantastic.
Thanks so much, Linda! 💓
This is so beautiful, the way you wandered in thought and what felt to me like a weaving of reality, sci-fi and fantasy. I especially love “I let my mind drift, wander in thick forests of ideas and sleepy dreams. I steal hidden data encrypted in old trees” .
Thanks so much! I think I did want to blend a few genres, I love them all! 💖
Wowww! This is exquisitely drawn, Tricia 😀 I especially love; “I let my mind drift, wander in thick forests of ideas and sleepy dreams. I steal hidden data encrypted in old trees.” 💝💝
Thanks, Sanaa, so pleased you enjoyed those lines! 🥰
This is brilliant… it does remind me of C.S. Lewis and his descriptions of the dying world of Charn. I just hope that the one staying behind is better than Jadis.
Thanks, Bjorn! What a compliment, I love C.S. Lewis! 💓
This was a joy to read …. you took Ingrid’s line and used it masterfully.
Thanks, Helen! 💓
Beautiful write up with lovely pic..
Thanks so much! 💓