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10/15/2009

100 Word Challenge - Rain

What follows is in response to the '100 Word Challenge' authored by the refreshing Velvet Verbosity. The word today is "Rain".

100 Word Challenge


He sat amid the dead and dying animals and people.

A year of drought. And now all was parched and dry.

The pastures were all bare and dusty. The rivers all dried up and gone. His people, his village, his family, all dead or dying of thirst.

People came, sometimes, in trucks. They gave him flour, when what he needed was water.

So he sat, with his arms folded across his drawn up knees and his head resting on his arms.

The breeze touched him gently. He raised his head and smiled. On the breeze's breathe, he could smell rain.

Ndinombethe.

p.s. Today, in Ethiopia, conditions like what I describe above actually exist.

15 comments:

www.ayewonder.com said...

You haven't lost your touch, Lou!

Momisodes said...

It is tragic, and you painted the picture for us perfectly.

Hockeymandad said...

well done sir...well done.

I just canceled my vacation plans to Ethiopia too, whew! Instead I'll make a donation to some food banks.

Unknown said...

Beautiful words for a sad piece of daily Life....

CaraBee said...

Beautiful and heartbreaking.

Patsy said...

I can never read yours before I post mine, because if I do I have writers block or just try to make some inferior copy of what you have done. I like the picture you painted with words. Nicely done.

And if any of you "other writers" are out there lurking, join us. The more the better.

Jientje said...

Not many writers have the talent to transport their readers to "right there and then". Beautiful. Thank you.

Loraine said...

Very well written, and a good reminder of the struggles people face around the world.

Kathryn Brimblecombe-Fox said...

YOu paint a picture with words Lou. Rain and water are such huge issues world wide, but when people suffer at the extremes it is heart wrenching. That smell of rain can be so full of hope.

Thank you for visiting my BLOG too. I have been your BLOG a few times and found something interesting and stimulating each time.

I will keep returning.
Kathryn

Unknown said...

Ayewonder: Hey MIkey!!!

Momisodes: Thank you, Sandy.

HockeymanDad: Thank you, Sir - and No, you don't wanna go there.

NicoleB: Thank you, Nicole.

CaraBee: It is so sad.

Patsy: Thank you, patsy - and your 100's are ALWAYS really good.

Jientje: Thank you, Jientje:

Loraine: Thank you, Loraine.

Kathryn: Thank you, Kathryn. I'm glad you come here once in a while.

Sage Ravenwood said...

Heartrendering and beautifully written dear friend. The sad part is it's true. (Hugs)Indigo

Unknown said...

F*ck now I'm thirsty.

Unknown said...

Bravo!

Velvet Verbosity said...

Why is it I always think I've commented here when I haven't? Holy crap, I'm losing my mind.

Sometimes, sometimes, just when we lose all hope, a miracle happens. :)

Mrs4444 said...

Beautiful, Lou.