Photo by K. Rawson
We remember the clatter of boots on steps, the boyish shouts and the click-clack of swords made of sticks.
Our eyes still see flashes of red, purple and orange T-shirts as the boys scattered through the woods.
The tips of our fingers long to brush back silken hair and peer into eyes of blue or green and see,
really see
what they wanted.
Just give us the chance.
But those times are lost.
They didn’t know what they wanted so they took what was given.
Now our boys linger in pools of sorrow with hollow eyes,
waiting for feelings of euphoria and ecstasy.
Up From the Ashes 
Wow, sounds like those boys definitely took the wrong set of stairs to their future…but, the can still be saved…at least, I hope so. 🙂
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Fingers crossed. Thanks, Jelli.
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Brilliant line “They didn’t know what they wanted so they took what was given”
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Thak you, Neil.
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I wrote a story sometime ago based on the real life tragedy of drug addiction in West Virginia. This reminds me of it somewhat.
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I think I’ve been listening to NPR’s articles on the opioid addiction too much. Thanks, James
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A tragic turn of events, and every parents nightmare.
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I can imagine. Sometimes, try as you might . . . Thanks, Iain.
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Dear Lish,
Oh the ‘what-might-have-been’s’. Lovely piece, poignant and beautifully illustrated with words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Hindsight is often better, right? Thanks for your kind words, Rochelle.
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Poetic and sad. Well done.
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Thanks,
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So sad, Lish. Often when I pass drunks of homeless people in the street, I wonder what they were like as children – were they loved and cossetted but fell on hard times or were they given the roughest start, never truly cared for, their fate almost inevitable. You capture that sadness, the loss of potential in any human life. Beautiful
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I do the same thing, Lynn. Once I saw a very elegant-looking black man in front of the mall I never go to (I was just driving by). He was dressed in a worn suit and selling balloons. What the heck? My mind went into overdrive, trying to figure out what had happened. Thanks so much for reading and leaving a reply. Lish
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That’s the thing with us writers too, isn’t it? Always looking for the story. My pleasure – such a good read
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Beautifully written! So powerful – I loved reading it.
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
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Thanks, Susan! I’m glad you liked my story.
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Loved the style of this piece
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Thank you.
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I read this with such an ache. Loved especially “They didn’t know what they wanted so they took what was given.”
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Thanks, Karen.
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Those last lines are so touching — “they took what was given” — ouch: great contrast with the innocence of the beginning.
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Thanks, Joy. I truly believe children should be allowed to be children, playing with stick-swords and hiding in the woods. I fear those times are fading and so many are just accepting what they’re handed without a second thought.
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I agree, free play is an important part of childhood.
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Beautifully poetic and very tragic.
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Thanks so much.
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So very poignant. The ‘brushing back of silken hair’ whilst staring into their eyes is heart-rending and so very realistic. Well done, Alicia.
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Thank you, Sandra. These boys remind me of the ones I grew up with. Although they came to a much better end.
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A happy and fun childhood becoming a nightmare present. Quite chilling.
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I often wonder “what happened” when I see people on the street or hear about them taking crazy drugs. Wh? Thanks, Alicia
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Growing up is not all what it is made out to be.
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Remember when you couldn’t wait to turn twelve, then get a job, and start to drive? Then, all of sudden, you’re driving to work and it’s not as much fun as you expected? Thanks for reading.
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A sorrowful story indeed.
My FriFic tale is called Solace!
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Thanks, Keith.
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There are many delights in your story, Alicia, not least the way you have used elements of the prompt as a part of your storyline for example ‘pools of sorrow’. Lovely writing!
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Thanks for noticing ‘pools of sorrow’! And for leaving such a nice review. Alicia
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I like the nostalgia in this, wishing for a return to those youthful days. Emotional and true.
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Thank you, James. If only we realized how fun being young, stupid, and irresponsible is, before we grow-up.
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Beautifully haunting! Love the story! Well done! 🙂
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Thanks, Courtney.
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This was heartbreaking. LIke the others, I loved your phrasing and, as a mother, cannot help but wonder if I ever looked deep enough into my sons’ eyes…
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Never having been a parent, I don’t have to worry about that but somehow, I’m pretty sure you did. From what you say about your son, he’s a pretty cool guy, messes and all. 😉
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Sons… they both have their moments 😉
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Whoa, I hope they can be ‘found’ one day
A scary truth
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Me too. Thanks, Laurie.
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What a powerful twist. Such hopelessness after that contemplative, tender beginning. Great writing, Alicia.
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Thank you very much, Gabi.
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The despair the hopelessness…excellently penned.
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Thank you, Dahlia
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Beautifully written but so so sad.
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Thank you so much, Irene.
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Very evocative writing, Alicia. Seems like the boys have lost their way.
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They certainly have. Thanks, Varad
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Great write. I suspect there are layers which I may have missed.
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Perhaps, YS. Thanks for reading.
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Beautiful, subtle piece. Outstanding, Alicia.
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Thank you, Jilly! I’m so glad you liked it.
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Now this is the Lish I know and love. Brilliant story. So sorbet… subtle! and well-crafted and meaningful. Oh how I have missed your prose.
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Heck! Now you’re making me blush. You are so kind. Thanks very much. Glad you stopped by.
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Guess those boys made some bad choices. This is infinitely sad – well done.
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Thanks, Liz. Life does tend to throw curveballs.
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Oh dear. Not the hoped-for ending. How terribly sad.
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Maybe they do a turn-around! Thanks for reading.
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A sad, haunting tale. Today’s drugs are much worse than in my youth–and believe me, I tried many of them.
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I saw Connie’s post on Facebook about the current “Zombie” drug. Hokey-smokes! I tried marijuana ONCE ~ not fun for me. Others followed. No addiction, thank you powers that be.
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Such a sad ending after the hopeful beginning. I have empathy for all of the parents who lose their children to drugs and am fearful there isn’t a way out of the opioid epidemic. This was an excellent and thought provoking story Alicia!
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Thanks so much, Nan.
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Those last few lines are so powerful. Beautifully told.
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Thank you, Clare!
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This had such a positive and colourful start – I could see the boys playing in the woods. Now I fear they live just waiting for their next fix.
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Thanks, Sarah Ann. They kinda’ took a wrong turn. So glad you stopped by!
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wow! So beautifully written, poetry.
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Thank you so much.
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This makes me think of drug addiction, so sad.
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As it was meant to. It worked!!! Thanks, Dawn.
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Yes, after I posted the comment I realized that. lol
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Reflective and compelling. Good story.
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Thanks very much.
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