Friday Fictioneers has reared it’s pretty head once more. This is my contribution at 101 words. Thanks, Bjorn, for the thought provoking picture. I’m sure this desolate building will inspire some sad tales this week.
First, German tanks rolled through
shelling buildings to rubble.
Next came Russians, finally Americans.
People hid in basements between
walls humming with the weight
of the enormous machines
rumbling past their
front doors.
When the soldiers were gone
Francine’s entire family was dead.
The neighbors who remained buried
Momma, Pappa, and baby Michelle
in what was left of the cemetery.
But Francine had hidden Franklin
in her pretty pink room.
Arranged him in the chair Pappa gave
her for Christmas.
She placed weak tea and crumbled cookies
on the stool beside him
saying, “Momma told me I must
always look after you.”
Up From the Ashes 