O is for Ocean Overview

Day 15 of the challenge!

My theme is NIFTY NUGGETS. Little nuggets of writing based on a photo, a phrase and an object, which is designed to encourage lean, tight writing. Iā€™m aiming for a word count of under 300 words.

Thank you to L.Diane Wolfe for providing the beautiful photo prompts.Ā  You can visit her blog to check out more pictures.

OCEAN OVERVIEW

OCEAN OVERVIEW

PHRASE – stretching arms to the sky

OBJECT – glass figurine

I wonder about your last lucid moments before you waded deeper and deeper, the treacherous waters closing around you, sucking you into its icy depths.

Did you acknowledge the beauty of the early morning sunrise, soak in the familiar scenery, the wooden legs of the pier spread out and jutting into the water…

Was it the lure of the sea that was so irresistible, so strong, like a strange enigma that draws you closer? Did it serenade you, bewitch you and overpower you so that you became willing to do whatever it wanted?

Did you go willingly, as the sea called out to you, welcoming you like a long-lost friend, beckoning you to step forward, letting the water rise to your waist, then to your neck, until your toes no longer grasped the familiar, crunchy sand?

Were you prayerful, hands clasped together in silent supplication or maybe arms stretched to the sky, pleading… just like the glass figurine paperweight of the praying angel, positioned on the right hand corner of your desk?

I can imagine your thoughts… hard at first, and then a gradual softening.

Maybe, finally, an acceptance?

24 Comments

  1. Alex Hurst on April 19, 2015 at 12:11 am

    Beautiful. This one may be the best I’ve read so far this month. Very tight, connected prose; each sentence belonging to the narrative. Love it.

  2. Alex J. Cavanaugh on April 19, 2015 at 12:39 am

    Always left to wonder what happened after a suicide.

    • Michelle Wallace on April 20, 2015 at 1:38 pm

      The worse part is not knowing if there was something that could have been done to avert it.

  3. Trisha on April 19, 2015 at 2:37 am

    Wow, this was beautiful – haunting and sad too.

    That photo is gorgeous also!

  4. Rosie Amber on April 19, 2015 at 8:08 am

    Getting here a little late, I can almost hear the ocean from that picture. The sea definitely calls to me too.

  5. Nick Wilford on April 19, 2015 at 11:32 am

    Haunting and beautiful in a sad way. The sea felt like a character here.

  6. Patricia Lynne on April 19, 2015 at 6:31 pm

    Very beautiful, but sad.

  7. Hilary on April 19, 2015 at 9:50 pm

    Hi Michelle – suicide is not easy .. and walking into the water definitely not easy – but the tide will sweep you away … the undercurrent will offer no reprieve … I definitely respect the sea … lovely photo too .. cheers Hilary

    • Michelle Wallace on April 20, 2015 at 1:41 pm

      The sea has a beauty that is both appealing and ominous… šŸ™‚

  8. Kathy McKendry on April 19, 2015 at 11:36 pm

    I love your descriptions of how the sea called the person to its mesmerizing waters.

  9. Jemi Fraser on April 19, 2015 at 11:40 pm

    Powerful stuff, Michelle!
    You definitely have a lovely voice šŸ™‚

  10. Mary Aalgaard on April 20, 2015 at 12:57 am

    Sad and reflective. Some actions leave us wondering.

  11. Nilanjana Bose on April 20, 2015 at 3:03 pm

    Poignant and gripping. Loved reading it. Using the second person too, a challenge in itself. Admire the pic prompt as well, evocative.

    Best,
    Nilanjana

    • Michelle Wallace on April 20, 2015 at 8:06 pm

      I seldom experiment with second person and enjoyed doing so.

  12. C. Lee McKenzie on April 20, 2015 at 5:17 pm

    One of my aunts did exactly that. It devastated the family because she was always the one laughing when we were together.

    • Michelle Wallace on April 20, 2015 at 8:07 pm

      I’m so sorry to hear this.
      Your comment reminds me of Robin Williams.

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