This week’s image comes to us from Renee Homan Heath:
WELCOME TO FRIDAY FICTIONEERS WHERE EVERY PICTURE TELLS A STORY
We are a growing community of blogging writers who come together each week from all parts of the globe to share individual flash fictions from a single photo prompt (above). The prompt goes up early Wednesday morning CST to give each writer time to compose a story by Friday. Some use the photo as a mere inspiration while others use it as an illustration. Use your imagination and think outside the box.
I stared at this picture for what seemed like hours. While I could have wrote of beauty or love, my mind kept going towards a graduation speech as a metaphor for life. The word limit kinda hurt what wanted to come out. So here is what escaped the cutting room floor. I call it : At the Ocean’s Edge
Mike closes his eyes as his toes touch the ocean. He hears the speech he gave at graduation twenty years ago:
“Fellow classmates, we have walked the path of knowledge and arrived at the ocean’s edge. Today is our new beginning. With our feet in the water, we must now cross the ocean. The method we each choose to cross this vastness will be different. Understand the challenge is not just crossing the ocean but enjoying the journey. Embrace this challenge.”
A curve in the road, too much alcohol and an innocent life taken landed him to prison. He now stares beyond prison walls at the ocean. His journey finally begins.
Mind of Shoo 
Another unique take on this picture. I hope his journey is one of growth. Very difficult situation!
Growth, healing and forgiveness. Though the last would be hard for him to get from some. Thanks for reading.
A life wasted. Or I suppose more than one considering who he killed. Alcohol ruins so many lives.
Well said! I totally agree.
The way you showed us he had had such a promising life and lost it all in just a few words is a talent. Good piece.
Awe, you are too kind. Thanks for the compliment. I wish I believed that. 🙂
Dude! what a wicked twist! love it! Reminds me of a short that I wrote back in high school about a drunk driver… wish I still had the story, all I remember is how haunting everyone said it was when they read it.
How cool that you wrote something that profound on a subject. You should rewrite it!
Really nice contrast between his aspirations and the reality of what happened. Well done.
TY Sandra. Didn’t think i could make this point with the limited words. I did go over by a few.
i need help with something. as he’s closing his eyes and touching the sand in the beginning, is this real or his imagination? that was 20 years ago, so it could be he is now out after doing his jail time.
Rich..he is out of prison and at the ocean. He goes to the ocean after his release…to do whatever…heal…begin..I didn’t have enough words to expand on why he was there. But I wanted him on that beach. 🙂
That twist was unexpected, but I can understand that he made some very bad choices after graduation, that haunts him now.
Hard to really make this story work with so few words. The editing floor was covered with words from the chopping block!
Hopes and dreams can change with just a bad choice. Now the future is limited by iron and a sentence that he cannot erase. Nice use of the alotted words.
TY for the compliment. And you are correct..it just takes one bad choice.
A few seconds can change a life forever. Great story. Great lesson in life.
It’s all about choice! Thanks for reading my story. And for the kind words.
How tragic. An adult life off to a tremendously difficult start. He will have a lot of road to tread to make it.
Yes he will! So much loss!
He is walking into the water… never to return. His recall brings tears of regret, as he wades into the sea. So many lives changed by his act… his included. Oh, didn’t mean to help write your story. Clever use of the commencement speech… I liked your story.
Very good…you stopped to soon. 🙂
We all start out with a lot of promise, but everything depends on our choices. Hopefully now he can start again.
Choices…we all make them good or bad.
A sweet poetic story!
TY for the nice comment.
Dear Shoo,
I loved this. A lot of reflection in a small layered package. However I had the same issue as Rich. You might consider reworking that last sentence so it’s clearer that he’s out of prison. I’m betting you’re a clever enough writer to figure it out. Nonetheless, a terrific story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
TY Rochelle…I will see what I can to in order to make it more clear.
Good story. As a person in recovery I know too well the damage alcohol can do. Fortunately my story ends on a happier note. I hope it does anyway. It’s far from over.
Good Luck on the rest of your journey. I know it’s bumpy at times! The strong make it through the obstacles, the weak fall in the cracks. Thanks for the compliment.
Interesting story of a life interrupted. Liked the use of present tense. Ron
Thanks for the compliment! I appreciate it.
I’m impressed how you wrote a piece within a piece. great take on the prompt.
Thanks for the nice compliment!
New beginnings! Great post.
TY
So powerful.
Thanks for taking time to read my post. And for the nice words. I kind of felt the same.