PHOTO PROMPT © C.E.Ayr
All those summer nights
closing spun-out days of waiting tables
blistered feet, merry hearts and
cheery faces in creamy cafes and yellow-lit clubs.
Hope was never a fragile thing.
Together, we would make it through.
Starlight in the skies
turned to fires burning high
over our heads, we were lost in flames.
The sirens screamed long into the night.
Our stricken hearts would never give up this fight.
When the daylight came to clear the smoke away,
the words on our lips met the tears on our cheeks:
Paris has fallen. Paris has fallen.
94 words
******
(Update: As Neil pointed out, try reading it backwards. It kinda almost works 😉 )
This is a story of how life never goes as planned. Take 2020 for example.
That’s how the poem began and it developed into the Nazi-German siege of Paris on June 14, 1940. I took some creative liberty in my poem.
After four years of Nazi occupation, Paris was liberated on August 25, 1944.
Written for Friday Fictioneers hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields. Write a story in 100 words or less, click the frog to submit your flash fiction and read what others have written. Enjoy!
Fajr, Books & That First Cuppa 
Before reading your explanation, my thoughts as I read went along exactly those lines – first coronavirus, then the Nazi occupation. Nice one!
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That’s awesome! glad it took you down the path intended.
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Here’s hoping for better times ahead, just as when Paris was liberated.
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They are a-coming, Iain. Achingly slow, but better times are on their way.
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I tried reading this backwards. That almost works too
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Oh that’s brilliant! Thanks for pointing that out. It certainly has a different rhythm and meaning read backwards.
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Gosh, that was powerful. Well done!
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
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Thank you, Susan!
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Who designed her uniform? Things haven’t changed much.
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haha! Those shorts right? I think things have changed quite a bit since then, Darnell. Especially in fashionable shorts.
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Poetic and powerful, I love this
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Thank you!
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So sad, so poetic. Great job, Fatima!
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Thank you!
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Interesting, I read the poem as being set in the near future. Either way potent words.
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Thank you, Tannille.
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Dear Fatima,
Although appreciated, the explanation wasn’t necessary. The title set the time and the poem set the tone. Beautifully written.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you, Rochelle. Glad it worked out!
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Yes life does not go as planned. I liked your poem. And, I wonder who those young people were after the war.
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And were they able to pick up their dreams and plans after the war or not? Thank you ,Ted.
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Really brilliant imagery. I’m not usually into poetry, but I love how you developed this. (backwards or forwards!)
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Thank you, Eugenia. I worked hard at those imagery so I’m pretty chuffed you liked it.
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It must have been terrifying for the PArisians. We were so lucky to have the English Channel between us and the Nazis.
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It certainly was a very trying time for them. And you’re right the English at least didn’t have to endure Nazi occupation.
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Starting now, ending way back then but leaving room for hope. Loved this.
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There’s always room for hope. Thank you!
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Brilliant and it does work equally well when read backwards.
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Thank you 🙂
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It’s a beautiful poem, but oh so sad.
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yeah sorry about that 🙂 it’s where the muse took me.
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No need to apologize for that.
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Nice blog
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Thank you Saania 🙂 🙂
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My pleasure, followed you!
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