Trees don’t count in hours but in rings.
Colin had fifty-two rings and had watched the bench for twenty. Tears and flowers at the start but the old woman stopped coming. Lovers, amateur artists, lost souls and found hearts. So much movement, so much change. Trees don’t like change, not change that’s faster than a ring or two. Things need to settle.
The men ran fingers over Colin. ‘Shame,’ said one. ‘Why here?’
‘They met one that bench. She wants one here to remember.’
They cut Colin down. ‘Maybe they’ll make him into a bench, too.’
‘Let’s hope.’
This week’s #carrotranch prompt is
January 23, 2019, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story about a park bench. Use this gif to choose a timeframe and write the story behind that particular scene. Use the time as your title. Go where the prompt leads!
Like this:
Like Loading...
About TanGental
My name is Geoff Le Pard. Once I was a lawyer; now I am a writer. I've published several books: a four book series following Harry Spittle as he grows from hapless student to hapless partner in a London law firm; four others in different genres; a book of poetry; four anthologies of short fiction; and a memoir of my mother. I have several more in the pipeline.
I have been blogging regularly since 2014, on topic as diverse as: poetry based on famous poems; memories from my life; my garden; my dog; a whole variety of short fiction; my attempts at baking and food; travel and the consequent disasters; theatre, film and book reviews; and the occasional thought piece. Mostly it is whatever takes my fancy.
I avoid politics, mostly, and religion, always. I don't mean to upset anyone but if I do, well, sorry and I suggest you go elsewhere.
These are my thoughts and no one else is to blame. If you want to nab anything I post, please acknowledge where it came from.
TanGental 
An intriguing perspective
LikeLiked by 1 person
Always setting a benchmark!
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well done on this Geoff. A very unique perspective.
LikeLiked by 1 person
All seeing trees, eh? I like to think they know more than they let on
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is beautiful Geoff, and a tree name Colin, I hope he became something enduring 💜
LikeLiked by 1 person
That would be good, wouldn’t it
LikeLike
Yes it wood be lovely , a bench, a kitchen order dining table or even coffee table wood ( see what I did there, twice ) 💜
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, how touching ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Bug softie eh?
LikeLike
🤣
LikeLiked by 1 person
I suppose being made into a bench is better than being made into a coffin! Nicely done.
LikeLiked by 1 person
True but trees like to be useful
LikeLike
People generally don’t understand trees – clearly you are one who does. xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m a bit Prince Charlie when it comes to our arboreal friends
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a great opening line, Geoff. Then the perspective and realization that unfold. Ah. I hope the very least that Colin gets benched.
LikeLiked by 2 people
In this you produced one of the best opening lines I’ve read in a long time Geoff. Excellent!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh too v kind!!!
LikeLike