It’s that time of the week again. The prompt is up, and Friday Fictioneers are ready to go…even though it’s still Thursday. This prompt is brought to you by Madison Woods and this week’s photo is courtesy of Stacy Plowright.
This week’s photo brought some personal feelings to the limelight for me…it was a reminder of many questions that I have been pondering upon the past few months. I came up with about 3 stories and a poem, but fret not…I am only sharing 1 story and the poem (Please indulge me).
Comments, and constructive criticisms are welcome! The story is my state of mind, it’s not to bring up any arguments or debate. THANK YOU!
WHERE ARE YOU?
Every so often I wonder about heaven and where it is…
Last summer some girlfriends and I drove to Canada, and as we sped down highways lost in different conversations, I noticed the clouds gathered dark and somber…my heart fell silent as I looked in the skies.
Speaking softly to the clouds…I whispered “God, where is heaven, and where are you?”
“Is there someplace else beyond these clouds?”
“Is that where heaven abides and you reside?”
“God where are you?” I asked out loud…My friends laughed and said assuredly…he is right beside you.
I hope they are right…for some days I don’t know what or even if I believe… anymore…
THE CLOUDS GATHER FOR TO COLLECT EARTH’S LOST SOULS
The clouds
Somber pale
Beautiful and gray
Gather
They gather for to collect
And usher in earth’s lost souls
Souls who for too long have strayed
In these parts
Seeking rest and shelter
In uninhabited areas
Never finding any
They hover over green pasture
And oceans deeps
They waft about hi-rise penthouses
And urban buildings
Roaming and wandering they drift
With the hope they would find
Rest for their lost and weary souls
I would say the first piece read like a poem too. Did you mean to start with ‘every so often’ – which suggests now and again, rather than ‘ever so often’ – as in regularly? Just a thought.
Thanks much Claire…yes, I wanted ‘ever so often’ as in regularly. It’s been a constant state of mind lately…
Thank you so much. For fictional purposes I guess I could make it every so often. Thanks much!
I believe both are beautiful in their own rights, Boomie. You’ve done a great job with the take on the prompt. Well done. Mine will be out tomorrow.
Thank you Cestone. Will be waiting to read the wonders you come up with Lord willing tomorrow.
Sweetheart, I am so happy to nominte you for the Booker Award. Do check out my blog for the details. :http://readinpleasure.wordpress.com/2012/08/30/of-awards-and-book-wins/
Thank you so much Cestone for this award. Will work on it Lord willing this weekend.
Both were written beautifully. And I don’t see why anyone would argue, you’re just writing how you feel, and you do that so well. I wouldn’t mind you sharing the other stories/poems.
Thanks Lily! Yea you know how people often get wired up about religion and all that, and i just didn’t want anyone to misunderstand the post as that.
Oh great, will email them to you if that’s ok
. Thanks Lily, always!
Sure that’d be cool! Or you could post another day so everyone can enjoy.
Ok cool!
I feel the same way sometimes, “I hope they are right…for some days I don’t know what and if I believe… anymore…”
I really do hope…
Both are great writes twinnie!
Thanks twinnie!
Yes these days, so many questions that i can’t answer for myself, let alone someone who looks to me because i mentioned been a christian…my prayer these days is God I believe, and i want to believe…please help my unbelief.
I am glad you understand this and are honest enought to acknowledge it. Hugs for a great day!
Beautiful, Boomie. I would love to find rest in clouds.
Thank you much Susan
Beautiful and brings me back to where I often ‘hang out’ in my own thought process…. where I ponder the questions that have no real answers, and attempt to find peace in uncertainty and in gazing at clouds ~ Thank you for this wonderful work dear boomie ~ xo
I am with you Robyn…sometimes the issues of life can be so overwhelming, it’s hard to believe. Those times, i find breathing is all i can really do…very glad you enjoyed this Robyn.
You are always so kind to me, i really appreciate that. Big hugs
What a wonderful post… boomie wonderful post…
Thank you so much, very glad to know this.
A very expressive way to ask God where He is. Very good images in the short story and poem. I know for a fact He resides with you. Isn’t that a wonderful thought?
A wonderful one indeed! And i am grateful that even on days i doubt, God remains God and faithful. Thank you so much and very glad to know you enjoyed both.
“Who questions much shall learn much….” Francis Bacon. I like the concept of clouds holding (and aiding) lost souls. Good posts.
Thank you so much, and very nice of you to say
Hi, Boomie. I’m a new fan. Both writings are wonderful. I especially like your poem and thinking about clouds as ushering souls in and looking for rest. Beautiful and haunting.
Thank you so much. I am blushing from you saying you are a new fan, i truly feel honored to have you on board. Thanks so much!
Very nice, a double whammy. The only change I’d suggest is from “I don’t know what and if I believe… anymore…” to “I don’t know what or even if I believe… anymore…” Reading the comments, I get the impression you are truly feeling doubtful at present. Just know that having doubt is human. Even the disciples felt that way, at times. The day will come when you can “touch the wounds” and be sure.
Oh thank you so much, will see to that. I guess just been overwhelmed with the hurt of the world and sometimes not having answers for people who seek and need them. Thank you so much for stopping by and taking time to comment. I really appreciate it. God bless
Isn’t it fascinating that in the story the one with doubts is actually talking right TO God, looking at something beautiful beyond which she imagines He might be, and the one happily assured is patting the car seat beside her and speaking of God in the third person? Hmmm . . .
Fascinating indeed! I guess despite feeling or thinking God is all the way in heaven, the truth is he is right there with us, if we let him every step of the way. Thank you so much for stopping by
Beautiful, both of them! And a great question. I might be wrong, but I believe God is within each of us
Thank you so much Patricia. I do believe he is
As always.
Thank you so much JK. As always your kind comments are very much appreciated. Thanks
I really enjoy your writing and what you came up with this week. I have no idea where this prompt will lead me but I want you to know I often question my faith. I think every one does sooner or later.
Thank you so much for saying that. It’s amazing that many of us struggle with these types of questions from time to time. Glad to know you enjoyed this week’s offerings
Wow, both of your pieces are truly amazing this week. I love the fact that in addition to being beautifully written they were also introspective. Very impressive! Congrats!
Thank you so much Jess, very nice of you to say. Thanks so much for stopping by.
Loved the story, Boomie. So honest. I’ve been wrestling with similar thoughts and doubts.
http://rochellewisofffields.wordpress.com/2012/08/31/writers-catharsis/
Thank you so much, I really appreciate your honesty.
Boomie you know the story of my daughter and my anguish my ff isn’t quite finished but I must tell you that we are on similiar wave length I sure hope when I am finished it will make things clearer for both of us.
I feel you Len…and it’s thoughts and worries about pain like yours that breaks my heart and burdens my faith. I guess for now we know in part…someday we will get it all…the bigger picture…all the answers. Big hugs
That first piece has a striking echo behind it. I think it got windy in my bedroom while I read it.
Thank you Luke! Questions of faith often resonate with a lot of us i think.
Beautiful pieces! It feels good to think of lost souls finding their way to heaven with the clouds.
Thank you so much, very nice of you to say.
Dear Boomie,
Rober Anson Heinlein used one of his characters, Velentine Michael Smith to declare that “Thou art God.” I think he came as close to any shaman to getting it right.
I loved both pieces from you this week. You are a good writer and the world needs good writers. keep it up.
Aloha,
Doug
http://ironwoodwind.wordpress.com/2012/08/31/satisfaction-brought-them-back/
Thank you so much Dough, very very nice of you to say. Kind comments from writers like yourself humble me. I appreciate this much
Very well done. And, God is always right with you. If you can’t find Him, my opinion is that He’s doing something to help you and others, so you may not notice for a minute.
Scott
Indeed, thank you so much Scott.
I liked both passages. Heaven and earth – it’s the same thing.
Thank you much
Your first piece is an interesting meditation, the poem fits well with that but seems a little darker to me, because of the ending. Both are thought-provoking and vivid.
I’m over here – http://elmowrites.wordpress.com/2012/08/31/friday-fiction-white-pegasi/
PS Did you mean Oceans deep or Ocean deeps? Oceans deeps read like a typo, to my mind, but then poetry isn’t my forte, so I might just be wrong.
Oceans deep…yea i think it’s one of those poetic ones…will have to look it up again. Thanks
Thank you so much, going over to yours now
I always love your writes, both are really good and very enjoyable. Thank you for sharing them. xx
Thank you so much Red. You are a sweetheart
I’m new to your work and I have to say I’m very glad I found it! I think these are questions we’ve all asked ourselves at one time or another, which make your pieces all the more poignant. I certainly look forward to reading more!
Thank you so much John for stopping by, and i really appreciate your kind comments. Look forward to more of your visits
Thank you boomie, well spoken and beautifully and sensitively written. Penny
I liked both takes very much! Our mortal minds always wondering….
Thank you so much, and yes you are right our minds are always wondering.
Boomie…I enjoyed both pieces. There is nothing wrong in questioning…that’s how we learn. Thank you for visiting mine. Perhaps you found an answer in my story this week and it gave you some peace.
Thank you so much, i believe i am finding clarity and answers as i seek and ask more. Yes i did.
It’s all so beautiful but I think you really hooked me with the poem.
Thank you so much Sam
Wonderful post. In trying times on earth (like now),its good to know that the thirst for a meaningful life while walking with God is not old fashioned.
Thank you so much.
I think the poem in particular is powerful. I’m curious about these Friday Fictioneers. Sounds like something I might be interested in.
It’s run by Madison Woods. She puts the photo prompts up on her blog on Wednesdays.
You should totally try it, it’s so much fun and pushes creativity.
Thank you so much!
Lovely writing, both your questions about the existence of God &
your dreamy poem in which clouds collect souls…
Thank you so much, the picture spoke volumes to me and i just decided to confront some of the questions in my heart.