PHOTO PROMPT © Roger Bultot
My dingy descent didn’t happen overnight. Each step is an independent entity containing a varied amalgam of components including conscious/unconscious conditioning, fear, impulsivity/ premeditation, peer pressure, focus, practice, tap dancing, blind leaping, thoughtfulness/ thoughtlessness, kindness/cruelty, and so many other motivations/de-motivations. Addictions, also motivated by these, have lubricated the process. Likewise-situated folks like us clot together like spoiled crud at the bottom of an abandoned milk bottle.
Jericho’s voice bounces off of the stairwell,
“Free sandwiches and hot coffee.”
From the first sip of the ceramic mug’s medium roast contents, my shoulder blades wriggle with the nubs of wings.
[100 words]
Angels may appear when least expected and help us lift ourselves with our own wings. Small acts of kindness may bring the seeds of great things.
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields is the illuminating host of Friday Fictioneers. Thanks for the photo to write to this week, Roger.
Tao Talk 
Sometimes those gestures can do such a world of good.
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When things are just right, they are vital shifters. Thank you for reading and your comment.
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I loved the image of people clotting together
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Thanks, Neil!
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Yes, we all need a guardian angel to lift our spirit, no matter how dire the world can be.
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Here’s to more acts of kindness in the new year.
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<3
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Amen to that!
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Recovery is hard work.
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Yes it is!
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Amazing what one small gesture can do. (K)
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<3
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I really liked how you have ended your poem.
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Sadje, thank you.
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You’re welcome Li
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That is quite lovely.
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Thank you, Dawn.
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I’m just thinking any thing for coffee. I think I feel like this story first thing in the morning. 😀. Jest aside, some people have it tough.
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Thanks, T, and I can relate.
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Small acts of kindness… the consequences are seldom revealed to the person who offers hope. Well done.
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Thank you, Sandra.
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I think this photo works well as a metaphor, which a few have done. Love the message here. We can all be someone’s angel without knowing it, just always be kind.
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Thanks, Trent, and amen.
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That’s quite a list! Thank goodness for Jericho’s timely offer.
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Thanks, Keith, yes! We are most often our own worst enemies.
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Dear Lisa,
I’d never turn away an angel bearing coffeel. Seriously good writing. As I’m now jumping in with borh feet to edit my own novel re addiction, this piece is timely.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, thank you so much for your wonderful comment. Does life even exist without coffee??? lol
I feel angels will lend a hand in your editing, as the subject is so close to your soul.
Shalom,
Lisa
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A happy ending from a harsh beginning. Loved it.
Also enjoyed the vocabulary in that first paragraph! Outtstanding :)
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Linda, thanks. It’s probably more autobiographical than not…
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A long story in few words. Well done, Lisa.
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Bill, thanks!
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an act of kindness goes a long way. well done.
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Thanks much!
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really felt the pain in the depths of this but lifted by kindness, beautifully written <3
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Thanks much, AJ <3
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This is so well done. From the harsh and hopeless thoughts of the beginning (which in itself is a little piece of art) to something so little as a cup of coffee lifting the spirits. Be kind is a great motto.
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Thanks much, Gabi!
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Ah-ha! I knew tap dancing was a gateway drug. It’s amazing what small acts of kindness can do. Imagine a world in which we each did one per day.
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As long as the descent isn’t too deep!
This has a powerful feel, especially the ending. And I love the post-story lines too.
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Thanks very much :)
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I’m impressed with how you convey such a complicated story in so few words. Addiction is such a sad and difficult descent.
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Thank you, Suzanne. I enjoy the challenge of 100 words or less. I’ve seen too many people I care about fall to addiction.
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Me too!
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What a fantastically evocative piece, Lisa. Oh my… wonderful writing.
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Thanks, Dale. Much appreciated.
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My pleasure, Lisa.
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Nice take on the prompt. Thank you for introducing me to Friday Fictioneers. I had fun with my first story.
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Thanks much, Liam. I’ve been looking to see if you posted one. Now I will go read it. Glad you had fun. It’s a good group here.
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A great piece of powerful writing,
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Michael, thank you!
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You had me with your thorough and eloquent recital of all the components of descent; then a turn with Jericho’s call to coffee; and then another twist, to ascent- I did not see those nubs coming! Very cool, on many levels.
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I appreciate the time you took to share what you saw in the poem. Thanks, D!
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Wonderfully told tale, Lisa. Pretty soon there will be wings!
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Thank you so much, Dora <3
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Loved this! You conjured up the right amount of imagery… I could taste coffee at the end.
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Thank you, Brit!
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Wow. I love the imagery in that first passage. Great use of description with the stairs as descent into loss of control.
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Thank you very much.
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So descriptive – I love the imagery of the wing nubs. How many are walking among us, angels in disguise?
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I believe each of us contains an angel, if truth be told. Thank you very much, Patricia, for reading and your comment.
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