PHOTO PROMPT © Lisa Fox
Earth’s Overlords
Concrete cannot withstand them.
Water hastens them.
Eating them slows them, but herbivores can eat only so much.
Wood gives way with persuasion.
Metal withstands, but rust eventually conquers it.
Humans have taken to the waterways.
We go ashore periodically, seeking sources of meat, fruit, and herbs. Mycellial networks notify them of our arrival from our first steps aground.
My foot catches between two rocks hidden in the undergrowth. I hear bones snap. My friends can’t pry me loose and leave me behind.
A week has gone by.
I’m surrounded.
Soon I’ll be digested by Earth’s Overlords, flora and fungi.
[100 words]
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields is the shining host of Friday Fictioneers. Rochelle has chosen one of my photos as the prompt today. Thanks, Rochelle!
Tao Talk 
Ah, have you ever read “The Family Tree” by Tepper? Your post reminded me of some of the ‘feel’ of this. :) Brrr.
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Na’ama, no, I haven’t. I want nature to win, but…
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I hear ya … ;)
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Wow, I loved this LI❣️
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Cindy, so happy you did. Thank you very much <3
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My pleasure, always❣️
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Savaged by a climbing rose and a yeasty brew. A poetic ending
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:) Thanks!
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Eerie!
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It is! Thanks for reading, Fandango.
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Much stronger than humans. And nothing is wasted. (K)
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Yes! They’ve had a lot longer to perfect themselves, and they are masters of adaptation. I picked a few “weeds” out of one of the plants that wintered in the mini-greenhouse but wanted to at least give them a chance at life so threw them into one of the drip buckets from the leaky roof in there. They are *still alive*!
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I believe it.
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fascinating, an unusual story,
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Thanks, Someone!
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Chilling
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Yes! I think the flora and fungi will be here long after we’re gone.
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That’s why it is always important to keep moving, Lisa. Beware the overlords!😊
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LOL, Bruce!
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I could feel a TZ mood in that one.
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I think so too now that you mention it! High praise, Max, thank you!
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Sorry I vanished…we had storms all around us last night plus a few tornados….one around 5 miles away.
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Oh wow, that sounds quite frightening Max! Everyone/everything OK now?
I think I signed off after writing this so didn’t realize you’d gone. It’s been a hella busy week so far and it ain’t over yet.
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So far so good…a lot of flooding but not too bad. Storms woke me up all last night
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Glad you all are safe. I bet you sleep well tonight.
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Yes I will!
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This story paints a vivid picture of nature’s dominance over humans. The imagery is captivating, and the ending leaves me intrigued. Great job!
https://purelifegem.com
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Thanks much, Someone!
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It’s quite a probable scenario. Tables turned on us, would be poetic justice. Good one.
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Joy thanks for reading and your comment :)
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This has such a déjà vu feel to it. And it’s only a question of time… Nicely done! Thanks for the great picture!
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Dale, sometimes I get that deja vu feeling in summer when it so lush and green it’s almost menacing. Thank you and you are welcome on the picture :)
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It’s such a weird feeling, isn’t it?
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Yes. Since we’re all recycled atoms, we’ve probably actually experienced those things in some aspect.
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You’ve got a point there.
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A telling metaphor – and those last two lines – sobering.
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Indeed, Paul.
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Nature rules, it always did and forever will. An intriguing tale. Lisa.
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Keith, thanks. Just watch yourself when you’re out among the bluebells ok? ;)
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who needs enemies when you have friends like these? :(
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:) good question, Plaridel!
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Egad. what a horror! Sitting there watching your diners growing and multiplying as they wait to eat you up. AAAGGGggggg!
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It is horrific for sure. Thanks for reading, Someone!
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Yikes! I wouldn’t want to be in her situation. With the way we’re fighting with each other, nature is soon going to fight us and win. So, so well done, Lisa.
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Smitha, I believe you are right.
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A frightening scenario.
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Yes!
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🤗
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Oh, this was eerie but captivating from the beginning as usual. Very well done, Lisa!
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Thanks much, Brenda :)
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For a moment there I thought, Trees, the perfect embodiment of tao… but then you went further. Perfect. Living nature always wins. She doesn’t care about individuals or even species though.
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She cares but in a different way. Like when we are injured our defense system kicks in and protects us from dying from a paper cut or a cold.
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Good point and it proves mine too. These mechanisms work for most but not all. It’ s good for keeping the species vital but the individuals who suffer from diseases of the immune system have to rely on the altruism of their tribe, or perish. Nature is breathtaking. In beauty and cruelty.
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There’s something irresistibly spooky about fungus, especially when it’s visible mobile. Ugh! Great story, lovely photo, thank you.
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Sandra, thank you, glad you found it spooky, as it is to me also. Happy you like the photo also.
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Dear Lisa,
I can’t help but think of an old movie called The Day of the Triffids when plants terrorize humanity. Good story and lovely photo. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, the pod people (Invasion of the Body Snatchers) also is a good oldie where plants take over. Thanks so much and my pleasure on the photo :)
Shalom,
Lisa
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You’re very welcome, Lisa. :D
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