
PHOTO PROMPT © Lisa Fox (aka me)
The Gift
“She’s got the gift,” is the first thing I remember Granny saying. Granny would know, as she has been our village healer since that big old willow where the road to our place starts was a sapling.
Others can feel vibes or read body language; I see auras.
Where the other young’ns play tag or catch crawdads for the iron pot that’s always merrying over the kitchen firepit, I’m digging mandrake root and gathering lemon balm for Granny’s concoctions.
Lido walks in on a sweltering August afternoon. His writhing golden snake aura mesmerizes me. Granny watches from the shadows.
[99 words]

Rochelle Wisoff-Fields is the host of Friday Fictioneers.

Sinister golden snake aura vibes.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yep, I think Granny needs to get working on a de-mesmerizer for her granddaughter and perhaps the whole village. Did you ever watch the Vikings TV show? There is a character that definitely threw off that vibe.
LikeLiked by 1 person
“Writhing snake aura” perfect match to the photo! Love it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Clare :)
LikeLike
Oh, well, healers can be quite mysterious! That said, traditional medicine oftentimes doesn’t have the answers.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s about belief. I’d rather trust traditional rather than western medicine 9 out of 10 times.
LikeLiked by 1 person
My wife probably would be with you.😀
While I acknowledge traditional medicine has its shortcomings, overall, I still trust it more than traditional approaches. I humbly acknowledge ignorance could be part of it!😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
The glass sculpure as an aura. That’s a nice take on the prompt
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Neil :)
LikeLike
That’s a great piece of art. Of course it has an aura. (K)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well said, Kerfe. I got my POPO2024 lists done. Am starting on other cards. You should get one in the next week or so :)
LikeLiked by 1 person
I look forward to it. I got some good ones this year, and also some really strange ones. I’ve gotten about 15 so far–I hope some more will show up.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know what you mean about good ones, both for art and for poetry. I’ve gotten about 20 from group 1 and only 7 from group 19 ::sigh:: group 19 didn’t start until august 1 (paul let people late register until then which I think was a big mistake)
LikeLike
We have went to an Amish healer in Kentucky. They can look in your eyes and tell you what is wrong…they are right more times than not. We need to go back.
Love that piece in the picture.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Max, I’m a believer of healers. It’s all about paying attention. I know you’ve seen me mention Clarissa Pinkola Estes and her writing? She talks about healers a lot. They take many forms.
Agree with you it is a cool assemblage of glass and I’m amazed that they could put it together like that. I sure as heck hope they have a sturdy cable attaching it to the ceiling!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am a believer as well… she really helped Jennifer and we plan to go back while on one of our shopping trips there.
Oh I love pieces like that…it does look like a pain to hang.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Intriguing story Li.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sadje thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Most welcome dear friend
LikeLiked by 1 person
There’s a bit of mystery to your image which works well with your story.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ken, I agree about the image. The art rests in a main area that we pass every time we go to Meijer Gardens. I never see the same thing twice. Thanks.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The Daum Museum of Contemporary Art in Sedalia, MO has one hanging in a stairwell framed by windows, and you van see it from an adjacent balcony.
Cathedral Violet Chandelier
LikeLiked by 1 person
nice! It has a totally different aura than the yellow one.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Now, I can almost see it writhing, and that’s worrying! A great take on your interesting picture, Lisa.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Keith thanks much. I wonder if after the place closes for the night if it doesn’t climb down and stroll through the gardens :)
LikeLike
He sounds like a young man to steer clear of! Liz
LikeLiked by 1 person
Liz, I think Granny would agree. Thanks for reading and your comment.
LikeLike
Wow, a golden snake aura. Sounds like bad news to me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Robbie, I think you may be right.
LikeLike
Yes, she has a useful gift and can determine their character at a glance. Good or bad. this reminds me of Philip Pullman’s ‘Dark Materials’, where most of the character have a deamon, which is more active than an aura.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I saw a movie, The Golden Compass, with Daniel Craig and Nicole Kidman, where everyone had them also. I like the premise of auras better than demons, but for a writer there is more to work with with the demons. Thanks for reading and your comment, James.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A healer in training…cool!
LikeLiked by 1 person
:)
LikeLiked by 1 person
That sound ominous! Great take on the photo.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Someone :)
LikeLike
Dear Lisa,
Writhing snake aura. Creepy. Imaginative story from such a beautiful art piece. Thank you for the photo.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Rochelle, it’s a chameleon to me, can take so many forms. I like what people saw in it. You’re welcome, happy to oblige.
Shalom,
Lisa
LikeLike
Ooooo this went dark… I’ve got a bad feeling about that snake aura. Clever use for the prompt. Such a fascinating story here. Could be the start of a longer piece 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Laurie, thanks! :)
LikeLiked by 1 person
‘ … iron pot that’s always merrying over the kitchen firepit’. Beautiful image. And I just love the rest of the story too. Engrossing. What a fascinating take on the pic.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Margaret thank you very much. I’m continuing the Discworld series and it puts me in a certain frame of mind.
LikeLiked by 1 person