PHOTO PROMPT © Roger Bultot
Saline tanned and rope-roughed hands, the old fisherman pulls the needle through and round, over and hitch as he’s always done.
The waves against the sea wall fizzle respect for a worthy adversary; the gulls keen camaraderie from a deferential blue sky.
A disabled, rotting hull, he mends nets but can no longer fish. His stagnant, rock-pooled tears harbour painful pining beneath dead eyes, lamenting brutal years of toil.
Life’s soundtrack of the sea’s noises, fades like a relentlessly turning record slowing to an elegy. There’s a last weary wisp of breath and the needle drops unnoticed to the cobbles.
Written for Friday Fictioneers – a 100 words story based on a photo prompt. Hosted by Rochelle. Read the other entries here.
Michael Wynn 
A beautiful character portrait, Michael
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Thanks Neil
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This is so beautiful, such richly painted pictures of the fisherman, his life and his peaceful end.
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Thanks Sarah Ann, lovely comment
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Truly beautifully done, Michael. Poetic in style…
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Thanks Dale
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Dear Michael,
This was so vivid. Wonderful portrait of the old fisherman.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank-you Rochelle
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A beautiful portrait of the old man. You create a vivid image.
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Thanks Clare, glad you thought so
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I like your story -there is a moving and elegiac mood to it, something about the resignation and strength of the human spirit. Well done.
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Thank-you for a very thoughtful comment, I’m flattered
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I imagine this to be written as a postscript to the Old man and the sea…
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Thanks Bjorn, now you mention it, it does have that aspect about it
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The end.
Click to read my FriFic!
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Keith, just noticed I hadn’t replied to this comment. Thanks for reading
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Lovely! I really liked the ‘fizzle’ of respect. Some great descriptions in this, Michael.
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Thanks Sandra
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You painted a beautiful picture of the old man, Michael. I’m glad we got to meet him.
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Thanks, I really appreciate the comment
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A lovely, heart-warming story of the peaceful passing of an old fisherman. He couldn’t have chosen a better way to go. Beautiful descriptions, too, and the way you tell us the technique he was using to mend his nets added enormously to the feel of authenticity.
Great writing!
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Wow, that’s a fantastic comment, thank-you very much
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Beautifully sad.
Such is life.
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Thanks Dawn
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Beautifully done. The poignancy of never doing what you love again and feeling reduced.
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Just beautiful, Michael. I could see him sitting there mending. Such good writing. —- Suzanne
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A very beautiful piece with stunning imagery. I really like your phrasing: ‘rope-roughed hands’ and ‘weary wisps of breath,’ paint the picture perfectly 🙂
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Ever so sorry, I’ve just noticed your comment. Thank-you very much
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That’s just lovely Michael, the imagery and sadness so clear. Gorgeous.
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Beautifully written and so sad.
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Thank you
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