10 August 2012

AW Blog Chain - Fursious Forest


This month's theme for the Absolute Write blog chain is Fire and Ice. I've linked all other participating blogs below. I hope you enjoy!


There would be no indication anything was awry with the exception of the shriveled leaves upon the trees and the browning hay-like underbrush. The sun, unforgiving, basted everything exposed to its rays.

These were the main features blanketing the vastness of Fursious’ Forest.  A forest, once green and vibrant, had become parched and decadent. Despite the beauty of the sun's rays and the sparkle of its reflection from the surrounding ponds and streams, the assault continued through the long summer days.  

The heat would not be contained. A spontaneous combustion in the underbrush burst into flames at the foot of a large tree.  The boughs of the oak swayed with the wind and fueled the hunger of the fiery beast which spread out of control, each living thing a conduit to the next.

The fire raged on for several days, obliterating all things in its path, leaving nothing behind but charred wood and ash.  When the flames dithered away, everything in sight lay blackened. White smoke permeated in swirls and all was quiet but the occasional crackle from the remnants on the ground.

Citizens from all walks visited the famous forest, rumored to have been destroyed by villainous demons.  Fursious also made annual trips to the forest to give blessings and to view the remains of the disaster.

He looked upon his forest with sad eyes, but he knew there was hope, no matter the peril which left this land in a state beyond recognition.  He prayed each day to Lord Belphegore, knowing the God of Battle, Rage and Fire would answer.  Years passed, though his faith in reaching Belphegore did not dwindle.

The day came when Fursious received the answer to his prayers. He had made another visit to the ash-filled grounds of the forest which bares his name.  A small blade of grass sprouted on the ground at his feet, so small that he would have missed it if not for the whisper in the wind which begged him to look down.

What had been destroyed years before became a breeding ground for new growth and the years ahead proved to be the most flourishing ever.

Fursious made several trips to the forest, and each year he visited, he brought family and friends to celebrate the new growth of foliage and wildlife.  The devastation had reaped something more powerful. The grass was greener than before and the flowers more vibrant than ever.

A beautiful blanket of new hope had replaced the stagnant and worn brush from the past.  Fursious' Forest had been reborn.

Visit the following participants in this month's blog chain, Fire and Ice!


orion_mk3 - (link to this month's post)
Ralph Pines -  (link to this month's post)
areteus -  (link to this month's post)
Catherine Hall -  (link to this month's post)
bmadsen -  (link to this month's post)
pyrosama -  (YOU ARE HERE)
meowzbark -  (link to this month's post)
BBBurke -  (link to this month's post)
writingismypassion -  (link to this month's post)
wonderactivist -  (link to this month's post)
SusanneSees-  (link to this month's post)
randi.lee -  (link to this month's post)
Proach -  (link to this month's post)
BigWords - (link to this month's post)
magicmint -  (link to this month's post)
tomspy77 -  (link to this month's post)




30 comments:

  1. Great story, Diane. I love the imagery.

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    1. Thank you Kelly! I took 3 of the 4 photographs for this post. The 2nd one I got off a Google search. As I'm writing this comment, I think I realized you meant the imagery in the writing. lol

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  2. Very nice. I loved the positive ending about the grass being greener and the flowers more vibrant.

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    1. Thanks! when I was growing up, my dad would burn our lawn so that the ground would be more fertile for the following year. I was never really sure it worked or I just never noticed. :)

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    1. Thanks, William! Jump on the bandwagon. We'd love to have you participate. :D

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  4. Great reminder that bad things can bring about something good. Good job!

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    1. I was happy to have this topic. The fire story was always there, I just needed the motivation to share it.

      I love the blog chains at AW. :)

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    2. I do, too. I enjoy how varied the posts are.

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  5. I also love the sensory descriptions and the sense of renewal at the end.

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    1. I enjoy including the sensory descriptions, so it's such a wonderful compliment that you pick these things up. Thank you for your feedback.

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  6. Lovely, Diane! You write such wonderful short stories. :)

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    1. Thanks Lara!

      I just remembered, I didn't get to see a video you had posted because my work blocks youtube. I'll have to check it out now! :D

      Thanks for the feedback.

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    2. Well, it's not you. Who posted a video last week? Hmmmmmmmmmm..

      lol

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  7. Great photos. I like the one with the forest against the sun the best.

    The imagery in the opening is really powerful. I also like the image of the single
    blade of grass. Great story here.

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    1. Thanks, magic. I enjoyed this month's prompt. Heck, I enjoy all of them. :)

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  8. Good imagery and rhythm; I find a lot of places familiar but their descriptions make me question them: is this a common place I have already visited or one with a twist? It's good because it takes a common place and gives it a different air to it.


    Cheers!

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    1. I hadn't thought about the rhythm as much, but thank you. The religious overtones come from an online RPG I used to play.

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  9. That's really good...love how the land is reborn after "death."

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    1. Thanks Jay. My mother was a Buddhist, so I kind of like the whole rebirth theme myself. Glad you liked it.

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  10. Very nice, Diane! Like others have said, the imagery in this piece is fantastic, and I love your word choice as well. Very well done.

    J.W

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    1. Thank you, J! Great feedback by all. I can't wait until next month. I'm enjoying all the fiery writing this month. :)

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  11. Well written, Diane! Great theme too...there's always hope--Cheers!

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  12. Loved it, Diane! Thanks to the imagery I felt like I was in the story, experiencing these things myself. The ending is great, as well--everything becoming more vibrant than before. Nice touch :)

    Awesome read!!!

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    1. Thank you Randi! I much rather write shorts for these blog chains than writing on my novel. Glad you could stop by. :D

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  13. I don't remember the last time I read something so beautifully written. The words just flowed like an elegant river and I couldn't take my eyes off the screen! Fantastic work with this short; it just goes to show what raw, beautiful art people can produce :)

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  14. I agree with everyone, great imagery. Good job with the prompt!

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    1. Thanks Sue! I enjoyed your Grocery store uprising. :D

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