In the tender gray,
I swim undisturbed.
by Celia Dropkin,
from, “In Sullivan County”
In the tender gray, I swim undisturbed
Your challenge, if you choose to accept it, is to incorporate the above quote into a piece of prose. This can be either flash fiction, nonfiction, or creative nonfiction, but it must be prose! Not prose poetry, and not a poem. And it must be no longer than 144 words, not including the title. (It does not have to be exactly 144 words, but it can’t exceed 144 words.)
One More Winter
She tried to focus on the morning scenery covered with pristine newly fallen snow. It was smokey gray now through the prism of her ancient eyes. Her heart raced as fun filled memories flooded her brain. Sliding, most often on her belly, effortlessly in high-speed tumble bumble ‘rat races’ as crystals danced in the air beside her family and friends. Over and over one game inspired another!
As the matriarch of her tribe, instinct whispered to her that this winter was her last. Now, infertile and infirm much of her time was meant to be spent alone. It was just as well, she was tired. As she slipped into the half-frozen life-giving river a calm peacefulness spoke to her.
“In the tender gray, I swim undisturbed.”
She couldn’t feel the cold or fight the current anymore. Final blessings gifted from Nature to elder otters.
144-words
https://dversepoets.com/2022/12/05/dverse-prosery-on-this-day-happy-december-5-birthday-poets/
For other authors’ pieces using this prompt follow the link below:
https://www.blenza.com/linkies/links.php?owner=dversepoets&postid=29Nov2022&meme=13019
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Susan, I adored your wonderful and unexpected twist. It brings such empathy to a living being other than human ❤
I’m delighted that it touched you so deeply. Thanks!
You’re welcome.
Nice one
Much💜love
Much appreciated, Gillena. 💜
Great piece, I enjoyed the second read even more after the reveal at the end! 👏👏
😁❤ Thanks very much,Tricia.
My pleasure, Susan! 💓
A great story! Good use of the prompt line!
Thanks! My greatest pleasure when reading the products of prompts is seeing all the varied ways people take them.
Yes, I agree. So interesting.
I was surprised at discovering she was an otter. Cool!
😊 Thrilled to hear you liked it! Thanks.
Oh, what a wonderful twist at the end! I loved it!
😁 I’m pleased to have pleased you! Thanks!
You’re welcome!🙂
Gently poignant, but not sad. Like nature. Lovely piece.
That was exactly what I wanted to display. The natural cycles and how animals react to them. ❤ Thank-you, Jane.
xxx
Remarkable. Such a beautiful picture of duality you have painted, both in nature, and so true. I feel this from the perspective of the otter, but also from the perspective of an elderly and dying indigenous woman. Both completely wrapped in the truths of life, the truths of nature. Strikingly beautiful.
Kind insightful words! Many thanks for your comment.
Loved how you used the perspective of the otter, highlighting a life well lived and the inevitability/acceptance of death. A beautiful write.
I’m speechless. Kind remarks and a spot-on interpretation of what I had hoped to convey.
I loved how you turned this to an old otter in the end…
Much appreciated, Bjorn!
I read this twice – brilliant 🙂
Delighted that you liked it! Thank-you.