Photo Stories: “Witness Statement” and “Ancestral Astronomy”
We had a rare situation occur with this photo prompt: a tie. So we decided to publish both fine stories.
Witness Statement
We thought they were with us. We thought, they’re just more of the same, like us lot. Kids from I dunno, the high school, or round by Creek End. Truth, I just laughed, we all did. And Sami, laughing and laughing like the idiot.
They turned, and one of ‘em danced like. At us, as it was. At me, and Sami beside me. I dunno, their faces all scarfed over. Do I look like I knowed them, like I saw the knife in time? Did Sami? No way. He’d dance with anyone, he’s like that.
Was. He was like that.
***
Ancestral Astronomy
Tonight we brace the dark and cold as our warm, bundled bodies fill the streets with anticipation of another lap around the sun. The crisp air builds with laughter and whistles until the big bang. Remnants of stardust, we construct the cosmos in our hands, mimicking the heavens and proclaiming our existence to the universe above. We are still here. Our world glows in layers of strontium, copper, and barium. Carbon and ash cling to my clothes, and for a brief moment, I understand tradition. I am the particle of creations that came before. In knowing this, I look up.
Photo credit: Josep Enric
Witness Statement: I come to this page to read this over and over again. The witness’ voice and the story really resonate with me, and that word at the end, “was,” packs a powerful punch. Very well done.
Wonderful Alexis!