“In Retrospect,” #Haibun, #FlashFiction

Posted on by Colleen M. Chesebro

To get back into the swing of writing, I’ve combined my weekly #PhotoPrompt poetry challenge and the Carrot Ranch prompt into one piece.

The April 23, 2020, Carrot Ranch prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story about distance dating. It can be any genre, era, or setting. Who is dating, and why the distance? How do the characters overcome, accept, or break up because of the distance? Go where the prompt leads! Respond by April 28, 2020.

Jude, from Tales Told Different, provided the photo.

“In Retrospect”

I have no tears left to shed. Yesterday, Pa and I’d buried Jeremy at the edge of the cemetery where the tallest trees grew.

After a month in country, an enemy bullet had found its mark. Now, all that remained of our love was the box of letters he’d written to me from Iraq.

Darkness hovers. Thunder growls, a storm ready to erupt. Yet, a feeling of warmth comforts me. I know he is near. Deep within, the first faint flutter of life stirs—Jeremy’s baby, a life reborn.

the sun plays
hide and seek between
the storm clouds

©2020 Colleen M. Chesebro

43 thoughts on ““In Retrospect,” #Haibun, #FlashFiction”

    2. Yes, sadly. When I read the first paragraph, I thought the time frame was the Civil War. “In country” led me to think Vietnam. Iraq of course confirms that the sorrow just goes on and on.

      Like

          1. After serving in the military, I still forget that many of our words and phrases only pertain to the military. Get me in a room with all military people and I fit right in. My hubby is older and Vietnam era. We still share that military connection through our conversation. LOL! ❤

            Like

  11. There have been too many ‘War’ babies that don’t know their other parent.
    Life has a way though of healing our hearts with new life.

    Blended the prompts with ease. Leaving us with a haiku of hope 🙂

    Like

Comments are closed.