Pink was always your choice, and we argued about it many times. Now I realize it was the sore thumb that made paradise perfect.
When I close my eyes I still see the raising wall of water and I recall your hand in mine as we ran. Then how the water pulled us down, and how you let me go.
Releasing me to this loneliness.
I can never understand how people can call me lucky, when they see me as survivor while I see myself as left behind.
But if I ever build a house, I will paint it pink.
Copyright Dawn O. Landau
Many thanks to Rochelle for running the amazing show called Friday Fictioneers.
One picture to rule us all
One picture finds us
One picture to bring us all
and into darkness bind us
in something like 100 words (or exactly if you prefer so.
—
January 7, 2014
Björn Rudbergs writings 
powerful story…and your poem at the end is a fun tribute to Tolkien 🙂
the difference in being left behind and being a survivor is huge…
Like the LOTR reference at the end.
janet
Excellent Bjorn, we must have been thinking along similar lines of loss today.
a brilliantly sad piece. i loved the poem at the end as well 🙂
Nicely done Bjorn
“Releasing me to this loneliness”, powerful. A well-written, tragic story, Bjorn.
Fascinating ~ Caught my full attention !
Great story. I can picture the event and feel for the speaker.
Oh, beautiful. I teared up a little even… I especially loved the lines “the sore thumb that made paradise perfect” and “If I ever build a house, I will paint it pink.”
Great story, but sad. Survivors have so many issues, it’s hard to feel lucky.
Nice little bit of Tolkien at the end. Made me smile!
That’s a perfect line – “they see me as a survivor whilst I see myself as left behind”. Well done Bjorn.
AMAZING. That packed such a punch in 100 words. Well played, Bjorn. Well played.
Great story, and very apt for the UK at the moment with all the floods.
Plus special bonus LOTR tribute poem at the end! That should be the FF signature poem 🙂
Great story, Bjorn. I’ve never seen a tsunami before, but it reminds me of the images in the movie, The Impossible. And he’s right, it’s hard to think of yourself as lucky when you think of all you’ve lost.
Dear Björn,
Love the verse at the end. I agree with Alistair, it would make a good Friday Fictioneers signature poem. I might just have to “borrow” it…with your permission and credit to your name of course. 😉
Heartfelt/heart breaking story. Wonderfully crafted. Not a word out of place.
shalom,
Rochelle
Of course you have my permission 🙂
Thank you. 😀
Damn, Bjorn, you went all morbid romantic, and I liked it. Well done.
Yes, releasing is something we feel we do to let them go, but it can just as easily be the other way.
Truly poignant and special, Bjorn. Your imagery and word choices are so good here.
Great story, beautifully written. Fantastic work.
This is really cool! Perspective is different for everybody.
Such a beautiful story…
Lovelorn!
Bjorn you are a bottomless pit of good stories!
Nicely captures the beauty and grief.
Hi Bjorn,
Lots of longing, sorrow and pathos here. Amazing how fast you can create a sympathetic character. Ron
Wow, that was not just good, it was exceptional.
Another beautiful piece, Bjorn. Really well done. You capture so much!
Gorgeous, this is just gorgeous, Björn. There are a few that I want to just print out and put with this photo. I have it framed, as I love the image so much… but this and one other stories just seem to live with it. Wonderful; I love it.
Great story – Thanks! Nan
“Releasing me to this loneliness.” Such exquisite lines. Loved your story.
“…the sore thumb that made paradise perfect…” ugh a broken heart with longing, poignant memories…beautiful.
Sweet story, nicely done. But I’m not coming to visit you in your pink house!
Bittersweet tale of romance. Well done. Liked your closing rhyme, too.
Awww..this was beautiful!
A moving piece. Really nice.