That last time we tried, pretending, hand in hand, in strained silence walking to the lake. The birches dressed in sheer green with a white carpet of wood anemones underneath tried in vain to tell us to linger.
But we were overdue, parting could not be delayed as something told the wild geese.
It was time to fly, a flutter of strong wings and I released her hand.
For a brief moment I could feel the lingering warmth of her hand and I watched her running back to the dwelling we had shared.
I remained rooted for an instant, before I started my journey again. As always, my steps were heavy at first, but after a while, I started to sing.
Ahead waits the unknown. Adventures and passion; women to win.
Behind me are only women I’ve left and a trail of fatherless children.
Today Kim hosts Prosery at dVerse, where we write a piece of prose of no more than 144 words that embeds the following text:
“Something told the wild geese
It was time to fly.”
by Rachel Lyman Field (1894 – 1942)
The poem is about the geese going southward, but in my poem they are going northward.
May 6, 2024
Björn Rudbergs writings 
Oh my goodness, this is terribly sad. 😦
This is my favorite part: “a white carpet of wood anemones underneath”
It is what spring can look like here.
Firstly, thanks for the blast of one of my favourite Bob Dylan songs, Björn, which I haven’t heard in a long time. I really enjoyed the way you described the setting and created atmosphere with the ‘strained silence walking to the lake’ and the ‘birches dressed in sheer green with a white carpet of wood anemones’. I also liked the way you split the prompt line – I didn’t make it easy, did I? Your speaker is a bit callous, though, isn’t he!
I wanted that twist in the end… he is an adventurer after all, which is I feel get through in the Dylan song.
A portrait of a cad but in beautiful prose, Björn. Lovely imagery indeed.
Indeed a cad… or maybe just a free spirit who cannot be tied down.
Bjorn, you’re so good at micro-fiction! I wish you’d come back to FF. Once a month is not enough.
So many textures in this. Vivid snapshots bring it to life. Can I be real and say this part really hit the spot:
I remained rooted for an instant, before I started my journey again. As always, my steps were heavy at first, but after a while, I started to sing.
Everybody knows at least one of these kind of people. Remember that song, “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone.”
I also enjoyed your musical selection, from the, “Desire” album. Damfine song/album, with Scarlet Rivera on violin.
Thank you, and yes I wanted to portray the guy as one of these vagabonds leaving a trail of women and children behind him…. which is exactly what I heard in the Dylan song.
You’re welcome. Dylan sang a lot of songs about the parting of the ways…
I LOVE the way you broke the line, the link it became between two thoughts. Bravo.
Thank you… I always try to find ways to break the line….
An interesting scene for your story Bjorn. Leaving a trail of broken hearts and moving on
There are plenty of men doing that, and sometimes it’s a lot worse with those who decide to stay (and stay in control)
Yes that’s a good point. I guess we all like things to end happily, neat and tidy, tied with a bow.
Oh dear. I think I met that guy once upon time. I enjoyed the way you broke up the line of the original poem.
I always try to break it up the line, and alas there are a lot of those guys aroung
Wow the ending really put on new spin on things! It was lyrical and romantic until you showed us who the protagonist really is – a depraved Lothario. Great writing! Funny too.
Thank you, yes in good microfiction I think there has to be a twist.
The story of so many men through the ages.
Sometimes I wonder what is worst… the one who stays and those who leaves…
I guess it depends on the circumstances. It sounds like the women are better off without him, but it could have been a very poor life for an unwed mother and child.
Oh dear..just saw Merril’s comment…nice tension..but oh dear…well, suppose she is right…
As I wrote; I fear that it could have been worse if he stayed and controlled her instead.
WHY you gad-about YOU!!!!! Love the way you let the reader accompany you on your “walk of shame” ~~ or triumph as you would describe it! Bravo!
Love to surprise the reader…