In Keith’s words.
“Using this photo (below) as inspiration, write a short story, flash fiction, scene, poem; anything, really; even just a caption for the photograph. Either put it (or a link to it) in a comment or email it to me at keithchanning@gmail.com before 6pm on Sunday (if you aren’t sure what the time is where I live, this link will tell you). If you post it on your own blog or site, a link to this page would be appreciated, but please do also mention it in a comment here.
Go on. You know you want to. Let your creativity and imagination soar. I shall display the entries next time.”
The photo.
A Walk by John W. Howell © 2022
“See that pigeon?”
“What pigeon?”
“Over there.”
“Where?”
“For the love of heaven. The one sitting on the roof.”
“The brownish one?”
“Yes.”
“No.”
“What’s the matter with your eyesight?”
“If anything, I would say my eyesight is perfect.”
“Then what can’t you see the pigeon?”
“I have had too much to drink, that’s why.”
“Now, who’s fault is that?”
“The guy who set up the reception, I suppose.”
“Free drinks at a reception does not mean you are duty-bound to drink the bar dry.”
“Who says?”
“Common sense would dictate.”
“So why is that pigeon so important?”
“He looks like he might be carrying a message.”
“From here, he looks like he escaped from Central Park.”
“Now come on. He has a regal look about him.”
“I would say he has a squab look.”
“I guess you are not a bird watcher.”
“I would say you are correct.”
“I just looked in my book, and it’s a dove.”
“What’s a dove.”
“The pigeon is a dove.”
“Even more reason to think of a roasting pan.”
” You are definitely someone not to discuss birds with. I guess we might as well get back to the party.”
“Did we ever leave?”
“Yes, we came for a walk to get some fresh air.”
“Oh, thank heavens I didn’t drive.”
“I think you are cut off.”
“Or at least should switch to something soft.”
“Now you’re talking.”
“A dry martini is pretty soft.”
“Give me the keys.”
“Someone else has them.”
“Who?”
“No clue.”
Fiction Favorites 
A message? Not one from Linda Hill, I hope! Incidentally, before writing my piece I checked on the particular species of pigeon, but first refreshed my brain on the difference between a pigeon and a dove. This page (https://pigeonpedia.com/difference-between-dove-and-pigeon/) helped. Turns out, not unexpectedly, that Walter is what is generally known as a rock dove, rock pigeon, or common pigeon.
LikeLiked by 3 people
You are the paragon of accuracy. I, on the other hand, am the paragon of SWAG. 😁
LikeLiked by 2 people
🤓👌
LikeLiked by 1 person
😊
LikeLike
Sounds like a scene from my youth.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Ha ha ha. I’ll bet there was a B-B-Gun involved.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Keys have vanished, well – where oh where have the little keys gone?. Good one, John.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’m sure there is a pretty girl at the party who can tell us. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m pretty good about distinguishing a pigeon from a dove, but maybe not after an adult beverage.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Keith has indicated this is a pigeon. So these we are.
LikeLike
Another mystery to be solved. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes indeed. PA announcement. “Will the young woman who has the keys to the sapphire black Bentley Turbo convertible please come to the bandstand.” 🤣
LikeLiked by 1 person
Or he finds them in his other pants pocket? 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
🤣
LikeLiked by 1 person
I feel like a party guest eavesdropping on a highly entertaining conversation. Clever take on the photo, John!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Mae. I love this comment. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
😄
LikeLiked by 1 person
Time to put this guy to bed so he can sleep it off!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha ha ha.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nice response to this prompt, John. One might think you’ve had experience with open bars. The rest of us know you’re just really good with fiction – 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Let me not lead you to believe I have never been overserved. I certainly have. It was never my fault though. 🤣
LikeLiked by 1 person
Understood.
LikeLike
Hahahaha
LikeLiked by 1 person
The regal pigeons of NYC. Anointing the citizens in their own regal way.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I remember well.
LikeLike
If nothing else in this crazy life, I can always count on you, John, for a chuckle. This is hilarious! Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Chuckles are us. Thank you, Jan.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good one, John 🙂 Glad the keys are no longer in his possession.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Me too.
LikeLike
🤣 I loved your story, John. You are a master at writing dialogue, especially crazy ones! I can’t believe a simple photo of a beautiful bird, just innocently staring into space, made you think of this party scene. I’m forever surprised. 😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much for the kind words, Gwen. I’m always so pleased when you enjoy my nonsense. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
There are always those ones who feel the need to drink twenty times more because it is free… To hell with the consequences. That the keys are not on him is great, that he has no clue where they are, not so much.
Y’know… I’ve not yet had the pleasure of tasting squab… Hear tell it can be delicious.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Done the right way, yes. Portions are tiny though.(Typical man comment.)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh of course. And some can hold their liquor in much vaster quantities than others…
LikeLike
I meant the squab
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha! D’oh!! Don’t they usually serve two per person? 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Still small. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha! OK then!
LikeLiked by 1 person
😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
Maybe the Rock Pigeon does have a message…it knows where the keys are! 😀 Nicely played, John!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha ha ha. Good thought, Deborah..
LikeLiked by 1 person
😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Bird looks like he’s up to something all right. I wouldn’t have guessed “message,” but you make a good point. Probably he’s looking for dinner!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I would think so too. Thanks, Debbie.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I always enjoy where you go with these photos. I never would have come up with this one. Fun story, John.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Staci.
LikeLiked by 1 person
“The pigeon is a dove.” 🤣
LikeLiked by 1 person
😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
Who invited the pigeon to the party ? And as long as you still have your phone you can call uber…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Better yet. I’ll call Tiny and he’ll take the pigeon for a long ride.
LikeLiked by 1 person
is it a figment pigeon or a memory dove brought on by a tincture too many? So many possibilities after a few of those soda martinis…
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think it is all in the eye ball of the beholder. (or maybe highball of the beholder.)
LikeLike
A pigeon once dropped his message on me and it wasn’t a kind one. 🙂 This was fun, John! And glad those keys were confiscated!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes. I made sure they were gone first thing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
When you consider a martini “light”, it’s time to call it a day.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think you were the only one to catch that, Marc. 🤣
LikeLiked by 1 person
I might have some experience with the stuff 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
🍸
LikeLiked by 1 person
Heh. So funny:)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Sandra. 😊
LikeLike
Reblogged this on NEW BLOG HERE >> https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for sharing the post, Michael.
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙏 Thank you as well for the great entertainment, John! xx Michael
LikeLiked by 1 person
You have outdone Abbott and Costello!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Jennie
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome, John.
LikeLiked by 1 person
[…] A Walk by John W. Howell © 2022 […]
LikeLike