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 next 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 – pingbacks don’t often work.
Go on. You know you want to. Let your creativity and imagination soar. I shall display the entries, with links to your own blog or web site, next Monday.”
The photo.
The Trail by John W. Howell © 2018
“Here boy. Come on.”
“Hey, dog you are being called.”
“The name is Trevor, and I think he’s calling you.”
“Now that is damn near impossible.”
“Why is it impossible?”
“Well for one thing. He can’t see me so how’s he supposed to know I’m here?”
“You are kidding me. The old man can’t see you?”
“Well, there are some rare times he can.”
“When’s that?”
“You know that special bottle of brandy in the den.”
“Brandy? Oh, you mean the water that smells bad?”
“There is a lot of water that smells bad, but yes.”
“What about it.”
“Well, when there have been too many “I’ll just have one more,”then he magically can see me.”
“Does he talk to you?”
“Um, talk isn’t the right word. I think they call it cursing.”
“Oh yeah. I’ve heard that went he comes across my poop in his bare feet.”
“Ha ha ha. I love those times.”
“So how come I can see you? I don’t use any of the smelly water.”
“You are pure of heart. You have no agenda.”
“You are saying I’m dumb.”
“No, let’s just call you simple and leave it at that.”
“So what makes him so complex?”
“Look at him. Sitting on that noisy thing called a Snapper, cutting grass out in the middle of nowhere. Don’t you think doing something useless like that takes a complex mind?”
“I never thought of it like that. So you are saying the more useless the task, the more complex the planning behind it?”
“You know Trevor, I take back what I said about you being simple.”
“Well, thanks but why?”
“You have just identified one of the facts of life not many think about.”
“Facts of life?”
“Yes. You have articulated the key to understanding the government.”
“Is that possible?”
“You have given the world a start.”
“Before I’m nominated for the Nobel prize, I think I’ll go over and ask Mr. Complex if it is dinner time yet.”
“You go, boy.”
”
