It never stops. The long segmented worm trundles round the tormented globe, zipping it back together. We patch the rips from which poison oozes and make the world whole again. That’s what this machine is for.
I was born on the train and I will die on it. Behind our clanking passage, land heals, seed stirs. In my dreams, I slip from the footplate and tread the mulch, weed the crop, harvest food. But we have a job to do. The train never stops.
Friday fictioneers is a weekly challenge set by Rochelle Wisoff Fields to write a 100-word story in response to a photo prompt. You can find other stories here
Neil MacDonald Author 
Love the imagery of ‘zipping it back together’. And the ‘worm’. Still wondering what the train is a metaphor for?
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Thanks so much.
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Wonderful imagery Neil. Have you seen ‘Snowpiercer’? A graphic novel that has been turned into a film and now TV series about the survivors in a dystopian world who live on a train constantly circling the world. This reminded me of it.
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Thanks, Iain. No, I’ve never seen either the novel or the film
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Was thinking the same thing. Even more impressive then. I’m fascinated by dystopia you conjured here. Very well written.
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Thanks so much, Anne
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Would that it were so!!
Gorgeously done, Neil.
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Thanks so much, Dale
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Interesting story. For some reason I was reminded of Doctorow’s Loon Lake.
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Thanks, Joshua
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Dear Neil,
A beautifully vivid read. I love segmented worm. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks so much, Rochelle
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A most creative visual. I love the segmented worm, and zipping the earth back together. Outstanding.
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Thanks so much, Linda
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What a grim world where such things exist. I can’t help but wonder what they use for fuel…
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The answer to that might be even grimmer
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Wow! This is a very unexpected take on the prompt. If only…
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Let’s hope we don’t get to the point where we need the train
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Ooh! That’s a good one. Very imaginative take.
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Thanks so much
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Just keeps chugging along! I like this.
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Thanks, Dawn
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I agree with all these comments. Imagery well presented. Enjoyed reading.
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thanks, Bill
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You’re welcome.
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Loved the ending, “The train never stops”. Smooth writing.
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Thanks so much, Tannille
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The segmented worm – immediately gave me a birds-eye view of the process.
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Which, of course, he couldn’t have seen
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Wonderful imagery, loved that ‘long segmented worm’ passage.
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Thanks so much
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A thought-provoking piece indeed. May it never stop.
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Thanks so much, Keith
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I enjoyed reading this piece as it allowed me to interpret it.
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The meaning of a story only belongs to the author up to the moment it’s published. Then it belongs to the readers who each create their own versions
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The imagery is wonderful…love the zipping the world back together.
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Thanks so much
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It’s a tough unending job, but he’s saving then world (for others to enjoy).
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Maybe one day he’ll jump the train and start a farm
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I like “zipping the world back together,” and the idea of being on a train that never stops. Nice work, Neil!
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Thanks so much, Paula
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Ahhh … so much has been said about imagery but I have to concur.
Extremely, thought-provoking, is he chained to this life? Loved this story, Neil.
Be Safe … Isadora 😎
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Thanks so much, Isadora. No, he could prbably jump off, but then he wouldn’t have a job
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Important work, true, but surely they could have a vacation to enjoy the results?
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I’ll suggest it to the management
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Ooooo great imagery here. I enjoyed this. Continuous, never-ending life and death and life loops.
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Thanks so much, Laurie
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Ah, this is important work, isn’t it? Zipping things back together, healing the many ruptures we humans keep on doing to this Earth. Well done!
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Thanks so much
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🙂
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Our stories are very similar except yours is much better. An excellent piece with lots of wonderful imagery.
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That’s kind of you to say so. Of course, I can’t agree
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Superb, Neil.
As deep and provocative as anything I’ve read from you, which sends it soaring to exalted heights.
PS Jings, Scotland is wet!
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Thanks so much. What a delightful compliment
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Wonderful imagery. This touches on so many of us, the lives we live.
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Thanks so much, Eugenia
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Poetic to the hilt, Neil! I love the imagery and the whole thing. Marvelous!
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Thanks so much, William
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Love the imagery and the skillful way the whole thing is woven together.
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Thanks so much
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Thank you for helping my mind wander away from todays problems to the visons of the piece.
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My pleasure, Geri
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