
The knuckles of the world thrust through the grass here. It’s a place he feels safe. The green flesh, speckled by gaudy blushes of vermilion or azure, is soft and tender, yes. But it comes and goes, easily erased. When gales lash the earth, unleashing driving sheets of rain, it’s the bones that survive.
Good bones—that’s what they say about something ugly but enduring, something like him. Flesh is ephemeral, but the bones abide. He wonders, if he lies very quiet on the grass, might he learn to endure?
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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

Thought-provoking!
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Thanks so much, Reena
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Dear Neil,
Something to think about while lying the soft grass. Nicely done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks so much, Rochelle
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Very deep and reflective. Much food for thought. Finely expressed.
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Thanks so much
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The bones will be no more eventually – back into the earth. Beautifully written.
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Thanks so much, Jilly
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Neil, this is moving. It reminds me of a line, “Words support like bone,” in a Peter Gabriel song based on an Anne Sexton poem. https://www.kcrw.com/music/articles/anne-sextons-original-poem-45-mercy-street-the-genesis-of-peter-gabriels-mercy-street
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Thanks so much, Paula
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Love this! What great phrasing, ‘the knuckles of the world’.
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Thanks so much
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Neil, you took my photo and ran with it. The “knuckles of the world” is priceless. How his mind meanders and the wondering at the end are exquisitely smithed.
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Thanks so much Jade, and thanks for the photo
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You’re very welcome. My pleasure on the photo.
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Lovely writing! Makes one thoughtful.
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Thanks so much
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i’ve got no bones to pick on this story. well done.
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Thanks so much
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This is delightfully written but it also kind of creeps me out. Like there’s a green squishy monster that will soon only be bones.
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Thanks so much, Alicia
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So true, there is volumes of history in bones.
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If only we knew how to read them
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Oooo this is fabulous, love the descriptions of knuckles piercing the earth… a place of reflection indeed. Well done.
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Thanks so much, Laurie
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Deep.
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Thank you, Dawn
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What a question. I hope he does learn to endure! And beautiful imagery.
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Thanks so much, Angela
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It’s the bones that survive.
Excellent, Neil.
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Thanks so much
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Such a wistful piece, Neil. Well done.
Best wishes,
Rowena
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Thanks so much, Rowena
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I think it’s difficult to convey a real sense of place with so few words but you did an excellent job of it with this story. I think we can all identify with a person who wonders if he belongs. I loved the “knuckles of the world” phrase.
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Thanks so much, Michael
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Beautiful, reflective, and some great metaphores.
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Thanks so much
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Oh yes. Powerful images. The merging of character and place – brilliant.
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Thanks so much, Margaret
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I wish I had written this. Especially that frirst line.
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That’s rare praise. Thank you so much, Patrick
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Wonderful writing, Neil. May he learn to endure.
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Thanks so much, Brenda
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Excellence is hard to achieve, but this for me surpasses excellence. Spot On
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Wow! Thanks so much, Michael
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I love this. So much imagery and passion contained in a brief article. Your gift for metaphor and personification is amazing.
Keep this up!
Thanks for sharing!
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Thanks so much
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