Is it not beautiful in death, this stump? Though no more rings will expand out from the hurled stone of its existence, so much history is still recorded here. So much life.
No? You don’t see? Sure, it’s misshapen, but that’s the talisman of age, stooped and gnarled.
Get the thing off your lawn? No sorry, my dear. I believe I will build a stumpery.
.
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 
Celebrating the beauty of age is top of my list – a stumpery gets my vote!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Jilly
LikeLike
“Sure, it’s misshapen, but that’s the talisman of age, stooped and gnarled…”
Aint that the truth! Nicely seen.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much
LikeLike
I do have my own small stumpery in my back yard. The tree died and I’ve been meaning to pull out the stump for ages. However it’s become a local landmark in our small landscape.
LikeLiked by 2 people
All power to your stumpery
LikeLike
A ‘stumpery’…what a unique idea, although that would require cutting down a forest. Thank you for an entertaining conversation!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for your pleasure, Clare
LikeLike
Love the Stumpery, Neil. We both want to keep it 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Against all odds!
LikeLiked by 1 person
😊
LikeLike
Dale is this your house??
LikeLiked by 1 person
No, it’s in Montreal near where I work.
LikeLiked by 1 person
the tales it could tell.
LikeLiked by 1 person
But tree stumps are taciturn to a fault
LikeLike
Neil, I love this line:
the talisman of age, stooped and gnarled.
Stumpery, I love it. You can add her to the collection (i.e. stumped.)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Lisa
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re very welcome.
LikeLike
I have always loved antiques, and the closer I get to becoming one the more unique I believe I become. I love this
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Violet
LikeLiked by 1 person
Stumpery! What a great word and concept. Bravo, Neil!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Nancy
LikeLiked by 1 person
A stumpery. That’s amazing. Way to keep the HOA at bay.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Will
LikeLike
A stumpery is always a good idea. Good story.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love the philosophical contemplation and the smile at the end.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much
LikeLike
stumpery sounds like a nice idea…you’ll need plenty of space though
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for reading, Nandini
LikeLike
If you can’t have the tree why not a stumpery – good read!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lol it. Celebrate old age. Build that stumpery. Great descriptions in this one! Brilliantly visual
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Laurie
LikeLiked by 1 person
but of course, it’s all about perspectives. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is always true
LikeLiked by 1 person
Stumpery is so cool!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Dahlia
LikeLiked by 1 person
An ornamental tree stumpy area is a novelty. Not that I have seen a whole garden dedicated only to dead tree trunks.
LikeLiked by 1 person
He certainly hopes so
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have come to expect nothing less
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Kelvin
LikeLiked by 1 person