The sun rises through a sulphurous sky on a desolation of gantries and cranes. This is no spaceport, no futuristic capital—everything is grandiosely functional. And yet, tough men built great things here, proud of their skill, and easy in their laughter. But no more ships will slide down these slipways.
How did it come to an end, all this? A world has vanished, not just of things, but of communities. What will we do now, us welders and fitters and engineers? Who will value us? We are passing into history.
I do not care to go gently.
.
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 
I really enjoyed the words “easy in their laughter“. Says a lot in very little. Nicely done.
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Thanks so much
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Dear Neil,
I love that last line. The cherry on the sundae.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks so much, Rochelle. I was pleased with the last line
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Lovely story Neil, and I like the nod to Dylan Thomas too 💞
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Thanks so much
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Compelling reverie, Neil. Humans left idle too long can foment many things.
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Thanks so much, Lisa
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You’re welcome.
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I, too love the easy in their laughter. I cannot help but think how today they keep saying to encourage the trades and here your story is saying, nope… Nicely done!
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Thanks so much, Dale. So many old working communities are gone. And the anger grows
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That it does and it’s a sad thing.
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I love the last line though….I do not care to go gently!
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Thanks so much Nandini
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Fears voiced strongly.
True for some professions in this age of AI and digital world…
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Thanks so much, Anita
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Oh, beautiful descriptions here. Great piece of history slipping away one job at a time
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Thanks so much, Laurie
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i love the last line. like they say, you hope the longest when all hopes are gone.
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Thanks so much, Plaridel
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Beautiful, especially love the last line.
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Thanks so much, Stuti
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Great, Neil, I’m joining the others in applauding the last line
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Thanks so much, Keith
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Hi Neil, a reminder of the slow decline of shipbuilding here on the Clyde at Glasgow.
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I had the Clyde in mind when I wrote this
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Lovely write, Neil.
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Thanks so much, Nancy
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