100TC #4 - Seeking Solace

Day four of the 100 Themes writing challenge. Today's theme, Seeking Solace, might take an unexpected turn ;) Enjoy :)

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- SEEKING SOLACE -

A Game of Chess

“Tis not easy being the Queen. Everyone thinks I am living a life of glamour and luxury, bathing in gold and filling my stomach with the most delectable dishes this land has ever borne. Well of course, there is some of that indeed. What do you think I do with all those taxes collected from that insignificant mass of illiterate imbeciles? Of course I ask for more than I need, that is one of the perks of being the Queen. But who would not do that being in my stead? Everyone would do the same of course. Luxury, gold, infinite wealth, those are only distractions, they are meaningless. ‘Tis just the natural order of things, to have those peasants build my wealth, that is just how the world has always worked and that is how it will keep working. There are some people who are born to rule, and some who are born to work for us.

All of this is of no consequence to me indeed. As I was saying - and don’t you dare interrupt me again - ‘tis not easy being the Queen. Yes I bathe in gold but that does not mean I have an easy life. There are so many... annoyances to deal with. Nuisances, crawling in every nook and cranny of my kingdom only there to conspire on making my life a nightmare. For example, having to deal with the boring problems of those pesky peasants. Erg, only to think of it makes me sick. They come here all the time, seeking audience with me... seeking solace. It is pathetic. I know not what they want of me. I am Queen; do you really think I have time to deal with the insignificant problems of that pack of ignorant fools? I have FAR better things to do. Queen things! ... - WHAT IS IT AGAIN?! -”

The poor ink-bird was tired. The scribe was using the poor little creature, under order from the Queen, to write down everything she was saying. Only the ink-bird, who is used like a living pen by the nobility for the ink it produces from its beak, had become so tired he just collapsed on the shiny floor. The scribe left a squeak, hence the Queen’s reaction. She did not like being interrupted. He very well knew what that meant.

“OFF WITH HIS HEAD!!!”

The Queen’s guards always had axes at the ready, for they were aware of her penchant for... beheadings. And so very swiftly the Queen’s order was executed, as she watched with delight.

“Oh well... Guess I need a new scribe now. BRING ME A NEW SCRIBE! Let us just hope this one won’t dare interrupt my tantalizing tale again.” She sighed of a very deep sigh, “as I was saying, ‘tis not easy being the Queen.” 

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Art by John Tenniel

(C) Copyright 2014 Hope Alexander aka David Giroux for the text

100TC #3 - Dark

Now for the daily 100 Themes writing challenge text, I have decided to go with a short story this time. One that is based on a dream I had that has left a strong impression on me. Please enjoy, for today's theme is one of my favourites : Dark

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- DARK -

They came with the rain

The night was pitch black, no trace of light to be seen, apart from the faint, eerie glowing of the lights of the city dead. Such an immense town, once full of life; memories of a past long gone. Still in the dead of night the street and building lights would light up, as if there was still life in this here town. But there was none. It was all but a reminder of the life that once was there; a reminder of what we had lost, never to come back. There was only a few of us left, not enough to give any sense to those glowing lights though. And so here I was, running through the empty streets of this colossal town in the dead of night with only the faint dead light of the once-living buildings to guide me. I had to make it there fast, before it was too late. There was barely any hope left, but I would give my everything, I would give my last breath to save them. They are the world to me and there is nothing I have ever held dearest; my beloved wife and my baby daughter. We were separated but there is still hope. I can make it to them before it is too late. I can and I will, I know it. 

And so for what seemed like hours I run. I run. I never stop, in the dark I run without taking even the fragment of a second to catch my breath. I run until I reach it. This is it, this building, it is there, still lit as if it was inhabited. I make my way in. This place was once a prestigious hotel and inside, it still looks as if it would have been in business only yesterday. Everything happened so quickly, things did not have time to change really. Everything is still there, unchanged, as if time stopped itself. As if the Earth got rid of its inhabitants in the blink of an eye. Which is, come to think of it, pretty much what happened. I prayed to the gods the elevator still worked, and to my relief it does. 

So I make my way to the highest floor from which I then climb to the roof. And here I am, on the roof of one of the tallest buildings of this once great and lively city. I take a quick glance, but cannot find them. That is where they should have been, my wife and daughter. Where were they??? I start running around, trying to find them, screaming their names, when finally I hear her voice. My beautiful wife’s voice, screaming my name in return. I turn around to realize where she is. She is in front of me, on the roof too... but onto the next building. She is there, smiling at me, our daughter in her arms. There is this huge gap between us, for I am in the wrong building. Yet I am so happy to see her, finally, we are back together. She is not that far, I can almost reach her. I scream at her to stay where she is and tell her I will come as quick as I can. We exchange a smile, my heart feels so warm. We have been separated for ever so long, I did not even think I would see them again. I know I have to make it to them as fast as I can, but I cannot stop myself for admiring them. The smile on my wife’s face is the greatest treasure I could wish for. 

I am soon awoken from my reverie. I could see the look on my wife’s face change from a smile to a startled expression. What is going on? What is that cold sting I feel on my head? One more on my face? Oh dear lord... please... not this... I move my hand up to my cheek, only to realize it is... rain. Cold rain... They come with the rain. I move my eyes back up from my hand to my wife and daughter... only to realize they are not alone anymore. Here it is, right above my loves. That... creature. Gigantic, its dark wings open wider than the length of the street. Its crooked body bent over my wife, grasping her in whatever matter of claw it has. Its monstrous face glaring at me with a grin that sends the worst chill down my spine. Its wings closed. I can hear my wife and daughter’s screams fading into the distance... I am too late. They had come with the rain. And now they are there for me as well. 

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Art by H.R. Giger

(C) Copyright 2014 Hope Alexander aka David Giroux for the text

100TC #2 - Light

So far so good, I start well by keeping the pace of one text a day, I can do it ;) If you do not know what I am on about, this is the second text of the 100 Themes writing challenge! Today's theme is Light. Instead of going with a rather metaphysical text like I did yesterday, this one is more of a short story. I hope you enjoy :)

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- LIGHT - 

Getting Closer

How long has it been since I have last seen the light? I cannot remember. Weeks? Months? Years? It is like time has lost its meaning. Without light there is no time. Ironic though it is to think that where I am, I am amongst the lights themselves, closer to them than any human has ever been before. Yet it is so cold and it is as if in the immensity of space the light loses all its radiance. I can see them shine, far in the distance even though I am getting closer. Getting closer, yet still so insanely far. It is as if, the closer you get, the farther you realize you are. There is no reaching the light. Many have tried, all have failed, and it is how it shall be ‘til the very end of time itself; there is no reaching what is unreachable. I have come to realize it now. Too late it is, yes, but at least now I know. By trying to pursue my dream, I have found doom and loneliness. I have tried so hard to get what I wanted, too hard, and it is what has taken it away from me. My days are ending, for I am drifting alone - a loneliness I have brought upon myself - without any chance of rescue. Who would find me here, in this life-forsaken infinite space? On my final days I realize that I have been foolish and that I am not a god, only a man. I should feel sad, I should feel broken, destroyed. Yet, I feel... serene. I have not achieved my dream, though I end up living my last days where most men will not ever find themselves. And now I know that there is no reaching the divine light. It is part of a realm that exists, that has always existed. I can see why our ancestors, and still the simple-minded people of our time, worshipped them as deities. It is for the fact that even if the light is unreachable, it is there so powerful it can burn us, yet there is no getting close to it. It is when you are where I am that you realize that all you have learned does not make any damned sense. I have believed in science as they believed in their petty idols. Turns out I was just as wrong as them. It matters not now, not anymore. I just hope the infinite light will offer me the beautiful Death I always wanted...

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Art : Odilon Redon - L'oeil comme un ballon étrange se dirige vers l'infini - 1878

(C) Copyright 2014 Hope Alexander aka David Giroux for the text

100TC #1 - Love

Here is the first text from the 100 Themes Challenge, starting with the theme Love. I hope you enjoy and please let me know your thoughts :) 

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- LOVE -

There is but one truth. We live in a sea of lies. We think we can see, yet what the light sines on is but a series of beautiful deceptions. We think we know. We do not. Everything is an illusion. Whatever we take for granted, it is what slips away first. To find the truth, some will give their lives, walk until they reach the end of the world. A vain effort it is. The heart knows. Some feel, some do not. Full or broken, it is only what we have made out of it. Another deception I am afraid. If the heart knows, then why cannot we? The feelings of the heart, do they exist really? What is our human shell trying to tell us? There is one force that has driven mankind to madness. If control is lost, then love overflows. It is the only truth, one that can as well be deceptive. The line between truth and lies in itself is a lie. If you love, you die. And if you die, you know. 

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(C) Copyright 2014 Hope Alexander aka David Giroux for the text

100 Themes Challenge

Poet And The Muse - Gustave Moreau - 1891

Hello everyone,

So my dear friend and fellow writer and blogger Maurhue The Great has started doing a writing challenge, which I have been invited to undertake as well. Here is the challenge: there is a list of 100 themes. Each day At least once a week, I will write a short text (poem or prose, depends on my mood ;D) based around that theme. I will try as best as I can to post one every day week at least. So yes, that means a new text on this blog for the coming 100 days at least once a week ;) Is that not great? :D I certainly do hope you enjoy reading, and as usual, let me know what you think! Without further ado, here is the list of the 100 themes (if you click on the theme it will bring you on the text for it) :

1. Love (24/04/14)
2. Light (25/04/14)
3. Dark (26/04/14)
4. Seeking Solace (28/04/14)
5. Break Away (05/05/14)
6. Innocence (06/05/14)
7. Breathe Again (11/05/14)
8. Memory (12/05/14)
9. Insanity (28/05/14)
10. Silence (23/06/14)  
11. Blood (02/07/14)
12. Tears (08/08/14)
13. Sorrow (19/08/14)
14. Happiness (07/01/15)
15. Flower (08/01/15)
16. Night (12/01/15)
17. Stars (03/02/15)
18. Eyes (10/04/15)
19. Dream (13/04/15)
20. Waiting (15/04/15)
21. Sacrifice (17/04/15)
22. Fairy Tale (18/04/15)
23. Magic (13/05/15)
24. Mirror
25. Broken Pieces
26. Starvation
27. Words
28. Can you hear me?
29. Heal
30. Pain
31. Drowning
32. Last Hope
33. Puzzle
34. Solitude
35. Relaxation
36. Break
37. Mother
38. Want
39. Wrath
40. Moon
41. Walk
42. See
43. Die
44. Young
45. Need
46. Horrific
47. Snow
48. Storm
49. Alcohol
50. Alone
51. Gone
52. Wedding
53. Fantasy
54. Lock and key
55. Poison
56. Sword
57. Bones
58. Chains
59. Rainbow
60. Midnight
61. Fear
62. Underwater
63. Wings
64. Unseen
65. Princess
66. Sharp
67. Fading
68. Dirt
69. What if...
70. Lace
71. Bird
72. Fashion
73. Bunny
74. Scars
75. Sparkle
76. Confusion
77. Freedom
78. Joy
79. Time
80. Warmth
81. Insomnia
82. Dance
83. Message
84. Imaginary
85. Underworld
86. Ice
87. Hope
88. Song
89. Fire
90. Lost
91. Play
92. Run
93. Wild
94. Morning
95. Loneliness
96. Sweet
97. Courage
98. Grandparents
99. Ocean
100. Forever

The longest of nights is coming...

Everlasting
This life he did not chose
Yet he revels in it
He is both life and death
A nightmare and a dream

The moon is shining upon these lands
Lost beyond Time
Under the reign of the mightiest King

Be prepared,
For the longest of nights is coming...

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COMING SOON...

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Art by Ernst Josephson, 1884

(C) Copyright 2014 Hope Alexander aka David Giroux for the text