(First line provided by Dylan)
The Stenham house was an ancient locked thing and nothing returned there except for crows.
Crows of winter; black gainst whitescape of snow. Blowing loneliness on wings of storms.
Wraiths waft at eyeless windows; whispering stillness.
House alone stands on firmament; or illusion as sinks in on self; broken ribs of roof and rafters.
Falling, cracking, fissuring . . .
I picked up piece of paper flapping across warped wooden floor boards as wintering winds pushed open half-hung door.
“Strange prosetry,” I thought, tucking scrap into pocket. Stranger still, nary a Stenham inhabited this space; only Ushers ever lived here.
For mlmm First Line Friday # 26.05.17
Dylan’s opening sentence reminded me of the work of two artists from Atlantic Canada: Alex Colville (Nova Scotia) and Christopher Pratt (Newfoundland and Labrador). I hope you enjoy the slideshow.
May 27, 2017 at 7:55 pm
Great piece of writing – and some just delightful lines in description – whispering stillness – broken ribs of roof and rafters – and that’s just a few :)
Wonderful images – thanks for sharing – it’s been a long time since I visited with some of their work. :)
I’ve never traveled east – always wanted to – and I’m oddly attracted to N.S. and Newfoundland and Labrador – I think I’d like to live there – either or – but I’m not crazy about the amount of snow that buries these places. But maybe, someday, I’ll have the chance to at the very least, visit the east – and do the been in the Canadian Atlantic – furtherest north I’ve “done it” was Maine.
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May 27, 2017 at 2:58 am
I did like what you did with this Lorraine….I’d like to go visit that Newfoundland part of the world.
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May 27, 2017 at 5:34 am
I hope you get to go there on your next world excursion — well worth the visit.
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May 27, 2017 at 5:39 am
Would be good that’s for sure.
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May 27, 2017 at 5:36 am
PS: There is a community there called Fairyland. Honest.
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May 27, 2017 at 5:40 am
Oh I believe you. There’s one in my garden as well😁
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May 27, 2017 at 6:32 am
http://www.newfoundlandlabrador.com/ just in case you feel like a virtual trip
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May 27, 2017 at 5:40 pm
Truly beautiful place. Thanks for sharing that Lorraine.
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