As I was always told it would, my life danced before my eyes. Christmas and colorful lights, marriage, children, birthdays, weddings, and grandbabies.
We all huddled on the couch together, waiting for the time to arrive. They promised to transport us at the moment of impact. A flash of light burst through the window. The brilliance hurt my eyes. It was done. That world was gone.
We stand along the bank of a crystal clear river. Grasslands sway in the crisp clean air. Birds soar in the dazzling blue sky. Bountiful forests invite us.
This time, we will be better.
~~
Last week and this, the AQI (pollution) index here in Hong Kong was on and off in the red and by Saturday it will be in the purple. That’s dreadfully bad. I write this story with itchy eyes and a scratchy throat, hoping for clear skies and fresh air.
Each week, I enjoy the challenge to write a story using only 100 words inspired by the photo prompt. This week the photo was contributed by Priya Bajpal. “Friday Fictioneers” is hosted by the lovely Rochelle Wisoff Fields. It’s a lot of fun to join this fantastic and encouraging group of writers! If you would like to read other stories, click here.
Thoughts of a Wanderer 
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could undo the terrible damage we’re doing to the planet?
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
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It would indeed. I suppose all we can do is our own bit. Thank you, Susan, for commenting.
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Great warning. There is no planet B
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Unfortunately so, there is no planet B. Thank you for commenting, Neil.
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A story that made me think…It will be a major challenge to put our planet back to a place of calm beauty. It may only happen when we have all gone to the stars.
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I’m glad it made you think, Michael. Thank you for letting me know.
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Oh, how I wish that could happen! It would be worth giving up air travel and the convenience of a private car, and eating meat, and aiming for zero waste so no more shiny gadgets every year…Oh, dear. What a tough sell the green message is. But it’s what we need, and what we must somehow achieve. Well done for your story highlighting the issue.
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It certainly is a tough sell. I worry for our planet though. Thank you so much, Penny, for your thoughtful comments.
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What a nice story highlighting the problem of how we are polluting our planet! I’m so sorry that the air quality is making you sick.
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Thank you so much, Ann, for your thoughtful comments. =)
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That’s a grim picture you’ve drawn with your words! The impact of climate change we all are facing. Hope you are feeling better now
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Thanks so much, Piyali. I think it’s supposed to be a bit better next week. This weekend might be tough though.
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That was a really good piece. I was drawn into it and had to read it several times for the enjoyment of it. I feel for you, in HK. I only spent a few days there, but my inhaler was never out of my hands. 😦 And that was in the nineties.
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Thank you, Sandra, I’m happy you read the piece and enjoyed it a number of times. That means a great deal. So sorry for your experience in HK. My daughter went to the doctor a couple days ago and he gave her an inhaler (ventolin). Hoping next week things will clear a bit. Have a nice weekend! =)
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if only…. A thought-provoking pice indeed.
Click to read my FriFic tale!
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I’m glad it was thought-provoking. Thanks! =)
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If only magic could fix this problem! Good for you to send this message. Thanks.
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It would be nice for sure. Thanks for reading and commenting! =)
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I’m thinking that sadly, with all best intentions, this time we won’t be better. Nice one!
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True enough. Thanks for commenting! =)
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Ahhh, but will we ever learn???
gramswisewords.blogspot.com
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I’m afraid we might not. =( Thank you for reading and commenting!
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I feel for you on the air pollution. We have pretty good environmental control in Montana, for the moment. It’s only during Forest Fire Season that we get that bad.
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Thanks so much, Alice, for your well wishes. My daughter is on an inhaler. Hoping it clears up soon. I’ve been to Montana in the ’80’s. Beautiful country!
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HK sounds awful, so does your story and i suspect more than an element of truth here
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Living here especially, with the kind of pollution that exists, I scratch my head and wonder what permanent damage and consequences it means for our world. Thank you for commenting! =)
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i truly believe that nature can only take so much abuse. the time will come when it’ll heal itself and it won’t bode well for mankind.
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I wonder. Thank you for commenting! =)
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I like the positivity, starting anew. I wish we all had that.
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A redo would be nice, knowing what we know. But, maybe I’m naive. Thank you for commenting!! =)
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Dear Brenda,
I like the hopeful tone of this story. You have me sighing, “If only.” Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you so much, Rochelle, I happy you enjoyed the story. =)
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Nicely done. If only such miracles were possible. The reality is as you have described, especially in developing countries where economic growth is coming at the cost of environmental deterioration.
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Very true, environmental deterioration and severely bad health issues for the people. I know the issues are complicated … just sad that our world must pay the cost. Thank you so much for commenting. I’ll keep hoping for a miracle (hehe).
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Your writing is beautiful and what a wonderful thought to be able to try again.
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Thank you so much, Anna. Your comment on my writing made me smile! =)
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Although this story is about a very heavy subject, the end brought me hope. MAYBE, given a second chance, mankind could be better, kinder, more appreciative of nature which offers glories and beauty FOR FREE! Maybe. Very thought provoking piece.
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Thank you so much, Alicia, and am so glad it was thought provoking. A chance for a redo would be nice and hopefully we could be better. =)
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This is very thought-provoking. Great message.
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Thanks so much, Lisa. I’m happy you found it thought-provoking! =)
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That was a beautiful write, Brenda. So very sorry you live in such horrid air pollution…
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That’s very sweet, Dale, thank you! Today was the worst in a really long time. My daughter is puffing her inhaler, but we are hoping the wind shifts soon away from Hong Kong (from the Pearl River Delta in South China where a significant amount of factories are located). Anyway … need to stop complaining. =)
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Not fun at all…
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You’ve highlighted a pressing problem so clearly, Brenda – the world is choking and no one wants to take responsibility for it. People think we’re insane for not driving, but when I see the state of our roads here and read about our city’s pollution (nothing as bad as yours in Hong Kong, but still a worry) I think they’re crazy for clinging so desperately to their cars.
Poignant, well written and very current
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“Choking” is a good description. Good for you not driving. I think we all need to do our bit, to do at least something. Thank you as always for your encouraging comments! =)
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My pleasure Brenda
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One can only hope there would be such a lovely place to go should the world explode..
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My fingers are crossed, it would be nice to have a redo. Thank you for reading and commenting, Violet! =)
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Ah, if only we all had a second chance… but we won’t. Things are already irreversibly changed. Nature doesn’t care, the planet, and life on it, will survive, but we might not, together with the plants, the animals, the climate and weather conditions we once were used to. Sad but great write. I hope the smog goes away soon.
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It’s a bit better today, thanks for your wishes and for commenting on the story. Take care!
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Great writing, as always, Brenda.
Your story makes one wonder if we would behave differently, be less selfish, if we were to be given another chance. Terrified of our future.
Sorry to hear about your allergic reaction. I hope it gets better.
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Thanks so much, Moon, for your encouragement and your well-wishes. The air was slightly better today. =)
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Timely, thoughtful story!
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Thank you so much, Dawn! =)
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How badly we’ve treated our planet!!! Mother nature cries for the damage we’ve done.
Well written and expressed, Brenda. Hopefully, you’re better able to breathe.
Isadora 😎
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It is improving as the wind has shifted. Thank you so much for your well-wishes and your comments! =)
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There is indeed a better place awaiting. One we can’t screw up. Excellent tale, Brenda.
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Looking forward to that. Thank you so much for your encouraging comment! =)
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Hopefully this time it will be better but cynical me thinks mankind will always find a way to exploit and ruin everything
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Unfortunately, that is very true (and sadly so). Thank you for reading and commenting! 😀
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I so hope we had take 2. Unfortunately, we don’t so we have to mend our ways and be better guests.
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We could try to do better for sure. Thank you for commenting! 😀
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