PHOTO PROMPT © Sandra Crook
You’ll never believe when I tell you—no, I can’t; I won’t; it doesn’t matter—describing isn’t the point. The point is: I can finally see.
Sight should be the basic starting point, but it wasn’t. Eyes clouded, I spun myself sick, running round and round, saying I was growing, while secretly knowing I wasn’t. Not an inch. My goals were in reach, but I couldn’t see them. I nodded nicely to nothingness, pretending the emperor had clothes, shushed from infancy into believing what others told me.
But here on this hill, peering across ages and oceans, my vision appeared.
As always, many thanks to Rochelle Wisoff-Fields for hosting Friday Fictioneers! Stop over and read a wonderful array of 100-word-fiction pieces based on this photo prompt!
Angela Writes... 
I’ll see it when I believe it, eh? Nicely done, Angela
LikeLike
Exactly! And I think she’ll actually let herself see now. Thank you for commenting, Neil!
LikeLike
I’m not sure what is happening, but the concept is wonderful.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think you’ve given the best compliment I could ask for, as the concept is more important to her than the particulars. Thank you for reading and commenting, Sandra!
LikeLike
Intriguing. Time for a second read.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was more abstract than my usual writings, but there are certain moments in life where things come into clarity and it feels like we can finally see. That’s what I was trying to capture for this character. Thanks so much for reading and commenting, Nancy!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re very welcome, Angela. Thank goodness for those moments of clarity! 🤓
LikeLiked by 1 person
Regaining sight must be overwhelming. Just to see what people once described, marvellous.
LikeLiked by 1 person
James, thank you. As someone who had vision trouble as a young child, it truly is an amazing feeling to finally see the way other people naturally do. And there’s also the symbolic vision that seems to bring certain topics into focus over the course of life.
LikeLiked by 1 person
good for her. hopefully, she won’t be groomed to see only what they wanted her to see.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Plaridel, that’s what I’m hoping for her as well! Thank you so much for your comment.
LikeLiked by 1 person
As the saying goes, look beyond what you see. Nice one, Angela.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Indeed! There is always so much more than meets the eye. Thank you, Keith, for reading and commenting!
LikeLike
The lies we tell ourselves… it’s good that she finally learned to see. Excellent writing, there can be so much found in these words…
LikeLike
Thank you so much for your kind comment!
LikeLike
I hope it all changes from here on out now that she can see. But then again you can’t unsee once you’ve changed. Terrific musing piece
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sometimes seeing can be harder than being in the dark, but it’s worth it. Thank for reading, Laurie! I really appreciate your comment.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nice!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dawn, thank you for reading and commenting!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s interesting because I was wondering who, or what, our narrator was and was wondering about what animals or insects are born blind but then realized you gave it to us in the first sentence: “describing isn’t the point” and I thought this is any one of us, and any one of our joyful realizations and seeing isn’t always about seeing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Michael, yes! That’s it exactly. Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment!
LikeLike
Dear Angela,
And I see that I’m very late in reading and commenting. Sometimes it takes a while for our vision to clear. Loved the reference to the emperor and his new “clothes.” A great parable, particularly for our times. Good story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Rochelle, yes it does take time. And it is indeed possible this was inspired by these times we find ourselves in… 😉 Thank you so much for reading and commenting!
LikeLike
Angi, I am enjoying the though-provoking comments almost as much as this story!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m so glad you’re enjoying both! One of the things I love about writing is hearing what the readers bring to the piece. ❤
LikeLike