Genre: Fantasy
100 words
Standing Watch
Give me sweet sleep now in the daylight, for nothing stalks the soul come dawn; the loud tourists, and the occasional minor demons pose no threat.
For at dusk I awaken once more standing solid over the waterfront.
My penance and sweet torture; to hear the human lovers stroll and whisper “te amo” and “te quiero tanto”.
Such is my eternity, to have once traded flesh for true love’s taste.
My soul, lost as currency.
But give me the night’s keeping for among the lovers, the soul thieves stalk and I alone, always alone, protect the Gates of Crossing.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
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What's for dinner, Doc? 
Tracey, This is such a deep and profound piece showing the dark history of slavery that was unleashed by this man’s quest. But do you really think he would have regretted the loss of his soul in his lifetime?
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I’m not sure that we can or should regret the taste of true love. Are we not all slaves to love?
Tracey
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This piece has a lyrical quality to it. Profound and expertly written.
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Thanks Lorna,
I stopped by your blog for several great laughs. Be careful Friday Fictioneers is addictive. I’m a not a writer but the muse sucked me in.
Be well,
Tracey
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Thanks for visiting. If you laughed, then my work here is done! 🙂
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Wonderful.. this is so deep and is worth reading over and over.. love the ending, and I can feel the suffering of hearing the lover’s voice..
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I’m so glad you like it my romantic friend. Your poetry this week was fraught with suffering love’s fate.
Tracey
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Dear Doctor,
I got a case of horripilation from your story. Can you help me?
(This was sad and beautiful and marks a departure from what you have revealed to us thus far in your weeks long FF career. Thanks you.)
Aloha,
Doug
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Doug,
You could put on a sweater? 😉
I have no idea where this piece came from. I think flash fiction is part magic. For better or for worse, stories just pop into my head.
Thanks for stopping by,
Tracey
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A brilliantly written and in a way, poetic piece. I especially like this line: “for nothing stalks the soul come dawn; the loud tourists, and the occasional minor demons pose no threat”.
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Thank you Francesca. Gothic poetry – who knew I could write it.
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Such is my eternity – protect the Gates of Crossing. Wonderful lines among a whole slew of them. Well done.
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Thanks Alicia,
I’m glad you liked it.
Tracey
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Very dramatic and very powerful. Enjoyed this different piece from you.
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I’m glad you like it Sandra but have I written myself into a genre corner already? Sigh
This was a stretch for me and apparently a risk worth taking.
Tracey
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This piece is truly unique from “minor demons pose no threat” to “traded flesh for true love’s taste” to “Gates of Crossing.” We’re in another realm, I know not where. Terrific.
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Thanks … I think. Repeating my words like that makes me sound somewhat psychotic. In medicine we call that making a word salad and it usually occurs when a patient has had a break with reality.
I liked your story this week – showed your softer or shall we say…weaker side.
Tracey
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Dear Tracey
Beautifully poetic and haunting. Note: daylight is one word. Aside from that, this is picture perfect.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle,
I suppose I could have said “day’s light” making the day possessive but that’s not how I meant it so I have corrected it with gratitude.
“Poetic and haunting”, such a lovely comment.
Thank you,
Tracey
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Spookily romantic.
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Probably not a good kid campfire scary story though.
Thanks,
Tracey
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LOL…yea, probably not.
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Beautifully poetic and quite haunting.
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Thanks Ali
Glad to haunt you,
Tracey
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As another Friday Fictioneer has (sort of) said, tis such stuff as dreams are made on.
Like a grown-up Happy Prince. Haunting indeed.
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Dream like or psychotic – could be either.
😉
Tracey
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I loved the flow of this piece, Doc. Sad, yet romantic. You blended your choice of words in a most beautiful way.
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You are so kind with your words Sir.
Tracey
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sentiments beautifully expressed. haunting ike a neruda poem. i bow my head to you.
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Thank you Plaridel
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A lovely piece – penance will last forever for him. Also an interesting reflection on day and night.
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Thank you Patrick.
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Bravo! Splendidly haunting! Wonderful piece! 🙂
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Glad you liked it “Silver”
Tracey
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Very beautiful, and very different. There would be many like him who lost their souls, but not so many willing to be guardians for the crossing.
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I’m not sure that he had a choice after losing his soul but it seems like he doesn’t mind the sweet torture either.
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Truly enjoyed this. Read three times. WOW!
DJ
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Glad you liked it Danny.
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I love the way this is written.
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Thank you. What a lovely compliment.
Tracey
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Very moving prose poetry. You can feel his torture and his entrapment. Your language gave great visuals.
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Irene,
Thank you so much. I think he’s ultimately protecting others but he’s also trapped in a personal Hell.
Tracey
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Hauntingly beautiful. Fine work, Tracey. Lots of great lines here.
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Thanks Amy,
You had a great line this week too.
T
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Oh this is good! It would make a great longer piece!
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I’d love to write a gothic romantic novel but I’m not sure about the fantasy element. I’m glad you like it.
Tracey
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Excellent.
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Thanks Joy
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Your piece has intensity of feeling and complex, thought-provoking ideas. Beautiful language.
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Margaret,
What a nice comment. I appreciate it.
Tracey
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Oh very emotional. And very poetically rhythmic. Well done
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Hi Tracey, this is a very different piece from you. It is sad,powerful and very moving, I love it. Dee
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Dee,
Thank you. I was stretching my writing wings this week.
Tracey
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Deep and poetic… I admit I read this quite literally, as if the narrator were trapped in his statue, being made aware each Dusk and forced to stand guard over the city – like Prometheus and the eagle, an eternal punishment…
Anyway, loved it.
KT
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Hi KT,
I think I meant it literally too. The more I read it though, the less I understand it’s true meaning.
T
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