Thomas Charles Henry

The place where my writing lives.

Pyre – Friday Fictioneers

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Thomas Charles Henry

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It’s Friday Fictioneers time! The challenge is to write 100 words based on a weekly photo prompt chosen by our ringleader, Rochelle Wisoff-Fields. Check out her blog for more information by clicking here. Thank you to all who take the time to read, like or comment.

2016 09 02

PHOTO PROMPT -© Vijaya Sundaram

Pyre

Roll up. Roll up.

Come one, come all.

For tonight we celebrate.

Tonight we light the great fire.

Come forward. Closer. Don’t be shy.

Bring all your terrorists, rapists, murderers and gangsters. Bring your migrants, your women in burqas, those of a different religion and those with no religion. Even your own dirty, hateful thoughts. Bring everything that scares you and add it to the pyre.

Let the flames devour your fears.

Rest easy, my children, for the symptoms are gone. Why worry about the cause?

Now, bow your heads in prayer:

A penny for the Guy.

See him burn.

19 responses to “Pyre – Friday Fictioneers”

  1. neilmacdon Avatar
    neilmacdon

    That was thought-provoking!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Thom Carswell Avatar
      Thom Carswell

      Thanks Neil.

      Like

      Reply
  2. Liz Young Avatar
    Liz Young

    That was scary, probably because it’s based on people’s real fears. Well done.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Thom Carswell Avatar
      Thom Carswell

      Thanks Liz. Glad you enjoyed it.

      Like

      Reply
  3. Iain Kelly Avatar
    Iain Kelly

    Very thought provoking and apt. If only we could get rid of people’s fears just like that.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Thom Carswell Avatar
      Thom Carswell

      Thanks Iain.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  4. michael1148humphris Avatar
    michael1148humphris

    Rather interesting, I am not sure that I got the meaning of the last two lines? Mike

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Thom Carswell Avatar
      Thom Carswell

      Hi Mike.

      Thanks for your comment.

      The piece is basically about how so often we get told what to fear without really understanding the underlying causes of these fears. For example, newspapers are full of stories about terrorists, murderers, rapists and gang members but we rarely explore the underlying animal impulses, society pressures and other variables that cause people to behave in this manner.

      The last two lines are a comment on how sometimes we actively ‘buy in’ to what we are being told to fear as this can be easier and more comforting than looking into the deeper problems of the world and our place within it. ‘Buying in’ gives us something solid and tangible (such as the metaphorical Guy), a definitive answer and a focal point for our fears as opposed to endless questions – some of which can be even scarier than the thing we thought we feared in the first place.

      But those ramblings are just my interpretation of the 100 words that spewed from my mind when I saw the photo prompt. Read and interpret as you will – it’s half the fun!

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      Reply
  5. gahlearner Avatar
    gahlearner

    I see much truth in this, and expected there to be no one left after the burning. We always find someone else to blame. Good story.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Thom Carswell Avatar
      Thom Carswell

      Thank you.

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      Reply
  6. nonsmokingladybug Avatar
    nonsmokingladybug

    A lot of truth in this post, too much., Very well done.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Thom Carswell Avatar
      Thom Carswell

      Thank you.

      Like

      Reply
  7. wmqcolby Avatar
    wmqcolby

    Thom, this was stunningly good. Not only the take on the prompt, but something entirely unique. I work in the media and I’d like to burn some of our stories for making the public go crazy with fear-mongering and manipulation.

    Impressive! Thanks for spewing.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Thom Carswell Avatar
      Thom Carswell

      Wow – Thank you very much for this great feedback!

      Like

      Reply
      1. wmqcolby Avatar
        wmqcolby

        You EARNED it, bro!

        Like

  8. Dreamer of Dreams Avatar
    Dreamer of Dreams

    A fantastic piece, Thom, but then, I expect nothing less from you!
    I like how you used the Guy Fawkes idea as a symbol of the symptoms of fear, not the cause. As you implied, who cares about the cause?
    Only thinkers, poets, storytellers, philosophers, bards.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Thom Carswell Avatar
      Thom Carswell

      You make me blush! Haha! Thank you very much. Glad you enjoyed it.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  9. patriciaruthsusan Avatar
    patriciaruthsusan

    It would be great if people these days could get rid of their fears and hatreds just by burning an effigy. We all need to start fresh. It’s harder these days, though. Good take on the prompt, Thom. —- Suzanne

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Thom Carswell Avatar
      Thom Carswell

      Thanks Suzanne!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

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