Friday Fictioneers – Railing
I always enjoy receiving Rochelle‘s email on a Wednesday, as I’ve said many times before. But I enjoyed it a little bit more this week because the prompt pic it included was this one:
which just happens to be copyright Me 🙂 Thanks Rochelle!
To read the 100 words that my picture of the Northam Bridge inspired in others, click here to visit the page of the Blue Frog. Or to read my effort, scroll down a couple of lines…
When things were bad at home I would go to the bridge, sit astride the railing, and wait. With one leg over the hard pavement and the other over the calm water I was in a quantum state, simultaneously at risk and safe. A strong draft from a passing lorry could send me over and I would imagine – fantasise? – their dazzling headlights were the approaching lights everyone says invite you across.
After a few hours I would risk returning home. Opening the door brought that same quantum state; was I at risk or safe? Had his liquid anger passed?
The Reclining Gentleman 
I thought I recognised the view but, now I find it’s Southampton, I don’t think that’s likely. I was at the Transit factory about ten years ago, so maybe.
Good piece.
It’s the Northam Bridge, looking back towards Bitterne side. Im not sure the flats were there ten years ago, or not all of them anyway. Ah, the transit factory. It’s just an empty shell nowadays sadly, has been for a while. Im sure it will be houses soon, just like the old Pirelli site nearby.
Oh, and I’m glad you liked the piece 🙂
There was me, thinking it was located in one of the Nordic countries!
A well told tale, RG — “liquid anger” certainly is a two-word description that says a lot succinctly.
Nope, it was an autumn evening in merry old England!
Thanks for reading
Good story RG, and well written. I loved the comparison of the bridge with the child’s home life with an alcoholic father. Thanks for the picture that’s leading to so many good stories. 🙂 — Suzanne
Thanks Suzanne, the contrast between the pavement and the river lent itself well to that uncertainty of the child’s home life.
Excellent story, really liked that. And a great picture too.
Thanks Sandra. I think i got lucky with the dusk light in my pic, and with the headlights at just the right angle.
Dear RG,
Thank you for a great photo. Liquid anger…good line that says it all in so few words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Thanks Rochelle. That’s why i so enjoy FriFic, only having 100 words means you have to pack it all in very carefully and efficiently!
‘liquid anger’ is such a vivid image.
Thanks Liz
Lovely take and thanks for the prompt.
Thanks YS
Really great story. I like the repetition of risk and safe. “Liquid anger” is a great phrase, evocative.
Thank you Ula. Liquid anger only really came about as I needed to lose a few words – strange how these things come together
Thanks for the photo. So many people have found so much in it.
Thanks for reading Jenny
Liquid anger, so true for many. Thanks for the photo prompt.
Thanks Tracey. A few readers have commented on “liquid anger”, I think I stumbled on a meat phrase
So true.. to be there on the edge.. maybe just feeling it there on the railing it feels easier to handle than the liquid anger.
Thanks for reading Bjorn. I guess the knowledge that going over the edge into the water could be an option, that a makes the bad times easier to cope with
Love your take. Life is full of edges, ledges and bridges.
Lily
Isnt it just? wellsaid Lily, and thanks for reading
I suppose, whichever he decides to turn to, life or death scenarios are ever present. Thank you for the picture too.
Thanks for reading Francesca, and for commenting. There is no good way and no bad way for this character, each has its dangers
We sort of went along the same road, so to speak… walk away from a situation that is making us sad/mad, etc.
I look forward to reading yours Dale. Thanks for dropping by and commenting
I was just telling my husband the other day about how Friday Fictioneers is filled, absolutely filled with brilliant, imaginative, moving, elegant writers — and here, I see all of those attributes.
What a story!
That last line blew me away (no quantum state here)!
Wow thank you DoD, thats quite a compliment! #blushing
Thanks for reading and for your kind comments
You’re welcome! And it’s all true.
Excellent story and very nice photo.
Thanks Joy
I guess if no-one sees them fall they’ll still be “safe” in a state of quantum superposition 🙂
Seriously though, great last line – really brought home the darker side to this story. “Liquid anger” is a very apt description.
You’re right, it’s just like the falling tree in the forest!
Thanks for your kind comments, “liquid anger” has impressed a few people this week
Liquid anger won me over too – I also liked your quantum states, very clever word use.
Cheers
KT
Thanks KT
Well done. Great balance within and unbalanced state. And thanks for the great picture. My “thanks” didn’t show up on my post, although I know I put it there. Kudos
Thanks very much Alicia
What at thing to ponder on a bridge, a very delicate state. The bridge really reflects that well, and then to return to something equally as risky, but in a completely different way. Very well done. Thanks for the photo this week!
Thank you Amy!
Very well written. “Liquid anger” and “quantum states” tell stories of their own…
Thank you 🙂
I liked your comparison between balancing on the rail of a bridge and returning home to a very bad situation.
Thanks Deborah
Oh my..so sad.
But hopefully this story will become a happy ending.thanks for reading
Life is like that – going from one state of imbalance to another.
Good read. Randy
Thanks Randy
Life can be a delicate balancing act for many people. I like how you’ve shown this character’s dilemma, and the sense that he really can’t do any more than just keep on balancing. Great photo too.
Thank you Margaret
I love this bridge. When I was a schoolgirl I used to jump off it at Spring Tide – with so much dumped in the river nowadays – it would be too dangerous.
Wow, you were much braver than me! I’ve dangled my feet in it next to the rowing club but I woudn’t dare jump off the bridge!