Click to enlarge the picture (courtesy of Pure Fantasy), but don’t stare too long. Just look it over until your mind starts percolating, then close the window and let your own imagination take over. Share with us what you see.
There are only two rules for Clarion Calls:
- If you choose to try the assignment, do not read the comments section before you post yours.
- This is a critique-free zone, and that includes critique of your own offering. Save your analytical skills for Mondays with Lynda.
With that in mind, I invite all of you to give it a try. At the end of the year, I have a special honor in mind for the person who most often posts an answer to our weekly Call. So have fun, and stay inspired!
Clarion Blog 
“The Gods have come to their Head.” Isshna scratched his furry rump. “The Gravid Moon circles the brow of the God Image. It is time to prepare the sacrifice.”
Karuoosh flicked his dorsal crest. “The sacrifice refuses to go. It makes high-pitched noises and flings its floppy crest about its head. The Gods will have to wait.”
Isshna flicked his tongue between his teeth, the two forks wagging in displeasure. “The sacrifice is of the correct species. It should be overjoyed to rejoin those of its kind. It is of the Fallen God Ones. Why does it fight the Gods’ will?”
“It leaks water from its visual orifices. Most disturbing. I do not wish to care for the sacrifice.” Karuoosh flipped nictating membranes over his eyes.
“The Gods will leave soon. They must have the sacrifice to take with them. The sacrifice will be at the God Image before the Gravid Moon rises into the heavens.” Isshna tapped claws on the rock where they crouched. “Without the sacrifice our people will starve. The Gods will punish us. Drag the sacrifice by the yellow-gold floppy crest if you must.”
Karuoosh dipped his face in obeisance. “As you speak, Voice of the God Image, it shall be done.”
Love it! Welcome back 🙂
Thanks. Fun picture to write from, Mishell.
It was amazing what people could do when they put their minds to it. They could fashion marvels of architecture, discover brilliant cures to the most horrible of diseases, they could even transcend their base existence with grand feats of philosophical thinking moving past the mundane and into the world of thought.
Instead, they decided to nuke the hell out of their world until it glowed.
Still, it was the nature of the people, they thrived on conflict. Their greatest thoughts came from the clash of two ideas to create a new unified whole. To progress, conflict was necessary for them. No, spurring people on with mere thoughts of a better tomorrow was not enough, war first had to be wrought before people could look around and wonder what the hell they were doing and why they didn’t just stop.
Still, it did bring about an age of peace once the Geiger counters stopped going mad. There was far less for him to do here these days. He looked back to the days of world wars, where battle raged across the entire globe. Those had seen him busy, but nowhere near as busy as the centuries that followed. He wondered if these people would ever really transcend their limitations. It was doubtful, but he’d be here long enough to see happen whatever would happen.
He looked out the window towards the sea. There, amid the surf and spray of the ocean stood a quiet remnant from the glory, gory days of mankind. It stood there, a silent sentinel watching over everything that yet stood. It was funny to think that it had once stood upon a massive pedestal towering over homes and houses. It had been then a symbol of the ever watchful eye of those in power. Now, with the water levels risen to what they were, it was now a sinking symbol of yesteryear that would too in time be forgotten.
Ah, well. No time for dilly-dallying, there was less to be done now, but that didn’t mean that he could sit around pondering the myths of the universe and the meaning of life and death. Well, the latter, he already knew, but it was enjoyable to ponder the ponderings of others in that matter. Some came close to the mark, others grazed the surface, but ultimately, none would ever really know.
Well, not none. There were those like this man in bed who would soon know. The man opened his eyes, at first shock, then fright, then calm happiness.
The man asked a question.
It was answered.
The man smiled, and closed his eyes: peaceful, silent, and still.
Welcome back! I’m very pleased that you’ve stopped self-criticizing (at least out loud) and are now just letting your thoughts flow. 🙂