I came upon a blog today by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields that contained a 100-words-or-less photo writing challenge – Friday Fictitioneers.
Below is my answer to the challenge based on the accompanying photo by C.E. Ayer.
Stone by stone he built his wall.
Around his heart.
Leaving a mistrusting, too-small doorway with a lock on it for second chances.
No one knocked for none had dared to trespass beyond the chain guard and padlocks.
Love crouched at the wall’s base, waiting, but was unable to grow forward, toward the gateway to his heart. Past the chain links of criticism, contempt, defensiveness, and stonewalling.
surviving the specter 
lingeringvisions by Dawn
11/29/2016 at 08:23
Welcome to FF!
Good story that so many of us can relate to!
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Surviving the Specter
11/29/2016 at 08:24
Thank you for taking your time to read it and for your encouraging words, my friend!
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lingeringvisions by Dawn
11/29/2016 at 08:31
It was an enjoyable read and I hope to find you again next (this) week. I would suggest using a personal photograph (even a caricature) like many of the other fictioneers do week after week in the linky. It’s much easier to find you that way.
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Surviving the Specter
11/29/2016 at 08:35
I will try to do that! Thank you for the suggestion.
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Life Lessons of a Dog Lover
11/26/2016 at 16:24
Word by word you built my sympathy for your character. This a beautifully crafted piece.
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Surviving the Specter
11/26/2016 at 16:30
Thank you very much, Life’. I appreciate you taking your time to comment, my friend. X
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Rowena
11/25/2016 at 08:08
I feel like giving your character a big hug although that would probably send him packing. Maybe just a smile. I hate to think of people suffering so much.
xx Rowena
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neelwritesblog
11/24/2016 at 10:07
Powerful and unnerving. Welcome to the tribe.
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Surviving the Specter
11/24/2016 at 13:51
Thanks so much, neel’!
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gahlearner
11/24/2016 at 09:56
Brilliant story, what a powerful first story for the challenge. Once upon a time I wandered into this group, too, and never left again. 🙂 Welcome.
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Surviving the Specter
11/24/2016 at 13:50
Thank you for the words of encouragement, gah’. Yes, it was a fun post.
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Dale
11/23/2016 at 16:22
That was a brilliant first story! And welcome to this fabulous group… Just thought I’d mention that our wonderful hostess is Rochelle and not Rachel… 😉
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rochellewisoff
11/23/2016 at 16:41
On the other hand, you spelled Wisoff correctly. 😉 That’s the one that people usually misspell.
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Surviving the Specter
11/24/2016 at 14:13
My apologies for the mispelling, Rochelle. I corrected it on my blog 😉
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Surviving the Specter
11/24/2016 at 14:13
Thank you so much, Dale. I appreciate your encouraging words. p.s.-I corrected Rochelle’s name on my blog 😉 Thank you for the heads up, my friend. X
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Dale
11/24/2016 at 15:55
Any time. We’re all here for each other!
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michael1148humphris
11/23/2016 at 16:01
I feel so sad for him, and wonder what drove him to this.
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Surviving the Specter
11/24/2016 at 14:14
Thank you for your thoughts, michael’. It must have been a badly broken heart from a first love.
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rochellewisoff
11/23/2016 at 15:54
Dear Chris,
A hearty welcome to Friday Fictioneers. Powerful take on the prompt. I look forward to reading more from you. Dare I warn you that this exercise in brevity is highly addictive?
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Surviving the Specter
11/24/2016 at 14:15
Thank you for the welcome, Rochelle as well as for the words of encouragement! X
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Iain Kelly
11/23/2016 at 11:45
Great take on the prompt, hope to see you back for more 🙂
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Surviving the Specter
11/23/2016 at 11:45
Thank you for the encouraging words, Iain.
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neilmacdon
11/23/2016 at 11:09
Welcome to Friday Fictioneers
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Surviving the Specter
11/23/2016 at 11:11
Thank you, Neil’!
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Sandra
11/23/2016 at 11:03
Excellent take on the prompt. It’s all in there. And welome!
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Surviving the Specter
11/23/2016 at 11:03
Thank you for your encouragement, Sandra, and also for the welcome.
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Claire Fuller
11/23/2016 at 10:57
Powerful stuff. Welcome to Friday Fictioneers!
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Surviving the Specter
11/23/2016 at 11:02
Thank you so very much, Claire.
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