Sunday Scribblings, "Shame"

The prompt over at Sunday Scribblings is “shame.”

“I read once that there's only one emotion that is just as powerful in recollection as it is on the spot. You know, when you remember an instance of being happy or sad, you don't re-experience the full happiness or sadness you were feeling then, but when you remember feeling shame, you have a physical reaction and it's just as powerful as when it was fresh. Crazy.
“So, write something about shame.”

Shame
The battlefield is eerily quiet. A mix of fog and smoke from smoldering spot blazes hovers over the broken, scarred earth. Nothing stirs, anymore not even the boys who just 15 minutes before lay bloodied and dying, calling for their mothers or their God.
He crawled from beneath a pile of death, uninjured. Hidden from view from the foxhole he dug the previous evening, and then refused to leave.
Ditching his weapon he stood weeping.
His shame a wet spot on his BDUs.

Comments

quin browne said…
thom... you haven't lost a single bit of your talent.

nice, well done, tight, intense...

i can go on if you'd like.
Tumblewords: said…
Powerful take on the prompt and well written, as always. Terrific read.
linda may said…
The heat of the battle would do that to many, most, but he is a survivor.
I like the direction you have taken on this prompt.
George S Batty said…
nice take..well written and powerful.. a message few will understand
Dee Martin said…
harsh and strong - this was powerful. didn't go where I thought. I immediately jumped to war being shameful (which it is)
b said…
The perfect description of cowardice...the most shameful act of all.

Thank you.

b
April said…
Stop by my blog, you've received One Lovely Blog Award
Daily Panic said…
powerful. cauptured the emotion well.
A Girl Named Me said…
Well-written. A bit of a different take.

xo
PS the Pratsie said…
a worthy read as usual !!
and you never let your readers down :)

Shame on me

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