Lauren had loved the look and feel of Meg’s pearls – week one
……When the holiday finally ended it was hard to return home again, but Lauren knew her father needed her, and so it was promised that a strand of pearls would be brought back for her from Singapore. She waited in anticipation, dreaming of exotic harbours where Meg and the Captain strolled hand in hand, and sat sipping tea in tea shops under colourful umbrellas.
The church bell began to toll in deep, resonating waves calling the faithful to Mass. Lauren thought of Donne’s poem as solemn worshipers entered the sanctuary. For whom is the bell tolling? War had just been declared in Europe. There would be terrible losses to come……
This is an excerpt from : A Canticle for Meg – which is based on a true story. (one of my short stories)
My thanks for your wonderful responses to the story itself!!!
What a lovely shot of the pearls! The lighting is just perfect as well as the fabric underneath. Did you use an auxiliary flash? The story is also moving. And to think it’s true! –Patti
Hi Patti! I didn’t use a flash just my macro lens. The pearls are on top of a beaded bag – wasn’t sure if that would work but it seemed good. Thanks so much for the comment and for reading the story!! ( writing is my first love though I don’t do enough of it).
Beautiful image, Cybele….and I have just read Meg’s Canticle – you are a marvellous storyteller, very rich imagery. This photograph is perfect for the story.
Thanks so much Stacy!! So pleased you like the image – and esp that you read the story!! I loved storytelling all my life but it’s only recently that the muse really prodded me ( and I have more time lol).
Thank you so much Stacey!! I am practicing a bit with macro!! I need to do a lot more! I don’t know what I’m going to do with this image for next week!! lol
Really lovely picture and such a dreamy edit…I like the excerpt of the story but I don’t really have the time to read it right now…I will have to try to remember to do it later! Nice work!
Just a beautiful image of ‘Meg’s Pearls’.. and again your words take me far away to another place.
Meg and Lauren’s story is a sad one – I found myself wanting to sob in places – you truly have a gift. Thanks for sharing x
thank you so much Robyn, I used my macro lens but I need more practice!! I’m so pleased with everyone’s response to the very sad story but I know what you mean. I cried when writing it!! Thank you for such a wonderful compliment!!
Beautiful image, and lovely story. Pearls. I couldn’t wait to be able to get my own strand, and for years they called me so I have a collection. I used to wear them everyday, but I’m wearing less jewelry these days.
Great image. Nice work this week. I’m looking forward to seeing more. I love this image this conjures, “…and sat sipping tea in tea shops under colourful umbrellas.”
Oh, Cybele, what an amazing story. So tragic and yet life continues. It’s wonderful that you have these stories of your ancestors even if they are sad.
It was very difficult to write as it was a family tale and so tragic!! Thank you so much for reading and your comment means a lot to me!! Very encouraging for me to keep writing!!
Oh please do Cybele! I’m an avid reader 🙂 Your style really allows the reader to visualise the subjects and setting which is something I look for in my reading material. Stories based on truth and family are probably the very hardest to write. So very tragic and to never know what led to it happening must have been heartbreaking for all.
Thank you so much Sarah!! You really made my day with such lovely words. I will keep writing. I know I have to work on it!! It was a horribly sad story. It seems we have a lot of them in my family!! but all families have sad stories too.
the runes of the gatekeeper's daughter- dedicated to Nick 
I love these pearls, you captured the light perfectly. There is a reflection of family history here. Beautiful work, Cybele!
LikeLiked by 1 person
so appreciated Lore!! I’m always pleased by a comment from you!!! I hope you like week 2 as well as I’ve tied it all into the story- or tried!
LikeLiked by 1 person
A beautiful story Cybele – tragic, moving but I can feel the hope in there too.
LikeLike
I’m pleased you read it Andrea!! Thank you so much for your comment!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful! Well Done! 😀
LikeLike
🙂 – so pleased and I know you read the story before!!
LikeLike
I remember “A Canticle for Meg”. A touching tale. The war. Meg’s death. Lauren’s pregnancy. One of your first stories I ever read. Nice.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes and you were one of the first to read it!! Thank you Peter!!!
LikeLike
Lovely still life Cyb….I really like the composition and the dreamy feel
LikeLike
thanks so much Mark!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a lovely shot of the pearls! The lighting is just perfect as well as the fabric underneath. Did you use an auxiliary flash? The story is also moving. And to think it’s true! –Patti
LikeLike
Hi Patti! I didn’t use a flash just my macro lens. The pearls are on top of a beaded bag – wasn’t sure if that would work but it seemed good. Thanks so much for the comment and for reading the story!! ( writing is my first love though I don’t do enough of it).
LikeLike
The bag is perfect. It gives the pearls an elegant and old-fashioned look. As for writing…it is a wonderful avocation that we both love!
LikeLiked by 1 person
yes, I am strictly an amateur but the responses to my storytelling have been amazing. I’m a bit overwhelmed by the generosity of the readers!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful image, Cybele….and I have just read Meg’s Canticle – you are a marvellous storyteller, very rich imagery. This photograph is perfect for the story.
LikeLike
I so appreciate your comment Sue!!! Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love the photo, love the short story, Cybele!
LikeLike
Thanks so much Stacy!! So pleased you like the image – and esp that you read the story!! I loved storytelling all my life but it’s only recently that the muse really prodded me ( and I have more time lol).
LikeLiked by 1 person
Three cheers for the muse! I definitely want to read more of your work 🙂
LikeLike
thank you!!!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Cybele a lovely soft image, reflective of the pearls themselves
LikeLike
Thank you so much Stacey!! I am practicing a bit with macro!! I need to do a lot more! I don’t know what I’m going to do with this image for next week!! lol
LikeLike
Really lovely picture and such a dreamy edit…I like the excerpt of the story but I don’t really have the time to read it right now…I will have to try to remember to do it later! Nice work!
LikeLike
Thank you so much sari!!! Do come back and read at your leisure. I would love that!
LikeLike
Just a beautiful image of ‘Meg’s Pearls’.. and again your words take me far away to another place.
Meg and Lauren’s story is a sad one – I found myself wanting to sob in places – you truly have a gift. Thanks for sharing x
LikeLike
thank you so much Robyn, I used my macro lens but I need more practice!! I’m so pleased with everyone’s response to the very sad story but I know what you mean. I cried when writing it!! Thank you for such a wonderful compliment!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Its a beautiful macro as is your story 😃
LikeLike
I am honoured Robyn!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You know those pearls look like they’re laying on an animal’s scales, of course. Nice story starter.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s an excerpt from a longer story I wrote some time ago. Thank you!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful image, and lovely story. Pearls. I couldn’t wait to be able to get my own strand, and for years they called me so I have a collection. I used to wear them everyday, but I’m wearing less jewelry these days.
LikeLike
thank you Deborah!! Yes I don’t wear as much either but I still have these family heirlooms!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your shots are so intriguing to start with you really have me wonder where you can possibly go with them!
LikeLike
I’m wondering too lol!! Thank you Eliza!!
LikeLike
Great image. Nice work this week. I’m looking forward to seeing more. I love this image this conjures, “…and sat sipping tea in tea shops under colourful umbrellas.”
LikeLike
yes, it tells a story! thank you!
LikeLike
Such a sad tale, beautifully written. The picture fits perfectly. I look forward to seeing how you edit it over the next few weeks. 🙂
LikeLike
thanks so much Fairy!! I so appreciate your comment!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, Cybele, what an amazing story. So tragic and yet life continues. It’s wonderful that you have these stories of your ancestors even if they are sad.
LikeLike
Thank you so much Linda!! I’m very pleased you read it!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pearls are so lustrous and these just glow with their gentle colours. I wonder what you will do next, Carrie…
LikeLiked by 1 person
yikes I have no idea at this point!! lol But as soon as I photographed these I thought of the story!
LikeLike
Beautiful image and an intriguing tale!
LikeLiked by 1 person
thank you so much Sarah- if you ever have time the full story is in my story posts.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I just read it! There’s such an elegance to your writing Cybele. What a poignant and emotive story. There are many hidden depths within.
LikeLike
It was very difficult to write as it was a family tale and so tragic!! Thank you so much for reading and your comment means a lot to me!! Very encouraging for me to keep writing!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh please do Cybele! I’m an avid reader 🙂 Your style really allows the reader to visualise the subjects and setting which is something I look for in my reading material. Stories based on truth and family are probably the very hardest to write. So very tragic and to never know what led to it happening must have been heartbreaking for all.
LikeLike
Thank you so much Sarah!! You really made my day with such lovely words. I will keep writing. I know I have to work on it!! It was a horribly sad story. It seems we have a lot of them in my family!! but all families have sad stories too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
They do indeed! Many in my family too. Your story also reminds us of how to look to the future and be hopeful 🙂
LikeLike
yes!!
LikeLiked by 1 person