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The Picture on the Parlor Wall

I’m followed by two eyes that gaze out from the picture on the parlor wall. Those eyes! If they were real, I think I would feel numb to know from nowhere I had seen arise a monster from the dirt that was the grave of my great-grandfather; his photograph conveys he was a Scrooge that barely gave a care for family or for his staff. Infamous was he; arrogant as well (as we’ve been told by Grandma). She would know! His eldest, she will swear he’s gone to hell. Her reasons she recites to us blow-by-blow. The picture won’t come down, for in his will, that was his requirement. He rules her still!

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Sam Kauffman

Date: 10/21/2024 10:29:00 AM

Great ending, Andrea! What a picture you paint of an ego out of control, mean spirited and "arrogant!" So well done. Congratulations on your win. Maybe the picture could be covered with a sheet! Blessings.

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 10/21/2024 3:39:00 PM

Hey good idea. Or covered with another picture. Unless he was clever enough to state it had to be clearly seen. Haha

Paige Hind

Date: 10/10/2024 5:01:00 PM

Ha, interesting! But I wonder...who would want to be remembered at all like for that? :/

Darlene De Beaulieu

Date: 10/1/2024 3:28:00 PM

Hellol Andrea, She should take the peicture down. He can not rule her because he has passed. Hugs. /Darlene/

Darlene De Beaulieu
Date: 10/5/2024 3:40:00 PM

Hello Andrea, oh, I like that line. You should have added it in . Hugs. /Darlene/

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 10/2/2024 8:35:00 AM

I wasn't able to fit it into the sonnet, but I wanted to say that he was haunting her like a ghost. haha

John Read

Date: 10/1/2024 11:37:00 AM

Hi Andrea, great grandfather sounds like a real charmer, I'd turn the picture around to face the wall.

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 10/1/2024 12:59:00 PM

good idea haha

Paula Goldsmith

Date: 10/1/2024 11:07:00 AM

I enjoyed reading your wonderful write/story. Pictures can say so much. "Good Luck" We both did this one... Have a blessed day writing away...............

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 10/1/2024 1:00:00 PM

no clue if this can win, but oh well!! Thanks, Paula

Hiya Sharma

Date: 10/1/2024 7:23:00 AM

Wow, this is quite profound and deeply impactful, dear Andrea! I really like what you've done with the contest and the way you interpreted it to narrate a moving history behind the picture.. Your choice of the poetry form, sonnet, it's absolutely phenomenal as it feels so effortless to read and reflects how well you've mastered this art. "I had seen arise a monster from the dirt that was the grave" Impeccable descriptions that give the reader a very live feel of what you've portrayed here. Best of luck for the contest!

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 10/1/2024 10:51:00 AM

I don't know if it's profound, but thanks for your nice comment. I do love writing sonnets and probably have written 800 of them by now!

Ink Empress

Date: 10/1/2024 7:06:00 AM

Oh this is quite a creative and unique take on this prompt dear sweet andrea! And your sonnet as always flows so well! I love how you’ve written and described about your great grandfather. I wrote for the prompt too but very different to what youv written here! I especially love the lines “ If they were real, I think I would feel numb to know from nowhere I had seen arise a monster from the dirt that was the grave” brilliant and powerful! Best wishes for the contest! Sending you light always

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 10/1/2024 10:51:00 AM

yes, I am sure it's nothing like yours, Ink. Let me see yours right now!