'Spalted' by F. E. Clark, 2014
Seeking Yesterday
The ravages could be shored up no more. Soft light and distance failed to conceal what she had fretted and fought against for decades.
She screamed for the alchemist, the surgeon, thrusting plastic and promises. On a desperate quest she sent them: the colostrum of the great white beast, heart of a unicorn, eye of a condor.
A year and a day they were away, adventuring far.
While she cowered in her ivory tower, alone in shame, shielded from the world and its fearsome sun. Starving for the past.
They returned to find her desiccated corpse. Light as a butterfly.
Many had thought she had passed long since. They covered her face in the coffin, talked of the beauty of her youth.
*
She screamed for the alchemist, the surgeon, thrusting plastic and promises. On a desperate quest she sent them: the colostrum of the great white beast, heart of a unicorn, eye of a condor.
A year and a day they were away, adventuring far.
While she cowered in her ivory tower, alone in shame, shielded from the world and its fearsome sun. Starving for the past.
They returned to find her desiccated corpse. Light as a butterfly.
Many had thought she had passed long since. They covered her face in the coffin, talked of the beauty of her youth.
*
Really chuffed to receive an honorable mention for this flash story - which was my response to Flash! Friday's Vol 3 - 45 challenge - you can read the judges' comments and about the other winners here. This is particularly lovely for me as this is the first time I have had any rating in this weekly contest.
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