What can I say? The creative juices, they were a’flowin! So depending on whether you like verse or story or naught, read either or neither, with many thanks to our Friday Fictioneer hostess, Rochelle, who has kept us as a band of brothers and sisters in service to the muse the outgoing year through. Happy New Year and blessings to all! ❤️


Written for Rochelle's Friday Fictioneers Genre: Dystopic Fiction and Poetry Word count: 100 words PHOTO PROMPT © Na’ama Yehuda Click on the frog and join the party!
The Dais of Gadolfo
When Ella awoke, she found herself lying full-length staring upwards at a fleecy caravan of clouds.
How had she gotten here?
“You have offended the Great Ones,” a voice intoned from the tower above her.
“Great Ones?”
“Citibank. Chase. Goldman Sachs. Amazon. Facebook. Twitter. Google. Netflix. Must I go on?”
“No. Please. I’ll reopen my accounts!”
She attempted to rise but found herself tied to stakes on a stone table.
The Dais of Gadolfo!
The Great Ones were making an example of her like the others for the world to see.
Above her, Gadolfo, a surgically-armed camera drone, slowly descended.

Out of the Curse, a Promise
The old year’s streaking past us
Her tattered skirts raised high
There’s a trail of desolation
She’s in a hurry to get by.
Shops closed never to reopen
Livelihoods destroyed
Hosts of unsavory creatures
Circle over what’s bespoiled.
You can’t blame it all on Covid
But the contagion in human hearts
Stirring greed, cowardice, hatred
Like a cesspool of primeval rot.
This year’s humbling lesson
Shows how little we’ve progressed
The world still needs a Savior
And the heart his cleansing blood.
Looking up at clouds unfettered
High above Babel’s towers
A glimpse of lovingkindness
A promise of healing showers.
I liked the story.
And the ‘tattered skirts’.
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Thanks, C.E. It’s hard being 2020: may her sisters fare better.
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Both were great, Isadora! I was just thinking about you today as I was sitting down to crochet on a “Crochet along 2020” afghan. I stopped an said a prayer and a hope that all was well with you and your family. Happy New Year! 🙂 ❤
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That touches my heart so, Bear! Thank you. Everything is well enough as I hope it is with you. We live by the mercy of God, and that’s a great thing, because his mercy never ends. Happy New Year, my friend! 🥰❤️
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Amen. Reminding myself frequently who is in control! 🙂 ❤
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So that’s what happens if I close my facebook account? Yikes
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You’ve been warned! 🙂
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Yeek, I shall open more accounts immediately in case they decide I’m “under quota” 🙂
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Got to get with the program! 🙂
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A good allegory. We’re already seeing the undesirable (probably unintentional) consequences of so much power being concentrated in so few hands.
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In reality I think we are. Men and women have never been exemplary at wielding unrestrained power.
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Scary story that illustrates the power of financial institutions over every aspect of our lives.
And a neat poem. Happy 2021 to you!
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It has gotten more scary somehow. Thank you so much, Liz! Have a wonderful 2021! 🙂
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The story was chilling; the poem more hopeful. Both, very well-written.
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Thank you so much, Linda! 🙂
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A scary story and a poem with a ray of hope in its final few words. Here’s to a happier New Year!
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Amen to that! 🙂
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Dear Dora,
I would be hard pressed to chose between the two pieces. Both had a most excellent messages. Loved your reading of the poem. Applause!
Shalom and Happy New Year,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
You’re a sweetheart and I thank you for your kind words! May the new year bring you many blessings.
Aleichem shalom,
Dora
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i guess it’s time to account for her transgressions. i like the poem better. happy holidays!
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Thanks, Plaridel. Happy holidays and blessings in the new year!
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I see the shadow in the story and the light in the poem. Complementary set that works so well together.
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I love your insights, Lisa, especially when they work in my favor! Thank you! 💖
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You’re most welcome 🙂
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