98 words. Thank you, Rochelle ( http://rochellewisofffields.wordpress.com/ ) for another excellent photo prompt! I hope you enjoy this week’s submission! More poetry than prose, but seriously deep.
Copyright -B. W. Beacham
Every year,
we come.
the scene the same.
we stare across to the white poles on the opposite shore.
Father would watch the execution ceremonies, watch the old ones die.
we stood and watched them led out, chained up, silent.
the scene the same.
Every year,
we come.
This year,
we come.
the scene the same.
we stare across to the people on the opposite shore.
You watch the execution ceremony, watch the old ones die.
we stand silent before we’re lead out, chained up.
the scene is the same.
This year,
we came.
Next year,
you come.
Life from the Garden Wall 
May 09, 2014 @ 13:40:11
Interesting poetry with shades of darkness. A cycle of executions of the older people, possibly a forced circle of life.
May 09, 2014 @ 18:26:26
Ever seen the movie “Logan’s Run” with it’s infamous “Carousel”…
May 09, 2014 @ 13:58:31
This was definitely a very interesting piece – certainly a new way/perspective of considering this prompt. It’s well written and leaves me with questions and all kinds of speculations – which I just love – rather haunting.
May 09, 2014 @ 16:15:58
So haunting. I want to know more about this community. Good Job
May 09, 2014 @ 18:23:36
Somehow, I knew you’d like this. What an evil community it would be, too. I was thinking about the old, old movie “Logan’s Run” when I was writing it.
May 09, 2014 @ 17:04:57
Gotta make room for all those babies, you know. Out with the old and in with the new.
Great Fictioneering.
May 09, 2014 @ 18:24:55
LOL! Population control… we don’t have to worry about the expenses of Elder care anymore, eh? (spoken sarcastically). I worked Elder care for over 20 yrs and loved every last second of it! 🙂
May 09, 2014 @ 18:19:41
Ooh, I enjoyed that. I can imagine the ones watching, knowing it would be them one day, then the way you switched as the watcher ages and becomes a “participant” – very good!
May 09, 2014 @ 18:25:27
Thanks! I thought it a cruel twist. 100 words, sooo limiting.
May 09, 2014 @ 20:14:31
Yeah, it’s Logan’s Run, all right, but better! Uh-oh, think they’re coming for me …
May 09, 2014 @ 20:24:43
Better run!
May 09, 2014 @ 20:15:31
I guess that’s what happens when you get old enough to qualify for social security benefits. It pays to stay young as long as possible.
May 09, 2014 @ 20:25:07
LOL! Isn’t it the truth! 🙂
May 09, 2014 @ 20:26:16
It sounds like next year, it will be their turn to die. Chilling piece.
May 10, 2014 @ 01:23:38
love this take! very dark yet satisfying…
May 10, 2014 @ 09:23:51
Dear Faith,
This sent serious chills down my spine, especially after you mentioned Logan’s Run.
They haven’t started executing us physically but in corporate America if you’re over 50 and make more than your younger coworkers, they start looking for reasons to get rid of you.
Good one.
Shalom,
Rochelle
May 11, 2014 @ 16:22:16
I will need to watch Logan’s Run. Seems sad they would actually kill the old people. On the other hand, some ancient societies expected the old ones to just walk away and lighten the load for everyone. Good read, thanks.
May 12, 2014 @ 12:27:26
In the Dine’ (Navajo) Nation, the old traditionalists will still walk out into the desert to die. They do so out of fear of the Chindi ( the spirit of a person that remains earthbound after death and brings bad things to pass) and a desire to protect their families.
After you watch the movie, stop and think about what it’s saying… it will blow your mind.
May 11, 2014 @ 17:49:15
I also haven’t seen “Logan’s Run” but you set this up very well, with the verses mirroring each other and continuing from one to the other. Of course the story was good, too. 🙂
janet
May 12, 2014 @ 12:28:36
Thanks! 🙂 I found an error of word usage in the mirror, but I just can’t bring myself to edit it at the moment.
May 12, 2014 @ 11:30:19
Faith, Good story and well written. 🙂 As I remember, the “old” ones in “Logan’s Run” were only about 30 years of age. That’s really scary.
Le’ts hope it “never” comes to that.
Susan
May 12, 2014 @ 12:29:21
Agreed, but the lesson is taught all the same.. that life is valuable and important… ALL life!