Earth Magic (100 Word Challenge for Grown Ups)

This week’s prompt over at Julia’s Place is the following picture. It seems to me to come from the land of the Storyteller, so here goes. Please check out some of the other contributors at Julia’s Place.

“You must learn the earth magic,” the ancient crone said. “Use your vision to reach deep into the earth and use its bounty to create.” At first I saw only darkness, but then I saw myself moving through the soil smelling the richness of the earth, seeking out the buried roots of the tree lying dead next to us. They still thirsted for water, but had no way to drink.  I eased the roots up, out of the ground, to find new meaning. Their rugged dryness creaked and groaned, twisting together to become the image of life and power.

36 Comments (+add yours?)

  1. Life in the Boomer Lane
    Mar 06, 2012 @ 08:53:18

    Good one!

    Reply

  2. Stuart Nager
    Mar 06, 2012 @ 11:30:50

    Nice take on the challenge. I really like where you took this, Lisa.

    Reply

  3. Kathryn McCullough
    Mar 06, 2012 @ 12:06:35

    Well done, my friend!
    Hugs,
    Kathy

    Reply

  4. Judee
    Mar 06, 2012 @ 13:00:35

    Interesting take on the prompt, I thought of roots when I looked at the picture, but didn’t know how to put it together. This is magical.

    Reply

  5. Gilly Gee
    Mar 06, 2012 @ 13:22:38

    Original, and lovely imagery!

    Reply

  6. thegolfbandit
    Mar 06, 2012 @ 13:50:30

    Love it, Lord of the Rings popped into my head when reading this – great effort!

    Reply

  7. benzeknees
    Mar 06, 2012 @ 15:07:30

    Really beautiful Lisa. Your words paint beautiful pictures for our minds to embrace.

    Reply

    • Lisa Wields Words
      Mar 06, 2012 @ 15:38:54

      I always feel that my weakest element of writing is creating pictures, so your words are extra encouraging right now as I venture into trying to write more fiction. Thank you for that.

      Reply

  8. annahalford (@anhalf)
    Mar 06, 2012 @ 15:09:58

    Loving the magical feel of this- it worked very well. The image of this forming by itself under a spell is beautifully executed. Well written.

    Reply

  9. Kathy
    Mar 06, 2012 @ 15:35:38

    Lisa, your words are earth magic themselves. I can feel the words sprouting through any hard soil that keeps us from embracing life and power. Your words nourish the soul.

    Reply

  10. Rossandra White
    Mar 06, 2012 @ 17:00:36

    This piece perfectly illustrates the word painting a dear friend, since departed, painted for me: Idealize Visualize Realize. I have it hanging right in front of me in my studio where I write. Thank you.

    Reply

  11. Sally-Jayne
    Mar 06, 2012 @ 17:15:57

    Love the way you took magic and mysticism and kept it grounded. Really nicely done.

    Reply

  12. Rossandra White
    Mar 06, 2012 @ 18:29:42

    Hi Lisa, Just stopped by to tell you I’ve nominated you for a Versatile Blogger Award over on my blog..Have fun!

    Reply

  13. ventahl
    Mar 06, 2012 @ 19:36:35

    Roots struck me as well but I couldn’t quite work it into a story so I went a different way. You seemed to have cracked it, though. Terrific!

    Reply

  14. Lunar Euphoria
    Mar 06, 2012 @ 21:06:50

    Oooh! What a compelling image! Both the picture and the words.

    Reply

  15. Alison Green
    Mar 07, 2012 @ 16:31:42

    Love the roots. I can imagine the horse emerging. Super writing.

    Reply

  16. Writing from the Edge
    Mar 08, 2012 @ 13:45:09

    I love all the magic out there this week! You’ve painted such a graphic picture in so few words. Well done! I could hear the roots groaning and taking shape.
    Where is this ancient crone? Might pop along and see her myself…

    Reply

  17. Barbarann Ayars
    Mar 08, 2012 @ 15:44:25

    HELP! At someone else’s site I somehow disconnected you from my email! Please, put me back! I clicked the line at the bottom here and hope that will do it!

    Reply

  18. susankmann
    Mar 09, 2012 @ 12:12:41

    A lovely magical tale x

    Reply

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