SOLITUDE
Posted by anthonynorth on November 19, 2010
Microfiction Monday, ABC Wednesday, more prompts below
Try my Paranormal Flash now!
GURU TONY
Microfiction: As the deer’s head was
mounted on the wall he knew he didn’t
need to fear the horrors in life. Just
the horror writer.
SOLITUDE
Solitude is a strange place. It can be good or bad; desired or imposed.
If bad or imposed, it is a terrible place, yet if good or desired it is a
place where you can know yourself. Yet are you ever alone in solitude?
Clearly we are cut off from the frenzy of society, but alone with
yourself, you can be opened up to the vibes below what we
experience. If a bad place, this can release your demons, but if a good
place, you can be as one with everything. Desired solitude is anything
but lonely.
BRIT NEWS: The Coalition is about
to start officially measuring happiness in
Britain – this from a govt who no one voted for!
It may seem a good idea, but beware – as utilitarianism
showed, put 4 strangers in a boat with food for 3, happiness is
increased by throwing one overboard.
BRIT NEWS: Following Druidism gaining official status, a handbook
has been produced for the Metropolitan Police advising how
to respect the rights of other pagans. I think this is
good but some pagans are suspicious of this.
The way they’ve been treated,
I don’t blame them.
READ WITH MUMMY
The Magazine Post with a gentle hint of horror
One Single Impression
Friday Flash 55 – Writer’s Island
One Shot Wednesday
APPRENTICE
Boo!!!! … Look, why won’t you scream?
This isn’t some kind of silly dream,
You’re awake and I’m a ghost,
I’m not supposed to be scared the most!
Oh well … I guess it’s just a learning curve,
New to this game – I’ll find the nerve
FLASH 55 – FIRST NIGHT
Fiction: The boy sat atop the grave in the dark and was frightened. It
was a new experience but he knew he couldn’t see his mommy any
more. Suddenly an adult appeared, and another. They took his hand. It
was his first night as a ghost, but the others comforted. He’d find
peace in the afterlife.
PEERLESS
All alone, the killing done,
A Devil had been behind that gun,
Only souls exist there now,
The killer taking his final bow,
Peerless, yes, but not for long,
Driven mad by their vengeful song
© Anthony North, 2010
Try my Pictures of Life, a novel
James said
maybe we are never alone as most people think.
anthonynorth said
Hi James,
Yes, I don’t think we are. There’s always plenty of company if we go deep enough into the mind.
brian said
i imagine the first couple days as a ghost could be disconcerting…
anthonynorth said
Hi Brian,
Yes, I would have thought so.
mona said
The deer head fears the horror writer
great!
That 55ve was brillant! The ghost point of view!!
anthonynorth said
Hi Mona,
Many thanks for the kind words
G-Man said
Tony…Your 55 was PERFECT!
We should be so lucky as to find guidance and peace in the afterlife.
Thank you for this wry piece.
And please have a Kick Ass Week-End…G
trisha said
I agree with every word you said about solitude.
anthonynorth said
Hi G-Man,
Thanks for that. Much appreciated.
Hi Trisha,
Many thanks. As for me, I desire it every now and then.
Talon said
I loved “Solitude” – it’s the difference between being alone and being lonely. Beautiful, Anthony.
And I felt so sorry for the little boy, but I’m so glad he has ghost friends. I would hate him to be all alone…
anthonynorth said
Hi Talon,
Many thanks for that.
Alice Audrey said
What a reversal in your 55. I thought he was an orphan rather than a ghost.
anthonynorth said
Hi Alice,
I do like to put a twisty slant on them.
Enchanted Oak said
Wow. Sweet 55, Anthony! I like that idea!
anthonynorth said
Hi Enchanted Oak,
Thanks for that. Glad you liked it.
Claudia said
first night as a ghost…spooky…
Eric said
Aw, poor little ghost, being scared instead of doing the scaring. (But he’ll learn eventually) Nice 55!
Akelamalu said
I’m so glad there were adult ghosts there to look after the little boy.
anthonynorth said
Hi Claudia,
I would imagine it would be.
Hi Eric,
Thanks for that. Yes, I’m sure he will.
Hi Akelamalu,
A good bunch … I understand
Monkey Man said
Very touching 55. I know you are curious….there is a book titled “Spook” by Mary Roach that deals in a rather humorous way with her search for the existitance of an afterlife. You might enjoy it.
Kavita said
Awww… that was a sweet and moving 55..
I am just glad the little boy found some company. I am sure he will be a smart li’l ghost
anthonynorth said
Hi Monkey Man,
Thanks for that. I’ll check it out.
Hi Kavita,
Many thanks. I’m sure he will
vivinfrance said
Loved the solitude poem: I enjoy being alone, and equally enjoy being in company. It’s much less agreeable if the solitude is imposed.
Your 4 men in a boat: would 3 have been happier if they’d eaten the 4th?
Your Peerless poem is peerless. Bravo.
anthonynorth said
Hi Viv,
Thanks for that. I didn’t actually say eat the 4th, but throw him overboard. It is, of course, a philosophical argument. They would stand a better chance of survival, and after years of guilt, they’d forget, so in cold social terms, yes, they’d be happier simply by not being dead.
trisha said
just loved the “apprentice”; poor rookie.
anthonynorth said
Hi Trisha,
Many thanks. He’ll learn
1sojournal said
Frightening to think that taking a life would be far better than getting by with less. And I am one who loves solitude far more than company. The company is nice, but I’m always relieved when they leave. At least most of the time,
Elizabeth
Twilight said
Solitude: It all depends on the soloist! Your piece on the subject reminded me of a TV interview this week with Jim Carey who’s starring in a new movie “I Love You Philip Morris” about a con man doing 144 years in maximum security prison, 23 hours a day in solitary confinement. (He has never killed anybody – embezzled and conned though, and escaped at times.) Carey said that the real life prisoner is so upbeat about his incarceration that it inspired him greatly in being able to portray the oddball character, who is said to have IQ of 163.
How will they measure happiness in Britain, AN? Referendum?
pamela said
Anthony,
Love this write. I also LOVE my solitude. Seems I am always around people, being a teacher that just happens.
Pamela
anthonynorth said
Hi Elizabeth,
Yes, I must admit, as I get older I prefer solitude more and more.
Hi Twilight,
That’s an amazing story. As to increasing happiness? Another election
Hi Pamela,
Thanks for that. Much appreciated.
Reflections said
Yes, peerless are the demons on holds behind the gun…
anthonynorth said
Hi Reflections,
Indeed.
Nanka said
I have just taken up apprenticeship with a ghost and have learnt to say ‘BOO!!’…Now i will have to check my nerves and then the learning graph. Hoping to pass with flying colors!! Enjoyed your fun poem
anthonynorth said
Hi Nanka,
Thanks for that. Good luck
Ramesh Sood said
Ah, God let me be
An Apprentice in Solitude
Let silence guide..
Hope Anthony sir, you will keep on guiding constantly..
anthonynorth said
Hi Ramesh Sood,
Many thanks. Much appreciated.
kimmy said
on SOLITUDE: i think we need to be alone from time to time. it’s not that we loath other people’s presence, it’s just that we want some time for reality check and of course, peace and quiet..
anthonynorth said
Hi Kimmy,
You’ve got it right there.
sandra said
Hola Anthony…love your solitude words…and Apprentice poem as always so fun !!
anthonynorth said
Hi Sandra,
Thanks for that. Much appreciated.
Teresa said
Great ghost theme this week. I love your ghost apprentice!
Mine are here. http://razzamadazzle.wordpress.com/2010/11/20/apprentice/
Sweetest in the Gale said
“Desired solitude is anything but lonely”…so very true! And as always, your clever take on “Apprentice” made me smile. :~)
Bill said
Enjoyed the Microfiction, I guess the deer is immune to further harm now, unless he should happen to fall on Basil’s Head. It is nice to be able to put one in Self Imposed Exile, I like to do it as it lets me think things out. Liked the Flash 55, it could be a scene in the film “The Others”. I did enjoy this Nicole Kidman film. My Microfiction is due to publish in 5 hrs. I kind of got all serious this week. I knew as soon as I saw the picture I’d be having problems with it.
anthonynorth said
Hi Teresa,
Thanks for that.
Hi Sweetest In The Gale,
Many thanks. glad you liked it.
Hi Bill,
Thank you. Yes, that solitude is so important.
Tumblewords said
Not easy to be an apprentice ghost! Nifty little poem!
anthonynorth said
Hi Tumblewords,
Thanks for that.
I would think not
naquillity said
hello Anthony~ sorry for my absence (been sick, anemia). feeling better now though.
Solitude… that last line says it all. Fright Night was a little sad but had a great ending. Good to know he found some guidance into the afterlife.
hope all is well.
Pat said
Your microfiction made me laugh with its quirky ending.
SandyCarlson said
I so like your Apprentice poem. I smile and nod and say thank you. The virtual world is not always quite enough. But it is good. Thank you for sharing your gifts.
Tammie said
your ghost piece is very clever and fun, thank you.
Amity said
Ha ha ha…funny apprentice take Anthony…
anthonynorth said
Hi Naquillity,
Thanks for that. And good to see you back.
Hi Pat,
Many thanks. Much appreciated
Hi Sandy,
Thank you. Very kind words.
Hi Tammie,
Glad you liked it. Many thanks
Hi Amity,
Thanks for that
Elephant Small said
Hi Anthony, been walkabout … again. Good to be back visiting your blog! Excellent post – as ever!
anthonynorth said
Hi Stan,
Thanks for that. Good to hear from you again.
Kelley Westenhoff said
At least the deer has a place at the top…
Re: druidism…at least 20 years ago I was called in as a defense counsel to advise a young Air Force man about his request for leave to worship on the winter solstice. He was a good airman, and his first sergeant knew enough to protect him by sending him to me for counsel. As a Christian I was really taken aback by what he believed, but I did agree that he had a right to believe whatever he wanted. So I just told him that when he asked for a day off in the duty roster, he didn’t really need to give his reasons as the only reason anyone cared was if he made it an issue. He insisted on making it “the” issue with some pretty ugly confrontation on his part though and things spun out of control pretty quickly. It was just a foretaste of the ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ issue. Sigh.
trisha said
i cant imagine a life without solitude at a regular interval. i will choke most probably.
Peggy said
Anthony;
I gotta say your MF was so clever it made me LOL with the twist.
Very very nice.
Jim said
I like your µ-fiction, Anthony. There’s a lot written about those mounted deer heads going round lately, especially in the fiction market.
..
anthonynorth said
Hi Kelley,
That’s an interesting case. If you truly believe something, it is right to stand up and be counted. Sadly, too many organisations haven’t got the guts to appreciate that.
Hi Trisha,
Yes, it’s so important.
Hi Peggy,
Thanks for that. Much appreciated.
Hi Jim,
Many thanks. There seems to be, yes.
gautami tripathy said
Pleasure to read you. As always..
glittering gloom
anthonynorth said
Hi Gautami,
Thanks for that. Very kind.
Akelamalu said
A horror writer could come up with something really scary about a mounted deer head for sure!
anthonynorth said
Hi Akelamalu,
I’ll work on it
Sylvia Kirkwood said
Sorry I’m so late getting here, but what a great laugh now that I’m here!! I love it and it’s quirky ending! Thanks for a great start to my day, Anthony! Hope your week goes well!
Sylvia
Sylvia Morice said
Oh–the horrors of ‘horror writers’…the poor thing will never be free now! Thanks for the chuckle this week. Cheers!
anthonynorth said
Hi Sylvia,
Thanks for that. Much appreciated.
Hi Sylvia,
Many thanks. Nope, horror writers can certainly be horrific.
David said
Interesting take on the Microfiction Monday! I often wonder what mysteries lurk in the dark nooks and crannies of the brains of writers like Stephen King et. al.
EG Wow, Canada said
Maybe we should ALL fear the horror writer.
Jim said
Good Anthony, that poor apprentice. This happens to me sometimes.
Nobody jumps when I try to scare them. I’m not an apprentice anymore.
My luck may have run out.
..
anthonynorth said
Hi David,
Well, I’ve written quite a lot of horror myself, and it’s a strange place.
Hi EG Wow,
Yes, we can write the reader to death
Hi Jim,
I’m sure it hasn’t.
Michael G-G said
Nice twist in the tail/tale of your Microfiction!
Have a great week.
anthonynorth said
Hi Michael,
Thanks for that. Glad you liked it.
trisha said
to me its a must. i need some time to sort out my thoughts and other things.
this time your posts were of a different taste, sweet and funny. loved quite a lot of them very much.
anthonynorth said
Hi Trisha,
Thanks for that. Much appreciated.
Sylvia Kirkwood said
I have never been one to complain about solitude. I do enjoy people and being active, but for me solitude is a necessity of life! Great post for the S Day as always, Anthony! Enjoy the rest of your week!
Sylvia
Reader Wil said
“Desired solitude is anything
but lonely.” Loneliness, solitude, being alone and being lonesome. All these words are connected. Could you tell me the difference? Anyway it’s a great post as usual, Anthony!
anthonynorth said
Hi Sylvia,
Thanks for that. Yes, that’s how I see it.
Hi Reader Wil,
I suppose solitude is a situation you’re in, whereas loneliness is how you can feel about it. Similarly, you can be lonely in a crowd.
Kay Davies said
Re: solitude. I have lived alone at various stages of my life. When I was younger, I used to get what I called “the screaming lonelies” but when I was older, I cherished the peace. Now I’m married and, when my husband travels on business, I am quite content to live alone again for a while…the best of both worlds, in some ways.
Thanks for getting me thinking!
– K
Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie’s Guide to Adventurous Travel
anthonynorth said
Hi Kay,
Thanks for that. Yes, I, too, was not for solitude in my younger days, but crave it now.
Roger Green said
I LOVE desired solitude; doesn’t happen NEARLY often enough.
ROG, ABC Wednesday team.
Rajlakshmi said
loved the microfictions
enjoyed reading 
anthonynorth said
Hi Roger,
Yes, when it’s needed it’s needed.
Hi Rajlakshmi,
Thanks for that. Much appreciated.
Tumblewords said
I rarely find solitude to be a lonely place – love your take on this topic!
EG Wow, Canada said
Personally, I very much like solitude.
anthonynorth said
Hi Tumblewords,
Thanks for that. People certainly react to it differently.
Hi EG Wow,
Yes, me too, at times.
ladynimue said
You write well of solitude .. relate to the last line there
And as always i admire your 55 fiction !
anthonynorth said
Hi Nimue,
Thanks for that. Much appreciated.
ladynimue said
Try gogyohka some time !! you will rock it
brian said
violence breeds violence breeds…
Emmanuel Ibok said
As always, I enjoyed every bit of this…I can’t even prefer one aspect to the other…they are all magnificent. “First night” gave me some sort of inspiration…might write something about it. I enjoyed this, I must say once more.
Cheers!
suzicate said
You’re right, desired solitude is anything but lonely. There is a big difference between being lonely and being alone. Great post today!
signed .............bkm said
Love reading with Mummy….I wonderful if getting used to the afterlife, takes as much time as getting used to the after birth part….bkm
Reader Wil said
Thank you Anthony. I often like to be alone in the house, not feeling lonely, and I often felt lonely at parties of the “wrong”crowd.
Kavita said
This kinda horror, I can take (or so I think)
But now, what I am really thinking is, whose horror is it after all? I am guessing, the ghost’s… poor chap! 
Nice one, Anthony!
anthonynorth said
Hi Brian,
It does indeed.
Hi Emmanuel,
Many thanks for the kind words.
Hi Suzicate,
Many thanks. Yes, that’s how I see it.
Hi Bkm,
Thanks for that. I suspect it would be.
Hi Reader Wil,
Yes, a wrong crowd can be a lonely place indeed.
Hi Kavita,
I think you could be right.
pete marshall said
spot on about solitude and druidism……yes i kinda of thought it strange that they are preparing to waste more money on measuring the size of my smile whereby they are funding it through cutting my housing benefit and putting my childrens future at risk…oh well maybe i should look more misearble…….as always good points…Pete
anthonynorth said
Hi Pete,
Thanks for that. Don’t go miserable, though. That means they’ve won
zephyr said
You have rounded up a fine collection of ghosts — one a rookie and the other a child. Both will learn eventually
Instead of trying to measure happiness, govenemnts would do well to provide enough jobs and financial stability to their citizens so that there is no need to measure how happy they are.
trisha said
couldnot resist the temptation of posting the 100th comment.
came here looking for the fresh post.
anthonynorth said
Hi Zephyr,
Yes, it would help.
Hi Trisha,
Thanks for that. Next post on Friday.
Chris G. said
Even in quiet, I would be hard-pressed to say we are ever really alone…so ingrained in the world, in society, as pieces of the puzzle, I think it’s hard to escape entirely.
And that was such a sad Flash 55! Nice lead-in, though–made us see a boy weeping for a dead mother, only to realize that it is in fact the child who has gone. Tragic – but at least in the arms of his fellow spirits, perhaps he’ll find some rest.
As to the Druidism…well…yes, they have gotten shafted a bit over the course of history now haven’t they?
anthonynorth said
Hi Chris,
Thanks for that. Yes, I do a sad one now and again. And you’re right about the Druids.
Claudia said
..driven mad by their vengeful song..spooky..
anthonynorth said
Hi Claudia,
It is indeed.
KB said
Lovin your MM…oh dear.
anthonynorth said
Hi KB,
Thanks for that
trisha said
Happy Thanksgiving! It was wednesday earlier, i have missed some posts in the middle i believe. sometimes i go hibernating.
anthonynorth said
Hi Trisha,
Thanks for that. I could do with some of that myself
Shashi said
You are a good writer of blogs, so many things to read and your Verse is so beautiful. I can relate to th loneliness…
Thanks for sharing…
ॐ नमः शिवाय
Om Namah Shivaya
Twitter: @VerseEveryDay
Blog: http://shadowdancingwithmind.blogspot.com
anthonynorth said
Hi Shashi,
Many thanks for the kind words. Much appreciated.
Curtis said
Guru Tony is hilarious. It is amazing how horror writers come up with their stuff as long as they don’t go into slasher territory.
anthonynorth said
Hi Curtis,
Thanks for that. I don’t like slasher stuff either. And I couldn’t write it – not with my eyes closed
Ana said
And I who thought that only Romanian witches became official (for tax purposes). Of course they had not the idea yet to claim it is religious practice and file a tax-exemption (and I assume it will not hold anyways).
Anthony North said
Hi Ana, it’s all to do with achieving charitable status as an organisation – that’s how Druids did it.