Sunday 10 March 2019

Wycombe Writing Workshop March 2019

The six word challenge

BADGER               SETT                       FELL                       HUNT                    CATCHING           
REFUGE
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Pine trees pierced the black silhouette of the night sky. The orchestral lights displayed their brilliance. The fell valley, cloaked in darkness. An owl hooted in the emptiness. An anonymous rustle stole into the undergrowth.
I felt, as, step by step, my feet treading the leaf strewn trail, underneath, Mother Earth, refuge of Nature’s nocturnal nomads.  Briars clutching my jacket.  The terrain turned to assailant, catching me unaware. 

Sounds spooked me. Shadows danced. Sweat beaded my brow.  My boots cloyed with mud, an upturned tree trunk, orphan of last Winter’s storm, announced its blockade. STOP!

Refuge of the night, comfort of cubs, I stumbled into the gaping entrance of badgerdom, refuge of cubs, bringer of day, detritus of bones and fur, the sweet sick odour of upturned Earth, the Sett.
I clawed at branches, brambles, emptiness and hit the ground, a ringing in my ears. Did I hear the piercing wail of a horn, heralding a hunt, dogs braying, barking, bringing an eternal night?

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