Starry Night

50-word story from a Fifties by the Fire prompt

Created on Midjourney

Stars twinkled above Gail’s head, oblivious to her grief. As a child, she had wished on them, desiring change.

Tonight, sitting on the old porch swing, content to just watch them, she understood the universe would unfold as it would, her loss, her life, a mere speck in the cosmos.

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This story was written in response to a prompt from Justin Deming in Fifties by the Fire. The prompt asked the writer to “Write a fifty-word story (fiction, poem, or work of CNF) incorporating stars, a starry night, or a constellation.”

As usual, I was late to write a story for the prompt and so you won’t see mine with the other responses. You can follow the link above to read all of the great submissions, though!

I’ve been doing a lot of thinking recently about the concept of acceptance. We really do have no significant impact on how the universe unfolds, and, if we’re honest, with what happens in our own world.

That isn’t to suggest that we should complacently put up with everything that happens, no matter how heinous. But acceptance of what is provides a sane, balanced place from which to begin trying to enact change. It’s merely the acknowledgement of whatever already lies in front of us. May we all find acceptance, but may we never become complacent.