The state of decay emanating from the ancient boggy land within the swamp was overwhelming. There is nothing so pungent as the odor of old earth. This swamp has seen the turn of the eons from time immemorial and has experienced the best and worst existence has to offer.
The old man reached out his weathered and crooked fingers towards the young boy’s hand to lead him deeper into the swamp that lay on the edge of their family land. Today would mark the beginning of an education one can only find deep in the heart of such a dark and dismal location. The mosquitos buzzed about his head whispering wary warnings to him but he couldn’t fathom the things he would see and live in just a few short hours.
Step by step they inched further through the soggy moss of the land masses that dot the tepid water of the swamp and with each step the ancient moisture seeped a bit deeper into their shoes… their socks….their souls. The clearing seemed to appear out of the ether and a formidable wood and earthen altar loomed before them.
—
This was my first attempt at the #freewrite challenge hosted by @mariannewest. It was exciting to furiously pound away at the keyboard knowing at any moment the timer could expire and cast your creative thoughts to the void. This free write was in response to this prompt.
—
Originally published on steemit
—
◊♦◊
Here are more ways to become a part of The Good Men Project community:
Request to join our private Facebook Group for Writers—it’s like our virtual newsroom where you connect with editors and other writers about issues and ideas.
Click here to become a Premium Member of The Good Men Project Community. Have access to these benefits:
- Get access to an exclusive “Members Only” Group on Facebook
- Join our Social Interest Groups—weekly calls about topics of interest in today’s world
- View the website with no ads
- Get free access to classes, workshops, and exclusive events
- Be invited to an exclusive weekly “Call with the Publisher” with other Premium Members
- Commenting badge.
Are you stuck on what to write? Sign up for our Writing Prompts emails, you’ll get ideas directly from our editors every Monday and Thursday. If you already have a final draft, then click below to send your post through our submission system.
If you are already working with an editor at GMP, please be sure to name that person. If you are not currently working with a GMP editor, one will be assigned to you.
◊♦◊
Are you a first-time contributor to The Good Men Project? Submit here:
◊♦◊
Have you contributed before and have a Submittable account? Use our Quick Submit link here:
◊♦◊
Do you have previously published work that you would like to syndicate on The Good Men Project? Click here:
◊♦◊
We have pioneered the largest worldwide conversation about what it means to be a good man in the 21st century. Your support of our work is inspiring and invaluable.
—
Photo credit: Shutterstock ID 753298579