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Linger

✨A microHERstory✨

By Gina C.Published 3 years ago 1 min read
Image created with Midjourney

"So it happened here, eh?"

"Yes."

"How?"

A scroll was drawn from a satchel and unrolled. The two women studied it.

I watched from my window. During the summer, the dwelling spirits within the tower walls hushed; eager to eavesdrop on tourists.

"Poor soul."

"So young."

I twisted my strawberry trendils; waiting for more.

"That white dress; how innocent!"

"My, how her hand-ladies sobbed."

"Gentle he was; guiding her to her death."

The scroll lowered, revealing a lithograph. I examined from afar; straightening my long, pearly-white gown.

Some details were erroneous; sure.

Mostly, however, the painting divulged why I linger.

"The Execution of Lady Jane Grey" by Paul Delaroche

HistoricalShort Story

About the Creator

Gina C.

Poet | Author | Architect of Worlds

Sowing stories rooted in culture, origin, metamorphosis, resilience, language & love via fantasy, myth, magical realism & botanical prose

Writing my novel!🧚🏻‍♀️🐉✨

Moon Bloom Poetry

Gina C.:writes:.Fantasy

Reader insights

Outstanding

Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!

Top insights

  1. Compelling and original writing

    Creative use of language & vocab

  2. Easy to read and follow

    Well-structured & engaging content

  3. Excellent storytelling

    Original narrative & well developed characters

  1. Expert insights and opinions

    Arguments were carefully researched and presented

  2. Eye opening

    Niche topic & fresh perspectives

  3. Heartfelt and relatable

    The story invoked strong personal emotions

  4. Masterful proofreading

    Zero grammar & spelling mistakes

  5. On-point and relevant

    Writing reflected the title & theme

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Comments (27)

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  • L.C. Schäfer3 years ago

    She is one of my favourite historical figures 😁

  • Thavien Yliaster3 years ago

    I hope it was one simple, clean, swing.

  • Great, I think she does still stay in the tower chapel.

  • Deasun T. Smyth3 years ago

    Great job! I've read history of the English monarchs, but this puts a new spin to the story.

  • Wow! This was very well done! You have an amazing way with words! ❤️❤️

  • Andrei Z.3 years ago

    I really liked it! Great work!

  • Donna Renee3 years ago

    Oh I reaaaaaaally like this one, Gina! 👏👏👏 I wasn’t super familiar with this story but this was fascinating!

  • Dana Crandell3 years ago

    Ooooo, I like it! Great job, Gina!

  • Test3 years ago

    i got hung up a sec on the typo - ekphrastic piece. a fascinating take, Gina. Your writing here is layered and interesting. One has to work a bit. I like this very much.

  • Loryne Andawey3 years ago

    I adore the blend of art history and fiction. Delaroche's masterpiece is both powerful and tragic. Well done!

  • Amazing ✨😉💖

  • Whoaaa, this was soooo amazing. I love HERstorical fiction and you did a fantastic job!

  • Dana Stewart3 years ago

    Great, well executed concept. Your artwork stuns me every time, too!

  • Brannan K.3 years ago

    Excellent job again! Niche topic, and I fear to say I wasn't familiar off-hand. But now know context and re-reading it, I was impressed! Delicate yet powerful!

  • Aphotic3 years ago

    This is so, so good. Very nicely done!

  • Moe Radosevich3 years ago

    Nice one my friend 😊

  • Rob Angeli3 years ago

    This is a fun little version of the story of Lady Jane done by the British children's show Horrible Histories. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gL3wsQII_gc

  • Rob Angeli3 years ago

    Beautiful and evocative, I greatly enjoyed it. Lady Jane Grey was the first Queen of England crowned in her own right, although in the 1100's Mathilda or Empress Maude through her rights as Holy Roman Empress after her husband's death had ruled England grandly. Lady Jane was just a teenager when crowned, and a woman with high education and great possibilities. Unfortunately in the eyes of England and under its laws, the grim Mary Tudor (Bloody Mary) was the rightful heir to the throne. Off with her head!

  • Babs Iverson3 years ago

    Fantastic!!! Loved it!!!💖💖💕

  • And why we continue to linger as well. Herstorically heart-wrenching.

  • Kim Loostrom3 years ago

    Such a great read, I know the challenge was micro-fiction, but I definitely want more!!

  • J. S. Wade3 years ago

    Wow. Artfully horrific and unsettling! 🥰 You have a rare vision with the skills to interpret for the impaired reader to pull us into the scene. Literary critics call it Double vision. Awesome story. ❤️

  • Cathy holmes3 years ago

    Great take on the challenge. Well done.

  • Kelly Robertson3 years ago

    Love your spin on this! Great job!

  • Gal Mux3 years ago

    A very beautiful story and painting

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