Postcard from Paris
A Microfiction
I never was good at math, but I sure could count well enough. And you taught me that it takes one hundred pennies to make a dollar.
I also remember the first time I saw that magazine picture. The one of the Eiffel Tower. I'd never seen anything so lovely, hadn't even dared to dream something so beautiful. I asked you how much money it would take to travel that far. You said it would take a whole lot of pennies.
I finally saved enough. I'm sorry it took so long, but I'll be sure to send a postcard from Paris to heaven.
Author's Note: Had to publish twice today, but I made it! I've got 99 stories and a challenge to come!
Update: Challenge is on! And this micro is one of my example entries! Check out the details in the sort linked below.
About the Creator
D.K. Shepard
Character Crafter, Witty Banter Enthusiast, World Builder, Unpublished novelist...for now
Fantasy is where I thrive, but I like to experiment with genres for my short stories. Currently employed as a teacher in Louisville.
Reader insights
Outstanding
Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!
Top insights
Excellent storytelling
Original narrative & well developed characters
Heartfelt and relatable
The story invoked strong personal emotions
On-point and relevant
Writing reflected the title & theme
Keep reading
More stories from D.K. Shepard and writers in Fiction and other communities.
The Puppet Master
“Right this way, sir.” Mayor Calvin Greene followed the hostess to the private back room of the sushi restaurant. The room was dimly lit with no windows, so even though it was only late afternoon the darkness gave the illusion of a later hour. A more appropriate time for monsters to emerge.
By D.K. Shepardabout a year ago in Fiction
Letters to ada
Letter I – From Layth to Ada Void, beyond the 22nd century My Dearest Ada, Your eyes... velvet that dissolves the last remnants of my coldness. I was an extinguished ember, until your radiance moistened me like a river-child bending over an ancient thirst in my chest. You blinked—and all of Time leaned toward my mouth. A redness upon your lips touched my fissures, and I softened... I, whom stones never softened. Your iris was my window and my mirror: a core that illuminates and desiccates what remained of my cold soul. I whisper to you a gesture of containment, and I dissolve in Time, even though I was frozen beneath the anesthesia of heavy smoke from a cigarette that keeps the night awake in my blood. I hid a poet in an old box—I feared that if he saw you, the world around me would be disturbed... but your wide lashes excavated the box and awakened what had died before you. You approached... and in the silence of night you were like a thread of light passing over my heart. I saw sorrow wrapped around your white shawl, its yellowness faded as if traces of a day that continued to extinguish. I said to you in a whisper, my voice sagging between fear and wonder: Will you entwine your hand in mine, and shall we slip together to the bottom of Time... without fear? You smiled, and the universe slackened around me, as if the warmth of your fingers was all that remained of the world. And you were asking in silence: “Where is your place within my embrace?” And I, in whose throat the sword of silence had been planted, found myself choosing you before I could speak. Black were your eyes, yet they kindled a daylight within me. And for the first time... O you of the two eyes, I felt that I was luminous.
By LUCCIAN LAYTHa day ago in Fiction
Comments (12)
What a wonderful micro!!
pardon my acronym but ffs DK this is perfect! I agree with Matthew its one of your best! beautiful prose with a gutpunch poignancy that didnt feel forced by the word count! sublime!
Beautiful microfiction - I enjoyed it.
What a poignant story… excellent exemplar for your challenge ✅.
Great job! That was clever!💫
This was so sweet, with a touch of sadness at the end. Beautiful work.
I loved this prose DK, it was sweet and sad but beautiful!! Also, very excited about your challenge!! 😁
A glimpse of a disciplined dreamer's adventures. Charming!
Awww. So sweet and so sad! Loved your postcard to heaven, DK!
So sweetly sad! Well done!
Oof. I can't believe that hit so hard in so few words. Gosh. So good.
dare I say, some of your best work