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Ascriber / Writers Eyes Workshop - 6.
'The Deck Chair'
Just after the war (WW 2), a certain family with whom I'm well acquainted had just got their garden put to rights. The life saving Anderson shelter had been dug out, dismantled and relegated to the bottom of the garden as a cycle shed. The ground it had been resting in had been planted with flowers and part of the area that had been used for growing vegetables had been grassed over with a rustic screens complete with climbing roses. An extremely comfortable place for picnic teas, barbecues not being thought of in those days.
There was just one thing wrong. The only seats were the dining chairs carried from the house each and every time they were needed and not very comfortable for sitting on to relax in the sun.
That's when Dad had an idea. Somewhere in the back of the large, old garden shed was an ancient deck chair and he eagerly pulled it out for Mum. Oh dear though, the wooden frame was dirty and badly in need of attention and the canvas was badly torn, even rotted through in places. Undeterred, while young son was given the job of painting the wood with pale green (slightly lumpy} paint, carefully stored throughout the war years, Dad hunted down some canvas and came back clutching a brightly coloured bundle. This was quickly attached to the frame with the express instructions that no one should sit in the chair until Mum had had the honours.
So the unveiling ceremony, Dad carefully placed the deck chair in the middle of the lawn and Mum was led out with daughter, to inspect the workmanship of her husband and son.. After many comments of approval and thanks came the moment and with three pairs of watching eyes she sat to test its comfort. There was a a sudden explosion as the wood, brittle and as rotten as the canvas had been, smashed itself into a million pieces, depositing her on the ground. Luckily all saw the funny side and the family retold the tale many times after, just as I, being that young son am retelling it to you.
With that tale in mind, workshop 6 is 'The Deck Chair'. We must make allowances though for modern ideas and will accept Sun loungers, Directors chairs or any other kind of folding chair.
Imagine a beach. Is there sand? Is there shingle? What Country is it? Is
the sun shining or is it overcast. What can you see, a colourful display of
brightly canvassed deck chairs (or dull green as many were)? A sea of white
sunloungers perhaps? Or just one solitary chair.
As in my tale, perhaps the chair is not on the beach but at some other spot.
What about the people (or person) lounging back sun bathing? Skins of many shades ranging from white through to red, brown and black.
Are there any clouds or any tears where fingers have been caught in the framework? What can you smell? salt air, fresh flowers, fish and chips?
Prose: Write a short story of about 1500 words featuring no more than three main characters within the scene that you are imagining. It can be as humorous or tragic as you like to make it.
Alternatively, write an article concerning deck chairs, sun loungers or both, again this can have a serious or humorous side to it.
Poets:
40 lines of poetry please expressing your emotions as you see the scene you
have visualised.
Submissions are from:
Click here for 'The Deckchair' by John Ryley (Short Story)
Click here for 'The Deckchair' by Wilson Irving (Poetry)