Daddy used to make me listen to the speech. I’d pretend to be bored but I always got goosebumps when he’d exclaim “to mingle my blood further with the blood of my children, and with the blood of millions in this slave country.”
It reminded me I’m not just any Brown. His blood runs in me too.
Daddy always told me: “You’ve got a destiny.”
Daddy also used to say he heard the cries of the dead in the whistle. I never believed him. But I swear as his ashes caught in the breeze, I heard them. Crying. Destiny calling.
Harpers Ferry Photo is the property of Dawn M. Miller. Provided courtesy of Rochelle at Friday Fictioners.
I love to be able to mix two of my favorite things: history and a bit of flash fiction (100 words exactly). So special thanks Rochelle and Dawn!
Powerful writing Tina, really well done.
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Thanks so much. Coming from you that means a lot!
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Thanks 😊
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Sorry about the extra bit at the bottom of my comment! Please delete when you moderate and I’ll pop back and start again!
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No problem. As you wish. ‘‘Tis done
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…as I was saying, this is beautifully written, Tina!
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Thanks 😊
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The ashes catching in the breeze was a surprising and effective touch. I wonder if the wind blew some of them over the child
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Thank you 🙏
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You captured how people often acquire their motivation and courage from what theirforefathers have done before them. What a prescient pre-execution speeech. There is no doubt, much work ,still, for her to do.
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Thank you! Such kind words. ☺️
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Powerfully written.
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Thanks so much Lisa.
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I’ll admit, I wasn’t aware of the significance of Harper’s Ferry and I appreciate you enlightening us through your story. John Brown’s address was also incredibly fascinating to read!
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Yay! You’ve made this former history professor very happy 😃
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I’m learning a lot here this week. Thank you for your powerful piece, Tina.
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Thanks for your kind words. 😊 They are appreciated.
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This was so well written, so believable, I double-checked to make sure your name wasn’t Brown 🙂
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☺️🤣 thanks! No relation but I do find his passion for justice inspiring. Being literally willing to die for what’s right. Wow.
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There really are some things worth dying for.
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Moving piece, Tina, written with potency.
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Wow. Thanks for the kind words ☺️
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Powerful!
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Thanks!
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I absolutely love the closing. It’s so well set up.
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Thanks for your kind words. I really appreciate them 😊
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Powerful and touching.
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Thank you so much 😊
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The ashes in the breeze was a fine touch in an impressive piece.
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Thanks so much 🙏
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The voices of the heroes of the past call loudly in these times too, no matter what your lineage. Still, what a thrill to have such an ancestor. I was moved.
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Thanks! No actual relation but definitely an inspiration.
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Oh man… this was brilliant, Tina!
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Wow! Thanks. That means a lot to me!
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Well-deserved!
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😊
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Your story is incredibly well written. I had goosebumps along with the daughter. The lines, “I swear as his ashes caught in the breeze, I heard them. Crying. Destiny calling” were powerful.
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Thank you so much for your kind words. I really appreciate them!
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That was wonderful Tina! And I do so love a story that comes with a bit of research.. Thank you.
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Me too!
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You did a wonderful job of pulling the historical events into the now. Nicely done.
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Thank you so much for your kind words. ☺️
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Excellent! The ending gave me goosebumps.
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Thanks. 😊
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This is what a masterful writer of historic fiction can you — you make us feel the reality of history. Great flash!
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* can do
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Thank you so much! That means so much coming from you ☺️
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I was delighted to see a fellow story-catcher of history at Carrot Ranch!
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My first love 😉💜
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