It's Monday morning and time for the next installment of the A-Z challenge. As with my previous entries I mix flash fiction with a bit of a riddle. I hope you enjoy my C entry.
Fathoms deep in the blue Mediterranean, far from the rocky, sun-drenched shores, calcified skeletons of sea creatures formed an aquatic forest of reds, blacks, and pinks.
Undisturbed by man for countless millennia, its untouched colonies nourished and housed Mother Nature’s exotic underwater world.
As this mysterious forest was discovered, a snapped off branch saw its first morning light. Such a saturation of reddish-pink had never been viewed before and it became the Iron Ages’ most sought after treasure. Polished and adorned creations traveled the globe.
Tibetan Lamas prayed with rosaries fashioned from this mystic stone. It became one of the seven treasures in Buddhist scriptures. Magical and spiritual properties linked to this curious gem.
An exquisite name married to this powerful talisman that many believed could stop bleeding, protect one from evil spirits, and ward off hurricanes.
Its popularity never wavered. How could anyone not admire CORAL.
Coral is beautiful and amazing! Yay! :)
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteNice post: red coral stunning as necklace. But even more beautiful in natural underwater world! ;)
best
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How very creative of you. This was great...loved the coral picture!
ReplyDeleteSo creative! Never to expect anything less from you!!! So glad I got to stop in again today! I'm on a roll in your world!
ReplyDeleteLovely journey into the land of Coral :)
ReplyDeleteC is for COMPLETELY love your descriptions of the coral. Wonderful job! :D
ReplyDeleteYay- I had guessed this one right! Truly inspiring descriptions Micheal!
ReplyDeleteMystic stones indeed. So beautiful they are, as is your description of them!
ReplyDeleteA beautiful combination of description and history. Your words flowed like the soft undulations of the water. Good luck with the challenge.
ReplyDeleteI love how you put the word 'coral' in color context. Really enjoyed your post, as I'm a huge fan of that color and it was nice to get some background on coral itself.
ReplyDeletestunning coral image.
ReplyDeletewell done.
A riddle garbed in beautiful prose. What an excellent way to start my day. Another great post, Michael. Roland
ReplyDeleteThat was lovely! Immediately brought to mind snorkeling in Cancun on my honeymoon. :)
ReplyDeleteI love coral. This reminds me when I went snorkeling in Jamaica. So amazing!
ReplyDeleteIt is beautiful. I have to tell you something sad though, I was reading in the latest National Geographic that because of all the CO in the air, the oceans are becoming acidic and if it continues, there may be no more coral in the oceans by 2100. Sad!
ReplyDeleteYes, Coral is disappearing, like so many other earthly treasures. The time for ambivalence is long past - real action is required and paying attention to changing our wasteful, extravagant lifestyles is an important part of the process - this doesn't mean we can't live well or comfortably or beautifully - just differently:-) Very beautiful post, Michael.
ReplyDeleteLovely description--nicely done!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful!
ReplyDeleteCoral is amazing. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat flash fiction!
Beautiful post, I love your descriptive definition~ I love riddles; Well Done~
ReplyDeleteI'm a Taurus, too!
Fantastic riddle, Michael. I grew up around coral. (Lived in the Keys.) It is stunningly beautiful. And to think it was once alive. Great C post. Bravo. :-)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful description :O)
ReplyDeleteOooh coral. I never would have guessed.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful descriptions Michael. Keep this up for 26 days and you'll be a regular Somerset Maugham.
ReplyDeleteDenise<3
L'Aussies Travel Blog A - Z Challenge Posts
Lovely description! Wow, the challenge you've given yourself is a tough one! Very creative. christy :0)
ReplyDeleteI love the poetic feel of this one! An excellent choice, well done.
ReplyDeleteAs always...beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI knew, I knew! I love coral. It is so beautiful and some species are very complex.
ReplyDeleteWow! I was hooked; I thought you were spinning a new tale :)
ReplyDeleteCoral really is beautiful.
Ah, coral really is beautiful. Great descriptions! If I wasn't so terrified of sharks, I'd consider diving down to the coral reef one day... :)
ReplyDeleteNice! :) Happy C-day. :)
ReplyDeleteYou did a great job with this post, Michael.
ReplyDeleteNancy
N. R. Williams, The Treasures of Carmelidrium.
You make Coral sound so fascinating. Wish we'd do more to protect our environment where I live. We're doing so much harm at the rate we're polluting our harbour.
ReplyDeleteOh, Michael. You touched a heart-string with this post. My husband and I are avid travelers and we love to snorkel. We have a gorgeous saltwater aquarium with live coral. Beautiful post...I'm a follow (you're quite a cutie, too).
ReplyDeleteCoral is beautiful, but I don't know if I could wear anything made out of it. I'd be wearing little bones!
ReplyDeleteVery fitting considering where you are right now. Lovely post Michael!
ReplyDeleteCoral is really beautiful and your post describes it so well. Very nice!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your excellent descriptive writing!
ReplyDeleteI think everybody loves corals!
Duncan In Kuantan
That was beautifully written.. :) May you never tire of hearing that! :P
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