"Two wrongs may not make a right but a thousand wrongs make a writer.”

Friday, January 3, 2014

Drinking a Dead Man's Beer (fridayflash55)

   
Someone poured a stein for the deceased
and set it on the mantle.
It had warmed but wasn’t flat.

The sun danced off the lake
which should have been ice-covered
but was as bare as the hands
wrapped in a rosary.

Let them wonder that you walked
amongst their grieving
and finished your final beer unfettered.



If you ever drank a dead man's beer, let the G-Man know. Write a flash piece of fiction in exactly 55 words and let the most gracious host know. Cut it up right. And have a Happy New Year!

24 comments:

Jemi Fraser said...

I've never heard of a dead man's beer before - my dad would have loved us to have one left out for him! Love your way with words!

Brian Miller said...

very cool how you zoom out in that middle section...smiles...let them wonder who it was that downed it....i am glad they got a final drink....

Yvonne Osborne said...

Jemi,
Hi! I think it's lovely way to send the deceased off. My Dad says we should just party with lots of music and booze. Never to late to have a beer for your dad, Jemi!

Brian,
Thank you so much! Yeah...I wonder who downed it...

hedgewitch said...

Lots of mood in this, and it has that turn of the year somberness that requires some sort of affirming action, like drinking a dead man's beer, to bridge the darkness between yesterday and tomorrow. I'm all for the idea of celebrating the life as a way to mourn the passing--better than icy silence any day.

G-Man said...

....And a toast to the ones that are no longer here!
Thats how I'd like to be remembered, not with tears, but with Beers.
Loved your Fond Remembrance 55
Thanks for playing Yvonne, you are such a Peach!
Have a Kick Ass Week-End
Happy New Year.....G

Mary said...

Probably the deceased wouldn't mind a bit of warm beer, as long as it wasn't flat. (Smiles) The sun dancing off the lake is a nice atmospheric touch.

TALON said...

This was intriguing and sad and heartfelt and beautiful, Yvonne.

Maude Lynn said...

Just beautifully done.

Yvonne Osborne said...

Hedgie,
Thank you. I like your comment... there always seems to be nostalgic somberness at this time of the year. Thanks.

G-Man,
Me too. Thanks. Always good to be back amoungst this crowd.

Mary,
Thank you so much. I appreciate it.

Talon and Mama Zen,
Thank you both so much. It's such an honor to be read by the likes of you guys!!

John (@bookdreamer) said...

Sounds like the Irish Wake - the body on show, and a party to celebrate a life. Being of Irish descent we tended to the party with lots of drink and dance and not to the English stiff upper lip with ham and sherry!

Yvonne Osborne said...

John,
Hello! Being of Irish descent myself, I totally agree. No stiff upper lips around here! Thank you so much.

Gabriella said...

Beer should not be wasted, whoever drinks it before it is flat was right!

Laura said...

this is clever Yvonne… thanks for visiting!

Outlawyer said...

Wonderfully vivid and yet succinct, great atmosphere and particulars both. K. Manicddaily at Wordpress on i
Mobile device .

Yvonne Osborne said...

Gabriella,
I agree. Room temp is okay but don't let it get flat! Thanks for commenting.

Laura,
Thank you so much. It was my pleasure.

K.
Thank you! G demands we be succinct but atmospheric at the same time is not always easy. So thank you.

Deborah Lawrenson said...

Very powerful, Yvonne. Hope you are warm and dry in the snowstorms - pictures of them on UK TV look horrendous, and with such low temperatures. Take care.

Helen said...

Oh, I love this! My family members have been informed ... I want a small brass band to lead mourners through my small hometown back in Illinois, then scatter my ashes .. and finally, party!

Unknown said...

Excellent ... per usual.

Happy New Year, Yvonne :)

L. Diane Wolfe said...

A fine tribute to one who has passed. Someone would have to drink though.

Liza said...

Loved this one!

Anthony Duce said...

Loved:
The sun danced off the lake
which should have been ice-covered
but was as bare as the hands
wrapped in a rosary.

Happy New Year

Yvonne Osborne said...

Deborah,
Thank you very much. Seems there is no lack of weather extremes this winter.

Helen,
Everyone loves a marching band, and, yes, there must be some brass! Thank you!

Wendy,
Thanks. I appreciate it, and the same to you.

Diane,
Ah...I think someone did. Thanks!

Liza,
Thank you so much!

Tony,
I was partial to the lake to. You know, I'm always partial to one of the lakes. Thank you.

Margaret said...

The rosary stanza is excellent and To drink or not to drink a dead man's beer -- ha what a funny riddle (I have NO idea)

Yvonne Osborne said...

Margaret,
Hi! Thanks for the surprise visit. I love it when you think a post has fallen off the map and then a new comment appears. Glad you liked the rosary stanza. No one else had mentioned my favorite part. To drink or not to drink.....I think you know which side I come down on. Thanks again.