She stood at the back and tried to make herself as small as possible.
Not easy, with her stature and attire.
Still, she hoped the shadows would afford some obscurity. Bad enough to be made to attend and be tallied. It would be worse to be noticed. To be named.
The speakers roared. The bands played deafening propaganda.
She stood. She clapped. She swayed as necessary.
She stayed alert. Her life depended on it.
But in a corner of her mind, she was a child still, pumping feet toward a blue sky. Still free. To believe. To think. To be.
For Rochelle’s Friday Fictioneers
Photo prompt © Ted Strutz
Na'ama Yehuda 
Now we are left to wonder just how she is attired and just how big her stature! And what has happend that she need be alert! You are SUCH a tease, my NYNF!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah, well, there’s lots to wonder … ain’t there? But one thing I hope came across, and that is that something was lost for her – or for more – and that she would have preferred to not have been made to be there. Who knows how many there are feeling same … Thanks for reading and commenting, my friend!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
There is lots. The feeling I got from this is she lamented the days when she was free.
Always, my friend!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes! Glad the feeling was communicated! 🙂 Hugs to ya, friend!
LikeLiked by 1 person
And to you! 🤗
LikeLiked by 1 person
xoxo
LikeLiked by 1 person
xoxo
LikeLiked by 1 person
A vivid picture of life under a totalitarian regime.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m glad it came across … for there is more than one way for totalitarian regimes to gaslight their way in, and to create a culture of fear and forced silencing.
LikeLike
Na’ama Y’kara,
And she’s back with a bang! Although subtle, the story sends chills up my spine. It puts me in mind of this video of talented North Korean children. What choices do they really have? Well done and welcome back.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Here’s the link I meant to include. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DeGdJgWXJ6Q
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, these videos makes me very sad. Puppetry and control. Oy.
LikeLike
Yes, I had that, and other totalitarian regimes in mind, including the wannabe ones … and the chills of how they can sneak up on one under the guise of making this or that supposedly ‘great again’ … while in fact removing people’s rights, silencing their voice, limiting what they can or cannot read, see, speak, learn, do, … and who is considered human (or the ‘right kind of’ human) … ugh. Thank you my friend! Great photo prompt!
LikeLike
An image from all our nightmares. Maybe we’re already living through it
LikeLiked by 1 person
In some places people certainly are, and in some places, there is active work to bring the nightmare on (though always under the pretense of a supposed ‘return’ of some elusive ‘greatness’ that is marred by others having a voice or choice …). Oy.
LikeLike
Ooh very interesting story Na’ama
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! I think I’d like to know more about her, too! … 😉 The photo intrigued me. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is an intriguing photo.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Her sense of unease was palpable through your words. A disturbing tale indeed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Keith! I’m sorry to have been MIA for a while. Hope to read others’ work again soon, too!
LikeLike