Sunday, April 03, 2016

A-Z Challenge Day 3

Monday April 4

Today's neglected words are:- 

Concinnity (v) (kənˈsinitē)  The skillful and harmonious arrangement or fitting together of the different parts of something.

Cynosure (n) (sīnə sho͝or)  A person or thing that is the center of attention or admiration.



As I made my way through the nave, I  heard nothing but my footsteps. It was eerily quiet. For a while, I was alone the magnificent cathedral.

Minutes later about fifty folk joined me on the velvet-cushioned wooden stalls of that most intimate area, the quire.  People sat in quiet contemplation or spoke in hushed whispers.

The sound of distant voices floated through the cathedral. We stood as a solemn verger clutching his rod led the robed choir to their candlelit stalls. The sombre faced clergy shuffled to their places.The choir rose to its feet, the cynosure of every person present, then burst into song. A huge noise. The concinnity of voices and harmony took my breath away.

I shivered.

Anthems, responses, psalms. Thirty voices swooping and swirling, this way then that. Soft as a whisper then loud as thunder. All thoughts were cleared from my mind as music filled every corner of my very being.

Let the sea roar, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. Let the floods clap their hands: let the hills be joyful together!

Too soon, the choir turned and followed the verger from the quire, disappearing from our sight. For a few moments, we sat in total silence in the hope of catching an echo.



To  read my previous A-Z stories, click on the letter!
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U W X Y Z


43 comments:

  1. Wonderful flash fiction. Your words fit the story perfectly.

    ~Patricia Lynne aka Patricia Josephine~
    Story Dam
    Patricia Lynne, Indie Author

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  2. I think I would want to have been there and heard the sound of the choir; I think it made an impact on those that were able to be there :)

    betty

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    1. I regularly attend evensong at Winchester Cathedral which is what I based this piece on betty
      .

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  3. one new word to learn, beautifully concluded. a suggestion, 'in' is missing in third sentence

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  4. Powerful prose. Great words!

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  5. Replies
    1. ...as is the choir that inspired me to write this piece Bee. Thank you.

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  6. Beautiful story! I'm stealing your link-back idea. (If I have time.)

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  7. Beautifully written, Keith. I shall look forward to tomorrow's offering.

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  8. Beautifully written story, I felt I was there. Lovely new word learnt, thanks to you - Concinnity. Waiting for your D and thanks very much for stopping by and commenting.

    Also loved the letter link trail , how can I do something similar on wordpress? Any ideas?
    @Subhmohanty from
    And Life Unfolds...
    A to Z Challenge 2016
    A*Alone
    B*Butterfly
    C*Curry

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    1. My pleasure. I have your blog on my 'must visit' list! I see no reason why you shouldn't do the lettery thing. I just typed the letters in a very pale colour, and as I go along I simply link them one by one to my posts and of course darken them. QED as they say!

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  9. You painted a lovely picture. I was there!

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    Replies
    1. So that was you sitting beside me! Thanks Bish.

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  10. looking forward to each day and reading your stories- cheers!

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  11. Concinnity - well that's my new word for the day. Evocative flash fiction, very well captured the atmosphere. Really liked the ending.

    Thanks for visiting.

    Best,
    Nilanjana.
    Madly-in-Verse

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    Replies
    1. Thanks so much. I dread to think what you'll make of tomorrow's! It couldn't be more different.

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  12. Your words created a beautiful imagery! Great going, Keith!

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  13. Thank you for introducing the two neglected words. Great post!!

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  14. Awesome! I adore that scripture, too. You're very kind to follow my blog this month.

    For those who haven't found me, I'm at Awakening Dreams and Conquering Nightmares with a Pen and focusing on my music collection. And I am having fun. Hurray for that!

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    Replies
    1. I am so enjoying your theme Darla. It is so different. I can't recommend it more highly.

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  15. Nicely done. I didn't know either of those words.
    Discarded Darlings

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    1. Hopefully you'll still remember them tomorrow!

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  16. By the end of A to Z my head will be exploding with new words....is there a word for that?

    @ShonnaSlayton from
    Author Shonna Slayton: A to Z of the 1800s

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  17. Lovely and evocative! Thank you! And tomorrow I am going to work "concinnity" into every one of my conversations!!

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  18. I love the little stories you use for context!

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  19. Beautiful, I could envision this observation of the magnificent choir presentation. It brought back memories of a wonderful cathedral in Germany where I attended Christmas Eve services many, many years ago.
    Josie Two Shoes from Josie's Journal

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  20. Wonderfully captures what it feels like listening to a cathedral choir.

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