The Ladies of Horror
Picture-Prompt Writing Challenge!

A New Aesthetic   
by Alex Grehy

“You see…” said the TV architect,

looking directly to camera,

“What we have here is a new

aesthetic, courageously abandoning

the creepy cottage in the woods vibe

for this innovative combination

of the organic anarchy of a toadstool 

with the sturdy warmth of timber in

the doors and window frames.

All set on a grassy knoll

perfectly in balance with

its woodland setting.

.

Yet, yet, and I don’t know what

the occupants were thinking, 

the harsh hard building materials

shouldn’t work, yet…

.

The stone steps, so level,

though I understand they are 

natural river boulders from

the stream that runs nearby.

The glass in the windows

is artisan-made from Venice,

and the chimney, ah yes,

that chimney, which combines

warmth and practicality

in its lofty local sandstone

craziness.

.

Indeed, this is a new and glorious

aesthetic for the witches’ cottage.

I remember when I first came here –

it was a hovel and the residents,

Amanita and Sarcoscypha,

were starving. There was little to 

attract wanderers into the woods, 

and into their cookpot. People rarely 

got lost and desperate in the 

days of satellite navigation. 

.

But now, now, visitors numbers are 

booming. People are queuing up

to view this architectural wonder.

I hear that Amanita and Sarcosypha 

are planning two extensions to house 

a new cold storage unit and catering unit

complete with extra-large cauldron.

I can only hope that they don’t ruin

their vision, as so many have, with 

unsympathetic development.

.

But that is for the future.

For now, dear viewers, 

let us appreciate the

true power of architecture – 

aesthetic is more than appearance, 

it’s the stuff of life,

the stuff of survival,

well, for the hungry witches, anyway.

.

Fiction © Copyright Alex Grehy
Image courtesy of Pixabay.com

More from author Alex Grehy:

After a lifetime of writing technical non-fiction, Alex Grey is fulfilling her dream of writing poems and stories that engage the reader’s emotions. Her work has been featured by a wide range of publications including Siren’s Call, Raconteur, Bookends Review, and Toasted Cheese. One of her comic poems is also available via a worldwide network of public fiction dispensers managed by French publisher, Short Edition. Her ingredients for contentment are narrow boating, greyhounds, singing and chocolate. It is a sweet life, yet Alex’ original view of the world has led to her best friend to say ‘For someone so lovely, you’re very twisted!

Please click here to discover more!