It said, ‘take what you need.’ It was stuck on a telegraph pole by the pavement.
She stopped and looked. Interesting, she thought.
But she moved on, although she continued that thought.
She mused as she walked along that road.
What were the seven words again?
She could remember them, and all were good, she felt.
She pondered as the rain started again. Well, it was the UK after all.
Then the next telegraph pole appeared, which also had the same words.
However, this one had been disfigured.
So ‘love’ and ‘money’ had disappeared, as did ‘passion’ and ‘happiness’ – very sad that.
Then ‘luck’ had become ‘uck’ – very unpleasant.
But, at least it hadn’t been replaced with ‘fuck’ (gosh, naughty).
Right in the middle, the word, ‘courage’ had lost part of it.
Now it’s called ‘rage’… another gosh for that.
All that was left was ‘hope’ and that seemed appropriate.
~~~~~~~
Image credit: Maximus Mazar @Unsplash
This image shows a paper poster on a pole, saying – “Take what you need”
Underneath are tabs marked- Love, Hope, Passion, Courage, Happiness, Luck, Money!
Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #325 photo prompt.

I thoroughly enjoyed this one – well done!
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Thanks a lot!
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A very interesting story Chris. I like how you’ve converted some of the words into other words. Thanks for joining in.
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Thanks so much, Sadje. What a great photo! Just perfect to play with those words / letters – Scrabble anyone?
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I loved playing scrabble with my kids were younger.
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😉💛😊
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🩷🩷🩷
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A unique and VERY compelling poem, Chris!
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Glad that you liked that, Dave,
and Scrabble for you too!
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so good Chris, so enjoyable!
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Thank you so much, Carol Anne!
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It seems she has journeyed through human ageing from the past century to the present… She might carry with her all the words she saw on the first pole into the next!
Sadly, how true it is!! 🫤🤗❣️
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I know what you mean… words and words and more – how can we manage with this?
🤔💛😊
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An essential question! 🙃
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Most excellent and clever ink, Chris 👏
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Aww, thanks Nick! 😊
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heed self
shit to shelf
perhaps
more in store
later
sic
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Some perfect words I would say… and thus we’re happy!
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sometimes but two and five must logically proceed to rid us of what artie warned us of in the song mr shuck and jive.
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Aha… got it!
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I’m glad hope was left!
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Fortunately, we still have Pandora’s Box! 😉
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Better keep a lid on that!
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I think this is very appropriate for this moment in time- hope being all we have left. Excellent write, Chris.
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Yes indeed… more than worrying just at the moment.
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This is the sort of writing and imagination that makes me smile for hours. Thanks.
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Aww, that’s so sweet – thanks, Misty
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I love this, thank you
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Glad that you enjoyed that, Beth!
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Now there are 7 stages of grief, instead of the 5 of Kubler-Ross. 🥺
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Love what you’ve done here, Chris, a brilliant take on the picture!
Oh no, it’s raining again.
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