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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😉📦😊
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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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Nope, no real grief involved, she said!
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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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Glad that you liked that, Keith!
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Love those thoughts Chris. Who can erase hope? Never until the last one is alive!
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That’s a lovely thought, Balroop. Thank you so much!
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Sometimes Hope is all you really need. Nice food for thought Chris.
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Indeed! Thanks for that, Darnell.
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This is a fabulous write on the photo prompt, Chris.
I like the way you used the outdoor elements to change the words.
Subtle but accurate since the weather can change many written things.
HOPE …I captured it too.
Nicely done, Isadora 😎
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Thank you so much, Isadora!!! You have said all those lovely things. Sorry, I have just found that you were in the spam thing, but I have pulled you up… like a fish! 🎣
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😂 😂 😂 tanks for the chuckle.
You’re welcome on the comment.
Well deserved …
Isadora 😎
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well thought out dear Chris. Wow. I’ll take hope any day. Thanks for the loveliness.
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Aww, thanks so much, Selma!
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Too good Chris. Smiled , laughed, raised an eyebrow, nodded my head and then sighed deeply…..through the post
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You are so kind, Geeta. Thanks a million for that!
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Hope, …all that was left in Pandora’s box, ( that minx, causing so much trouble! 😉) …A great read Chris, …saying so much about today’s outlook, … but, …we always have hope, …💙
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Aww, thanks a lot, Penn. 💛 A bit of nonsense really I felt, but maybe it’s because it looks like playing Scrabble – my excuse was using some naughty letters. 😉
p.s. I love the word ‘minx’!
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‘Twas a great fun but ‘made you think’ write Chris, … and It’s ages since we played scrabble, …(mainly ‘cos I’m very competitive and take ages with my ‘go’ …😉) …💙
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Understanding that… totally! (my move……………….)
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loved this Chris, definitely made me think xxx
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Thanks very much, Gary… always nice to see you – but why can I post back to you, yet again? And just a lovely photo ‘Wow, wow and beautiful… aurora, just gorgeous!’
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Very, Very clever, Chris. Hats off to you 🎩👒🧢
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Gosh, thanks very much, Robbie! A little bow, perhaps, for that.
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🙇♀️🎀
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I love this Chris so creative- I’m glad Hope survived 🙌
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Aww, thank very much, Ange!
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♥️
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Chris, I love your take (or what wasn’t taken)… Lovely!
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Aww, thanks so much, Val!
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A lovely composition Chris… Absolutely beautiful. Hope is what is always left in the end! 👏👏👏
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Thank you so much, Goutam!
p.s. It’s a shame that I can’t post on your side at the moment. Something about spam I think. This is what I sent to you: A really good poem, Goutam. You used those particular words… very pleasing!
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Hello Chris! Thank you so much. I will check my spam mails and try to rectify this. My apologies.. 🙏🏻
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Aww, thanks for that, Goutam. I hope you will find it!
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Got it! 🎣
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I very much enjoyed the story you created. Yes we need to keep hope close!
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Thanks so much, Jules. We definitely need hope at the moment… so bizarre (that orange man).
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[…] Chris; Seven words […]
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Well done weaving all the words into these lines, Chris! Enjoyed the tale. 🙂
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Thank you so much, Susi! 💛
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You’re welcome!
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“You can’t always get what you want, but if you try sometimes, you might find, you get what you need!” 🙂
Always lovely to read your words, Chris! xxxxxx
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Aww, thanks a lot, Jean. It was a really good photo for that. Such fun with those words!😉
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