by

I am Worldmaker

Fantasy-fantasy-8931763-1440-900

I am Worldmaker. You know naught of me, yet behold me in the very fibers of the air, in the devices of my creation. My realm spans the chaos of stars, beyond time expanding, worlds shaped and dying. I am elemental, secretive, the spark that sets mystery in motion, the wielder of birth and destruction. Some name me God, but possess not a wisp of understanding. I am vaster than the reaches of imagination. Can you conceive, truly, of eternity?

My fingers roll as I breathe being into this gaseous inferno. I fling my fireball to the cold reaches of the void to cool and crack, to change the very complexion of space. There is a pattern in anarchy, a sublime collection of chance that in each moment transforms existence. Do you understand? That you are a miracle? Wondrous and infinitesimal, that you matter not at all?

Am I cruel, heartless? Do you find in my tale the fear of annihilation? Or in the infinite act of creation, am I the mother of life, an embodiment of love? Do I care for your ephemeral souls? I am none of your human imaginings. I am.

I am.

Curious.

I have contemplated myself in your corporeal image. You, the mere whimsy of happenstance. What is it that compels me to peer through the veil of stars to your blue orb with its wind-blown seas? You are nothing. In a sweep of my hand, I might hurl your planet into extinction, and in the dance of time, none would know or care. What is it that draws my gaze your way?

Hidden among you there is one who knows me, who has the power to read the runes burned in my countenance. He is the wyrd, Worldshifter, wandering in self-accepted ignorance while possessed unwittingly of truth. For to live without knowing is the doorway to wisdom.

He is a man grown now, rummaging through the hours you call time, hurrying over the surface of your mechanical planet, wasting breath and questioning why. I wonder at his constant seeking and inquisitiveness, his desire to part the veil and step into the mystery, even at the risk of his fleeting life. He might be foolish, yet I think he is, in fact, oddly courageous.

My latest world spins free with a turn of my wrist. It soars, whirling into other planets, colliding in a blaze of agonized destruction. In its debris new worlds will birth, new life that would not have breathed if not for death.

My gaze returns to him.

I gather stardust unto myself, shaping my vision of being into solid form as I plummet downward. The heat of your atmosphere burns me, peels away my identity in black cinders and powdery ash. Fear flares like a brand through white bones and scarlet blood. A shooting star, I plunge into your cool, gray sea.

Forgetting who I am.

***

Note: So who is this mysterious World-Shifter she’s so intrigued by? Click here for the companion piece written by Nick (Babbitman). I love the direction he took!

127 thoughts on “I am Worldmaker”

  1. Short Story Exercises: 1) Journey or Destination? 2) Weird Prompts! – Fosseway Writers says:
    March 2, 2018 at 3:23 pm

    […] brought along, including “Hills Like White Elephants” by Ernest Hemingway and “I Am Worldmaker“, a piece of flash fiction by D. Wallace Peach. Both are examples of being caught in a moment […]

    Liked by 1 person

    • D. Wallace Peach says:
      March 2, 2018 at 3:41 pm

      Thanks for sharing, Nick. You know, just a few days ago, I was just thinking about this story and your fabulous “next chapter” and toying with the idea of asking you if you wanted to try continue the story together. 🙂

      Like

  2. tickofaclock says:
    September 29, 2016 at 10:03 pm

    Beautiful piece!

    Liked by 2 people

  3. Angelo Devlin says:
    September 15, 2016 at 5:48 am

    Excellent !! Sometimes, get lost in moments similar, as if having the “power” to create all that “is” and the “powerlessness” in trying to experience and even perceive “its” infinite-ness”. Great writing.

    Liked by 2 people

  4. scintillatingmemoirs says:
    September 6, 2016 at 4:55 am

    Captivating I must say – both, the thought as well as the writing! 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

  5. I am Worldmaker: Changing Perspective | Myths of the Mirror says:
    September 5, 2016 at 5:03 am

    […] couple weeks ago I posted I am Worldmaker. It was a first person flash piece based on the image above. As an exercise in point of view, this […]

    Liked by 1 person

  6. Short Story: Worldshifter – babbitman says:
    August 16, 2016 at 5:08 pm

    […] image, fabulous writing). So if you haven’t already done so, you need to check out “I Am Worldmaker” before reading […]

    Liked by 2 people

  7. roughwighting says:
    August 15, 2016 at 10:35 am

    Another great one! I agree, I like writing a story from an image, and I do this exercise often with my creative writing students. Perhaps I should use this image of your World Maker!
    BTW, I’m just back from vacation and saw your Amazon review for Twin Desires. Many thanks. I agree about the POV skips and jumps. Only did that with my co-author. When you’re ready for another “fun page-turner,” try my THE RIGHT WRONG MAN. More my style, and I think you’ll enjoy. (and only one POV) 🙂 xo

    Liked by 2 people

    • D. Wallace Peach says:
      August 15, 2016 at 11:57 am

      Thanks, Pam.The image was definitely evocative for me. This was from an assignment that let us choose our own image and, of course, I went with fantasy 🙂 I’m particularly sensitive to bouncing povs since I had to rewrite my entire first book to get rid of them. Ugh. Most readers don’t notice them at all 😀 I will definitely read more of your work!

      Liked by 2 people

      • roughwighting says:
        August 15, 2016 at 12:34 pm

        I know what you mean. I happen to dislike ‘bouncing povs’ (good term for it), but the device is used in many romance novels. Twin Desires was the first book I wrote, and the only one I’ve used the bounce on. 🙂 In my third book that I’m working on, every other chapter is first person POV from the main male character, and the every other chapter of that is the 3rd person main female POV. No bouncing, but I’m curious to see if this will work. For some reason, this is the way the characters are speaking to me. Ahh, the challenges of writing, experimenting, and making it all come together.

        Liked by 2 people

        • D. Wallace Peach says:
          August 15, 2016 at 12:44 pm

          I’ve seen the 1st person/third person combo done before (like you’re doing it) and it works well – especially if the book is telling you it wants to be written that way!! Romance novels actually are less strict about pov than other genres because romantic scenes often demand both characters’ thoughts and feelings, and you can’t stop in the middle of sex with a scene break! Even so, it should be only as needed. I have a post coming up in a couple weeks about pov. 😀

          Liked by 2 people

  8. Annika Perry says:
    August 15, 2016 at 6:42 am

    Powerful writing, Diana! I was totally captivated.

    Liked by 2 people

  9. spiritualitystar says:
    August 14, 2016 at 9:27 pm

    Diana, I’ve done exercises like this before. And I was thinking of doing it again these past few weeks. But the fire has yet to burn. You do it so well. I’m waiting for my turn. 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

  10. smilecalm says:
    August 14, 2016 at 5:40 pm

    perhaps a funner
    more present world
    than this real one 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

  11. Sacha Black says:
    August 14, 2016 at 8:17 am

    Wowwwww weeeeee this was stunning, captivating, thought provoking. I feel philosophical now!

    Liked by 4 people

  12. dgkaye says:
    August 13, 2016 at 5:39 pm

    Fantastic prose Diana, again, the makings of another book! 🙂

    Liked by 3 people

  13. Lori L MacLaughlin says:
    August 13, 2016 at 9:14 am

    So beautifully written! Lyrical and powerful and vividly capturing the moment.

    Liked by 3 people

  14. inesephoto says:
    August 13, 2016 at 9:09 am

    So beautifully said, Diana! You know well what a Worldmaker feels because you are the one.

    Liked by 4 people

  15. reocochran says:
    August 13, 2016 at 7:59 am

    I liked so much of this amazing, yet frightening power displayed of the Worldmaker. Your description is wondrous, Diana.
    The part that scares me, which may be true, is that our part in everything in the world may not make a difference. I hope to “matter” to the curious One. I like the idea of the “Worldshifter.”

    Liked by 3 people

  16. jlfatgcs says:
    August 13, 2016 at 6:22 am

    You are such a terrific writer. I so enjoy reading your posts, and this one is excellent.

    Liked by 3 people

  17. maryc25 says:
    August 13, 2016 at 1:26 am

    Wonderful!

    Liked by 3 people

  18. Judy Martin says:
    August 12, 2016 at 11:19 am

    Wonderful, Diana, so vivid 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

  19. Lynz Real Cooking says:
    August 12, 2016 at 10:32 am

    Always amazing!

    Liked by 2 people

  20. sonshinegreene says:
    August 12, 2016 at 10:18 am

    Reblogged this on Riley Amos Westbook and commented:
    Another powerful message from one of the great authors I know. Beautiful piece, Diane.

    Liked by 3 people

  21. Teagan Geneviene says:
    August 12, 2016 at 9:48 am

    Diana, that was breathtaking. The artwork is lovely too, by the way. Mega hugs.

    Liked by 1 person

  22. Sue Vincent says:
    August 12, 2016 at 8:45 am

    Reblogged this on Sue Vincent – Daily Echo.

    Liked by 1 person

  23. Jacqui Murray says:
    August 12, 2016 at 8:04 am

    This is wonderful. I have a world-maker in my ancient history novel. She’s not nearly this exciting. I need to work on her.

    Liked by 3 people

    • D. Wallace Peach says:
      August 12, 2016 at 8:17 am

      Ha ha. I’m sure she’s just what she needs to be for your story, Jacqui. And this is a flash piece, not a novel, so I can go all out without having to think about what comes next. Thanks for the visit and have a great weekend 🙂

      Like

  24. Morgan says:
    August 12, 2016 at 7:13 am

    Very brilliant

    Liked by 2 people

  25. yuthika5 says:
    August 12, 2016 at 12:53 am

    One of the most beautiful pieces I have read! Wow, this was intense. I cannot conceive of eternity, but I just had a glimpse of it. Thank you, Worldbuilder!

    Liked by 3 people

  26. Sue Vincent says:
    August 11, 2016 at 11:34 pm

    The test of a good piece of flash fiction is that it stands alone…and leaves you wondering when the book is coming out. This one does it. 🙂

    Liked by 3 people

  27. anotherfoodieblogger says:
    August 11, 2016 at 11:01 pm

    This was totally and thoroughly captivating from word one! Diana, this just wowed me to no end. Brilliant! (But I want to know more about HIM!!!) xoxoxo

    Liked by 3 people

  28. L. T. Garvin, Author says:
    August 11, 2016 at 7:51 pm

    So glorious, Diana! Creation, power, the essence of being, all wrapped in your exquisite wordsmithing…and all of the top of your head. Absolutely outstanding!

    Liked by 3 people

  29. domainofshane23 says:
    August 11, 2016 at 5:36 pm

    Wow. This is utterly fantastic. Just the way you worded everything. It’s pretty sophisticated and enigmatic. “You, the mere whimsy of happenstance.” And “fear flares like a brand through white bones and scarlet blood” – Bravo to the whole thing

    Liked by 3 people

  30. Steven Baird says:
    August 11, 2016 at 3:35 pm

    Simply… wow! Amazing work, Diana.

    Liked by 3 people

  31. Alex Hurst says:
    August 11, 2016 at 11:54 am

    Gorgeous. I’m always partial to “gods” in first person, though. They always make for an interesting POV. 🙂

    Liked by 3 people

  32. babbitman says:
    August 11, 2016 at 10:25 am

    Love this. Then I realised I’d already ‘liked’ it & it must be a reblog. So I STILL love this 🙂
    And I read this as being closer to Sci fi than Fantasy. You should do more SF – it was your SF short in the anthology that drew me to your writing in the first place.
    No pressure, Diana!
    Except you’ll just turn that back on me, won’t you! :-p
    Xx

    Liked by 3 people

  33. Purpleanais says:
    August 11, 2016 at 7:28 am

    You were obviously born for Fantasy! 🙂

    Liked by 3 people

  34. Morgan says:
    August 11, 2016 at 6:13 am

    Reblogged this on Booknvolume and commented:
    To me, this wonderful rendering by Diana is a remarkable tale of Love, Passion, and vulnerability…what does it say to you?

    Liked by 2 people

  35. Morgan says:
    August 11, 2016 at 6:11 am

    OH this is fantastical! I love the passion in it, the superiority shining brightly, yet the vulnerability speaking softly. Love it!!!!!!

    Liked by 3 people

  36. The V Pub says:
    August 11, 2016 at 5:37 am

    You truly do paint with words, Diana. I think that a writer should pull us into their world, and make us feel we belong in that universe. Your tapestry of images painted by words does exactly that.

    Liked by 2 people

  37. thelittlelai: Beyond limits says:
    August 11, 2016 at 5:34 am

    When you poured so much substance to your craft it really appears extraordinary, from how it was started and how you brought your readers to the realm of excitement and how they satisfied with the end. It is indeed a good read. Enjoy your day Diana!

    Liked by 3 people

  38. Nurse Kelly says:
    August 11, 2016 at 5:27 am

    It’s so powerful! You captured and conveyed such intensity! Really felt this! And once again, there aren’t enough superlatives to describe your talent. 🙂

    Liked by 4 people

  39. Richard Ankers says:
    August 11, 2016 at 5:09 am

    It’s all good but that last paragraph is fab!

    Liked by 4 people

  40. maria9saif says:
    June 21, 2016 at 1:09 am

    That was such an amazing read. You have a way with words. I hope i will be able to write like this someday. wow!

    Liked by 4 people

  41. Changing Perspective: A new lesson | Myths of the Mirror says:
    May 29, 2015 at 2:02 pm

    […] (For last week’s Lesson One attempt – Click Here) […]

    Liked by 3 people

  42. BB Wynter says:
    May 27, 2015 at 7:01 pm

    Very poetic 🙂 Wow 🙂

    Liked by 4 people

  43. Nicholas C. Rossis says:
    May 25, 2015 at 4:15 pm

    This is what you wrote off the top of your head?? Wow…

    Liked by 4 people

  44. Suzanne Joshi says:
    May 24, 2015 at 1:10 pm

    Wondrous description in that piece, Diana. You are yourself a literary “worldmaker”. That sounds like an interesting course. 🙂 — Suzanne

    Liked by 4 people

  45. Mary J. McCoy-Dressel says:
    May 24, 2015 at 12:02 pm

    This is captivating. You explained the image perfectly, yet dug deeper.

    Liked by 4 people

  46. vanbytheriver says:
    May 24, 2015 at 11:28 am

    “I wonder at his constant seeking and inquisitiveness, his desire to part the veil and step into the mystery,” Fabulous, Diana. Don’t we all wonder about this ? Love this piece, it takes me to a different, magical place. Well done ! ☺ Van

    Liked by 4 people

  47. familyrulesbyplainjane says:
    May 24, 2015 at 4:00 am

    Really intense! Kind of like a poem in some ways too, at least in the way it made me feel.

    Liked by 4 people

  48. Jennifer Calvert says:
    May 24, 2015 at 3:49 am

    Wow, an amazing story! I love the way your write; very descriptive and colorful. You defiantly know how to intrigue and captivate your audience. Love the writing exercise idea of writing a story by an image too.

    Liked by 4 people

  49. ~Michelle Cook says:
    May 24, 2015 at 3:32 am

    choice *of words

    Liked by 2 people

  50. ~Michelle Cook says:
    May 24, 2015 at 3:32 am

    You captured this picture perfectly! I felt the words as if I were there myself, living in the moment! Beautiful choice or words, so vivid and emotional!

    Liked by 5 people

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