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Tuesday 17 January 2012

WoW - The Stories A Tree Could Tell

Write On Wednesdays



Write on Wednesday is back over at Ink, Paper, Pen and this weeks prompt is 'The stories a tree could tell'.



Christmas morning.

The only light came from the twinkling of the tree as it shimmered and changed colour softly.

Darkness wrapped itself around the house. 

The air seemed saturated with silence broken only by a deep sigh as the Collie, resting his head on her knee looked up at her with deep brown eyes. 

Sensing her sadness.

Feeling the emptiness.

She looked around, unsure of what to do.

The traditional rituals of this precious day seemed to mock her.

Glitter didn't sparkle on the path this year leading reindeer to her door.

Bucks Fizz, a Christmas treat which always terrified her as she struggled to open the bottle rested untouched in the fridge.                                                        

Presents, gaily wrapped in a multitude of colours sat beneath the tree waiting for hands that wouldn't come to rip the paper and bows from them.

The events of the last year trickled through her mind like the persistent drip of a tap.

Memories hovered briefly before falling and being washed away even as the next trembled in anticipation of the fall.

Happy memories.  Moments of complete joy.  Of wonder and rightness. 

Swept away as insubstantial as tiny drops of water.

Holding onto the memories was as futile as trying to capture the droplets in her hand, they slid through her fingers and evaporated in the warmth of her body.

The lights from the tree blurred and became one as she lent across to turn them off.

10 comments:

Stephanie said...

I really enjoyed this! It was somber and dark which made this piece intriging. I love the way you describe the water and use it as a metaphor for memories.

Claire said...

That was an amazing piece! I love the nostalgia, and the longing in your writing. The collie's sigh was wonderful!

MSBjaneB said...

This piece made me as a reader, feel the sadness, especially the part about the gifts that would go unwrapped.

T. said...

This piece really sparks emotion. The sadness just jumps out and pulls you in. Very nice.

Ramblings of an Honest Heart said...

Sad but well written, it brought a tear to my eye.

Melissa said...

Wow! Powerful piece, so sad. I wanted to read more to find out what had happened.

InkPaperPen said...

I felt the emotions and mood here, it was sad, and lonely and nostalgic and well juxtaposed against the backdrop of Christmas, in all it's glitz.

It's great to be back at WoW, Sarah.

x

TV said...

I love how you described the memories as drops of water and the way they are washed away. Such a great way to put things into perspective and a great metaphor at that.

Loved it.

spring days, new growth said...

So sad, you have woven a true story of loss and misery.
Love your stuff, Sarah
Kate

danneromero said...

so full of heart, sarah... great read..

thank you for hopping over to my site to read my post....

i look forward to reading more of you posts...

daphne