WINDOWS
Looking out of this window I am twenty again, in my
first flat, swallowing tears and trying not to admit I’m homesick to Dad, who
is fixing my aerial. I might stay here all day.
Yesterday’s window was open to Mediterranean air, the
rattle of palm leaves in the breeze and click of cicadas.
Tomorrow – who knows? As long as my memory still
functions I can be anywhere I choose. Anywhere other than here.
I always imagined my last sight on this earth would be
my children’s faces, not bare white walls, zigzag lines on a screen, and masked
strangers.
.......................................................................................................
I'm still here, still fighting, still writing - though not as much as I should, but this pandemic seems to have frozen some of my brain! One bright note is that I am now in a bubble with my daughter and granddaughter, and was able yesterday to pick our five-year-old up from school, bring her home with me, and dig potatoes. Simple joys make life worth living.
This week's photo prompt took me to a darker place, somewhere I hope not to experience personally, but I know people who have been there.
Thanks to Rochelle for the photo and for hosting Friday Fictioneers on her blog https://rochellewisoff.com/
Well-written, Lizy
ReplyDeleteThank Neil.
DeleteImagination can take us anywhere, can't it? It's glorious this gift we have. I guess it's helping her survive some not-so-ideal conditions.
ReplyDeleteJustjoyfulness
Yes, it's helping her. Thanks for commenting x
DeleteI read this as an ode to the power of imagination. It is a great piece!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Gabriella.
DeleteVery nicely done Lizy. I think more than a few people have indulged in siilar thoughts these last months.
ReplyDeleteThose in lockdown as well as dying alone in hospital. Thanks Sandra.
DeleteI hope she holds on. Good to hear that some joy is returning to life. We're a little behind but things are easing a bit again.
ReplyDeleteMy granddaughter returning to school was hugely significant in our family.
DeleteLove this, Lizy. A timely reminder that we can always fall back on our imagination when life gets tough.
ReplyDeleteSusan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
Thank you, Susan. As writers we are blessed with more imagination than some. Not sure if that makes life easier or more fraught!
Deleteas everything else, this will pass. hopefully, soon enough for us to enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteWe can only hope.
DeleteSuch a touching story, Liz.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jade.
DeleteThank goodness for imagination to stop us from going mad... I liked this
ReplyDeleteWe'd be lost without it, Dale x
DeleteDear Liz,
ReplyDeleteAn imagination is a wonderful thing to have. Without it where would we writers be? Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
We'd be lost, that's for sure. I couldn't have faced this lockdown without my imagination to escape into.
DeleteThank you.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to know that I'm not the only one whose brain is a bit frozen by the pandemic. At least your character has her imagination to transport her to a happier time and place. I hope it helps her hang on. Nicely done!
ReplyDeleteThanks Brenda. Hope your brain unfreezes soon!
DeleteIt's funny how the little things in life give us the most joy when we are programmed to chase the big things.
ReplyDeleteWell written.
Lockdown has taught us to value those little things. Thanks for commenting.
DeleteI was certain that this was true! So well written.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Susan, for a lovely compliment.
DeleteYour story touched a tender spot for me. Two weeks ago, a dear friend died, alone, in her hospital room. She and her husband of over 50 years had not seen each other in five weeks. He had called her daily, and a nurse held the phone to her ear because, being on a ventilator, she could not speak. He learned of her death via a phone call from the hospital.
ReplyDeleteThis is a cruel world we're living in.
I tried to imagine how one would cope in such a situation and decided escape into one's imagination would be the only way. I am so sorry to learn your friend died that way, it must be very distressing for her husband and all her friends like you xx
DeleteNice!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Delete