CLOUDS
Her mind had been clouded since his death, wondering
if she had done enough to ease his fears. The peace she had once craved was
overwhelming, the half-written books untouched, even reading was an effort.
Shaking herself out of her torpor, she drove to the
coast. The waves washed the shore, as they had done since the only life on
earth was amoebic. Early man had fished those waters, warships sailed,
spacecraft splashed down, and the tides had risen and fallen regardless.
From behind the clouds a ray of sunlight hinted at a brighter day.
....................................................................................
Thanks to Bradley Harris's photograph, I've decided it's been far too long since I walked by the sea, and I only live a few miles away. As a teenager I found the ceaseless sound of waves on shingle soothing, so it's definitely time I tried its magic again!
Dear Liz,
ReplyDeleteBeautiful and heartfelt. I hope "she" walks by the sea as often as possible.
Shalom,
Rochelle
She needs to get her *rse in gear!
DeleteThere will always be a brighter day. Courage1
ReplyDeleteThanks, Neil - it's felt a bit dark lately but I'm old enough to know it will pass.
DeleteA time for reflection, always better spent alongside water. You can anticipate bereavement, but never accurately. As Neil says, courage.
ReplyDeleteI'm only a short drive - or a bus ride - from the sea, so I'll do it soon.
DeleteWalking along the beach is a daily ritual for me. Calm or rough, just listening to it does wonders for the mind.
ReplyDeleteI'd have to drive and pay to park, that's the drawback, or I would do the same.
DeleteThere are few better places to contemplate and find some peace. I hope you get there soon Liz.
ReplyDeleteYup! Next week for sure.
DeleteVary nice, Liz. A hopeful story.
ReplyDeleteThanks Bill x
Deletesimply heartfelt. beautifully rendered.
ReplyDeleteThanks plaridel x
DeleteI hope you/she gets into the habit of watching the sea again. It has so many stories to tell.
ReplyDeleteShe will soon x
DeleteYou've written a moving story. That your main character wondered whether she had done enough to ease his fears, and that she found the peace that she'd craved overwhelming are imaginative and deep insights into grief. If you are writing about your own loss my heart goes out to you.
ReplyDeleteRecent experience, Penny. And thank you x
DeleteThis comment comes with lots of hugs, my dear Liz. I definitely hope you, I mean, she, feels re-invigorated by those waves. xoxo
ReplyDeleteYou know better than most how tough it is. Thanks, Dale xx
DeleteI do understand. xoxo
DeleteBeautiful depiction of grief and processing and the vision of hope. Lovely and touching.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Na'ama.
Deletethere's always hope
ReplyDeleteSometimes that's all there is.
DeleteA beautiful reflective story, a deep breath helping with the grief. Nature so often helps, the sea, a forest...
ReplyDeleteA deep breath - that's what's needed!
DeleteLife can be hard and lonely, but there are things that can help us heal. Beautiful story.
ReplyDeleteIt is so strange to think about how much has happened on the path that we all walk every day!
ReplyDeleteI do like the way the rise and fall of the tides is expressed alongside huge events like the space programme.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteYou write beautifully. This says so much.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Susan - the word constraints mean one must make each one count, I'm happy they worked for you.
Delete