Short Story - Neither will I
20:50
By Gina Hartley.
As the tide rolled in, it looked like a
dark, unknown creature bound in chains. That mysterious creature was trying to
escape, and it almost made it too. Almost made it enough to sense freedom
before the guards of the tide discovered its whereabouts, and pulled back the
chains. Yet, it never stopped trying to escape; on and on for hours at a time,
the same old struggle, the same old loss. On and on, this dismal battle, never
growing old, never once growing weary. Until the tide went out, dragging the
dark, unknown creature back to sea.
There is good and bad in this world;
beautiful sights and breathtaking views, dark creatures, with hidden pasts.
We all have weaknesses, bound in chains, in
an endless battle, or so it seems. I learnt this lesson long ago, yet the
thought still lingers like dewdrops at dawn. I can almost see that lonesome
creature; I can almost feel his pain.
As the wind blows near, it sends chills
down my spine, vertebra by vertebra. That poor, helpless creature! And I have
done nothing to help. Guilt fills me up as the wind gusts strong and steady. I
turn away from that dark thought to the sky as sunset turns to night.
In awe, I watch as it seamlessly turns
orange, then pink, then a deep mauve.
It is beautiful. It gives me hope.
Deep down, I know people will soon begin to
ask me about the chains that bind me, but how do I begin to tell them? Do I
start with the bruise on my lower spine? Or that my radiotherapy has begun? That
my hair’s started falling out? I let the wind sweep over me and for a moment;
it consumes all thoughts.
I suppose it’s not all bad, for the sunsets
come every day.
I remember that dark, helpless creature,
who fought his chains so courageously, never gave up.
Taking a deep breath, I stand at the edge
of the ocean.
Feeling a debt to that mysterious creature
of the deep, I say in soft voice, a promise for only us to hear,
“Neither will I.”
Good afternoon everyone,
I hope you had a fantastic festive season and happy new year. I am so excited for all the things I have planned for #thehartofwriting community throughout 2016. I've been writing a lot more recently and I can't wait to share these stories with you throughout the year. The story I have for you today however, is an oldie but a goody. I wrote this about a year ago using the cover photo for this post as inspiration. I often do this if I'm having some sort of "writer's block," as it helps me think of concepts and ideas. I tried to incorporate both the ocean and the sunset into this story as those are the two main features of the photo, and by personifying them, I can help the reader gain a level of understanding and sympathy towards them, even though they are not alive.
I think that's about all for today,
Until next time,
Gina xx
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