Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Entry #44

Sky Poacher
by Hoodie


The girl watched the almost imperceptible fade from black to grey as the outline of naked branches became crisp against the sky they reached for. Beautiful. She imagined the sounds taking place around her as the forest emerged from slumber, but her ears remained shrouded in silence.

It had been a cold night. Hands of ice curled limply in her lap as her heart rose with anticipation. Could this be the morning? Her trained eyes remained vigilantly on the horizon even as her thoughts bubbled and whorled. Her last hunt.

Movement caught her peripheral vision. A rabbit? She did not risk the glance. She recalled that roast rabbit had once been a favorite of hers. Immediately she chastised herself for the brief indulgence in self-pity. Taste was not all that important. It had been the first to go.

The cloud patterns were perfect. Her pulse quickened as she realized that all was in place for the perfect shade. The hue that so few could capture was a rare commodity. It would carry a high price.

Dawn dusted the sky pink. If it was to come, it was close.

And then she saw it. With hands outstretched the girl shouted her treaty to the sky, which responded with a shattered blast. She fell to the ground.

Praises poured from her lips as she gathered the earthen jug that now housed the precious color. With tentative steps the girl groped and tripped through the forest, gingerly carrying salvation to her village.

12 comments:

Sarah Hina said...

I liked this mystical interpretation. The girl's patience and fortitude really came through, as did her relief with her treasure. Very richly written, too.

Good job!

Beth said...

What an imagination, Hoodie. I'm the one who's terribly impressed.

Jaye Wells said...

I like the mystical twist. A new direction for you, but a good one.

SzélsőFa said...

wow, that was impressive.

The Quoibler said...

Magnicent, Hoodie. I literally got chills while reading your piece. LOVE IT! :)

Angelique

Chris Eldin said...

The writing is flawless. I will read this over and over and hope to learn how to write vivid description.
Beautiful!

The Anti-Wife said...

Very nicely written, but I don't understand it.

Dottie Camptown said...

It is very mystical. I like that it is somewhat ambigious as to why the sunrise color is salvation for her village.

Victor Bravo Monchego, Jr said...

You craft strong mood. I think this is the strength of your piece. Caution on your opening line with a phrase like "almost imperceptible fade." Find a strong Anglo Saxon word, instead, and lay it in there like a brick.

raine said...

Your style has an absolutely lovely flow. I can see this story as one of the legends of a tribe of people. Impressive!

Ello - Ellen Oh said...

This is extremely well done - but makes me want more! It feels like a fable - an old tale passed from generation to generation. I'd love to know more.

Anonymous said...

Yes, a mystical take. Like a shaman. Her job to do alone.

I really like your use of the sky. Very striking.