Monday, February 25, 2008

Entry #38

She Leaves in the Morning
by Nancy Ames


She was awake beside him all night, her heart thudding with terror, but she waited for dawn to leave.

Each step she took in her muddy snow-boots was heavy with all the wasted years. Her happy plans for the house and garden were getting smaller and further away, like the perspective diagrams in art class in high school, before she met him.

It happened because of the extreme isolation of the farm. Outside of the judgmental social context of the town, he had lost his humanity. He was only an animal now. Her ears felt deaf with his shouting. Even in his sleep he muttered angrily and threw punches at the pillows.

And now he had chased her out of his cave, out of her well-tended home. He wouldn’t survive without her either. She pictured him sitting in his chair at the head of the dining table, his fork in his fist, waiting for breakfast while the fire went out.

The soggy mud of the field clung to her boots as she walked. It was difficult to go on but she was aiming for the tree on the hill because once she got up to the tree the warm, reaching fingers of dawn would bring hope and comfort to her tired body.

Spring would arrive for her and for the tree. She lifted her eyes. Already she could see that its buds were ready to burst into new little green leaves.

18 comments:

BernardL said...

A vivid image of disappointment and acceptance.

bluesugarpoet said...

Favorite line: "Each step she took in her muddy snow-boots was heavy with all the wasted years." Yes, this piece is a sobering yet hopeful look at what was lost.

DBA Lehane said...

There's no denying this is beautifully written and well crafted.

Unknown said...

What a wonderful story of loss, parting and new beginnings. Beautifully crafted.

Sarah Hina said...

The story of a rebirth. Very poignantly drawn. I loved many of your evocative images here, particularly "the warm, reaching fingers of dawn."

I hope she blooms as brilliantly as the tree. Great job! :)

Ello - Ellen Oh said...

This is excellent! great analogy to the cave. I got the bear/animalness of her husband.

SzélsőFa said...

If only cavemen like these could feel the emotions behind stories like these...

Anonymous said...

I can feel your character bursting forth like spring! Nicely done.

Precie said...

I'm struck by the wonderful hopefulness of this as she leaves that sad, painful life behind her!

rel said...

Nancy,
You've portrayed her fear in the winter of her discontent to the new hope of spring with eloquent craft.
rel

raine said...

Each step she took in her muddy snow-boots was heavy with all the wasted years.

Also my favorite line.
Very sensitive portrayal of a sad but strong woman.

wrath999 said...

A vivid pciture of one finally turning the page.

wrath999 said...

A vivid pciture of one finally turning the page.

Anonymous said...

There seems to be a tension between her thought that it's the isolation that makes him that way and her ability to leave. I like that play of motivations a lot.

Gnewvegan said...

A very touching story of inner struggle and survival. Finding the road to a positive light even in the path of darkness.

Chris Eldin said...

Well-written and sad. At least the tree offers hope...

Anonymous said...

I like the tree as the destination and the hope. The tired journey is described well.

Aine said...

I'm so glad she has the strength to leave. I like the sense of hope at the end.