Whispering Winds
by Alexander Salas
Naked as a newborn, the giant leafless Oak gently sways from the southerly currents. A sudden blast of icy air battles the warm southern winds for supremacy. Like a tired boxer in the final round, winter sluggishly fights its inevitable demise.
Luke eyes the Oak. Motionless, he stands on the highway's shoulder. This is his first visit to the site where Jenny and little Luke lost their lives. Black ice and a massive trunk add up to death. Two deaths actually.
After the funerals, Luke decides to come here.
“Did they suffer?” Luke asks the tree. “What were their last words?”
Cloud cover brings a premature darkness. A balmy gust caresses Luke.
…hello honey, nice to see you again…
“Jenny?”
…hi daddy…
“Luke?”
The tepid breeze blows continuously.
…it's alright honey, we're okay…daddy I saw grandma and grandpa…we're here always…and even grandpa's grandpa…I love you Luke…I love you too daddy…we'll be here babe…don't be sad daddy it doesn't hurt…we'll be together again Luke, I promise you…
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12 comments:
What a sweet, satisfying piece. Another entry to effectively use the "whispers" theme, and in a very heart-warming manner.
Enjoyed this!
"Like a tired boxer in the final round" - such a great metaphor both for winter and for Luke himself.
Touching.
Oh, this was so sweet and made me tear up. So lovely.
I wonder whether those whispers comfort Luke or driving him mad instead (see also: 'the tired boxer'). I like this uncertainty.
in answer to the longing of the living....just one more time.... very well done....
That was so heartrending!
Good luck :)
Beautiful, poignant and haunting - in the sweetest possible way. Lovely piece of writing.
Thank you all for the kind words
I was getting all choked up there at the end...glad you had to stop at 250 words. :) Ditto to all of the above - in particular, I like your take on the "whispers" theme.
The sweetest kind of haunting. To comfort. Well done without going too far.
The tree is a conduit for voices from the afterlife. Nicely comforting. I hope he can continue to visit the tree until he finds peace.
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