Monday, January 11, 2010

Entry #140

Closure?
by Mary Dexter Rownd


She huddled on the hillside, clasping her knees tightly, looking down over the beach. Despair filled her thoughts.

She looked up as a bird flew overhead, graceful in the waning light. It reminded her of the last time she was here with Jim before he left for Iraq, and the promises they made as they held each other. A bird had soared above in the dusk. It seemed like an omen to them, promising a future life together.

He was gone. A telegram stating that he was killed in a suicide bombing came weeks later. Her life seemed over. The ache in her chest was almost too much to bear.

She remembered the many times she and Jim had planned their lives. The wedding, the hunt for their home, and the children they wanted. Most of that planning had taken place right here, while they lazily watched the water, the beach, and the bird overhead. They always felt the bird was the same one - - their talisman.

She sat there watching the bird floating overhead, her thoughts slowing. She thought about the love she and Jim shared, the oneness in spirit when they were together. She felt the bird was Jim, returned to remind her their love was forever. The tears flowed, yet there was a feeling of peace.

Her face lifted and she whispered goodnight. In the distance came an answering bird call as nighttime darkened the sky.


(Mary Dexter Rownd, born in Kansas,married with three grown children, currently resides with husband Kenneth, at La Crosse, Wisconsin.)

25 comments:

AM-C said...

the desperate ache of the loss of a loved one. Nice and touching.

chong y l said...

Mary DR:

I arrived at a beach a few steps before thee;
is that a GOoD omen we two straggglers would turn out to the last bird catches the best worm?:)

I enjoy your love story, hope you do mine! -- Desi

kashers said...

A sad tale indeed. Moved me.

Bernita said...

Sometimes, symbols are all we have to allow us to go on.
Do yhey still send telegrams?

Leah McClellan said...

That is really sweet :)

Michelle K said...

Lovely story and its delicate shifts in time. It made me cry.

Aniket Thakkar said...

A very sweet and touching tale. Loved it a lot.

Crafty Green Poet said...

beautiful moving story.

Craig said...

I love the sense of hope at the end. I'm glad despair did not claim her.

austere said...

Nice, the way this comes full circle.

Tessa said...

I was so hoping she'd find solace in that bird...their talisman. A richly poignant piece, beautifully written.

K. Soles said...

Well done. Lovely portrayal of a heart wrenching story.

catvibe said...

Gave me goosebumps, very sweet.

Deb S said...

Loved the last line. Way to close with the poignant note.

DILLIGAF said...

So sad and so beautifully written.

Laurel said...

So sad. I've felt that, too, that feeling that someone gone is so close by you could touch if you knew how.

lena said...

Greatly pictures emotions of someone who lost their loved one. Painful.

PJD said...

Terribly tragic.

Kartik said...

Really sad!

JaneyV said...

Gentle, moving and very well written.

James R. Tomlinson said...

There will be many more birds to fill the void. Lovely piece of writing.

Mary Dexter Rownd said...

Mary Dexter Rownd wishes to say many thanks to each of those who read and/or commented on her entry!

Aimee Laine said...

I feel for ever service man and woman out there! Very nice way to support them in story!

Anonymous said...



my caveat

Something I Would Keep

The poignancy, the loss, the beach

Something I Might Tweak

A missing urgency - the ache in her chest seems to evaporate somewhat quickly -

Chris Eldin said...

A heartbreaking tale. Nicely written.