Sunday, July 26, 2009

Tire Swing



Today's muse: Pictures, Poetry & Prose


* * *


Tire Swing

From the moment he hung it, she swung daily on the tire swing, her laughter echoing throughout the garden, drifting up into the windows, wrapping him in its warmth. Oh, how he had loved to hear her voice ringing with merriment as she swayed freely on that old wheel.

Now, only the echo remains, clinging desperately to the flowers, not quite reaching him in his den where he hides day after day, drowning in his loss; the grief of losing her, virtually suffocating him.

Until today. Today he heard laughter. Entranced, he wandered over to the window and gazed down onto the estate. He watched, mesmerized, as the old swing began to sway. He could hear laughter—her laughter—wandering up to him, luring him.

“Come and play, Daddy!” he heard her cry, his heart leaping with joy. He had been waiting so long to hear her voice again; waiting for her to call him to join her. There was no hesitation in his step as he leapt from the window, eager to unite with his daughter once again.



6 comments:

septembermom said...

This could break a parent's heart. I can feel the father's anguish and sudden joy when he thinks he hears her laughter once more. You convey so well the deepest wish in this grieving father's heart with your well-written prose.

Monica Manning said...

Thanks, septembermom. I didn't feel comfortable posting it on the PPP site, as it has such a macabre ending.

Dan Felstead said...

WOW! Powerful writing and I am sorry to say...these thoughts probably go through any parents mind at some point when they have lost a child! My only hope is that one realizes that by living on as a parent...they can memorialize their child. To take that final step is not only to end their life but their lost child's as well. Great writing.

Dan

glnroz said...

BOOOMMM! Once again, right on target!!! :)

Dani said...

I don't see this as too macabre. I think it is touching, although it has darkness in it... it's so real. I don't find it disturbing at all. Just very intriguing and even relateable in an insane sort of way. :)

Wine and Words said...

I thinks it's a sweet way to check out: to the sound of my child's laughter and promise of reuniting. Nice writing.

Thanks for stopping by my blog. I appreciate the traffic and the comments. Nice to meet you MM.