Today’s Wordle 63 at The Sunday Whirl:
skin, lips, thin, snapshots, touch, other, act, hanging, gesture, stand, sent, utter
The result? A bit of flash fiction:
light on snow — photo by Clay Jones
He stands silhouetted in the doorway, the light behind him, his hand on the frame as though it bears him up. His lips are drawn in a thin line, the words he’s just uttered hanging heavy now in the space between him and the woman.
He tells himself what he’s done is an act of mercy. He’s cut her loose, sent her away. She cried, but she’ll get over it. Some other guy will spot her in a bar or an elevator or on the subway and know she’s what he wants, and in a week or two or maybe a month, she won’t be so angry. But she won’t forget.
She crosses the parking lot and doesn’t look back, and in that light, her skin is the color of pale in faded snapshots. He has to admit she’s a class act, better than he deserved.
What will he remember? Her last gesture, how she touched his cheek, just barely, like a whisper. He imagines her still standing there, her breath suspended in the air like frost.
Lovely and sad. Great images. I like the photo too.
oops, this is me
So sad! This would make a great short story. The image of frost hanging in the air is great.
Well done!
I love the short story quality of this, Gerry. Well done.
Pamela
A strong story well shown.
great story….wonderful mood established, and a bit of a movie script….
NIcely done…you incorporate interesting elements of setting in the piece. I can see their breath in the cold. Tight write.
Thanks, Brenda. This started out as a poem. That may be what it should be, after all. Still loving the Wordles, though, no matter the form they take.
Good tension, and I always like to see a woman keep her dignity in such a situation. Well done, Gerry.
Dignity always, Misky. (Well, maybe not always!) I’m not sure where this comes from. I don’t usually go so dark. Thanks for reading.