Sunday, May 20, 2012

A very short story




Every afternoon she walks down to the harbour, huddles in the corner of a wooden shelter and looks out to sea watching for the fishing boats to return laden with their glistening and twitching cargo. One by one they cruise towards the quay, and the throbbing of their engines is replaced by shrill shrieking from billowing clouds of ravenous gulls. She counts to herself, whilst praying that one more boat will return than had left that morning. The fishing folk no longer notice her, but she is always there. Always watching and waiting; always certain that today will be the day he'll return.

Every evening after the catch has been landed, the boats moored for the night and the seagulls have finished scavenging for leftovers, she walks to the harbours edge and touches the same rusting bollard she’s touched for thirty two long years. She looks down at the empty space between the bobbing boats, a space that once was his mooring, a space she keeps for him for when he returns. For he will return, she is certain. If not today, tomorrow. For tomorrow is another day, the day he’ll return, she’s sure.

16 comments:

  1. Now that's blind faith - but possibly misplaced...The rusty bollard photo is delicious enough to eat! :)

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  2. Beautiful!!! I felt like I was standing there with her. :-)

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  3. short but powerful...yes there are those that will always be waiting...for another day...another tomorrow

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  4. A sweet love story but so sad. I love reading it.

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  5. A Miss Haversham of your own but yours is more sad.

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  6. Very sad how people sometimes wait for something everyone else knows will never happen! A touching write.

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  7. Oh, how sad. Thirty two years is a long time to wait for something that's never going to happen but, love is love and ... she loved him. Awww

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  8. man...hard...that waiting...that holding out hope...32 years as well...this is def emotive and i hope that her faith is rewarded you know....

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  9. I'am glad I found you. I enjoyed my read here and thank you for keeping up the prompt.
    http://leah-jamielynn.typepad.com/blog/2012/05/another-impossible-day.html
    where mine is at

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  10. I have waited a long time for a love to come home. There's no ache like it.

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  11. Such a heart breaking story.

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  12. Oooo...the aching opening of your first paragraph and I really love the visual involved with this line, "watching for the fishing boats to return laden with their glistening and twitching cargo."

    I really enjoyed this Keith!

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  13. That is sad, Keith.. but who knows, her wait might find an end soon. Her love is so strong, it could invite miracles..

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  14. Such a poignant story of hope. After 32 years I do hope she moves on though.

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  15. This is a sad, but beautifully written tale!

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