Friday, November 20, 2015

Amen they sang. Amen

Herewith a couple of hundred words inspired by this week's single word  prompt at Sunday Scribblings 2. Inescapable.
 
 
 
 Gladys the gossip was  heading my way. I looked left, I looked right. Inescapable.
‘Hi Gladys’ I sighed as I prepared myself for several minutes of did-you-hear-abouts, and guess-what-I-saws.  But she ignored me and walked on. Her horrid little poodle tugged on its lead. Usually it climbed my leg. Odd I thought.
As I approached the church I heard the sound of people singing my favourite hymn. I felt strangely drawn towards the ancient building.  As I entered the porch they sang Amen. I pushed open the massive oak door and an eerie creek echoed throughout the silence within. Nobody noticed.
I sat at the back, before me a handful of black-dressed mourners. They sobbed. How sad. Before them stood a cheap wooden coffin; atop a single wreath of wilting white roses. Poor soul I thought. Poor soul.
I watched as an elderly gentleman was helped to his feet. He tottered toward the lectern, a cane in one hand, a sheet of paper in the other.
As he turned to face the meagre congregation, a little girl in the front pew turned to face me. Tears streamed down her ashen cheeks. Daddy she whispered. Daddy.
My dutiful father. My precious daughter.
I wanted to leave but there was no way out.
Inescapable.
Inescapable.
Amen they sang. Amen.

 

 

 

 

5 comments:

  1. I see - ahh..but i will stop at the punchline - parenthood transcends time and when all time is gone as well as our loved ones i bet we also miss the gossips...

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  2. What a change from the newest post! I literally have chills.

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  3. Reminds me of Edgar Allen Poe !

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  4. I wonder whether in fact that would be a comforting feeling despite the macabre nature of the subject.

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  5. Yikes .. now that is one nightmare ... Bastet

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