Monday, August 04, 2008

Toward the blue

She sits alone on the top step of the porch of trailer number 48. Alone that is, except for the baby asleep in the carseat right there beside her.

She's plucking dead leaves off the primroses I suppose she might have bought just this morning. I saw some on sale at the checkout counter at the corner store. Maybe it's just my imagination but her heart, it seems, isn't really into what her fingers are doing. She'll stop occasionally and look off toward the horizon where the cloud cover ends and there is a sliver of blue. There is a sadness on her face. I recognize it. I've seen it in the mirror. Suddenly she realizes I am looking her way and she gives me an embarrassed little smile. I return the smile and whisper to myself "it's okay, I know what you mean...this wasn't part of the dream."

I drive off, aiming straight toward that little sliver of blue.

5 comments:

Cheryl said...

Ah, John--another beautifully written character study. I really would like to read the book one day.

Ame said...

amazing how many dreams ... real, imagined, not-yet-thought-of, that life takes away from us sometimes. how difficult to find the strength to dream again.

Lori said...

I'm sitting here picturing this and can do so perfectly. So much to say, but I just can't right now.

I'm glad you're aiming for the 'blue'.

Steph said...

Hmmm. I love this post. I love your ability to express yourself poetically, and that I know that exact comment was indeed whispered at that moment.
But as usual, I have some thoughts on this. Call me. :)

Anonymous said...

You're a nice person, you take the time to see things that others might miss. Thank you for sharing, I saw every word, heard every sound, and felt every emotion. Write a book...