Driftwood

February 28, 2015February 28, 2015Steven Baird

Another piece of flash fiction from the prompt “Beauty” from Felicity Johns over at http://felicityjohns.com/2015/02/27/friday-flash-beauty/

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It’s been on the mantel for so long, most people don’t see it. It’s the first thing I see upon waking, and the last thing before I set myself down at night.

A chunk of old driftwood carved into a frame. Our wedding photo. It’s yellowed and curled, but I still see it in color. You standing with a rose bouquet, holding onto it like a sword, and I looking so serious and terrified. We were both terrified, remember? We knew it was something solemn and fragile, no matter the vows. It was you and me becoming us. We were kids who barely understood the weight of that word. Us.

The years passed, the hair faded, the skin became fragile lacework. You wore pant suits and I wore bell bottoms. We danced to Glenn Miller and Steve Miller. We lost a baby in ’74 and I lost my job the next year. Rough years, hard years, but we came through them together, still us.

The ocean carved the frame that holds that first deep memory. The ocean still rolls, the frame still holds.

I close my eyes and I can still see the sweet beauty in your eyes and can hear the ocean rolling over and over, carving another piece of wood for another us. And it will remain, long after the flesh secedes.

VictoryInTrouble February 28, 2015 / 2:45 pm

Oh, this is so beautiful and heartfelt. Really lovely!

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- smbaird February 28, 2015 / 8:01 pm
  
  Thank you. I wasn’t sure. 🙂
  
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  - VictoryInTrouble February 28, 2015 / 9:24 pm
    
    Yes. Most definitely.
    
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kittykatsbitsandbobs February 28, 2015 / 3:47 pm

Gorgeous Steve, gorgeous!

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- smbaird February 28, 2015 / 9:04 pm
  
  Thank you dear. 🙂
  
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Felicity March 2, 2015 / 4:43 pm

Reblogged this on The Dark Night Chronicles and commented:
My choice for this week’s Fiction Flash. The prompt was ‘Beauty.’ The choice, once again was difficult, but this piece really touched me. Congrats, Steve! You win… nothing. 🙂

I hope you’ll join me again on Friday!

Love,
Felicity

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- smbaird March 2, 2015 / 10:25 pm
  
  Thanks Felicity. I’ll be sure to put my prize to good use. 🙂
  
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  - Felicity March 2, 2015 / 11:15 pm
    
    Haha!!!
    
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kittykatsbitsandbobs March 2, 2015 / 5:02 pm

It was gorgeous! Well done steve!

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smbaird March 2, 2015 / 10:24 pm

Thank you! 🙂

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longchaps2 March 3, 2015 / 6:22 pm

Once again, you cut straight to the heart with a few short words. Great piece.

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- smbaird March 3, 2015 / 11:02 pm
  
  Thank you. I’m starting to enjoy doing these flash pieces. I’m usually more wordy. 🙂
  
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