In the afternoons a warm wind blew in with the storks as they rose up from the banks of the river and flew inland. On the porch, rocking back and forth, she liked to turn her face towards the current of air and inhale memories: cardamom from her mother’s kitchen, line-dried linen on her first lover’s bed, the warm straw of her babies’ heads as she laid them down to sleep.
She closed her eyes and the shadows of the storks passed over her face and she was still, the only movement, the chair rocking in the afternoon breeze.
***
This is a Friday Fictioneers 100-word (exactly again this week!) story inspired by the picture supplied by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields. Friday Fictioneers is organised and run by the wonderful Rochelle. Click here to join in, and here to read other pieces. I’d love to know what you think of mine – please leave a comment!
***
It’s just two weeks until my novel, Our Endless Numbered Days, is published in the UK by Fig Tree Penguin. And until early tomorrow morning (12th February) Goodreads have five copies to giveaway to UK residents. Click here to enter. Canadians have until 14th February to enter to win (click here). Sorry if you live somewhere else!
You captured the serenity of the image perfectly, as well as those strong sense memories. Wonderful. I can’t wait to read your book. I just found it on Amazon — Is there a different cover for North America vs UK?
Thanks Helena! Yes – different publishers, different covers.
A beautifully, peaceful moment.
Thank you!
Bloomin ‘eck, Claire, that was a tad gloomy. Beautiful words, but sadness maximus. I’m hoping she’s not dead.
No, no, no, she’s about to fling the rug off her knees, put in her teeth and go dancing…actually I think she might be…dead. Sorry.
That was beautiful.
Thanks Dawn.
Beautifully done 🙂
Thanks Helen
Uhoh, this is a bit life flashing before her eyes… So peaceful, though, at least she’s had a long life. Beautiful writing!
This is what I was thinking, but I wasn’t sure if it was impending loss, or overwhelming nostalgia. I suppose that shows the skill of the author that it could be either one.
I’m happy for it to be whatever you’d like it to be.
Claire
Thanks Sonya. Glad you liked it.
Claire
I thought so too. She died at the end. But I feel it was peaceful and welcoming. Or am I too morbid?
No, not too morbid. It was a nice way to go, if go she did.
Claire
Dear Claire,
A peaceful passage. Sweet descriptions, my favorite was the line-dried linen. Nice.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Thanks Rochelle. I think that may be my favourite smell in real life.
See, this is how I want to go out. Great descriptions of her memories, and the last line is excellent.
KT
Oh, me too! But not quite yet…
This is truly superb – a lifetime in a few lines, ending with stillness and the lightest of aftershocks in the rocking chair movement. I am particularly envious as I attempted a (much longer) short story, years ago, with a similar theme, though semi-comic and with a totally different setting. I will maybe revisit, rework and declutter.
Thank Hilary. You should! Often leaving something alone for a long time (years even) will help with the revisions when you go back. But I’m sure you know this.
Claire
I love that – ‘inhale memories’. Lovely gentle take on the prompt.
Thanks Liz. It is smell that brings back the strongest memories isn’t it?
Wao, loved how you described and narrated the moment. Really takes you there, great work!
Thank you. Glad you liked it.
Claire
So peaceful and lovely, yet so eerie and unsettling too. Well told, I really loved it.
Thank you!
The inclusions of scent is so powerful.. I have heard somewhere that nothing evokes memories more than scent.
I’m certain that’s true. Thanks Bjorn.
Beautifully written. 🙂 I love the line about inhaling memories – scent is such a powerful trigger. I get a definite sense that when she becomes still, it is a stillness of death.
I think you’re right. To me, she’s dead. But I’m happy for readers to take it any way they like.
What a way to go. A full life and a good death…
Absolutely!
Beautiful, Claire. I can sit right along side her and hear her voice churning the memories, and really sweet, treasured ones at that. I love the phrase “inhaled memories.” Lovely.
Thanks Amy.
You made this moment so real. I’m thinking I might get a rocking chair to put on my deck now.
PS. I can’t wait for your novel! 🙂
Glad you enjoyed the story. And if you read my novel, let me know!
Thanks, Claire.
I thought she’d just fallen asleep with her memories but after reading the comments now I think she might be dead 🙁
I’ll go with asleep if that’s okay 🙂
Perfectly fine to go with asleep…
Claire
Nice imagery. I can almost smell the fresh linen.
And isn’t it a lovely smell?
Claire
Hauntingly beautiful. Well done.
Thanks Maree.
Claire
Lovely story, Claire. I’m thinking this was historic fiction. It does look like an old-fashioned house. I loved your reply to Paul. That was hilarious. This is the peaceful type of death so many hope for when their time comes. Well done as always. What an exciting time for you with your book being on sale soon. 🙂 — Suzanne
Thanks Suzanne. Actually I hadn’t thought about the time period. I don’t know how many old people sit in rocking chairs on porches these days…
Claire
Very evocative. I love your imagery and mood. The stillness at the end seems so natural and gently – she just slipped away. Wow.
Thanks Margaret. Glad you liked it. A good way to go.
Claire
A beautiful piece and beautiful way to go, at peace with the breeze bring back memories. Evocative and poignant.
Thanks Sarah Ann. Glad you enjoyed it.
Claire
SUPERB.
I loved how it ended… utterly still. All the good memories a send off…
Clair, this is a WONDERFUL piece. Sorry for shouting, but I loved it so.
Thanks Kate. This one does seem to have affected lots of readers, including you. I’m so pleased you liked it.
Claire
I love the sensory elements that you picked to set the atmosphere. Nicely done.
Thanks Simon. Glad you saw that.
Claire
An interlude? Or more? I will never know. I will have both. This almost reads like an extended haiku. Perhaps it’s the storks. Or their shadows, more precisely. Anyway, I love the imagery. I’m surprised you found the time to write this, with your book coming out imminently. 🙂
Yes, let’s have both! It is getting hard to find the time at the moment – so many things to do. But I love writing for FF and I’m trying to find the time to keep doing it.
Claire
What a beautiful, beautiful story. And what a way to depart. I enjoyed this so much.
Thank you. I’m really pleased.
Claire
“inhaled memories” and such descriptive memories. I love reading your work each week Claire and see what you come up with.
Ahh, thank you!
Claire
Dear Claire, What a beautiful, touching story! She was lucky to have such memories! Well done! Nan 🙂