Sunday, May 02, 2010

Magpie, #12



Because her memories are carried by the breeze, sometimes floating within her range of reason, sometimes fluttering weightlessly to the floor, she carries the paperweight in her pocket to keep them in place a little while longer. Because two weeks ago, her daughter promised her she would come by and help her write down her memories before they disappeared from the page. Because she feels the need for something solid, something to tether her here in this place for a little while longer, she carries this paperweight in her pocket.

This is something new for me, click on the sidebar, Magpie Tales, if you're interested in participating or just want to check it out. It's so awesome!

21 comments:

Maha said...

that was a beautiful take on the photo. I find your writing amazing!

Melinda Owens said...

Thanks, Maha...it's so nice to have feedback, positive or negative. I think this is going to be a thought-provoking project.

joanna said...

A gentle and tender loving tale --

Lovingly told.

Joanny

The Brave said...

That was stunning and bitter sweet. I loved the whole idea of securing our memories and ideas with something real like a paper weight. If only the intangible could be captured in such a way.

christine said...

Such a sadness about this, I loved the phrase...sometimes fluttering weightlessly to the floor.

Christine

Sheri said...

melinda, this was beautiful...the thought of something so fragile tethering us down for just a little longer. a wonderful magpie, thank you!

Unknown said...

yay! :)

lovely, lovely, lovely...

Brian Miller said...

marvelously done...short yet so meaningful...something to tether..i hope she is able tocapture them soon. great magpie!

Tumblewords: said...

I love the image of a paper weight being capable of holding the last walk at bay. Nice, oh, nice!

Helen said...

I absolutely loved this ... brought back all the memories of keeping a journal through the last five years of my mother's life ~ and her battle with Alzheimer's.

Melinda Owens said...

Thanks for the encouragement everyone. So very nice.

Tess Kincaid said...

Very poignant. Wonderful piece.

steviewren said...

Great way to use the prompt in a meaningful way. It was short, but got the point across flawlessly.

Lyn said...

That's really something..when a weight is all the memory we can carry! Thank you...

Berowne said...

Short -- but sweet. Congratulations.

chiccoreal said...

Dear Melissa: Deeply felt piece, full of empathy which brought tears to my eyes. Praying that the weight like the yoke will be lifted from this dear woman. As we all must, one day face similar burdens. Praying for those in need today. Keep writing; you have the right "stuff"!

Ronda Laveen said...

Reminds me of mother who had Alzheimer's. Wish I had written down more of her memoires than I did. Lovely.

Dan Kent said...

I like the way it comes down to the beginning again, almost as though she forgot it was told. Wonderful imagery - I especially like the first sentence. It..flutters.

Linda Bob Grifins Korbetis Hall said...

compact but powerful!
awesome job!

Linda Bob Grifins Korbetis Hall said...

http://jingleyanqiu.wordpress.com/2010/05/04/magpie-tale-the-list-of-magpie-tale-participants/

mine is here.
thanks for the feedback!

Anonymous said...

I love it when characters embrace symbolic meaning - it makes them so much richer. Beautiful and bittersweet.