This story and painting, were created for a Writer friend who had just lost his very best friend; his gorgeous dog, Boo. I couldn't do anything to help but I knew how devastated he was and this was a little something I could do. The painting is now his.
He felt a hot breath on his neck.
Just a small, pale
whisper. Enough to make him raise his hand and feel for damp. There was none.
He turned around and saw space. Empty space. Not of things but empty of Life.
There had always been Life following him around. Even when
his own felt tenuous and strained. When life strained at the leash and pulled
him along into the dark and the unexpected.
Life held onto him when he needed it to and kept him warm
when he was cold.
Now Life was gone and he felt empty and lost. Un-tethered. His daily programme smashed into little
soulless pieces. He walked with Life, sat with Life, watched TV with Life. Now
Life was gone and it was wrong. All wrong.
The desk looked up at him. “Go on,” it seemed to say “lean
on me, tap me, put paper on me and write on me. Use me. Come on. Come on.”
He threw his pen down. Picked it up. Threw it down again.
Sighed.
The breath was back. A warm tickle.
He turned quickly this time. Tried to beat sound or light.
Nothing.
Something.
Maybe something.
Again.
Warm.
There.
 |
| The Muse Tracey Edges 2012 |
The pen was back in his hand. Silver and heavy. Slippery
with his perspiration. Hand was wiped on trouser leg. Then pen. Pad was angled
and he began.
Not knowing. What? Who? When? Where? Why?
The words came out from the end of the silver shaft....
drip.... drip.... drip.... Then faster. A flow. A release.
Three hours. Five thousand words. Good words. Great words.
Hand ached. Head didn’t. The throbbing had stopped. He smiled for the first
time.
The Muse lolled his tongue and was happy. He breathed the
connection.
He was his Master’s Voice.
Once more.
Lovely :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Tanya :-)
DeleteLovely indeed, brought a tear to my eye. Not a day goes by that I don't miss my last dog and its been 2 years. Nothing replace the love of a dog. No one is happier to see you when you walk in the door, they want nothing but to be near you and a little bit of attention. I love my dog now, but every time I lose one, a bit of my heart breaks and won't come back. It is wonderful what you did for your friend. Thanks so much for sharing Tracey.
ReplyDeletePaul R. Hewlett
Thank you Paul :-) I'm the same. Dogs are certainly man's (and woman's) best friend and it is an absolute killer when they leave. I just knew exactly how he was feeling but felt utterly helpless.
DeleteA lovely piece of writing Tracey. Perceptive and moving.
ReplyDeleteAnd a great thing to help your friend in his sorrow.
Thank you Chloe :-) x
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