Osprey - 11-19-2009 at 10:32 AM
The Message
I had my head down while I walked the beach looking for shells near the lighthouse. There was some wind last night off the ocean so the line of shells
and twigs and pieces of driftwood was high above the little waves, the swath of damp sand, wide and clean and soothing to my feet.
When I saw her, when I got close, I stopped – didn’t move, couldn’t move. A woman, bent down, a tiny stick in her hand, writing a long letter in the
sand. This is such a lovely, lonely strand I was shocked to be sharing it with anyone, let alone such an interesting possibility.
Of course she knows the next tide will cancel forever what she is laboring to etch into the soft, flat shore. Whatever the words are that she commits
only to the sea they seemed to me to be the end of a long, studied message. The woman did not hesitate, neither did she rush to make a point, reach,
perhaps a little too early, a turning point in her message. The flow and purpose were one.
What love and devotion she must hold for the one who can never read her words. She cannot hold them in; once written, their memory and meaning will
never die.
Then she saw me, stood erect, stared in my direction. After an immeasurable awkwardness gripped me, then let me move, I walked toward her. She turned
to face me and shock held me again. Her face was a mask of misery – an ugly scar turned her left cheek into two uneven lumps of flesh.
Locked in the absolute vacuum of the moment I could find no comfortable place for her words.
“Bottle? Maybe papers?”
She didn’t wait for my answer, just returned to her work.
When I could move again I turned and fighting a little guilt, stole a glance or two of the message as I retreated. It was a waste. Now I wish I had
never read her filthy, if momentary, tirade.
Pescador - 11-20-2009 at 07:37 AM
I am never surprised when I read your stories as you truly have the gift, but I am still amazed that these thoughts even enter your mind. But that in
fact may be the secret, the ability to put things down that were so freely floating around up there.
mulegemichael - 11-20-2009 at 07:59 AM
jorge...sweet!
Diver - 11-20-2009 at 08:02 AM
Thank you.
nobaddays - 11-21-2009 at 07:03 AM
very nice
bajalera - 11-21-2009 at 06:56 PM
Another powerful one, thanks.
Ken Bondy - 11-21-2009 at 07:54 PM
You are an amazing talent Jorge. Saludos, ++Ken++
Iflyfish - 11-21-2009 at 10:36 PM
What an amazing moment. Thanks. A great short story.
Iflyfish
toneart - 11-21-2009 at 10:58 PM
I see the woman as a metaphor for the way the mind sees what we want to see; the romantic vision, until/unless circumstance affords us a glimpse of
the dichotomy that may also be present. The observer must be aware and open to look.
Thank you, Osprey!