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Being a seriously dedicated book worm, I have always had a longing for literature, devouring book after book, savouring each page. I think it may be a combination of my ridiculously over active imagination and my appreciation for beautiful imagery delivered in black and white type, that led me to try out my hand at writing. Dearest friends, I tell you this with a spring in my step and the goofiest of smiles on my face, that my very first 'real' attempt at writing a piece, has landed itself in the latest issue of one of my favourite online magazines Whim!
Here you can find issue 5 in all its whimsical beauty and charm, jam packed with dreamy photography and delicate literature, wonderfully gathered into one swell magazine. Whim Online Magazine have long been my favourite place to venture, when looking for a little creative inspiration and I recommend paying them a visit any time you're in need of an escape into a world of wonder and delight!
Here is my story, please feel free to have a read and let me know what you think. I welcome any advice or critique, as I hope to write more and using your help perhaps I can develop!
Footsteps Of The Past
The tiles peal away
with surprising ease, a sure indication of that ever invasive friend
called time. I dig my nails into the soil, my searching fingers find
a cool, hard surface and come up for air, grasping the key in both
hands. Kneeling on the ground, I take a moment to appreciate my
treasure. The long, thin metal retained its intricate wonder, as the
loose dirt clings to the curved edges. Within these four wooden
walls, decrepit and crumbling, I pause amongst the over grown
surroundings, hidden from the outside world.
How did she know I
would find it? Such immense responsibility resting on one long
forbidden secret, but how could she have known it would unfold this
way?
I shake the key free of
the grains of time and stuff it into my pocket. As I struggle free of
the clutching claws and branches, the streaking golden beams that
coat the forest in an eerie glow, show me the way.
I begin to run. My mind
fills with unanswered questions. Thoughts I had long given up hope of
untangling, blurred memories I had long forgotten, began to haunt my
conscious. A face I could not place, a letter written in dark blue
ink, faded by the weary tears of its author. If only I could ask her.
See her one last time.
The sheltering crowd of
ancient trees open wide and as I look out across the stretch of water
a gentle creeping mist dances above the black depths. I long to run
back towards the warmth of the sun, but I had to know. My answers lay
ahead of me.
The boat was within
reach but time was running out. I picked up pace and circled around
the sandy bank and down towards the beech wood planks, that creaked
and moaned with each foot step. The air hung moist and suffocating,
as if pulling me down towards the silent lake beneath the deck. I
scrambled for the rough, old rope holding the boat fast, and with a
weakening grasp I release my vessel from this floating spectre of an
island.
Having done this a
thousand times as a child, these waters and land had always held a
fascination, luring me into its fading embrace. The summer eves I
have spent, stretched out on the deck, listening to this world around
me. The warmth of the season soaking into my skin, entire days lost
in this most isolated of places.
I make a leap to reach
the boat, as it slowly makes its escape. Time slipping away like silk
in the wind. As my feet leave the boards, a spread of birds stretch
out across the sky, a wave of freedom mimicking my haste. I hit the
boat and in that moment time stood still as the breath left my body
and every vein squeezed tight to a halt. The key that held my story,
dropped delicately into the vast liquid swell, leaving nothing but a
sequence of ripples, then silence.
Congratulations on getting your piece published! I really enjoyed reading it - I love the sense of mystery you create and the ending's especially effective :) Thanks for introducing me to Whim magazine too.
ReplyDeleteGemma
Gemma thanks, coming from you this means a lot! I really enjoyed writing it and think I may have caught the bug now, just want to write more!
DeleteWow, wonderful post. ;-)
ReplyDeleteLovely greets Ness
Thank you sweetness : )
DeleteWow, that's amazing! Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteLove,
Rowan
Personal Style Blog WWW.REDREIDINGHOOD.COM
Bedankt Rowan! I'm pretty excited : )
Deletewell done on getting published!
ReplyDeletecultkid.blogspot.com
Amber, thank you sweetness : )
Delete