*
even after all these years
~~
she studied his square jaw line
determined it would be the same one she had memorized
from
all those nights she laid awake
outlining every inch of him
from the dim light
coming through the slit in the curtain
while he obliviously slept the night away
~
the curtain
that had never hung quite right
now that she thought about it
~
the room
had grown eerily quiet
if that was even possible
and
now
motionless
except for the air being stirred up
by
slow blinking lashes unbalancing themselves on ruggedly high cheekbones
~
she finally spoke
~
she said his name out loud
~
at least she thought it was out loud
and
when she saw baby steps of a smudgy glimmer in his eyes
a recognition of sorts
she knew her voice had been heard
~~
christopher gently reached out to her
and
like wax being poured into a mold
natalie melted into him
remembering this was the only place she had ever truly fit
~~
he carried her to the bed she once shared with him
while ever so softly
removing
her headband
and
setting it purposely on the night stand
as if to make a statement
~
the headband that had been keeping her face wide open
~~
his lips
with a wild hunger
bit hers
~
he tasted the way she remembered
~
like old cigarettes swimming in a deep dark liquor
~
a musky kind of smell
that somehow
reminded her of her grandmothers house
which
had always comforted her
like an old torn quilt
~
it was warm and wonderful
making
her want to roll around in it for days
~
actually
for nights
~
days and days
of
long nights
with only the sound of dragonfly wings in the distance
*
this is part two of
where I completely left you hanging
~
which means I've had more nights of tossing and turning
which means
not enough sleep
which means
time to the call the doctor and ask for help
or maybe
I just need
a few glasses of warm milk
*
Beautiful...you had me all eager and then......!!!!! Wonderfully written. And the photo is beautiful too!
ReplyDeleteHugs
SueAnn
Great writing! I love how you're doing this in little installments - great idea!
ReplyDeleteAnd, I love that shot! Beautiful!
perfect continuation of a great start! Your insomnia equals our rapt attention....(sorry for that though- I know that stinks to not sleep)
ReplyDeletethis is outstanding!!!! i want MORE! please...
ReplyDeleteOh Beth you swirl me of my feet with these beautiful stories. But I'm worried about you not sleeping. So really do take good care of yourself please. Warm coco hugs from me.
ReplyDeleteso intimate... I almost feel I am intruding and I have to slow down to make sure I capture each nuance you suggest with your words... powerful writing!
ReplyDeleteHave you tried melatonin? Its a great place to start before you reach for the prescriptions.
maybe when you write it all out, sleep will return ? just a thought...
ReplyDeleteA breathing trick I learned in meditation class that often helps me - not always, but often -
exhale for twice as many counts as you inhale
example
inhale to the count of 3, then exhale to the count of 6...
Repeat, and repeat, and repeat...
Apparantly this causes a physical change in your brain that signals deep relaxation or sleep. Like I said, it has worked for me.
Wishing you peace and rest, lovely lovely Friend !
such beautiful writing...can't wait to find out what happens next! sleep eludes me these days...i am sure it is hormonal for me...sucks!
ReplyDeleteHi there tender soul. I thought you deserved this Award. You can pick it up on my blog. Hugs Dagmar
ReplyDeleteyou write amazingly... pulls the reader in. However the thought of someone tasting like old cigarettes swimming in a deep dark liquor... kind of killed the moment for me.
ReplyDeletenevertheless, the writing is still amazing.
It's a good "left hanging" that makes me lust for more. And sometimes, sleep and creative bursts just aren't compatible. Are there any other signs that the sleep disturbances are a problem?
ReplyDeleteBeautiful writing, you have found a wonderful voice. I love this part
ReplyDelete"remembering this was the only place she had ever truly fit" ah.
And sleep...elusive for me too right now. I've tried extra exercise, no sugar, no wine and that just makes for a dull day and still no sleep!
Still, in the no sleep time you are creating a beautiful story!
...your insomnia certainly is related to your creativity...this is going to be fun to follow even if I do really hope you get some good restful sleep...
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with rad6 tho in that the cigarettes and liquor taste is a real turn off to me...
I am here at the computer so many nights that sleep eludes me but, unfortunately, nothing so beautiful as your writing, with its vivid story that makes us hunger for more, results from it! I cannot wait for the next installment but I would wish you no more sleepless nights.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful job, Beth! Take a bow!
ReplyDeleteHave you ever taken a Benadryl or two before bed? If not, one will do it.
It's extremely benign. I have to take it every night to breathe...and it makes me drowsy.
This is wonderful Beth, so sorry about your sleep, I wish I could be creative when I am tired. Take care. big hugs.
ReplyDeleteI swear that my natural rhythm is set to second shift...around ten am until after midnight. I just function better during those hours.
ReplyDeleteI love this story. Very visual, with your descriptive.
Now, about this powwow...am I invited? ;)
Ha! I thought you were talking about you and hubby until I thought - who's Christopher? Wait who's Natalie? Ok, I'm slow today. It's really good. I hope you're feeling ok. And if you're too restless perhaps you're being called to create more. I do remember now that someone is an artist besides a photographer. And now a writer.
ReplyDeleteso this is what swirls around your head when you can't sleep? No wonder you can't sleep! :-)
ReplyDeletesuch breathtaking words!
ReplyDelete...i was watching it on Lifetime....were you??!!! LOL
and i love meg ryan in anything as well, she is my absolute favorite actress!
phew.... hmmmm. I was getting a little hot!
ReplyDeleteI think our bodies go into strange rythyms! I have been finding myself waking up every night at 4AM - hey if we're both up we could chat! lol!
Happy Wednesday!
Your story drew me in and I wanted to hear more.
ReplyDeleteSleep does go in cycles, at least I think so. I find Meletonin (spelling is questionable) help to break the cycle.
I'm a bit confused ... is this your own writing?
ReplyDeleteIt is very beautiful and it just drew me in. I'm now waiting for the last part, please publish it before taking anything the doctor prescribes. Don't go to sleep on us now :)
Seriously...I hope you are sleeping better soon.
this is such beautiful writing. you really captured me. can't wait for more.
ReplyDeletethere is an interesting quality about the photograph too.
wonderful
superb writing
ReplyDeleteand wonderful style.
plenty of surprises, the senses.
loved the dragon fly wings!
you're going places!
(and you're already there.)
Chuck
i always love to visit here...your writing and pictures are spectacular!
ReplyDelete