Want to see some really great photography? Scott Marshall’s photography is just that. His blog ‘Land-Sea-Sky – Lathail’ showcases his images which include his favourites; landscape, seascape and skyscape photography.
Scott has offered this image as inspiration for a short story. This particular image is a departure from the norm for Scott. As with all artists, stretching and expanding one’s concepts is as inevitable and evolutionary as the wonderful planet upon which we live. Please visit Scott’s website to see more of his wonderful images.
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Image by Scott Marshall
Copyright © Scott Marshall 2012
A closer look was all she said; three harmless words that brought tragedy and grief to some, humour and bewilderment to others.
The day had begun so well.
We enjoyed the comraderie, the blue sky, the endearing rush of adrenaline as we soared with the elements that day. What was to unfold, none of us could tell.
The walk had been grand; the sight, a vision to behold.
Then, without warning she left. She picked up her weary body and left.
Without a word she walked away; we did not know why. We each surmised the day had taken its toll.
She’d had bad news some few weeks earlier. She’d not taken it well. There was a strange sight of a face ashen, without its usual colour.
Even so, she came with us.
It wasn’t until the clouds began hovering overhead we guessed her mood had changed. It wasn’t until she spoke those three words, we understood.
“A closer look,” she had said. “Take a closer look at our lives. We four, friends forever; and yet, what do we really know about each other? What would you know about how I long for company alone in my bed? What do you know about the days of tears and reminiscing that keep me company? What do you really know about me?” And then she left.
She headed for her home; it was but a short walk.
We stayed; we weren’t about to move.
The view was so spectacular; the fresh air electric.
Oh yes, we knew of what she spoke.
We knew our lives were shallow and yet, what was she to expect.
We each had not been spared the ravages of age, of lack, of aloneness.
Did she think her husband’s death was any less painful than ours?
We each knew that ‘time’ would be her friend, as it has become ours.
Carolyn Page
ABC of Spirit Talk with Carolyn Page 
oh my gosh, what a sad story 😦
I really do feel for that lady, fictional or not.
Yes, me too…! It happens, of course; and must be extremely difficult to experience.
I did try to make it a lighter story; however, a writer must write as inspired, and this was the inspiration given..!
Thank You so much for dropping by…! 🙂
I thought it was a real story to begin with, good job! It made me teary and all heh and you are welcome.
That’s a lovely compliment; Thank You…. 🙂
Lovely photo. I am sorry you dealt with that. Each persons pain is different but equally pain. 🙂
Oh, Rebecca; this is a ‘fictional’ piece only…
Though I Thank You for your touching compassion..!
Oh okay good. Well written.
Thank You so much…
I’m sure that many do experience this awful situation and learn to cope. It must be extremely difficult…!
Thank You for being such a sweetie… 🙂
This is very sad, Carolyn. You’ve captured her grief really well in so few words.
Thank You, Yaz… So many of life’s moments are sad… learning to cope with them is what counts…!
Thank You… you are one great girl…. 🙂 xoxoxo
I love that photo. You wrote a sad, but all-too-real story befitting it.
Thank You, Maddie….
It took ages to post it; I thought it a little too melancholy. Though, as you say, it is all-too-real, sadly..
Yes, I agree; Scott’s image is fabulous…! 🙂
Tweeted naturally 😀
But, of course…! 🙂
Wonderful! I loved that picture of Scott’s and am delighted to read the story behind it. 🙂
Yes, Scott’s work is wonderful; to be sure…! 🙂
I’m so glad you enjoyed the little story… sad though it is…!
Thank You for coming by… 🙂
Very good. I thought you were going in a dark direction first. But it turned out well.
Oh, Joe; that’s what I do..! It’s all about surprising the reader; as you do so well…! 🙂
well written one carolyn. nothing is as beautiful as an old, devoted friendship. with old age the bondings become really deep i think
Yes indeed, Sharmishtha. I hope that applies to me as I enter my golden years…!
you already are wrapped in a golden aura of wisdom. 🙂
I do think sometimes we are in too much of a hurry. Still too angry, to lost to realise that time is the only healer for certain wounds.
Yes, I absolutely agree… There are some pains that only time (and an inner willingness) can mend. Even when we think we are ‘healed’, a word or a song or a memory returns to let us know there are deeper levels to be unearthed……
And I can attest to that!!
I don’t always cry, but Nat King Cole’s rendition of Stardust never fails to bring a memory 😉
Hauntingly beautiful..!
“Love is now the stardust of yesterday; the music of the years gone by….”
It’s enough to bring a tear to my eye, and I don’t have a memory of which to be reminded…!
It does have that effect 😉
this was a wonderful write Carolyn. A thoughtful pairing.. your words and the photograph
Very kind of you to say… Three smiling women (a fourth walking away) however, there’s always so much more…!
🙂 Happy Wednesday to you….!
you too. 🙂
🙂
Very well told Carolyn. You captured the longing very well.
Thank You, Kim…! I really appreciate that..! 🙂 xoxoxo
A sad story but one that, if we are here long enough, may deal with ourselves. Beautifully done Carolyn.
Yes, LuAnn. I couldn’t help but think that too as I wrote; indeed that thought prevented me from clicking the ‘publish’ button for a few hours. Not a pleasant situation and yet one in which many find themselves today, and many will experience in their lives. Another aspect of our humanness…!
This piece really captured my heart. It brough tears to my eyes. Brilliant.
Yes, it’s one that we can identify with in so many ways…! Sorry about the tears and yet it is so lovely to be able to ‘feel’ deeply…
Enjoy the rest of your day…! 🙂
Oh Carolyn, your story of love and loss is beautiful in a harsh way. I really enjoy your short stories. You say a lot in few words, and you always evoke an emotion in me. xo
That says more about your creative imagination than it does about my writing…!
It would fall on ‘deaf ears’ if it wasn’t for the reader’s ability to relate…
However, Thank You; I love you… xoxoxo 😉
Beautiful work – both of you.
Thank You… xoxoxo
Scott’s images are fabulous; to be sure..!