Image by Stefan Keller
Long ago, when the world was young, a fire had burned in him, red as hearts’ blood and he had called it love. She had risen beside him, igniting the life within, and their lives had mingled. Deep within his heart, passion flamed and overflowed and from its bright beginnings a land had been brought to birth. A land in which she had been loved and cared for by her children, while he watched over them all in joy and the green earth flourished.
Had he tended them too well? Nurturing their curiosity, encouraging them to explore the nature of a life they believed was their own? Their children had learned new ways and turned away from the old.
Forsaken, they had grown old together. The story of their love was told only as a fairy tale, no more than make-believe. And though their love endured, his flame waned as her forgotten life faded and she fell into pale sadness and sleep.
Only then did they come, their prodigal sons, trudging through a blighted wilderness of their own creation. Did they know what they sought? Would they remember love at the last?
Beneath his hand, he felt her stir, but whether in hope or death he did not know. He could only wait…
Written for the new monthly Fiction Prompt
hosted by D. Wallace Peach at Myths of the Mirror.
Oh wow Sue. Loved this!!!! I’m signing up for this one!
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Thanks, Di 🙂
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Beautiful ❤
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Thanks, Alethea ❤
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Thank you so much for taking on the prompt, Sue. Yay! And what a beautiful, poignant story of enduring love, though the power of loss comes through as well. I love the open-ended finish. I can’t wait to share. Hugs. ❤
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Thanks, Diana. I love the picture and had to do something for it 🙂
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I’m honored Sue that you took the time. ❤
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Time I am always short of these days 😉 x
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Lovely writing. You managed to write an end that could be a beginning or finality at the same time.
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Thanks, Carol… I don’t think that can ever be an either/or moment 😉
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Splendid.
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Thanks, Ken.
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Reblogged this on Myths of the Mirror and commented:
Thanks so much to Sue Vincent for taking up the January prompt and for her wonderful response. Enjoy!
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We should definitely pay more attention to those old stories. (K)
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I believe we should.
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Great job, Sue.
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Thanks, Robbie.
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Nicely done, Sue!
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Thank you, Jill.
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A beautiful poem Sue, I don’t really have the words to express how lovely it is.
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Thank you…I appreciate that.
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Definitely my pleasure!
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Love this mythological beginning with the hints of fantasy.
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Thank you. I hope it is a beginning and not an ending 😉
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Amazing, Sue. Just beautiful! ❤
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Thanks, Penny. ❤
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Oh, well done, Sue! I liked this one best so far!
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Thank you, Sheri.
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Awww, this was sad and sweet at the same time. Very nice!
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Thank you.
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It’s a beautiful love story, Sue. This makes me think of The Notebook. Their love endured and even flourished for a time, and when dementia stepped in, they passed together. I like that thought ❤
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I’ve never read or seen The Notebook, but I know what you mean, Jacquie.
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Reblogged this on anita dawes and jaye marie.
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Thanks for sharing, Jaye x
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Beautiful and passionate story, Sue. I really enjoyed it. 😀 xo
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Thank you, Vashti xx
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Beautiful and sad mythical story!
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Thanks, Lyn.
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A beautiful story Sue. I hope their offspring wakes up too!
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So do I!
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A tender rendering. Thank you.
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Thanks, Violet.
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My kind of story, Sue. He does have such a loving look.
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I thought so too, Jane
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🙂
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Pingback: January Photo-prompt Round-up | Myths of the Mirror
Great read, words woven in melody.
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Thank you.
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