Tuesday, February 15, 2011

True Words

I have enjoyed painting this subject so much, that I've done it four times.  You can view several others of her on my watercolor Website. It's not hard to imagine what's going through her mind, but to put it in a bit of flash fiction was a challenge.


True Words

I don’t remember exactly when he came to live with us, but do I remember he taught me to ride his bicycle on my sixth birthday, when I did the math and figured out he was half again as old as me.

He didn’t use watered-down adult euphemisms like, "Joined the circus" or "Went to the Funny Farm." He spoke words that shaved away mystery, like "death" and "mental illness" as if my young mind could carve a likeness of his loss and fear.

For a year, we ran wild in the fields and through the woods. Breathlessly, I tried to see through his eyes as we ventured into places dark and untamed. On my seventh birthday, he kissed my cheek and gifted me a book of poetry. “She’s better now,” he said, “and I’ll be leaving.”

With eyes like hers, he sat beside his mother as they pulled away from the curb. “I’ll never forget you,” he said, his promise hanging in the air, dissipating as the distance grew. Even now, I wait for his words to come true.

I read the verses and wonder if they are the only truth I will ever know.



26 comments:

  1. "places dark and untamed." Love this. And I love that picture. The grass is amazing, as well as her hair.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks Michelle! I could have written a hundred differnt stories to go with that hair! (The grass still makes me a little crazy to look at it.)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Very cool, you are a fantastic artist, and stretching your canvas to to the written word gives a nice depth to the picture, a reading warrants an extended viewing afterward to see your story in her expression.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Rick, how eloquently stated!

    *I blush*

    Thank you so much for your kind words. I'm glad you like my painting. :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. How amazing...to be able to paint with colors and with words. I'm envious! You left me wanting more. Did he ever come back to her?

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thanks Liza! It has been a fun little exercise...

    Yes, I think he does come back, but people rarely come back in the form we imagine...sometimes for the better...sometimes, not...

    ReplyDelete
  7. Incredible, Bridget! Both the words and the painting.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I love combining the arts, finding the story within an image. It calls on our different perspectives, both in the writing and reading.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Joanne, I am often attracted to an image as a potential painting when I see a story in it.

    Your adeptness at "finding the story within an image" is well showcased on your blog!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Your flash fiction is amazing, as is your painting. :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. Stina, thanks for your kind words :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. I've been remiss in coming over here. I shall never make that mistake again.

    I wonder now, after reading your words, why you picked me to do the other? This was so incredibly tender. Your gifts of writing and art astound me.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Anne, I'm so glad you like this!

    I’ve been having a lot of fun branching out with my writing, using my paintings for prompts. The next painting, Spring Orchard is one of my favorites, but it really does beg Regency prose, which I wouldn’t have a clue how to write.

    Fortunately, I have become acquainted with your writing :) and it seems just right for Spring Orchard. It’s also a fun way to collaborate and show appreciation for a fellow writer (of course, I get to do the easy part—present a work that’s already complete).

    I can’t wait to post it!

    ReplyDelete
  14. I like the way you have painted her clothes, that delicate see-through shirt. And the words are so intriguing - they compliment each-other very well. :)

    ReplyDelete
  15. Thanks, Jayne :)

    I particularly like painting chiffon (I hope it looks like silk and not polyester, lol).

    ReplyDelete
  16. A gorgeous, complicated piece of writing. With the painting, you are quite a creative force!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Oh Lydia, seriously, you are too kind (but thanks for saying it :))

    ReplyDelete
  18. Absolutely lovely, the painting and the story. Your subject is beautiful too; has she seen the work she inspired? What a gift.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Lisa, thank you.
    Indeed she has seen it. Although I can't bring myself to part with the originals, her family has been the recipient of prints (which, to the untrained eye, look almost like an original).

    She's pretty much grown up now...

    ReplyDelete
  20. Even more fortunate then that you have found a way for her youth to last. Lucky lovely girl.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Me (or would that be 'You')--Gosh, Thanks...

    ReplyDelete
  22. The story tugged at my heart. And the picture is amazing. I love both.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Helen, it kinda tugged at my heart too...
    Thank you for your kind words :)

    ReplyDelete