Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Body Language (11/25/10)
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TITLE: Double Wow: Especially in Love | Previous Challenge Entry
By Henry Clemmons
11/29/10 -
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Autumn and I sat on a park bench near the river. It was just the two of us and a kite I brought incase our conversation went right, or at least the way I’d hoped it would. It was a special kite I bought on-line.
The season’s change was evident the Saturday after Thanksgiving. I watched and listened to geese fly on their journey south. I liked the way they flew in formation. It spoke of unity, teamwork, family and love; all the things I desired and was in favor of.
I wanted us to be alone that day; away from families, expectations and the clutter of holiday. At some point in my life I desired a family and wanted to know if Autumn felt the same way.
My girlfriend preferred her middle name. She thought Abigail was too old fashioned and lame for a lawyer. She was named after her grandmother. I met her once at a picnic before she passed. She seemed like a great woman; one of virtue and honesty. She was a poet of notable fame. Her mind was still sharp as a tack that day. She shared some of her verses. I was impressed and remembered one.
Beware lips with words
While arms cross on chest
They’re bankrupt
Not worthy of invest
Beware lips with words
With a slight rubbing of nose
Thorns are sharp
On that dainty, but deadly rose
Beware lips with words
While fingers twirl in hair
They’re polluted
Stained with untruth and foul air
Beware lips with words
And no embrace
Beware lips with words
Especially in love
Beware lips with words
Neatly arranged
Beware lips with words
Especially
In love
When she finished reciting she gazed over at her granddaughter sipping wine and Abigail’s smile suddenly went flat like her spirit deflated; something changed. When her attention drew back to me she kissed me on the side of my face.
“Especially in love,” she whispered and excused herself.
I don’t know why she shared that particular verse with me. I don’t know if she was prophetic, but her words revisited me as Autumn spoke.
“Of course I love you,” she offered while rubbing her nose.
“Yes, I’d like a family one day,” she stated as she played with her hair.
And with arms folded across her chest she asked why I wanted to know.
I hesitated before responding. The wind was rustling through drying tree limbs above and I could hear a whisper.
Especially in love.
“Autumn,” I said looking her square in the eyes, “I think I love you, but …”
Nelly’s newest song, “Just a Dream” began playing from Autumn’s jeans pocket. I always felt it was a strange ringtone to have in a relationship, unless, it was a hint.
Hmmmm.
“Hey do you mind if I get this? I’m expecting a call on this new trial.”
She zipped her phone free from its case and walked over to the river before I could say I did mind.
I heard church bells ringing across the river.
Not with this lady, Lord. Not with this lady. And thanks for the heads up. And tell Miss Abigail up there she rocks; totally, especially when it comes to love.
“Hey, Hon, I have to run. Can we talk about this later?” Autumn strutted toward my truck before I could answer.
“Hey,” I said as I jogged toward her, “let me give you the keys. You take the truck. I’ll walk home later. I kind of want to hang out and fly the kite.”
“You sure, Baby? You’re so sweet. I soooo love you.” She took the keys, no hug, and was gone.
Goodbye.
I got the kite ready; a heart shaped red one, and tried to fly it as high as I could. I was going to cut it loose.
“Hey, that’s pretty neat.” A female voice startled me from behind.
I turned.
Wow.
“Are you an expert kite flier or something? That’s very high.”
What a smile.
“No, I’m just goofin’, killing time. You want to give it a try? You just have to hold this spool.”
‘Sure,” She said, rubbing her hands together.
“What’s your name?” I asked.
“April.”
“Cool,” I said, tilting my head.
Double wow.
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It was light and fun, but still contained a powerful message about listening to the still small voice.
I also liked how the MC drew wisdom from a poem told to him years ago. (And how you brought your poetic skills into the story. ;) )
Being a hopeless romantic, I thought the ending was just perfect. It seemed that just as he was pulling away from what would have been an awful mistake in love, God provided him with something better. It reiterates the wonderful lesson: wait for the right one.
You should write prose more often. It's as awesome as your poems! Double wow.