A Story by Cookie....

Hi folks. Not really a hobby as such, but recently I tried to have a go at writing a few short stories for a different forum. It was just to pass the time really and give myself a challenge to do something I hadn't done since school days.

Wanted to share one of those stories with you all. All feedback and criticism welcome. Hope you enjoy. Please bear in mind I'm a happy amateur and these were in no way intended for anything more than a pleasureable pastime.


THE ANNIVERSARY WALTZ

"Oh, my dear... we are getting far too old for this, you know...!"

So puffed Edith, as Bill took her by the hand and helped her up onto the brow of the hill.

"Ouch...flip....and Iâ??ve got a stone in my shoe again!"

Her words belied her. There was absolutely no trace of annoyance in her voice, she was so very happy to be here again.

Muddy and breathless they were, but they always came back to this spot on the night of their wedding anniversary. This pleasant little church on the hill. The church where they were both christened, the church where they were married and saw their children and grandchildren christened.

It was their special place in the whole world.

The sun was setting golden, orange in the west as they sat wearily down on the age worn bench in the shelter of the yew tree, by the flag-stoned entrance to the church. This was their bench. Their view. Their paradise.

Edithâ??s cheeks creased into a smile as the memories of their courting here, flooded back.

"Do you remember when you asked me to marry you?" she chortled.

"Youâ??re never going to let me forget, are you darling? He smiled back at her.

He had been so nervous he had dropped the ring and it had rolled down the slope into a cowpat.

They both shared the memory and burst into laughter. Laughter that comes with a lifetime of loving that special someone. The sharing of all those happy times, a living memory, a tangible happiness which effervesced from both their eyes. Eyes crinkled with the laughter lines of a shared existence of fun together.

The sun dropped below the horizon but the night was warm. Bill, ever the gentleman, put his jacket around Edithâ??s shoulders and took her hands in his.

They had married in the high summer, when the flowers were in full bloom and the air filled with their perfume. Sixty years ago to the day. Every year, they made this pilgrimage to this peaceful monument to their love.

"Weâ??ve done ok, havenâ??t we Ede?"

Pride resounded in that statement. They had two wonderful children. Children who had grown up in that family unit of love and tenderness and good humour. Children who loved them with all their hearts and who always would. Their Grandchildren had brought a delight to Bill and Edith, which again filled them with the happy vigour of youth. Slower maybe, but just as enthusiastic, sharing in their games and their imaginings.

Edith sighed suddenly. Bill sensed her change of mood immediately. They were always so attuned.

"What is it my darling love?" he asked softly.

"Oh my Bill... how much longer can we keep doing this? I fear this may be the last time we can manage it, it is such a climb, and we neither of us are getting any younger."

It was true. Edith was already very arthritic and had found this climb difficult. More difficult than she would ever admit to her Bill. And Bill, he had had scares with his heart â?? surely this couldnâ??t be good for him?

Bill stroked her white hair away from her face and soothed her tenderly.

"As long as we are together, we can do anything my dearest girl."

Her frown dissolved into a smile. A smile which brought tears to her eyes as she looked at the man who had won her heart from the first time she saw him. He had been so gallant in his uniform. For him, she had been the tonic which had taken all the hurt and trauma of his time on the Front away.

Time passed as they sat on that bench. The crescent moon rose in a shallow arc above the horizon and set early, but the stars all came out to celebrate the affection that these two elderly lovers cherished together. The scent of the honeysuckles surrounded the pair and starlight played on Edithâ??s silver tresses. The Earth may have been turning, but for them, for this moment, they were in a suspended dream of memories and past lives.

Hours they spent, murmuring to each other. Private memories that bespoke of a life of commitment and steadfastness. Life hadnâ??t always been easy, but their partnership had given them a special grace which saw them through the bad times.

The darkest hour of the night passed. The tinge of pink on the Eastern horizon heralded the start of a new day. Edith and Bill knew it was time for them to go.

Bill stood up stiffly and gently helped Edith to her feet. She was about to take a step away when jokily he put his old flat cap on her head and took her hand and said in his most chivalrous tone....

"Please young lady, may I have this dance?"

Edith, eyes shining with delight, but with a seriousness which struck Bill to his core, replied coyly..." Yes please my dear."

Gently he pulled her to him, taking her by the waist and hand and started to slowly, liltingly, sway with her on those hallowed flagstones. His head rested by her ear and his beautiful baritone started murmuring to her, just as on that day 60 years ago.... their song.

"Oh, how we danced on the night we were wed
we vowed our true love though a word wasn't said
The world was in bloom, there were stars in the skies
except for the few that were there in your eyes

Dear as I held you close in my arms
Angels were singing a hymn to your charms
Two hearts gently beating, murmuring low
Darling, I love you so

The night seemed to fade into blossoming dawn
the sun shone anew but the dance lingered on
Could we but relive that sweet moment sublime
We'd find that our love is unaltered by time"

As he came to the end of this immortal song of love, the tears ran down her soft cheeks and they held each other and kissed, renewing their love and their vows in silent understanding.

The rising sun burst over the top of the hill and the dawn chorus sang out in full voice.

Bill and Edith had gone.
Vanished back into that place where together they lie. Together in life and together they are in death. Back into that cold, soily bed of sleep for another year, until that special time they are allowed to walk again. As they were married, so were they buried. In that little church on the hill. Laid in that grave that took both their names. Another year must pass before they may walk again and remember how things were. To remember their life together one more time. To celebrate their life... in death.

*
Bench Dedication:

In loving memory of Bill and Edith.

May they Rest in Peace.

A broken heart through the loss of one brought them back together again in eternity, reunited in heaven.

Together they loved and together they died.

They used to sit here and watch the sunrise together. This was their place.

END



and this was a poem I wrote for the same forum....

THE LAST WALK THROUGH THE WOODS

Twas dark and lonely on that Path,
The Path which led into the night.
The Path which drew me on to Death,
It led me on, â??til out of sight.

*
All nature seemed to hold its breath,
My presence there, beheld the charm.
My final walk, my last on Earth,
Leaving life and all its harm.

*
The trees rose dark above my head,
Their wand-like boughs, all waving slow.
A light from somewhere deftly led
Me on, to where? I did not know?

*
Their curling branches, mingling high,
A breath of wind came glancing through.
The leafless limbs let out a sigh,
Their shadows formed a dancing hue.

*
A night bird cried, the silence hewn,
Hunting through those branches high.
Looking up, I see no moon,
Yet stars appear, to lace the sky.

*
Twas then I heard that piping tune,
A sweet ,yet mournful melody.
A stanza filled with natureâ??s boon,
A dark and haunting rhapsody.

*
Then out from those dark trees He sprang,
A human shape, yet something more.
His pipes now madly, gaily sang,
Twas hooves danced on that glowing floor.

*
A horror deep inside me dwelt,
I knew this creature in my way.
I knew Him from His glossy pelt,
Twas Pan, the Faun of all thatâ??s fey.

*
He saw me standing thus a-feared.
A smile played on His knowing face.
He laughed and wagged His shaggy beard,
And suddenly gave eager chase.

*
I knew right then, I had to run,
No longer did I wish to die.
Iâ??d come here â?? all the world to shun,
But, now my heart, cried out to fly!

*
He scorned my ailing final dash,
Back to the world Iâ??d always known.
Then came a sudden, lightening flash,
And on my knees, I there was thrown.

*
Behind me was this fateful Beast,
Who sought to take me down below.
On my wan soul he soon would feast,
But where came thus, this wondrous glow?

*
Before me stood an Angel proud,
Who's blazing light around me fell.
Pan roared in anger, harsh and loud,
Then skipped away, back down to hell.

*
The Angel gently lifted me,
Unto his arms I felt him take
Away my fear, set my heart free,
And saw me safe, For His Names sake.

*
Twas then I knew Youâ??re not alone,
Despite the things life does to harm.
Around each one, this light is shone,
This Angelâ??s wings give forth a balm.

*
For everyone who feels despair,
Pan waits for you in woods of night.
But never let him catch you there,
Life's full of grace and full of light.


The End.


and if you hadn't guessed.... it was a horror forum wanting ghostly type material!

 

I love the story :thumb:

 

I loved the story too, but the poem was something else again...........fantastic. Thank you Cookie.

 

Thanks so much Anakat and Moyra :o

 

thanks Cookie loved them :thumb:

 

What a clever story,I loved the twist at the end. Keep up the good work, your obviously a natural writer.