Fairy of Crimson Regret

She opened her eyes. She hovered in the air, a form pale of color. Beneath her, a young woman lying on her side as if asleep. She noticed that flowing between them was a slender silver thread, pale and shimmering faintly. On silent translucent wings, she gently lowered herself down to the ground. On pale quiet feet, she drew closer to the still woman. With every step, images flash across her mind's eye revealing a story that seems almost familiar: Seemingly uncaring parents too busy to love a child; feeling alone even amidst a crowd; wrong men drifting in and out of her life; a soul mate found in the most unlikely of places; a husband and child taken too soon.

Stopping less than a foot away, she kneels beside her. Faint breaths fan dark hair lying across a hidden face. Limbs used to lively movement are at rest. An average body that has intimately known life now lies in the embrace of deep sleep. Extending a graceful hand, she gently touches the bowed head. Her wings dip into the pool of crimson regret that weeps from stilled hands. A blue deeper than midnight lit only by stars shimmers inside of her eyes. Her skin glows copper as an awakening sun arising from slumber. Betrayal and broken dreams darken her long hair as she shed tears for a shattered woman with no one to cry for her.

Leaning forward, she presses a kiss of forgiveness and peace so long sought to a pale cheek. On a soft sigh, the woman breathes no more. With a faint sound of chimes, the fragile thread dissolves. Standing, her tears flowing like benediction, she asks the oak and earth upon which she laid to cradle the woman she once was. Her duty now attended, the fairy born of crimson regret whispers farewell and takes to the sky. A single tear from heaven caresses her raven hair, leaving behind a silver promise of life reborn.

Remembered Love

I remember her love...
As she baked cakes and
kissed all her children,
listened to my fears and
laughed away the tears.
Her face, touch and voice
are my earliest memories.
Her strength and respect
are my strongest memories.
Her peace, smile and love
are my last memories.
She left me with gifts
to shape the woman from
the child of her heart.
No amount of time,
space or sorrow shall
dull the beauty of
remembered love of
a great-grandmother.

Writings 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11