Sunday, October 3, 2010

The Lantern, A Magpie Tale




Allison? Oh Allison, I’m so sorry. I remember my promise to keep myself safe. And I remember your promise to keep a light burning till I returned. Oh God Allison, what has become of us?

France was a dreadful place. I sat for days in mud and bloated bodies with not a thought but the flame that burned, and would herald my return home. I watched the vermin devour my fallen comrades with wild abandon, unable to move, as the shells fell and remembering my promise to stay safe. Hell on earth. Our only orders, “dig in”. Forgive me Allison. My thoughts were only of you and baby McCalister. The smell of blood and earth and sulphur smoke cloud my senses and dispose me in a sea of despair. Forgive me Allison. We were huddled in a mud filled hole. A blinding light, soundless.

And I find myself here, before your window. Oh God Allison, I will not return. Can you forgive me? I will love you always, but I will never be able to be your lover. Please tell McCalister about his father. In Him, I live. Can you hear me Allison? Allison? I see the glass and the brass, but my love, where is the flame?


Written for Magpie Tales #34 which is found here

24 comments:

jabblog said...

Very poingnant. The nightmare of trench warfare should never be forgotten.

Rogue said...

Thank you so much for dropping by jabblog. My first attempt at Magpie Tales, and you are my first commenter.Crack open the champagne! I shall remember this always! :-)

Everyday Goddess said...

Amazingly written about what would have been a horrible experience.

Really excellent!

cheryl said...

So sad Rogue, and very touching.

Anonymous said...

Very moving!

Reflections said...

Wow... such a beautiful love... torn apart by human warfare.

Very well written!

Rogue said...

Thank you all for your wonderful comments. I'm so very pleased you enjoyed this and look forward to the next challenge.

Tess Kincaid said...

I love writing in the form of correspondence. Very poignant Magpie.

Foxies Lair said...

I'd like to know what happened before and if she heard him and what she did,,,,You leave me hungry,,,
Beautiful Rogue!

Rogue said...

Thank you Willow. And may I add, your site is so marvelous! I look forward to the next challenge. Madame, you are to be truly commended on this wonderful forum you have created for the worlds writers and poets. The Magpie Tales is very much a global thing. I am left amazed and thankful.

Rogue said...

Foxie, thank you so much for the lovely comments. This piece is what I took from the visual afforded us by Miss Willow. I don't know if she heard him, but I sincerely believe that she felt him. Thank you.

Tumblewords: said...

A poignant and powerful piece - well done!

One Prayer Girl said...

What a powerful piece of writing. War is hell and love is eternal.

Mine is up.

PG

Rogue said...

Thank you so much Tumblewords. I appreciate it.

Rogue said...

Thank ytou PG. I read your piece as well, and have commented on it. Thanks for stopping by!

Jennifer said...

Beautiful. Tragic. And passionate. I'm thinking of that ghost banging about the windows at Wuthering Heights.

kathi harris said...

That is so sad. What a waste of a life.

Rogue said...

Thank you Jennifer and Kathi for your kind comments.

Caty said...

such a sad and beautiful story of a tragic experience

Rogue said...

Thank you Caty, and ty for stopping by!

Jinksy said...

Ah, I enjoyed this sorry tale of a dead flame! Clever! :)

Rogue said...

Thank you Jinksy.

Kaelin said...

great magpie!

Rogue said...

thank you Kaelin.:-)