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| Copyright – David Stewart |
It’s the fragrance of the flowers that
reminds you of him. The masses of pink,
red and orange swaying in the afternoon breeze against the backdrop of the blue
sky framed by the mountains he loved.
‘I am planting them now, so that they will
be blooming when you visit’, he said.
Drawn by the red blooms next to the bell
that hangs in the complex you move in for a closer inspection. It is the red corn poppy - the flower of
remembrance –a symbol of eternal sleep. It’s
bursting with life while he
remains in our hearts forever.
**
Written for Friday Fictioneers. Word Count : 100
I struggled to write this week as we grappled with what life had to offer. In the end this was written in memory of my wife's brother Rahul who passed away this week on Thursday, an hour after he had talked about the flowers he had planted for our impending visit in December.
That got to my heart. An unexpected twist to the tale. Good one!
ReplyDeleteThank you Victoria
DeleteA very good story written about a warm memory. Lovely.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind comments
Deletei'm sorry for your loss. this is a beautiful tribute.
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading kz
DeleteAm so sorry for your loss Subroto and my heart broke reading this!How we take life for granted and how it can be just snatched away so suddenly-may Rahul's soul RIP and may you all always remember him through those things that he loved.Tc
ReplyDeleteThank you for those kind thoughts Atreyee
DeleteWhat a wonderful memorial, Subroto. So poignant. I'm sorry for your loss.
ReplyDeletejanet
Thank you Janet
DeleteI pray you find lasting comfort during this time of loss. hugs for sharing such a beautiful memory...
ReplyDeleteThank you, much appreciated.
Deletehis flowers are what remain with us...he gave me some koupou saplings when we visited him the last time
ReplyDeleteHe had a lot of love to give. Thanks for commenting Neeta.
DeleteFirst so sorry for your loss.. and just how interesting how we both went for poppies.. I think the origin of the the poppy symbol is actually the poem "in Flanders fields"
ReplyDeleteThanks Björn. Yes you are right about the poem
Delete"...We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields."
There is poppy symbolism in ancient literature too.
Dear Subroto,
ReplyDeleteA winning tribute. Well done and poignant. I, too, am sorry for your loss.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Thank you Rochelle for your kind words.
DeleteThis is touching and poignant. I really like the way you tell this, with the history sandwiched between the present. Beautifully crafted.
ReplyDeleteThank you Sarah
DeleteSubroto, I know how hard it must be, that wrapping of a tale within 100 words. Sometimes they are so complete, they leave me with the feeling of having read a long, long tale. The truth behind this one is shattering.
ReplyDeleteThanks Umashankar this was indeed the hardest to write.
Delete