Lisa plays host today in the dVerse Poets Pub ~ our assignment: Compose a story of no more than 144 words that includes this line from Alice Walker's poem 'Before You Knew It, You Owned It' ~~
"Make of it a parka for your soul."
The house had been cold for months, his presence a wound they tried to ignore. He had done that. Ripped through their trust. Left them bracing against the chill of his failures.
But love he learned does not always vanish. It lingers in quiet mercies ~ a plate left for him at dinner, the hesitant weight of his daughter's head on his shoulder one evening as they watched snow blanket the ground.
He did not deserve it. They offered it anyway.
Pressing his shaking hands between hers, his wife murmured "make of it a parka for your soul." He swallowed against the ache in his throat.
It would take time. The cold would not leave all at once. But warmth had slowly returned ~ born from patience, forgiveness, love.
He pulled it around himself. Held it tight. And he was grateful. So very grateful.
Helen, your story has me finishing off a box of Kleenex after walking the poetry trail. Grace is the most powerful healer in the world. Thank goodness his family had the capacity to give it to him. <3
ReplyDeleteA wonderful story, Helen! Forgiveness and grace always warms the heart and soul. Well done!
ReplyDeleteFamily rifts are the hardest to heal. Beautiful story!
ReplyDeleteVery beautiful story Helen!
ReplyDeleteYou write amazingly,
you touch the feeling!
I really liked this idea I will visit the league!
Thanks for the touching story, have a nice day!
It sounds like this is the worst man-cold ever :-) good that he realized the warmth he still had, and hope he keeps that understanding into his wellness.
ReplyDeleteYour Prosery is so moving, Helen, and demonstrates the power of forgiveness. I love the thought that ‘lingers in quiet mercies’, and the image of ‘his daughter's head on his shoulder one evening as they watched snow blanket the ground’.
ReplyDeleteThe cold is a character in this moving piece, a very strong theme that highlights the damage wrought by the man who destroyed the trust of his family. It's the perfect contrast to the warmth of the "quiet mercies" and forgiveness. This gentle telling of an age-old story moved me to tears.
ReplyDeleteThe 'hesitant weight'...I have 3 daughters...I could kill him......sorry......just have no forgiveness for any man who causes that feeling in his daughter...superb write Helen, apologies for the ire and passion your piece brought about...but.......hmmmmm
ReplyDeletei am in love with this piece of writing! i believe in a love that lingers in quiet mercies. bravo.
ReplyDeleteA very moving piece Helen which champions the power of love and forgiveness...
ReplyDeleteGreat piece, Helen!
ReplyDeleteYvette M Calleiro :-)
http://yvettemcalleiro.blogspot.com
This is so powerful Helen, and yes, patience, forgiveness, love is the way.
ReplyDeleteI'm familiar with that chill ~
ReplyDelete