D is for Devout Despair
Day 4 of the challenge!
My theme is NIFTY NUGGETS. Little nuggets of writing based on a photo, a phrase and an object, which is designed to encourage lean, tight writing. I’m aiming for a word count of under 300 words.
Thank you to L.Diane Wolfe for providing the beautiful photo prompts. You can visit her blog to check out more pictures.
DEVOUT DESPAIR
PHRASE – those who live in glass houses should not throw stones
OBJECT – button
It’s a rare find. The lady at the counter of Arabella’s Antiques on Second Avenue peers through her monocle. She studies the button. Then she peers down at my faded denim jeans and T-shirt before her eyes come to rest on my face. Probably not the dress code of her ‘normal visitors’, you know the ones who pull up outside the shop in a fancy Limo or even a Bentley.
I picked up the button at the foot of the statue. I suspect that the marbled lady left it there. Every day, when I pass the statue, I feel a sense of peace. She is beautiful, yet sad. Despair clings to her marbled surface. She stands devout and sorrowful yet there is a strong and unyielding resolve. Her upright carriage and head tilted downward. A woman of substance. Deep.
It’s an old valuable medieval shaft button made of metal, probably a pewter-based alloy. She delivers the verdict, dismissive and laced with a hint of impatience, darting a strange frown in my direction. I clutch the button. I know that look. It makes me sad. I see it all the time. Don’t judge. That’s what my mother always taught me. Don’t criticise others. Look at your own faults. Who is Miss-High-And-Mighty-Arabella anyway? Behind that professionally plastered smile and haughty appearance, who knows what demons haunt her “white picket fence” existence?
Want to know my truth? I am haunted by sadness. Every single day. Just like my devout lady. We have that in common. It makes me wonder about things. Does the antique shop lady ever feel sad? What possible sadness is concealed behind that smile? Why is the devout lady sad? Did the owner of the button ever feel acute sadness?Why do I feel constant sadness? I struggle to recall a time when the sadness didn’t exist.
I vow to return to the antique shop and sell the button.
There is still time to register for the classes that start next week.
I hurry past the statue and the wind unravels my scarf which billows on the air, and then settles on her shoulder and wraps itself around her tilted head. I dig deep into my pocket, squeeze the button and mouth a silent thank you to my marbled benefactress.
Wow, that was really intricate, Michelle!
Thank you!
I like the way you’ve described it… intricate. 🙂
That was really beautiful. Great job.
~Patricia Lynne aka Patricia Josephine~
Member of C. Lee’s Muffin Commando Squad
Story Dam
Patricia Lynne, Indie Author
Thank you, Patricia!
Really nice story. We all have sorrows and problems that hurt us, many of which are unnoticeable by others . I love the gentle reminder of this.
I love your thoughtful comment.
A really great phrase to use and the picture is really lovely, is it raining in it?
Hi Rosie. The water you see is from the fountain. The figure is its base.
It’s a beautiful story, Michelle! I felt the emotions captured in each sentence, the beauty of movement and its sense of place. Wonderful! I love it!
Oh, BTW, just visiting. I didn’t join the A-to-Z challenge this year. Maybe next year. Good luck with the challenge, Michelle!
Thank you for the visit and the wonderful comment, Sittie. Much appreciated.
Hopefully the classes will change some things and lift a little sadness.
There is a ray of hope in this one…. 🙂
Hi Michelle – lots going on here .. I can feel the sadness, the emotional toil of her time – the frustration of Arabella – bet she’s hiding horrors. The medieval button – I think deserves to find a better home than with Arabella … it’s a charm for a better future … in the classes perhaps she’ll meet her man.
Devout Despair – Diane’s photo gives us that .. cheers Hilary
I love your observations, Hilary! Thank you.
I love how she realizes her sadness is a reflection of the sadness we all feel. Our emotions can bring us to greater compassion if we let them.
I love the way you’ve expressed it!
Lovely post and cracking photo.
Happy A to Z!
Stuart
http://www.stuartlennon.com
Thank you Stuart! 🙂
L. Diane takes stunning pictures!
Your story is beautiful, Michelle! Her sadness was very powerful.
Her pics are amazing! 🙂
Thank you, Chrys.
Makes me think of Robin Williams. Real sadness and heart ache behind that smile.
He’s the perfect example of the deep sadness behind the smile…
you have such a beautiful rhythm to your writing. I love it!
Thank you for the wonderful compliment, Beth!
wow! I felt drawn into your amazing character and the depth of her thoughts. Excellent writing, Michelle!
I’m so happy that you connected with it…
Thank you Tyrean! 🙂
Wonderful story! Thanks for sharing.
Thank you, Julie! 🙂
I love what you did with this. Great job!
Thanks Stephanie. I’m enjoying your 80’s posts!
Beautiful!!! Loved it!
Thanks Tawnya!!
You’ve got a talent for marking description with poignancy. The idea of the despair clinging to marble is really evocative. Beautiful phrase. 🙂
I’m thrilled by your wonderful comment! 🙂
Another gorgeous photo- truly breathtaking!
And today’s piece is haunting- melancholy and hopeful all at the same time.
Thanks Bev. 😀