21 June 2012
"I'm leaving," I said, not bothering to listen to her distressed reply. I picked my rucksack from the floor and walked from the room.
I turned to my wife, now silent, tears running down her hot cheeks, she whimpered, "Tell me it's not my fault."
"It's not your fault," I lied, frowning, and left.
•••
The road was long, trees pressed in around me but my strange calmness kept my stomach settled, despite the aching absence of my newly broken heart.
I soon reached a fork in the road, but I didn't choose either option, I started down a deer trail to the left. It snaked silently, cutting a scar into the bed of bracken under the overhanging branches.
A chill filled the air, the heavens opened, I did not seem to feel the rain. A fox screeched, its voice carrying through the still forest air.
I stood for a moment, drinking the oxygen, feeling the trees whisper amongst themselves. I heard them call my name, call me deeper into the depths. Their spirits drifted in the breeze, beckoning.
I reflected back to my wife's crying face for a moment, feeling my heart sink a little further. I shook it off.
The deer trail reached a mis-shaped pond, thick with green duck weed at the sides. A deep purple lily floated serenely just out of reach.
I stared at the lily, hearing her chant her ghostly song.
A green frog leapt from the reeds, he startled himself, eyes wide, pretending he didn't really exist.
I shed my bag and clothes on the muddy bank, stepping forward, naked and wet from the rain.
The forests song drummed in my ears. Ghosts of the dead slunk through the shadows. It calmed me.
Reeds scratched my skin, drawing dark blood that steamed in the cool air. The sun still fought against the rain clouds, lighting the pool with a dull glow.
Soon the waters welcomed me, I swam out to my lily. She danced in the pale light, violet hues echoing her sad song.
I let out a sigh, finally finding release from my pain, and let my body drop.
A Purple Lily • Opuss № I