This idea was inspired/written to the music of Sarah McLachlan, and the drawing Reflections by Karl ‘Angel’ Lines. My links aren't working in the story intros, so look for the link on my main page. All italicized parts are from the song ‘Answer’ by Sarah McLachlan (with the exception of the first two, which are from her song ‘Shelter.’ All copyright to those lyrics goes to Sarah McLachlan. I strongly suggest that you listen to ‘Answer’ while reading this, as it will give the piece a greater depth and add more feeling to it, as it was meant to be read. If any part of it is unclear, please let me know. This is my first time trying this and it was written in an hour, so I hope it comes out ok. Oh, and the italics, incase you don't catch this as you go, are meant to be the thoughts of the angel.
This is for Stephanie Rennolds for her comment prize from waaay back when. Sorry it has taken me this long to get one up for you dear!
I’ve seen a part of people that I never really want to share.
Baby soft wisps of hair tickled playfully along the porcelain cheeks, the skin smooth and unbroken. A soft, aristocratic nose rose, soaring above crimson rosebud lips that parted slightly as little puffs of air escaped. The eyes, such a moving blue, contained innumerable sorrows.
Can’t sleep, haunted by their faces, the sadness in their eyes.
A hand appeared, fingers poised in front of the eyes that held so much grief. The barest of touches sent out ripples that distorted the image into a blurry mass of waving colors. Leaning back where she crouched on the flat rock, the woman hugged her upraised knees, watching as the ripples spread. They swelled until they reached the pristine feather-white wings that framed her features, distorting them beyond recognition. This was the choice she had made, of choosing not to fight.
As the ripples went further adrift, they came across a lifeless infant, wings folded gently about its cold body. The angel took the finger she used to start the ripples and held it over the infant, letting a drop of the cool water splash onto its serene face. This was the choice she had made, to give birth to a life that would never be hers to share, for she was among the fallen. Her child would hold a life that she could never again posses.
The predawn light cast its gauzy veil over the calm waters, as the angel picked up her child and cradled the precious body in her aching arms. Gazing at the innocent expression on her baby’s face, the urge to cry welled within her chest even as her breast grew heavy with milk that would never be needed.
When the stars have all gone out, you’ll still be burning so bright.
Her child’s laughter would ring out over the clouds of Heaven as she grew, bringing sunshine and light to all those who had the grace to hear it. The grace that her mother had lost, a privilege she would never obtain.
It will all be worth it, worth it in the end.
A wistful smile passed over her face as she gently brushed the tiny brow, creamy silk tendrils of hair grazing her fingers. She had given birth to eternal life.
I can only tell you what I know, that I need you in my life.
With her daughter cradled in the curve of her arm, she gracefully waded into the water until it closed over her head and the light darkened.
Cast me gently into morning, for the night has been unkind.
So sad and beautiful and gentle. Your descriptions of everything, objects and feelings are so perfectly fitting and your talent will go on amazing me.
Well done.
*hands over giant plate of cookies* thank you soo much, it's so sweet of you to say that. I'm glad that you liked it and it came across as being powerful.
I'm back again, may I please put this in a tour I'm making (trying to make anyway.) Pretty please.For sure! ^_^ I'd be honored to have it in a tour. Wow. *goes pink*
19 May 2007
L. Shanra Kuepers
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You are so, so, so good at the emotional side of scribblings. This was gorgeous and so sad. The descriptions of everything were so delicate and yet incredibly strong. (I have no nits, either.) ........ *stunned* no nits? None? *wimpers*
It was just a feather-down piece. So sad and beautiful and soft. Gentle indeed.
*shakes head* I am most astounded. *applauds* *blinks rapidly several times before she manages to come out of her stupor* YAAAAAAAAAAAAAY! *hugs Shanra* I'm so glad that you like it and that it amazed you. I think I must write more emotional short stories, they seem to impress everyone. ^_^ My day has definitely been made! Probably my entire weekend.
Woah, and eep... like a great emptiness, and a little thing of hope... or something... O_oEveryone keeps reading all of my new pieces and liking them so much that I'm getting afraid of them reading the old pieces. But then again, I did put the dates completed on each piece, so hopefully they will realize and be able to see the growth I've made. Thanks for leaving your thoughts on another piece *hugs*
Another great piece! I loved it a lot, and the emotions it contains. I actually read this last week but Elfwood hung up as soon as I was going to make a comment... so sorry for the late comment No problem ^_^. I'm curious, has anyone tried reading this the first time through while listening to 'Answer'?
I like the way you used the lyrics, they are very effective in adding emotion to the piece, though thoughout the whole piece you used words so well to bring in the emotions... Sad, but beautiful. It has a very musical feel to it somehow, just the way the sentences sound.I'm glad that it seems to be one of my first try successsesss .... bah, ring finger went a little trigger happy
*wipes away a few stray tears* One thing I should try to remember: Do not read a sad story when I am already in a sad mood. But...OMG...this was a good piece. And the first of yours that I have read. I love the way you describe things...it's almost poetic, in a way. Simply put...I loved this piece.^_^ I'm glad that you liked this and it was one of the first ones you read. This is one of my newer pieces up and, I feel, better ones. My older, longer pieces aren't as poetic as this or as well written. Thanks for stopping by! *hands out some hidden rootbeer she had*
Mwahaha, now that I can answer these things .... Wow, beautiful stuff. why thank you ^_^ I agree with your music taste. my dad just finished saying the other day that I have an extremely varied music taste that he can’t quite comprehend ... lol. I take that as a compliment. I love everything from country/classical -> oldies/swing/celtic/musicals. The only kinds I don’t like are heavy metal, rap, and really ronchy rock. Little question though. Are the italics your own words or are they song lyrics. They felt kind of sing-song-y in my mind. [smiles and glances down at her comment before with a laugh] ah, if only I could recount all of the times I’d done things like that. Might just be me though. Beautiful, all I can say really. Wow. Aw, I’m glad that everyone really seems to be liking this so much. Too bad for my writing that I wasn’t so emotional all the time XD
Keep it up!!!
Lotsaluv, Em[hands over a lollipop] thanks for the loverly comment!
Mm, I love Sarah McLachlan. She has such evocative music A lot of my friends on Elfwood write stories to music -- I should try it one day, though usually I have trouble concentrating if there is background noise. That was the thought that produced this piece, so you never know what’ll come of it! I always have to write with background music on, otherwise little noises distract me around the house or wherever I’m writing. A lot of the time I try to pick music (instrumental most of the time - words distract me) that reflects what I’m writing at the time and try to use it to help me write. Enya might be a good one for me to try writing to, though; not only do I like her music, her style is ethereal enough that it might blend more smoothly into the background, allowing me to write while listening to it. [/random rambling] Enya’s another favorite of mine ^_^. I write Desert Rose to her music. Her music is actually what inspired Desert Rose in a way. I based it off of her songs.
Oo, that was lovely! And that closing line: "Cast me gently into morning, for the night has been unkind." Is that yours or a bit of a poem or lyric? Either way, it’s absolutely gorgeous! That’s the closing line of the song, so I can’t take credit for it. Basically, I saw this beautiful drawing of an angel on elfwood and decided that I was going to use it in my experiment of writing to music. And then I went through my songs to find one that struck a cord and when I hit "Answer", this story just drifted into my mind.
The last line was rather moving if I don’t say so myself. Sad story laced with a bit of hope, a nice bit of writting that was! Liz Verde replies: "Thanks! Sorry it took me so long to reply, been away for 8 months at uni! I’m glad that this experiment seems to have worked!"
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*hands over giant plate of cookies* thank you soo much, it's so sweet of you to say that. I'm glad that you liked it and it came across as being powerful.
L. Shanra Kuepers
No problem ^_^. I'm curious, has anyone tried reading this the first time through while listening to 'Answer'?
