Evening light filtered through partially open curtains. Outside the porch’s floorboards sighed. A car’s engine coughed into life. The scent of crushed leaves and motor oil drifted on an errant breeze.
She sighed.
There will be time to sort through the tangled mess inside her heart, to sweep up shards of life, to breathe out the echoes of words she wished to never have heard.
Not yet.
For the moment, she just sat.
A shadow of her former self.
In a house that wept emptiness.
And let the space behind her eyes
Hold her as she waited
To be found.
For Rochelle’s Friday Fictioneers
Photo: © Dale Rogerson
Na'ama Yehuda 
Speaking of evocative… This is beautifully written. And here is my wish for her – that she finds herself and creates something wonderful that she, herself, can call her own.
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Amen! Amen! Amen! May it be a moment of her collecting herself together, and not a state-of-being that lasts. Because, indeed, may she find and build herself up in the process, in a way of her choosing. Love this comment! 🙂 Na’ama
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I have to admit that part of me saw myself in her… Glad you loved my comment 😉 xoxo
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I think we can all see parts of ourselves in her, and in your photo … which is why it was such an effective prompt and what makes it a such a good photo! 🙂
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I think you’re right. And I love the variety of stories 🙂
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🙂 That’s the best part! 🙂
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True! Some photos bring on so many similar ones. I knew there would be a lot of fading people but still, there were some good ‘uns!
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“a lot of fading people” … LOL
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Tee hee…
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😀 (walking backwards and slowly fading into the woodwork … AS IF!!! 😉 )
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Hahahaha!!! 🙂
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A beautiful heartfelt story
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Thank you, Sadje! Dale’s photo was a very powerful inspirator …
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Indeed. You’re very welcome
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I know those shadows well…
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I’m sorry … and, I think all too many do, in one way or another. The human condition can be tough to get through sometimes.
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Really tough, these days, Na’ama…
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Yes, I’m so so sorry that it is so tough. May better times unfurl.
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And the sooner the better…
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Amen to that.
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Wonderfully atmospheric writing
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Thank you! A great photo by Dale helped a lot!
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A sorrowful story indeed.
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There was a moroseness angle to this photo, and I ran with it …
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tomorrow will bring the sunshine back in. i want to believe.
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Yes, I believe that is often the case!
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Very evocative, lovely descriptions.
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Thank you, Iain! Dale’s photo was half the job done!
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Na’ama Y’karah,
Although you don’t tell us what brought her to this place, the ache is tangible. I can think of a time or two where anguish washed over and paralyzed me. You’ve written it so well.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you, Rochelle. I am not sure I know WHAT exactly happened to her, but, yes, I think that many of us can relate to moments of paralyzing overwhelm, and sometimes the best thing to do (or the only thing one can do) is sit with it for a bit, and let the dust settle around one’s mind, so we can see the next step to take. xoxo Na’ama
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And later, on down the road, write about it. 😉
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😀 Who knows, eh?
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Beautifully crafted,
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Thank you, Michael! 🙂
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I really like that first paragraph. Skillful scene setting.
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Thank you! 🙂 I’m so pleased it came across! 🙂
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You’re welcome 🙂
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🙂
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This line hooked me, “In a house that wept emptiness.” While sad, I also sense hopefulness in this story, Nicely crafted, Na’ama.
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Thank you, Bill! Yes, there’s hopefulness there, too. She needs a bit of time, I think, but she’ll find her footing soon enough an be okay. Glad you liked!
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🙂
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Such beautiful writing, and from the many comments it’s clear you struck a chord in all of us. Kudos–you really nailed it this week!
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Thank you, Linda! I think Dale’s photo struck the chord and my words may have resonated with that. 🙂 Yay for teamwork! 🙂 Glad you liked!!!
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Good vsriety
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Thank you.
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This was beautifully written. Not a fan of the separated sentences at the end; it read strangely. Feel free to nitpick my content out of revenge or as a favor;)
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Hi Cameron, thanks for reading and commenting! Feedback is welcome, and constructive criticism is, too. 🙂 Have a lovely! Na’ama
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