Intricate soul

She began with an introduction of her life. Living in a place that wanted to separate her hair from her skin, her voice from her words and it almost killed her. Still she stood there naturally sound, positively safe and not the least bit timid.

She spoke of dreams told to her by her mother and values she adopted as her own, wishing- actually believing that freedom was not just a principle in folk-lore, that God did exist and that this life granted to her was indeed a blessing and not a curse.

She knew not a single identity, but always thought as a collective. “We are grateful for this chance…” she began instinctively, forgetting we only saw her, only noticed the blush in her face and only heard her voice.

And as the pain on her face echoed great sadness, we saw her eyes regress into the past and pluck moments of fear, uncertainty and anger project random flashes on her face, in her countenance as though we weren’t almost before her.

She bequeath her silence though it were a slow fire on ice, melting worlds and turning hearts with each pause; every time she bowed and looked up again reminding herself that we were still watching, waiting on her next word.

“… in the middle of the night my father came to us- my mother and me and bid us to hide. The militia had come, the gorilla and the wolf to call on our doors, our food, women and some lives of those who stood tall for a fraction of a second before them”

As she continued describing what led her to this place, this night. She placed one hand on the mike and with each description held the other close to her side in an upside-down fist pulling it into her as to yank the chains, once on her life off for good. We listened…

She began with an introduction of her life. Living in a place that wanted to separate her hair from her skin, her voice from her words and yet she survived.


Nicholas J. Sosa © 2008

nomadicrhymer

This is remarkable. I love the set up and the downright gripping imagery you provide us with is enthralling and addictive. Are you going to write more? I don't think I've ever seen a short story from you before, Nick. Definitely a genre you should be exploring more! Awesome storyline!

Nomad