Ruby Beads

 Whirligig 304

Prompt words in red. 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/clovermountain/2187375927
 

The blades are sharp.

So sharp the slash happens

almost without notice.

But she sees, and

with bewildered eyes

that look up to me,

her blood drips

into the pristine snow.

Ruby beads on cold

silent sparkling satin.

Sluggish reactions,

weak of heart,

her cries for help fail,

are frail.

The glow in her eyes,

so like the spark of fireflies,

fades,

dissolve into flat darkness.

Dead

she looks as weightless

as the desiccated moths

in the ceiling light fixture

of the room where we had lain together.

The day approaching

will not dawn for her.

I clumsily light up a smoke,

tossing the match in the snow near her pale hand.

So white

So cold.

It lands still alight;

I hear it sizzle as I turn and walk away,

humming to myself  

as I check my gloves.

 

 ©2021 Lisa Smith Nelson. All Rights Reserved

Comments

  1. Often writing such as this is difficult to admire despite the use of prompt words and a tale that might be understood if the reason for the victim's demise is better understood rather than think the narrator is a cruel and sadistic loony. But hey, you only used a few given words not of your choosing to comply with the website requirements!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There's always one word that I struggle with, and this time it was "blades." I tried for ice skate blades, but just couldn't get finished. The reader is open to any motive they want for the murder! I don't think he's cruel or sadistic, I think he just wanted her dead, for his own personal reasons and perhaps to protect himself from something she knew.

      Delete
  2. A vivid scene - such crisp imagery..and good use of the prompt words

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you. I was fortunate to find the photo of beads to go with it. One of actual blood drips on snow was a bit too gory for me!

      Delete

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