“Tree’s dead.” Grayson pointed at it on our way to fetch the children from school. I followed him, even though there was plenty of room on the sidewalk for us both.
“You don’t know that,” I called back. But admittedly the branches looked crucified from the storm.
“Daffodils are dead, too. Look at those bent-over heads.” Grayson pointed out more casualties.
“I can’t look.” Grayson chuckled at this. “Besides, straws are easily mended. Anything’s possible.” I said this aloud, but when we passed the muted petals, I lost my faith.
“The sun’s a straw,” I said, figuring he wouldn’t get the connection. “Soaked up all the snow around here in less than a day.”
Energetic and full of stories, the children traipsed off the bus, but the excitement of our spring had been slaughtered, so my mind and I wandered lonely as a cloud.
© khartless 2022, All Rights Reserved
dVerse Poet’s Pub~Prosery–Lillian is host tonight and tasked us with integrating a titled line: “I wandered lonely as a Cloud” by William Wordsworth (a personal favorite of mine) into a bit of prose not to exceed 144 words. Join us.
Yard Sale of Thoughts 
Very poignant words here with plenty of bittersweet pathos to round off the story! Beautifully immersive snapshot, K! ❤
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Many thanks, Tom. We always applaud the early springs of our lives, but then seem to grieve that folly later.
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” the branches looked crucified from the storm.” The use of the word “crucified” here is jarring. And then the images of death you write of…not the usual spring fare, needless to say. Quite an effective write.
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Thank you, Lillian. Our early spring was indeed slaughtered here this past weekend with a big storm. But still, it was beautiful, and some of the more patient bloomers will still put on a show.
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That last line just gives you that poetic punch in the gut
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Many thanks, JYP.
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Cheerful sort that Grayson!
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Why, yes. A sorta “gray’ fellow, I suppose. Well, there’s always a yin for every yang. Thanks for dropping by, Hobbo.
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Always a pleasure, K.
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It’s been such a place here too. We haven’t gotten anything like flowers yet, but the snow had gone for a bit –yet now it’s back and everything shivers again.
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Eek. I think we may have scared ours away for good. (This could be wishful thinking). Maybe we can coax spring out with more imagery, us poets must do our best. 😉
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Yes we must ❤
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Grayson sounds like a ‘glass half empty’ kinda guy.
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Yes, well. I thought the name fitting anyways. Thank you for reading and commenting, Carol.
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It can be demoralizing, to get spring only to have it buried by more snow. Great set up for the prompt line.
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Thank you kindly, D. I had that sad, sinking feeling watching the snow this weekend, but now, it seems we may be in the clear. I appreciate you reading and commenting on this bit of prosery.
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We all get hit by storms now and then. I think we’re all more resilient than we know. Same with daffodils. And trees. Trees that got cindered in the 2019 bushfires are still struggling on. The ridge-lines still look a bit bare-fingered but not as bare as they were. Sorry. I shouldn’t discount the grief. It is sad to see such damage. No doubt about that. And you write about it beautifully.
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Thank you, Worms. There’s that burst of happiness when a few spring things happen, but now that cautious worry knowing winter may backlash. You’re right, though. They have held their own through this storm. Perhaps we are all more resilient than we know. 😉
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Definitely portray the battle between winter and spring as well as the pessimistic nature of the male and hopeless demeanor of the female; made even more evident when colliding with the exuberance of the children. Well done! ✒️✒️
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Thank you kindly, Gyspie. Those bright daffodil children. They will have to make their own minds up about how they will view the glassy world in front of them. I appreciate you reading and commenting here. I got a bit behind on the comments with it being the end of the term.
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No worries, I’m always behind! 😁
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😃oh, good company, then.
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Oh I felt the tug and pull of winter’s destruction against the hope of Spring.The dialogue was so effective here.
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Thank you, Mish. Dialogue and I are making friends. This feedback is super encouraging. I appreciate it.
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“the branches looked crucified”
Such a poignant image and zap right in the Lenten Season. Here in T&T our clime is just The Rainy and The Seasons. And there are cultural and religious seasons.
Have a good week. Thanks for dropping by my blog
Much💜love
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Thank you kindly, Gillena. Very true about climates not just being weather, and I appreciate your insightful comments on my piece.
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Your prose calls out so well how as adults we mourn what should have been – and kids move onto the next thing. (I like the image of the sun being a straw!)
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Thank you very much. It is true we are mourning perhaps too much as adults. It’s nice to see the children enjoy the sunshine and soak at the moment. I guess in a way they remind me to also do that. I appreciate you reading and commenting. Please excuse my delay. Got a bit over-busy and then did a really bad job of reminding myself to go back and respond.
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No apology necessary, K, honestly. I have varying opportunities myself to read posts and comment, and I miss some altogether. Its just lovely to read people’s work.
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KK – add in “my mind and” makes a huge difference – I love it, actually – it works so very, very well!
-David
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Thank you, David.
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I guess to see spring snipped in the word would make anyone feel lonely. Love the placement of the prompt line.
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Thank you. It’s revived here today and so are my spirits.
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You are welcome and that sounds great.
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in the bud not word! 😞
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Feels just like this to me when we transition into winter. Ready to transition out now! Lovely story, K.
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Thank you. The muted pink tree is sad, but all else seems to be springing back nicely. A good reminder to me that things are not usually as dire as they seem.
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You’re welcome, K. Always. Indeed, is a good reminder. I agree.
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