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Petals, Once Velvet to My Touch

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I woke long before he did, quietly slipped from his side and donned his warm woolen robe. As difficult as 'twas to leave him, to have awakened him— I'd never have been able to leave his bed. This morning, what I sought was not his heart to please, but what I saw in a dream that held me captive until I woke. And now, I had to see for myself if the vision that stirred me in sleep was in truth where I knew it would be. Quietly, I stirred the fire to keep warm his bedroom now that my body would not warm his. Down the wide stairway treads, I tiptoed to the door leading to his garden. Snow had lightly fallen o'er night and everything within sight had been covered with crystals of frost. I felt as if I was lost in a wonderland, but only for a moment for I had to find what my dream rendered. I surrendered to the need to see what my reverie urged me to seek— the last rose of summer. Petals, once velvet to my touch had fallen from other flowers and lie frozen on the walkways— their color faded and gone, all but one. Through the archway, I walked to find her, still in bloom but in the sullen gloom of this chilled hoarfrost morn, I mourned for her as she stood alone. I sat on the bench nearest her, a tear caught in the corner of my eye threatening to fall. A sigh escaped my lips as I reached to touch her with a fingertip but feared I'd be the cause of her demise if my touch broke her. I felt his warm hands on my shoulders, but not a word did he need speak. He sat beside me and at last, warms tears ran down my cheeks. It was the last rose of summer in my dream. How quickly time had flown from bud to bloom and now she was withered, near her end. Her blush, once beautiful— had paled and soon she would fall to the garden soil— still beautiful to me. Her kindred companions had met their demise but to life she clung, alone except for me and the man who quietly sat by my side. I had no desire to hide anything from him— He led me inside and back to bed, for he knew I dreaded seeing the moment she fell among the dropped petals of her sisters. Beside me he stayed, as sleep closed my eyes. This man, who knew me so well— the garden keeper; keeper of my heart. *With apologies to Thomas Moore

Copyright © | Year Posted 2025




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Date: 6/11/2025 5:24:00 PM
Lin, this is a wonderful story. I was reading with anticipation to understand what your character was looking for until you revealed it. The big question is what the symbology of the dream actually means. It's intriguing really. To me it means we're looking at ourselves and what awaits us. It's all rather beautiful and sad together. The other thing that comes out in all of this is kindness and respect for each other. Truth is sometimes very hard to examine without tears flowing. Well done and...smiling till the end of course. Why not feel really good about all? Every day is a gift!!
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Book: Reflection on the Important Things