A woman (go back »)

She lied in the middle of a field, arrayed in simple robes. The wind brushed her tears as it cuddled the pastures, and wrapped itself around nearby trees.

She did not feel its touch, did not hear its sigh as it weaved through branches. Its melody was lost to her as she slept.

How deeply she slumbered. She found herself in a field of tulips, which swayed to a pleasant breeze. She gravely marvelled at their perfume. A creature stood facing her. She gasped as she beheld it; it was a perfect reflection of her: miserable, beaten, haggard. It gazed at her knowingly, as if they had already met. It parted its lips to speak, but no sound came. Instead, she felt the breeze caress her tenderly, and words come into her mind:

Again I see the simplicity of the robes you wear,

As well as the sorrow you cradle and bear,

Again you shed tears on a daily basis,

Having mistaken a mirage for an oasis.

Her eyes widened in sadness as she recalled the creature from dreams past. Before she knew it, the wind assailed her:

I see how you flitter from man to man,

Hoping each will love you as best they can,

So you give of yourself without giving a thought,

Only to be discarded like a product ill-bought.

Tears filled the creature’s eyes, and she helplessly felt her own eyes moisten.

‘Get away!’ she cried, ‘Why do you still haunt my every dreams?’

I will haunt you and daunt you till the end of your days,

Out of wishing an end to your promiscuous ways,

Out of wishing an end to the use and abuse,

Till you’re no longer confused or refused by mere men.

The wind raged. The creature’s appearance altered. Its jaw widened, its muscles broadened as it grew taller, until it resembled her last lover. He grinned.

Hate clouded her as she beheld him. ‘You!’ she gnarled, with pain wrung in her voice, ‘You promised...’

Her lover’s impersonation’s mouth cracked opened: ‘There yer go whining’ again, always yappin yer trap about marriage an’ shit.’ He shrugged, and grinned, ‘Ma friend was right though... you was a fine bitch.’

Again the creature’s aspect shifted until it looked liked her. Her face was full of pity. One by one, as if to emphasize the bareness she felt, the tulips’ petals were blown by the wind.

How long will you sleep in the middle of fields,

And repel my advice with sticks and shields?

Get away from this place, stay put till you’ve grown,

By then your husband will come all on his own.

To her horror, the creature transformed again into her lover.

‘Why do you torment me so?’ she moaned, ‘Why can’t you leave me alone?’

‘Coz yer never listen.’ The impersonation said, as he stepped towards her menacingly, ‘Stop flirtin’ wit those other boys!’

She raised her arms protectively as he aimed to strike her, pleading.

And woke up in the field.

In Short Stories and Really Short Stories