Flowering Ink

On By River Dixon/The Stories in BetweenIn Short Fiction

I sat at the edge of something, contemplating anything.  Like so many times before, I try to look up, but could only stare down into the cascading darkness beneath my dangling feet.  As I lost myself in the contemplations of the day, a figure appeared beside me. In one hand it held a flower, and in the other, a bottle of ink.

“There are many things which do not make sense to me,” the figure spoke, looking at the objects in his hands.

A woman came into sight from the west and grudgingly made her way to the figure.

“These belong to you.” The figure held up the flower, then bottle and tossed them into the darkness.

“I’m not going down there,” the woman insisted.

“You have to.  It’s not a choice.”

“I’m afraid.”

“I know you are.” The figure kissed the woman on the forehead and pushed her over the edge.  As she disappeared into the void, the figure let out a sigh and turned to me, “You don’t understand, do you?”

“No, I don’t.  Why would you do that to her?”

“Yes . . . Why?  Now that is a good question.  I like good questions.  Perhaps there are just as many answers down there as up here.”

“And what about the flower and ink?”

“I imagine she will know what to do with them.”

“Is there anything I can do for her?”

“You can watch her fall and then look for the light which will guide her way.”

“But there’s no light down there.”

“Hmm, you’re right,” the figure peered into the abyss, “I guess she’ll have to make some of her own.”

The figure turned and bid me farewell.

“Where are you going?” I asked.

“You don’t really think I’d toss someone into a place like that, and then just walk away, do you? I’m going to watch over her.  It’s kind of my thing.” The figure took a single step backward and disappeared over the edge.

And with time, a light did grow in the darkness.  Though some days it shines brighter than others, it is always present, a beacon of hope, leading the way through shadows of uncertainty, formed from words which flow through the iridescent glow of flowering ink.

This piece was inspired by/written for Susan over at Stories From the Edge of Blindness aka Flowering Ink.  If you are not already a follower of hers, I highly recommend stopping by and checking out her work.  You will not be disappointed.

67 thoughts on “Flowering Ink”

  2. Your words are so beautiful, your timing perfect, and my heart so full of gratitude for this gift you have given me. I wish I could express my feelings with more eloquence, but I trust that you know how much this means to me.

    I am stepping away for a bit, weaving myself back together again, but now your generosity and your eyes have made me feel stronger, made me feel as if I have more value than I believed. Thank you!

    Liked by 8 people

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  11. Reblogged this on Stories From the Edge of Blindness and commented:
    Sometimes, just when you need it, someone gives you a different view, shines a light in a new direction. The Stories In Between has done this for me with this absolutely amazing gift. He is a writer whose work I have been inspired by over and over again. He is one of my favorite writers and to know I have inspired him…well, it just doesn’t get cooler than that. To say thank you seems pale, but I know he can see all the degrees of color that comprise my gratitude.

    Liked by 6 people

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  20. This is beautiful. It reminds me of the places God sometimes calls us to go spiritually. Destinations that are scary and uncertain. Yet there’s no place that he calls us to go that he hasn’t already been and isn’t willing to traverse with us over and over again. Thank you for weaving together such a brilliant depiction of hope, fear, and trust. Also, thank you for recommending Flowering Ink!

    Liked by 2 people

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  28. This is a gorgeous expression, encapsulating the fear and despair, hope and faith that is the human experience…a beautiful tribute to and gift for Susan/Flowering Ink that she can revisit over and over. I have no doubt this lifted her spirits and fed her soul, knowing that she, in fact, was the inspiration for something so magical.

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  30. Brilliant uplifting story!

    If you like, I was thinking of linking to your blog in my Solidarity Blogger Award so new readers could visit it. There’s no need to choose other nominees if you’d prefer not to, but would you like your blog to get mentioned so more people are made aware of it?

    Liked by 1 person

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