Cool Gray Redemption
Night is coming. The last shafts of sunlight wink out between the big trees. Mist creeps across the forest floor dampening the leaves. His shoes grow wet, his feet chill. He is lost.
Dear God, he says in his head. Don't let me die in this damp and moldering wood. Don't let it happen now. I've been such a fool, so reckless and untrue. Save me from awful death. Or if not, at least save me from myself. Deliver me from my fear; my all-consuming abject fear; of not knowing; of loss.
As he prays he begins to grow warmer. He looks about him from his small hollow of shelter on the forest floor. The woods seem welcoming, even nurturing where he lies. How can he fix it all; his broken life? How can he hold together and mend? All at once, in a burst of brilliant light, his mind clears and he knows, as all men know; Duct Tape.
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Author's Note
In the Spirit of such insights as The Shack and The Secret
Other stories by Larry Strattner
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I thought Duct Tape would fix my life, too, Larry, and it didn't. I pretended like it did, though. Even as my car's side mirror bounced behind me, causing other cars on the 405 to swerve out of the way, I pretended it was all okay.
It's a fact that duct tape will work on a ruptured radiator hose for about thirty minutes, but only if you hold it under forty, so stay off the freeway. It will not mend a broken heart or the crack of dawn.
peace, eh?
"How can he fix it all: his broken life?"
Really like this one, Larry. Nice work.
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this is so beautifully written--i'm not sure about the duct tape--it shocks you out of it and i am still questioning what it means--but a beautiful read until that point though you sort of mock romanticism which makes this piece all the more interesting--quick move from feeling to thought *
you had me all the way to the end. i heard johnny cash "redemption day" inside my head and i had begun to meditate on my own sins and shortcomings...i did not see that finale coming. brilliant title. i'll be better prepared next time.
Larry, I was so pulled in, I thought to myself: Wow, Larry is showing a whole new side of himself; then the "denoument" and I laughed outloud. Men... yep.
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Agree with Bobbi. The rhythmic, carefully drawn sentences are wonderful. You damn sure can write, young man! *
I am really truly absolutely going to try to write something sensitive someday soon.
I really have a problem with sensitive and I don't think an MFA will help either.
Larry, thanks for commenting my diminishing verse. I'm glad for the chance to read your work--so many writers here it is hard to know where to start and I appreciate a pointer.
I especially liked Cool Gray Redemption. Smiles.