Write…Edit…Publish post on the third Wednesday of every second month and the challenges are open to all. To join in, you submit your name to the list, write an entry for the prompt (1000 words or less) and edit it. Then on the date given, you publish it to your blog, stating your feedback preferences. You can also read and leave comments on the other entries and share the challenge far and wide on social media. Find out more here.
I’ve had a long break from WEP as I lost my writing mojo last year. But I’m very glad to finally be back.
About my Entry
I don’t usually write romance so at first, the prompt intimidated me a little. As usual, I headed to Wikipedia to do some research on the artwork, hoping that would inspire me.
I learned quite a lot about the life of the Austrian Symbolist painter Gustav Klimt and his life companion Emilie Flöge, who may have modelled for him when he was painting “The Kiss”. When he died in 1918, his last words were “Emilie must come.” That got me thinking about death and the afterlife, a topic which I find myself irresistibly drawn to, for better or worse.
I also read a little about the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, which may have inspired the painting. It’s dark but beautiful. From there, my mind wandered to other Greek mythology characters such as Icarus and Midas (inspired by the gold leaf used on the painting), and allusions to those stories ended up in the final piece.
Word count: 463
Trigger warnings: Death and bereavement.
Notes: I’m English so use British spellings.
Critique preference: FCA
Golden Summer
He warms my icy hand in his, the softness of his lips like butterfly wings brushing my cheek. I close my eyes and allow him to sweep me away.
Blades of grass tickle my bare feet and the honey-sweet scent of bluebells and buttercups wafts into my nostrils. Squeezing my eyes tightly closed, I focus on the firm arms enfolding me, our bodies entwined like the roots of a tree. The afternoon sunshine flickers across my eyelids and a balmy breeze plays with my hair. It is always summer here. Somehow, he knew this is where I needed to be.
“You can open your eyes,” he says. My stomach clenches. I can’t.
I should be content with the gentle caress of his fingertips across my collarbone, but it’s never enough. I can never resist a glimpse at him, and that’s when the illusion shatters. At once I’m blinded by his brilliance, but then his skin turns rigid and cold at my touch. He is nothing more than a gilded statue, spiderweb cracks spreading across his beautiful face…
I wake drenched in a cold sweat. Trying to keep his face in my mind is like trying to hold water in my bare hands, and he fades away from me.
“That’s not going to happen this time, my love.”
His calm voice brings me back to the present. A vibrant meadow under a bright cerulean sky. I peek up at him as he cradles my face, his eyes gleaming like the smooth tiger’s eye paperweight he bought me for our first anniversary.
“See? This is real.”
I press myself against his chest and my aches and pains melt away, like easing into a hot bath. Yes, this is real.
“You are so beautiful,” he whispers, his breath tickling my ear.
I glance down at myself incredulously. The shapeless cotton gown is gone, replaced by a resplendent golden robe, decorated with elaborate floral patterns. I never thought I’d wear this dress again. But why shouldn’t I? I can wear anything I want here. A crown of fresh flowers materialises upon my head as his lips meet mine. We glow from within, recreating the mantelpiece photo.
We had burned brightly and fiercely back then. I had not noticed the drip of melting wax, nor the acrid stench of smouldering feathers until I was already falling. I always thought he would be here to catch me.
Hot tears prick the corners of my eyes. “We should have had longer.”
“I know.” He wipes my wet cheek with the back of his hand. “But now we have forever.”
All the things I wanted to say seem irrelevant now. He is here with me, and that’s enough. He kisses me again and I radiate light until it’s all that I am.
I hope you enjoyed my piece. I’d love to hear your thoughts and constructive feedback in the comments below.
Absolutely lovely. Now we have forever… perfect!
Aww, thanks Jemi.
A lyrical anthem to love. I enjoyed your short flash.
Thank you, Olga.
Wow, so lovely and so filled with hope! Just beautiful! Thank you.
Thanks so much, Yolanda.
And you’re not a romance writer? Pfft. This was romance personified. It was lovely beyond words. Thank you.
Thank you also for sharing your research. This is what we hoped would happen with the art prompts. It’s an opportunity to learn and grow.
Thanks for a wonderful piece of writing!
Thanks for your lovely comment, Denise.
This is very nice.
Thank you, Cie.
Beautiful. Like summer blossoms.
Aww, thank you Sanhita.
Hi Anstice – delightful to read … hope ahead for them … forever. Wonderful imagery too – all the best Hilary
Thank you, Hilary.
Beautiful words, you’re descriptions are so vivid.
Thanks so much, Steph.
I love the melting wax/burning feathers part. NIcely done.
Thank you, Dixie.
Very vivid, very moving, very lyrical. Lovely take on the prompt. Beautifully done.
Thank you so much for your kind words.
Oh this is lovely! And that from a non-romance reader (don’t let the Bridgerton hype on my blog fool you).
You should continue!
Have a wonderful weekend.
Elza Reads
Thanks, Elza. I’m not a romance reader either but it was fun to try something different.
Seems like the perfect afterlife.
It would be lovely, wouldn’t it? Thanks for visiting, Bernadette.
Wonderful story. You capture their eternal love with great feeling. I had to laugh a bit when you said you were English and used English spelling. I’m American and always use leapt instead of leap. I’ve been corrected by a few people but I guess it just sounds better to me.
Nancy
I was corrected by an American once for supposedly spelling “colour” wrong (not someone from WEP!) so I’ve started putting a disclaimer!
You intertwined the myth and the theme beautifully. Great contribution to this month’s WEP.
Thank you, C.Lee!
That was pretty good romance for someone who doesn’t write romance 🙂 You almost lost me with the statue/not statue, but the final lines gave me the clues and I think I’ve got it now 🙂
Thanks, Rebecca.
Echoing Denise: you slight yourself, Anstice. You ARE a great romantic writer. Words like: “the softness of his lips like butterfly wings brushing my cheek” and ” I focus on the firm arms enfolding me, our bodies entwined like the roots of a tree” indicate that you are a wonderful romantic writer. Thanks for the kind words you left on my blog. There are 2 audio books heading your way. The first book you asked about is French Quarter Requiem: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B084P819CQ. Have a wonderful weekend.
Thanks so much, Roland. Very much appreciated.
You’re great at writing romance! I loved your take on this prompt, and your writing is absolutely lovely here. Marvelous!
Thank you, L.G!
Your break has done you proud! Gorgeously written, and pretty twisty, for a love story with a difference! Well odone
Thank you, Jemima.
I enjoyed the descriptions and imagery of this piece. Your intro let me know this is about the afterlife but it also felt a bit dreamy. I think it could go either way until the line “now we have forever.” I think this is a great romance story. Well done.
You’re right-it can be interpreted as the afterlife or as the character’s imagination. Who knows? Perhaps it doesn’t really matter as long as she is happy. Thank you.
What an amazing short. I loved it.
Thanks so much, Sandra.
How lovely! You’re quite talented, I enjoyed this short piece.
Thank you, Sarah. Glad you enjoyed it.
You are most welcome, I look forward to reading more!
How did I miss reading this when I did the rounds? It’s absolutely gorgeous, so romantic, heartbreaking and yet full of hope. Congratulations on your win.
Thanks so much, Kalpana!
Hi Anstice – congratulations on your ‘Encouragement Award’ … all the best – Hilary