A Single Glistening Tear

Here is your #FWF Free Write Friday prompt: Fall Word Bank

 foliage – amber – wicker – aroma – sweater – cocoa

Steam rose slowly upward from the hot cup of cocoa sitting on the table in front of him.  The old wicker chair creaked as he leaned forward and splashed the remaining contents of the bottle into the cup.  Leaning back he picked up the cup and settling in took a long drink of the hot liquid.  It burned but not from the heat but from the liquid that had been inside the bottle.  His head fell back against the chair as his eyes closed.  The warmth sped down his throat and into the pit of his stomach.

He sat outside his little home by himself in the still quiet of late evening.  Wearing an old worn sweater that she had always commented on how she loved it on him.  It was beginning to fray at the seams and collar but what did he care, no one came to see him.  He took another drink and again leaned back closing his eyes and resting. The warmth began to radiate out to his limbs and e felt a small sense of peace in that moment.

Slowly he opened his eyes staring up a the late autumn foliage of the surrounding trees.  The leaves were changing colors but in the darkening light they all appeared a mono-chromatic brown.  Seemed fitting, nothing special, nothing to set them apart so he thought.  He the smelled the noticeable aroma of wood smoke wafting up from nearby chimneys.  Fires burned in the surrounding homes giving a warmth and light to the people inside.  Something he longed to feel.

Here he sat alone as he watched the last fading amber light of the sun.  It dipped beyond the horizon plunging the night into darkness.  He looked up his mind reeling, his body slowly becoming numb.  Seeing the twinkling of a thousand stars beginning to appear in rhythm with the beating of his heart.  The silence was overwhelming as a single glistening tear rolled slowly down his cheek.  Then he heard faintly the singing that was carried on the wind as a small smile appeared on his lips.

Mark Schutter ©2013 

The above was written for Free Write Friday from the word bank prompt  at the top of the page using what is called stream of consciousness writing, no editing, no proofing just writing! Please check out Kellie Elmore’s official site or click on the Free Write Friday Image for more information.  Post your submission with a comment and link to your blog on Kellie’s blog, post on twitter with the hashtag #FWF, Facebook and join the fun!