Border Town
Each day the captain was reluctant to approach his window, but he always did and always he opened it wide. He would sit and reflect on all the places that he had been. Then his vision would be drawn across the river to a red brick house with a veranda, to a young priest who each morning walked back and forth reading, always the priests hands appeared golden from the gold leafed pages.
The captain wished that he could visit the priest; so many sins, so many deaths, such gnawing guilt over his own blood red hands, he desperately wanted absolution.
This Post Has 37 Comments
I like this Michael.. the river is such a separation, life is the balance between good and evil… left and right… and we can never find a balance lacking bridges.
Thank you Bjorn,
I like this. You get the impression he wants to join the priest on one level but there is more than just the river keeping them apart
It will be hard to cross the river, I suppose it may depend on how bad he has been. Thank you Mick.
The things he must have done. How interesting that the captain ended up living right across from a priest. Wonderful take on the prompt.
(priests hands should be priest’s hands)
For the author of this piece what he has done would be the next challenge. Thanks for reading
The hand comparisons worked well. Good one.
Thank you, It always amazes me what the photo prompt delivers.
I hope he makes it across the river before he dies with all that guilt on his soul.
Me to, I am not sure about what his secret is.
Beautifully written. Sad things, guilt and regret.
Thank you very much.
I liked the hand comparison too. Good story.
Thank you,
I like the way he’s drawn to watch the priest, his hope for absolution, even though it’s done reluctantly. I wonder if he’ll ever take the final step and cross the river?
He is not sure that he deserves absolution. Thank you for commenting. Mike
This is a wonderful premise and I want to know more about their story. I think this could be something, the friendship and confessions. I hope you expand on it.
Thank you Dawn,
Dear Michael,
One has to wonder what the captain has done. The sense of longing is tangible in this piece. Nicely done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Thank you Rochelle, the picture prompt was great this week,
if he waves at the priest, maybe he’ll come and pay him a visit.
He is to set in his ways to think about waving. Thanks for commenting
He should get out and look for a bridge. Better than wallowing in sin.
Great Mike. So profound in its simplicity!
Thank you, thank you
Absolution is a noble goal. I hope he finds peace!
Me to, as the author of this piece I still do not know what he is guilty of! Thank you for your comment. Mike
I hope your MC gets his absolution. Nice writing.
Thank you, the prompt photo was a great help this time.
We all stand in need of forgiveness. And at some point, we must forgive ourselves.
Very true. Thanks for reading and commenting.
I like the tension in his character – he’s very conflicted about what he needs and how to get it. I want him to stop wallowing and start doing something about it. Very interesting. I like your title, too.
You are right to say that he is in conflict, perhaps he see’s his past in a worse light than he should
The man is judging himself. He has lost the hope of being forgiven and is causing his own suffering. Just across the river is forgiveness but he can’t summon the courage to ask for it. How sad. Well done, Mike. —- Suzanne
Thank you Patrica, he is certainly judging himself, perhaps he is over reacting to what he has done.
Awesomely compiled!
Thank you very much.