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Journey Beyond a Wedding (parts deal fictionally with Civil War)
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Journey Beyond a Wedding (parts deal fictionally with Civil War)
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Journey Beyond a Wedding (parts deal fictionally with Civil War) |
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miscellanea Member Elite
since 2004-06-24
Posts 4060OH |
Our conversations had always been short and awkward, as if our different time periods and cultures laid a small wedge. I hadn’t seen him for years, but had once boarded in his small home in Georgia with my cousin and her family. He didn’t speak much, but when he did, I listened. He had last told me about his childhood quilt. The occasion of our meeting was at a northern wedding, and the time of cotton picking, summer. Even though it was a beautiful celebration of love, I felt myself entering a different time and place. Somewhere among the pastor’s words, “in sickness and health, forsaking all others,” I looked at my husband who was standing in the distance while I sat in a wheelchair, surrounded by my southern family. My mind fought the pleasantry of the ceremony, falling beneath a gray and blue woolen shroud. Imagining, remembering bits of history. Perhaps it was the throbbing pain in my leg, or perhaps, it was a feeling of confusion and separation that transported me far from the ceremonial words. I landed on the rolling hills of a small farm in the South. In the atmosphere, a pungent smell of death. A bent-over woman wiped the dusting gunpowder from her wet cheek, slowly wading through the field of blue and gray. Others carried shovels, bandages, splints, reddened boards. There was not time to become overwhelmed in pity or paralyzed by grief. This was a time for movement, salvation, survival. What must be done, must be done. The nights would become cool and the blankets would be few. Reluctantly, she continued her search through the field for the least soiled cloth among the dead. As she stooped by the carnage, she sank into aching prayer, asking for forgiveness. With all the strength she could muster, she laid her warm chest across the fallen, reverently loosening his coat sleeve while turning him from side to side as she slid the jacket from beneath him. Then lifting a mother’s chest, she whispered “God bless…” Her work had just begun. From her home, now a make-shift hospital, she retrieved her scissors, needle and thread. Blankets had to be made, but the fabric unclean, stained. Taking her small, dull scissors in her hand, she chewed away the useless holes and the surrounding discoloration. When her fingers were too sore to cut, again she entered the low lit house to find a large cooking pot. As she passed the kitchen table, her spirit lingered with the young man sprawled upon it. Suddenly she remembered her task, grabbing her salt tin and pot. Her fatigue must have shown, as an elderly soldier demanded that she allow him to fetch water. The cloth was salted and scrubbed to remove any excess stain, and then boiled over the fire the doctors had begun days ago. Upon its drying, she sewed together the small, imperfect shapes of blue and gray, uniting them side by side for common cause. Survival. “Sickness and in health, ‘til death do us…” The ceremony! I had drifted! Her sparkling eyes. His fulfilled smile. A perfect union. The gray shroud gradually lifted from my soul leaving behind only glassy eyes and woolen quandary. I knew so little of life and the quilt made by his grandmother. Under the true circumstances it was made, I really don’t know. But, what I do know is that the woman who made it, stitched it with undying love, a love that lasted eighty years, to be passed from her son to her grandson upon their parting. As the wedding ended, five words echoed within my mind, “until death do us part.” During the entire evening, I dreaded the time of goodbyes, wondering if I would ever see my distant relatives and friends again. Simultaneously, I sensed the beginning of two lives. ~cathy [This message has been edited by miscellanea (08-30-2004 10:23 AM).] |
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| © Copyright 2004 Cathy Farmer - All Rights Reserved | |||
Larry C
since 2001-09-10
Posts 10286United States |
miscellanea, Yes mam, I like how you write. Nicely done. Sorry it took so long to get to it.  If tears could build a stairway and memories a lane, I'd walk right up to heaven and bring you home again. |
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miscellanea Member Elite
since 2004-06-24
Posts 4060OH |
Larry, Glad you like my style. I don't write prose much at all, just what you see here. I find it difficult to cut it down to size. After writing this one, I think I could have added pages of description, getting into character development. It made me wonder if I'd someday like to travel, study history, and write historical fiction. I know I have a lot of growth before I'd be ready for that, but... I wish I could encapsulate my thoughts into the size of a thimble, but can't too often! You have a knack of writing just the right amount, expressing the perfect thoughts. I enjoy your writing very much. cathy |
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Decaflame Senior Member
since 2001-05-11
Posts 1635 |
Add the pages...the blue walls will hold it well. |
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Larry C
since 2001-09-10
Posts 10286United States |
misc'e, No apologies are required. And those are cool aspirations. I love history. Most of my reading is biographical history(and I read a lot). But I would be interested in seeing you write without holding back because Decaflame is right! Peace.  |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Hey there, my friend. I enjoyed this, but you wish for critique, so here is what I would say. Do you use a Word program or the like? This bit of flight you took me on was a good read, I only stumbled a little over some of the grammar because there were a few spots that, while I am sure I knew what you meant, your intent wasn't as clear as you would want it to be. It's a good story, I like the way you have taken a ceremony of today and stitched it back to yesterday. I want to see more prose from you, Cathy. You've got the gift. Let's see what you can pull out. Start threading the needle, my friend. |
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miscellanea Member Elite
since 2004-06-24
Posts 4060OH |
Decaflame, Thanks for the encouragement. I appreciate it. Have a good day. miscellanea Larry, I need to read more! Usually when I read it is from the blue pages, work related content, or occasionally I'll pick up a magazine with a little science in it. I'd be interested in hearing the titles of some of your favorite books. miscellanea Sunshine, How nice of you to comment. Yes, I am interested in making improvements. I used Microsoft Word sometimes, but sometimes I just type onto the blue screen. I'm afraid I don't know all the tools on the programs. For example, I'd love to find a quick thesauras as my vocab is limited. Feel free to e-mail me about grammar improvements, etc. Thank you for your confidence in me as a possible writer. Cathy I just did a double take on this without the tools and found a non-existent verb and a couple of fragmented sentences. The fragments were intended, but if they detract, I should fix them. Are the fragments to what you were referring? Some of my favorite authors use them occasionally, as well as beginning the sentences with "and" or "but"! In high school that was a definite no-no, but I've heard other stances on it since. In any case, I'm ready to learn... Thanks for your valued honesty. cathy |
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Larry C
since 2001-09-10
Posts 10286United States |
misc'a, I've read a lot of James Michener and enjoyed most of it. I don't believe in evolution and his speculation about 1,000's of years back I just skip over completely. Lately I've been ready just about any biographys related to the revolution. One on Benjamin Franklin, one on John Adams and now one on Alexander Hamilton. My dad was named after Teddy Roosevelt so I read that and enjoyed it immensely. I'm looking forward to your new prose pieces!  If tears could build a stairway and memories a lane, I'd walk right up to heaven and bring you home again. |
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iliana Member Patricius
since 2003-12-05
Posts 13434USA |
Cathy, like I told you last night on the phone, this is a terrific analogy. Such a deep story and I think it is really, really good. You have a great talent for short storiesi. & love.......Keep writing, sis. jo |
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miscellanea Member Elite
since 2004-06-24
Posts 4060OH |
Thanks, Jo. That's very kind of you to say. I suppose we get our love of storytelling from our dad. (But Mom, sure can write an interesting letter, too!) I'd like to see you give your hand at prose. cathy |
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iliana Member Patricius
since 2003-12-05
Posts 13434USA |
I've been thinking about it, Cathy. Maybe, I'll write about our trip home from the State Fair, or our drive close to Vine Street (then again, it just hasn't come to me yet to take the time....I'm still working on that special project.) BTW, Abby is in SF, in her apartment, and already out on the town. Hope the Lins girl is adjusting, too. Love you and hope you are okay, jo |
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Kevo Member
since 2004-06-02
Posts 466Navarro County, Texas, USA |
My goodness. Divinely inspired again! This is a keeper above keepers! And, at the heart of one of my passions - Civil War. I have written several poems of the Civil War, Gettysburg, Antietam, Pickett's Charge. You are incredibly gifted and I appreciate the sincerity with which you write and respond to others. This is phenomenol. Warm wishes and prayers for a speedy recovery, Kevin |
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miscellanea Member Elite
since 2004-06-24
Posts 4060OH |
Kevin, Thanks for taking time to read it. I had hoped you would like it, as I've read some of your poetry related to war. Glad you did! miscellanea |
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merlynh Member
since 1999-09-26
Posts 411deer park, wa |
Cathy I enjoyed this piece, in fact after reading this one I went and read several other of your posts. I think you have talent as a writer and hope you will not stop working at it. Best wishes. |
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miscellanea Member Elite
since 2004-06-24
Posts 4060OH |
merlynh, How very kind of you to say so. I don't know...It seems time is far between time when I can think about something to write about. I'm so glad you took the time to read some of the other pieces. I didn't spend much time on them, but they do show a different side of me. I tend to like humor, perhaps you picked that up. Thanks for the encourage. I'll try. Cathy |
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J.Samm Member
since 2004-01-12
Posts 415Iloilo City, Philippines |
Beautiful...the images were so vivid, I felt as if the quilt was right before me |
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merlynh Member
since 1999-09-26
Posts 411deer park, wa |
It seems that you’ve found your voice, the style in which a writer writes. That in itself is a large step most writers have a hard time finding. I usually don’t find too many people who writes as well as you do who post on line. Trust me a read many novel each month and some of them aren't written as well. |
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merlynh Member
since 1999-09-26
Posts 411deer park, wa |
Last sentence should have read: Trust me I read many novel each month and some of them aren't written as well. |
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miscellanea Member Elite
since 2004-06-24
Posts 4060OH |
J.Samm, I really appreciate your response. I'm out of commission for another month or two and have debated which art form to explore during this time--drawing, music, or writing. For years, I've ignored the arts, but I find them calling to me now. Your feedback is helping.. Thanks. miscellanea |
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miscellanea Member Elite
since 2004-06-24
Posts 4060OH |
merlyn, Thank you for your feedback. I'm not sure what you mean by voice. (I'm not much of a reader, except professional jargon.) Granted, I accept the definition that its the style a person writes, but I really don't know what my voice is... My writing just happens and it isn't always consistent. Take my poetry for example, some is good and some the pits! I have no idea how the stuff works, but I did have one piece that I think expressed itself, in its own voice. If you care to venture there, I'll leave it. I think it is my best piece of writing. It came to me in a dream. /pip/Forum90/HTML/002212.html You don't know how I appreciate your kind remarks. I've been toiling with what I will do when I leave my profession. I've never thought of myself as much of a reader or a writer or anything academic, but perhaps... I'll think about writing a little more thanks to you and the other encouraging people here. Cathy [This message has been edited by miscellanea (09-17-2004 11:16 AM).] |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
With limited time, I don't even get to read all the poetry I'd like... but as I read this, I realized that I need to expand my horizons and include this forum on my reading list... sleep, after all, is highly overrated. *G* I slipped so far into your story that I'm sitting here with chill bumps... I guess I've always thought of quilts telling happy stories... but they obviously must also have a history that makes one weep. Magnificent write, my friend... *S* |
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miscellanea Member Elite
since 2004-06-24
Posts 4060OH |
suthern, You could flatter me no more than you have. Yes, sleep is a little over-rated I find sometimes... but the sheep still call to me! Thanks for responding, suthern. Much appreciated... misc'e |
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fractal007 Senior Member
since 2000-06-01
Posts 1958 |
Not a bad piece. I'm glad you invited me to read it. Sorry I did not get to this sooner. But in any case, I thought the prose flowed smoothely and that the transition between the present and the flashback reverie was well-orchestrated. 2+2=5 for sufficiently large values of 2 |
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merlynh Member
since 1999-09-26
Posts 411deer park, wa |
I saw this post and thought it might be a rewrite. But realized it was only getting more posts and was moved up. Rightly so because it's a nice piece of work. I'm surprised how you've learned how to separate yourself from your work by realizing you can improve its quality. It shows your growing as a writer and realize you have something more to share. You may very well work into being another Hemingway. "Don't get discouraged because there's a lot of mechanical work to writing...I rewrote the first part of Farewell to Arms at least 50 times." --Ernest Hemingway |
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Broken_Winged_Angel Senior Member
since 2000-04-06
Posts 994Small Town, Somewhere |
I only skimmed over the replies, so pardon me if I repeat what they've already said. This was an inspired piece. I love how you flowed from the past to the present...and how you brought the past to have meaning with two seperate sides joining as one. Thank you. |
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miscellanea Member Elite
since 2004-06-24
Posts 4060OH |
Thank you BWA. You're right. It was an inspired piece, much of it non-fiction. How his quilt came to be made, I can only guess. I can't fathom how difficult it would have been to gather the uniforms in which it was made. I'm glad you enjoyed reading it. miscellanea |
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miscellanea Member Elite
since 2004-06-24
Posts 4060OH |
BWA Whoops, I accidently responded again. I thought perhaps I had not accurately submitted this the other day. (I didn't see the second page!) Have a good day. miscellanea |
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Journey Beyond a Wedding (parts deal fictionally with Civil War)
