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A Christmas Tale [ The End ]
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A Christmas Tale [ The End ] |
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U K Hero Member
since 1999-08-08
Posts 266England |
PART THREE OF THREE A Christmas Tale The fire rekindled he retires once again to his ageing chair, this time with the thoughts of a song he wrote just after the war, A loving lament to try and appease his lost Melanie. It was a major success, [his only claim to fame] he was sure that if Melanie were alive she would hear it and contact him, she never did. He still believes that she never forgive him for his cutting comment. He sings… Ode to Melanie. Darkened skies and lonely days Alone I look for you I can not help but wonder If love we had was true Just one sign, a little time To help my love hold onto {Chorus} O’ Melanie O’ Melanie Wont you please come back and save me O’ Melanie O’ Melanie Just one word to free me… With lips trembling and tears streaming he is unable to finish the song, he gazes again aimlessly towards the wall were he believes the picture still hangs and through his trembling lips he mumbles a few words, “I’m so sorry Melanie I don’t blame you”. The wind did blow And the fire did crack To hear his sorrowful show… Feeling the chill again he bends down and rolls another newspaper, strange he can smell perfume, but memories can play strange tricks on the mind, he sits back down. A letter mixed within the piles of old papers was also thrown onto the embers and as the heat rose the letter burned curling within the embers, in doing so, it reveals; Dear Archie, I’ve found you… Meet me at… On… If your love is still true… What a shame that the flames destroyed the letter before it was read. For some it’s like love in today’s life, they appreciate the warmth and pleasure that love gives them, but only for that moment, for when it leaves they become cold. It’s a pity it burned so quick! For Archie it was late, perhaps too late! He never had any clocks or watches; he deplored the time for every minute in darkness was a minute void of light. He considers his life; In darkened days And stumbling ways I’ve tried to find a clue My life is grim I hurt within But still I wait for you For sunny days And clearer ways I beg the lord its you Just a chance Of romance “O’ Melanie,” And love anew The wind blow and the fire cracked… Tired he considers retiring. Such a long night alone and longer then most, but then again he has reminisced a lot. Slowly and methodically he rises from his chair to curb the ailing fire. As he bent down the wind did blew hard and the fire it cracked a mighty whip… in fright he leaps back hitting his head against the chair. He lays motionless for several minutes, during which his conscience fighting to breathe, speaks… O’ darkness, I know thee so well You can not hurt me For years I have been with you Can you not tell? Release me And let me see, Have I not suffered enough? See, I see not, For bitterness doth keep me in hell. … And the wind did blow… A Pangea of dictatorship trapped in self-pity He rules his blackness with no paddles of hope His thoughts the leader where attitude should be, Bound in shackles of darkness tied with doubtful rope His self-regime it is over… time to set him free. … He groans… and slowly he rises, why… he can see the fire it burns brightly… he rubs his eyes and gazes around the room… the gramophone, the picture is it…No! It’s gone where is it…it doesn’t mater HE CAN SEE. O’ tremendous joy, and the tears ran like a river on his cheeks, on they flowed to drown his sorrowful sea. He feels lost, why can he see after so long. And the wind did blow… He can still smell that Parisian flair? A knock… But who would call at this late hour. His sight not fully regained but clearing slowly as time went on, he fumbles with the living room door handle, now, standing in the hallway he can smell that familiar perfume but much stronger, with tears still falling he calls. “Melanie, is that you?” If it is her why does she not answer. Now running he lunges at the front door and swinging it wide… it is Melanie, they grabbed each other and squeezed and squeezed and hugged so hard. She speaks first. O’ Archie, Eight years my search Was it long for you The rendezvous at the church It was right for us two Did I pass the test! Forgive me But look at you You can see! Those early years of darkness Must have been so very long I kept sending messages To keep you holding on. I found your picture On the altar, at the church! I know it was a test for me I never give up the search. I’m glad you can see now She takes a deep breath… But sadly, I’m still deaf! There’s no need for Archie to say anything really she’s said it all, who was to know that the bomb that took his eyesight also stole Melanie’s hearing. With clearer eyes he understands. He has a thought! And then smiles, which should he buy first a calendar for himself or a hearing aid for Melanie, he just grins and hugs her again, it doesn’t mater they’re together… And the wind calmed, and the fire… it burns a little brighter. The little cottage With hair all thatched Smiles a little too With special thanks to northern wind It grins at lovers new  The story has not quite ended, for that little cottage with its smiley face and crackling fire now listens to the songs of a loving couple. The hall has been decorated the living room full of life. Not much hangs on the walls through except for two pictures, and if you look a little closer at Archie’s copy of the black and white photograph, in the lower right hand corner written in an odd ink are the words; If you love me, find me, I am a man of “Little worth” Search for a house of ivory With a face of wooden mirth, I carry the blame of sadness For that day in Paris forever If your heart will ever forgive me Then in marriage we’ll be together. Oh, and Melanie’s hearing! I guess we’ll just have to wait until next Christmas… when fires crack mighty whips and perfumed winds blow in love. The End for now… U K Hero + Caroline [This message has been edited by U K Hero (edited 12-14-1999).] |
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| © Copyright 1999 Ulysses Hero - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA |
Simply Awesome.... You two are great!!! What a tremendous amount of work you've put into this saga.... and why do we have to wait until next Christmas for the story to continue??? Can't they have a special Easter rendezvous or something?..... Superb job, my friends.... |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
One, Two, Three, you two are simply as magic can be! Wonderful story, great mix of prose and poetry... Looking forward to many more collaborations! |
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Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612Hurricane Alley |
Words fail me...this is fantastic!  |
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DreamEvil Member Elite
since 1999-06-22
Posts 2396 |
I am awed by this piece. Now and forever, my heart hears ~one voice~. DreamEvil© ------------------------------------------------------- "Either kill me or take me as I am, because I'll be damned if I ever change..." Count Donatien Alphonse Francois de Sade (Marquis de Sade) |
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Dark Angel Member Patricius
since 1999-08-04
Posts 10095 |
WOW, UK and Caroline, I am speechless, this was fantastic!! Well Done!! What comes from the heart goes to the heart. Samuel Coleridge |
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sandgrain Member Elite
since 1999-09-21
Posts 3662Sycamore, IL, USA |
A beautiful love story superbly done. Thanks |
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