Note: You can change font size, font face, and turn on dark mode by clicking the "A" icon tab in the Story Info Box.
You can temporarily switch back to a Classic Literotica® experience during our ongoing public Beta testing. Please consider leaving feedback on issues you experience or suggest improvements.
Click hereFamily History
(on the eve of Mary's death)
Pt 1 1949
Mary, the flirt
meets Bob, the sailor
on the train platform
she wonders why
he isn't socializing
as her friends bid the seamen farewell
she barges over to him
demands his attention
why is he so stoic?
An officer.
They laugh
Exchange information
A family is born.
Pt 2 1964
Mary is rushed to the hospital
her fourth child comes early
dashed out of the room
moments after birth
Mary fears her child lost
but the child is strong
she lives
Pt 3 1984
Mary and Bob
have their four grandchildren
over for Christmas
There's an open house
after church on Christmas Eve
for which the toddlers are poorly suited
but no one minds
as the tow headed tots
spin circles 'neath the tree
of gold and 60s baubles
Pt 4 1989
Bob and Mary purchase a cabin
on a lake
in the woods
the Lord has blessed their hard work
and devotion
Family comes
Loons call
Fish jump
Children laugh
Pt 5 2011
Old age is upon them
Retirement, social security
Bob plays the same card game
every morning with Mary
she has no memory
of ever having played before
At their cabin
At their 1951 post-war Ranch
it makes no difference
the sun rises
the sun sets
Mary wanders.
Pt 6 2013
Bob weeps
holding Mary's hand
bedside at the hospital
he's signed the DNR
Neighbors come
family comes
Mary, in her fading, foggy reality
sings hymns
"Jesus loves me this I know..."
Bob weeps
....approach that works well. Nostalgia, emotion, empathy all present. A keeper/
I liked it. I think, (disclaimer), the whole thing is a wheel, turning on this axle:
Family comes
Loons call
Fish jump
Children laugh
It's interesting how so few well chosen words can read as volumes on a family history. A good poem, a definite 5.
Only one suggestion that is to drop the words "Pt 1-6" as they're extraneous words and not needed, just leave it with the years.
I too like the sparse language. It fits so well and moves so quickly as does life.
Lit's not accepting my log-in for some reason.
greenmountaineer
Such a tale diluted into sparse words. I love this piece, in all its ending sadness, but you live with them as you read and know that there was a good life before.