Linking

A-Z Part L
Tied but not fettered


The warmth of the afternoon is densely packed, cosy. Echo rests her head on Claire’s shoulder.
‘You are still kind of heavy to carry,’ Claire tells her.
Echo huffs, as though this is of no real importance. The wind drops, everything holds still in the sturdy heat. Barking dogs break the spell. Claire lowers Echo to ground level.
‘You can do some walking,’ she tells her, ‘at least until the dogs are out.’
Echo takes hold of her hand, leads confidently back up the path until distracted by the sun sifting through the wide leaves of a tree. Echo reaches her hands towards it, palms up, fingers splayed. She tilts her hands, emulates the leaves gentle lilt. Claire feels a pull of affection for the gesturing child.
Heartstrings, she thinks; this is where the word comes from. An invisible tie between lives; only there’s nothing fettered about it. Connective. It’s connective.



Comments

Suze said…
Perhaps my favorite snippet yet in terms of both idea and illustration. What a gem.
13 April 2013 at 18:38
Teresa Cypher said…
This is so beautiful!~ The imagery was perfect--I was there, watching them :-) Nice job, Lily! :-)
13 April 2013 at 20:57
J Lenni Dorner said…
Stopping by from the #atozchallenge !
@JLenniDorner

Good story. Beautiful image.
14 April 2013 at 00:52
Unknown said…
You have a wonderful talent... for your words, but with your art. Love how the word forms the graceful tree.

Patricia, Sugar & Spice & All Things ? Nice
14 April 2013 at 02:18
DL Hammons said…
I am one of the members of the A-Z team just checking in. Glad to see that everything is going well for you during the Challenge. :)
14 April 2013 at 14:02
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