Heartstrings: A scene from the life of the poet Orlando Belmonte.

 

Orlando Belmonte had spring in his eyes. The sunshine bounced of his pupils like a mirror from some strange land. He made the most of it by seducing women who could not resist the flowers that grew underneath the shade of his gaze. It was a dangerous thing and could send a woman to despair. One woman, whose name was Beatrix, had such strong palpitations when in his company, her heart nearly burst with anxiety. Beatrix was an intelligent woman and her thoughts were reasoned but she could not reason with her heart over the poet Orlando Belmonte. 

After one quite vicious quarrel Beatrix screamed ‘I will cut out your heart and eat it as raw as my love is for you!' 

These kinds of contentions were a common occurrence between the two. Usually, Orlando Belmonte would feel irked and ignore her for a time. He left her alone with her heart upon its strings and like a playful cat would tangle herself up within her own yarn. 

Beatrix, out of desperation would go around to the apartment of Orlando Belmonte, bang on the door and scream ‘I will cut out your heart, knit a jumper from its strings and wear it forever!’ 

Orlando Belmonte could not bear the desperation and so would go on a trip somewhere to get some peace. 

On this particular occasion, when Orlando Belmonte returned from one of these trips, he witnessed Beatrix outside his apartment wearing a jumper she had knitted from her heartstrings with the words: I made this for you, Orlando Belmonte. 

And for some reason the act pulled at his heartstrings, tears fell from his eyes and the spring rain cleared the air. 

Reviews

[Haley]

As always, a great and captivating read. I can feel myself and remember moments where it felt as if I was both Orlando and Beatrix.

[Stella Armour]

Oh wow, i am not really into these kind of stories Danny to be honest but i really did enjoy this one and i could envisage the weaving of the jumper ....