The Flames

Sometimes the flames get too hot, and even though we tried our best, it's not enough. But there's always a choice.

In midnight she awoke, to the terror of screams.  The flames were high, tore the village at the seams. The smoke piled up, cascading her sight. She pushed as hard as she could, with all of her might. There was only one destination, one target indeed. A sacred discretion, a sacred plead.

''Please gods almighty, just give me this.''

Whispers in the night, too many voices to dismiss. She had to go, as fast as was humanly possible, she had to go, if she wanted a chance at all. Desks were removed, pillars of wood. A cry in the night; A boy's plight.

''..Mom..! Mommy I'm here!''

Don't cry little baby"Mommy is near…!

His little form she took with a grip of steel, this little boy, her soul, no one would steal. Through the horrors and flames that none else could endure, this mother and her child, a love that was pure.

Feet became anxious, heart throbbed like drums, she'll never let go, no matter what comes.

Fathers and mothers, protecting their kin, they ran as fast as they could, defying the terror within.

And when the flames grew too hot to survive, she shielded her son, he must stay alive. Fate was too cruel, and it appeared neither could, she would make things better, she would.

''…Hush my sweet child, mother is near. Don't fear the darkness, mother is here.'' With a gaze that was calm, despite of the storm inside, she wrapped him in her arms, and promised sweet lies.

''..Close your eyes sweet thing"'' She would softly coo. ''..I'm too scared..'' He wept, and it was then that she knew.

''Look then in mine.'' She offered at last. Blue and protective, warm and steadfast.

And the darkness then came, and it collected them whole.

 But when he looked in her eyes, 

it was almost like nothing happened at all.

 

 

Author's Note

Dedicated to the most loving creatures of them all. Parents.

Reviews

[Shannon]

An amazing tribute to the almost supernatural power of the bond between parent and child on them both, one driven to protect, the other believing fully in that ability to protect, both against all reason.
The hardest thing is realizing that you can't always protect them.

[LastMonth]

I agree.
I've never been a parent,
But I can't envy a parent knowing it is beyond his strength to save his child, and having to lie to him about it. Just to make the ender sweeter.

Thank you for reading.

[Deenaidoo]

My eyes stayed dry but my heart wept a little😣

[An owl on the moon]

You know so well how to arouse the wonder and sacred place of humanity, of the love of parents for their precious ones. This stirs the soul, creates both a sense of fear and tension, and a lifting place of strength and courage. Heard the other day of a mother out this way who fought off a mountain lion to save her toddler. We have the courage in us... sometimes it takes something tragic or painful to wake it up.

[West Lake Angel]

I love the scene where she tells him to look into her eyes. I can almost feel it, the release of anxiety, the calm.

[LastMonth]

I'm happy that you liked it.

[Moselle M'allaite]

Very nice. I love how this is a story and a poem as well.

[LastMonth]

Thank you for the review!

[AliciaB]

This poem/story is extremely powerful, and the dedication is very apt. The descriptions of the mother's frantic desperation, of her prayer and "grip of steel," of her "hear[t] throbb[ing] like [a] dru[m]", of "defying the terror within," are all vivid and emotionally gripping. You do an excellent job of portraying the profound love that parents feel for their children, love that will drive them to such desperate measures in order to save them. My favorite line, as painful as it is, is "With a gaze that was calm, despite of the storm inside, she wrapped him in her arms, and told him sweet lies." I'm reminded of all the times parents lie, saying "It's going to be okay" when it's clearly not, but in reality, it's all they CAN say. The fact that they use their own selves, physically and emotionally, as shields in attempts to protect us from harm is something that we often fail to appreciate. Finally, I absolutely love the image of the mother and her son looking into each other's eyes. That sort of thing really resonates with me. Very nicely written!

[LastMonth]

Thanks alot for the review Alicia.
That was my favorite line too, about the sweet lies.
read moreThanks alot for the review Alicia.
That was my favorite line too, about the sweet lies.
I think that at some point the most a parent can do is just try to make things less chaotic, even if the inevitable is coming.

Thank you kindly once more.

[Hyacinth]

I- wow. This is beautiful, and I love your portrayal of the characters. And yes, parents are the best.

[LastMonth]

Once more, thank you kindly for the review.

[Hyacinth]

It's the least I could do after reading such a marvelous piece.

[Philip Muls]

Motherly protection can be the strongest force in this world and you evoke this well in your piece.

Well done.

[LastMonth]

Thank you kindly for the review.
I agree. While it is not something I've experienced yet, (Not being a parent at this point) I do believe that the most powerful instincts we can have is to protect our little ones. 'm glad you enjoyed this.

[Matching Socks]

This was very very touching.
We give, sacrifice and do all we can for our children.
It's an incredible sort of love and you've captured it here very well.

[LastMonth]

Thanks alot Ana!

[barleygirl]

I never had the courage to take on the bravest of all roles: Mom. Your story shows us how it can be for a selfless mom wanting to save her child. (Unfortunately, this mommy gene does not exist in all moms). Even tho this story is describing a physical fire, it can also apply to many other kinds of damaging uproars that a child might face in life. It would seem that they both perish in the end, but I love the message that implies that dying knowing your mom was doing her best to save you is one of the most peaceful deaths of all. Your message is so clear & sincere, your bumpy English seems inconsequential.

[LastMonth]

Mhm, exactly. You nailed it with the fire. I tried to be as vague as possible about the threat. I didn't want it to be limited to just a fire. I tried to describe the minimal details of the threat ,and more about the reactions of the mother.

I've been very fortunate when it comes to parents. My parent's are not perfect people, but they have given me so much affection and guidance. Yes, they've made mistakes, but always with the best intention at heart. I wish I can ever repay them for all they've done for me. We were never rich or anything of that sort, and this might sound cliche, but we were very fortunate when it came to love and care.

I am still young and don't have children of my own, but I can't imagine anything other then unconditional love and care for them, once they arrive.

[barleygirl]

That's beautifully stated. What you just said in this reply could be a piece of posted writing in it's own right.