Ashes in the Wind

This one's meant to send a shiver down your spine.

Ashes in the Wind

 

Cold ashes filled the fire's pit

from very long ago.

How long?   I could not know.

Had someone stopped and stayed a bit

to cook a warming meal?

Is this where he did kneel?

 

With twigs and logs, I built a fire;

at last, it burned quite hot

around my boiling pot.

I pitched my tent as I did tire.

Night's sky grew cold and dark

against the fire's spark.

 

Some stars peered down like twinkling eyes;

a full moon glistened bright

as all the world seemed right.

Alone, I listened---no surprise---

as nearby creatures stirred

and flying insects whirred.

 

Fatigue embraced the whisp'ring wind

and hushed the hoot of owls

and other creature's growls.

Into a dreamland state, my mind did spin

where hopes and frets reside

as allies side by side.

 

The years had paused in this old camp,

and deeper memories

crept back with haunting pleas.

The wilderness had left its stamp;

but, still, the clearing stayed

where this old camp was laid.

 

Awaking as the sun did rise,

I watched the sunbeams weave

and night's own darkness leave.

A gust blew ashes by surprise;

that's when I felt a touch

I seemed to long for much.

 

Was touch outside reality?

It was the wind that knew,

and I had not a clue.

A manly voice spoke out to me,

"Why do you feel such doubt?"

My eyes did circle 'bout.

 

"But who are you?" I asked the wind.

The breeze grew bitter cold,

and I felt very old.

"Wind's whispers can't rescind

this tale I've come to share

that's mine, alone, to bear."

 

"I am the ghost of William Hold,"

the wind did whisper low,

"and, that, you surely know."

My chill grew as his tale was told,

"One hundred years have passed

since I made camp here last."

 

Bill's breath caressed my wrink'ling face

as he said, "Natalie!"

I knew that I was she.

My mind sped back through time and space

to when Bill passed away

right on this very day.

 

That's when I saw the pow'r of fate.

Bill'd camped---injured, alone;

I sensed his ev'ry moan.

While all of nature stood in wait,

my Bill had died right here;

his ghost still lingered near.

 

"Oh, Bill; I'm here, your Natalie."

One hundred years...a flash

as I, too, turned to ash.

Within this gust of memory,

wind's whispers saved our tale

for those who find the trail.

 

If you hike here on this steep isle,

you'll hear wind's whispers still

of love and loss and will;

and, if you dare to stay a while,

I'll let it be your choice

to answer to Bill's voice.

 

 

Reviews

[L.G. Knight]

Nice! no chills that I was aware but it did keep me enthralled the only thing I would ask is that there be more... more answers more story... how was he injured who was Natalie other than his love why does he wait for is there something unresolved between them was she supposed to meet him and didn't or vise versa or will love not let him leave without seeing her face again... so many questions and as of yet so few answers... I love the rhythm and the rhyme... amazingly well done... and the story is certainly captivating... I just wish there was more of it...

~Frances~