The Man and The Flower

 

The Man And The Flower

 

There was a man who had all that men could desire. He had a grand house, a beautiful and loving wife, and three obedient children. He owned his own business and was quite wealthy. He had a good many true friends. He had for a time been quite satisfied to live out his life as he was accustomed.

 

Then one day he looked out in his backyard and on the pond he noticed a flower. It was the most delicate and brilliantly colored flower he had ever seen. He was overwhelmed by the magnificent red pedals and the fragrance overwhelmed his senses.

 

Day after day, he came to the side of the pond, dropped to his knees, caressed the blossom and deeply inhaled the intoxicating aroma. Soon his every thought was consumed by his desire for the flower. His friends made mention of his obsession with the flower. He angrily turned them all away and guarded the flower, most jealously.

 

Then one day, rather suddenly, the flower began to die. It seemed to grow old and wilted. Try as he might to revive his most precious possession, the next day the flower dried up and died. He knelt over the flower and was very sad. He began to cry and then he became aware that the pond was no longer clear, but was covered with thick green algae.

 

He reached in the water and parted the algae back and looked at himself. Her could not believe his own eyes. His once handsome face was wrinkled and gray. His hands were no longer strong and warm, but were thin, bony, and cold. He shook his head in disbelief, and then looked around him.

 

The thick green grass was brown and infested with weeds. The once grand house had been vandalized and was falling to the ground from lack of care. He called for his wife and his children, but four black tombstones bearing their names could not answer his cries. His friends were gone now, he no longer remembered what he did for a living, and the skies were gray and brought with it, winds as cold as ice, relentless as hungry wolves.

 

He screamed with fear at what he witnessed, but no sound parted from his lips. He heard laughter carried on the wind but he saw no one. He covered his ears but the laughter grew louder. Then he knew what he feared most in life. He was alone.

 

He was dying and he was alone… alone.

 

And the darkness filled him and he was alone.

 

Reviews

[WestWriter]

"There was a man who had all that men could desire."
"And the darkness filled him and he was alone."

Gripping, from start to finish. Pacing is expertly done, moving nicely from point A to point B. And though it's not a happy ending, it's a satisfying conclusion to a tale of The Man and The Flower. How easy it is to let everything you could possibly want in life fade into a grey background while a pretty thing has your attention captured. I like that this piece makes me think of much more than just the story I'm reading.

I love the imagery, especially in the sixth paragraph. The repetition at the end causes me to see the man in a delirious state as he meets his end, having realized he's let life and all it's joy slip through his fingers.

Well done!

- Jess

P.S.
I'd also like to take this opportunity to invite you to participate in my contest, Flash Fiction. I have also formed a new group, with but three members so far including myself, called Beginning Writers. Though I must say you are more advanced than that, you are most welcome to join. I'll be sending you a friend request as well, as I'd like to read more of your work in the future. Write on!