Wednesday 4 May 2011

Voices - inspired by Three Word Wednesday

She had such simple grace, like a blessing bestowed. Tall and thin like a reed, she swayed as she walked and her skirts swished around her ankles like a willow in the wind. She exuded a calm confidence and the aura of one who was grounded and secure in her being and when she spoke, the room quietened, hushed to a whisper as she held them spellbound with her voice. It was pure and clear, and as she sang, the notes were like a bird rising up into a brilliant blue sky.

When she finally fell silent the audience were all of a jitter, sensing they had been witness to something extraordinary. They were already mourning its loss as the reverberations of her voice disappeared into the ether and left them once again alone. These people, who for brief moments had been borne aloft, tranported by the magic that she had bought into the room, were left floundering. Clutching at the feelings that made their mundane world seem lifeless and without colour in comparison.

When she got to her feet to leave, in unison they began a mournfull chant that echoed and rang like a bell. Surging and pounding in its intensity, a dirge that accompanied her to the big wooden doors that marked her exit. One hand on the door, she paused and stood so still it was as though she had been cast in alabaster. Slowly she bought her graceful finger up to her rosebud lips and the ear splitting sound dropped like a stone. The silence was so heavy with expectation it had a palpable weight.

She turned to face them, and stood knee deep in the quiet that had descended. Her shining eyes returned their gaze as she whispered. . . "join with me."

From deep in her throat came a note that split the heavy silence, and energised the air with dancing light. She threw back her head and lifted her arms as the note increased in intensity.

One by one the assembled crowd became a choir, and the room and the people were filled with all they had sensed in her performance earlier, and they were no longer alone.

They were as one and they were magnificent.

She quietly opened the door and slipped away leaving them lost in their rapture, they had no more need of her. They had found their own voices.


For Three Word Wednesday - (prompt words Grace, Jitter, Thin.)

18 comments:

Deborah said...

Oooh absolutely wonderful! BRILLIANTLY written, ooh again :o)

Jae Rose said...

wonderful - it's strange how the simplest things..being with people..sharing something..can feel other-worldly..it seems we need such magical characters to show us what we can do..Jae :)

Unknown said...

She is most certainly a Serene Woman of Grace!
http://www.kimnelsonwrites.com/2011/05/04/serene-women-of-grace/

Sheilagh Lee said...

Brilliantly executed and written.I truly enjoyed htis especially when they then found their own voices.

VL Sheridan said...

Oh, how exquisite! And to think she was gracious enough to share her gift with them. Really, Really beautiful work Susannah!

Judith Leger said...

Oh, I love it! Thanks for sharing.

Old Egg said...

What a stunningly beautiful piece of writing that drags the reader in like the audience to participate and enjoy.

Unknown said...

Wonderful and inspiring. What a gift for all it is to help others find their voices!

Ron. said...

Great story. hard to imagine such power. Well done.

Linda Jacobs said...

Oh, wonderful ending! Passing it along to her audience!

earlybird said...

What a delight. Brilliant ending. I didn't even notice the prompt words I was so enthralled.

rmpWritings said...

my nerves were all a jitter as I waited in bated anticipation for her to speak. absolutely brilliant and I love the ending...so poignant.

Anonymous said...

From the first mention of her reed-like appearance, I was thinking of the reed that also gives voice to the clarinet and oboe. Her swaying was a graceful as her music. Then leaving them to go on singing... what a lovely imagination you have! Amy
http://sharplittlepencil.wordpress.com/2011/05/06/no-limit-to-tears/

Susannah said...

Thanks everyone for the great comments, I really appreciate them. :-)

It is amazing what the prompt words will trigger isn't it? This one came out of no where!

Good to see you all. x

Altonian said...

Your story shows the power of the written word to draw one in, and captivate. Quite remarkable.

Grace said...

BEAUTIFUL! I hadn't heard of Three Word Wednesday but if such a prompt inspired this lovely bit of writing, I'm impressed and very glad I stumbled upon you today :)

PJD said...

The writing matches the majesty of the main figure. I kinda wish it ended with the word "rapture." You've already shown the rest and don't need to tell it. But lovely, vivid writing.

Anonymous said...

whoa !! what a captivating post !!

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