Every New Day

A downpour of rain beat against a simple white windowsill, causing a slow fog to gently creep up the old glass inch by inch and cloud the window that seperated the sullen day from the safety within the cottage on the hill. Rolling thunder echoed along the grey sky in a low, powerful growl, causing the earth to tremble at its might. An old, massive willow tree in direct view of the window allowed its branches to sway in the strong wind, but otherwise kept its strong composure, not to be too shaken from the storm that raged around it.1

Inside the cottage and behind the shield of the clouded window, a woman stared out towards the day ahead. Her fingertips danced along the outside of a steaming cup that lingered at her delicate lips. A blanket was draped around her shoulders, yet her body still trembled as she stood. A sigh escaped from within her, as she watched the rain seem to endlessly…pour…down. 2

Oh a dreary day was ahead for her, she knew. She knew not, though, what the day would truly view, but how could a morning such as this promote any hope for daily bliss?3

A pair of warm and loving arms that wrapped around her waist, however, soon interrupted her thoughts. She knew and loved his familiar touch, since every day their morning started out the same. His head would rest gently on her shoulder, and she in turn would lean her own against it, smiling gently as her body seemed to melt with his. Her eyes would close softly and he would hum his favorite song into her ear, using the sound of the melody, and that morning, the rain, to keep rhythm as they slowly rocked side…to…side.4

The dreary day should be spent in bed, she fully believed, but it went unsaid. A time to sit and from work abstain, for on a day such as this, no one should be more busy than the rain.5

A grandfather clock in the front dining room echoed through the halls. Its chime was a signal for the day to go on, as every new day must. From its song, their swaying stopped, and his humming was silenced, the only noise remaining being the heavy chimes of the clock and the monstrous rain beating against the window. At the last strike, he removed his head from her shoulder, preparing to tear himself away from her, as he had to do every morning.6

She looked up and met his eyes, pleading for him to choose to stay, to share with her this gloomy day. By her side he should remain, for no one should be more busy than this rain 7

He smiled warmly, and softly turned her body to face his own. He placed his lips on her forehead with a loving kiss, and with his fingers, he wiped away her worried brow, meeting her gaze once more.8

The day would go on, as it must, for even the gloomiest of days deserve an ounce of trust. And so he had learned, you never know what every new day might come to bestow. Just as every day has a dawn, life will still go on.9

As she shifted her gaze towards her feet, he lifted her chin and softly pressed his lips against hers, embracing her in a warm hug before the clock once again chimed, signaling half an hour had passed, and the day was not waiting any longer. Moments later, the door was shut behind him, and the movement around the cottage diminished. She returned her gaze to the falling rain outside and sighed, wrapping her blanket more tightly around her body, which had started to tremble once more. 10

He died that day, and in the days following, gloom and despair in the cottage matched that of the still stormy weather outside. Birds had not sung in days, clouds had not even begun to part to allow a little light to shine through; just so, the place of mourning was dark and silent. The little movement taken place within the house was only in absolute necessity, otherwise, the woman just stood and stared out through the foggy window. Her hands were wrapped around the same cup that held the tea she so tenderly drank a week before, but it was empty now, no longer warm, and had not been filled since. Her body shivered continuously, and no matter how tightly she closed her eyes, she could not wake up into the day a week ago that the rain had first started to pour. 11

Oh how she knew that nothing good could come from taking on that rain! How she wished by her side he would’ve remained, for if he would have stayed they would have had more days to share, but now she’s stuck in this present, horrid nightmare. She doubted if she could go on now that her love was taken away, it had been a week but she felt so trapped in that fateful day. 12

The grandfather chimed his own old, familiar song; seven strikes to bring in the morning as it had done every new day for many years. Several days had passed where she ignored his call completely, believing the day could not go on without the one she loved; believing if she were to remain in her present place, the time would truly stop around her, as she felt it must do.13

But outside the rain still poured against the window, the thunder still rolled along the hills; the wind still blew along the willow, making the powerful tree sway its mighty branches. The brave animals still scurried to their home, and the sound of passing cars along the road still found their way to disturb the silence of her mourning. Inside, the clock still sang its loud tune, and its hands still moved at every moment. Her heart, though hurt, was still beating, and she, though broken, was still living. Life was going on around her.14

She looked down at her empty cup and slowly turned, making her way down the hall towards a kitchen that had not been disturbed in many days. She reached for the kettle on the stove that had began to gather dust and poured water into it before lighting the gas and slowly setting it back down. Even more gradually, she walked to the table, reluctantly reaching for the belongings that had been accumulated over many weeks of busy days. She examined each piece one by one before separating them into stacks. Her own objects were placed on the counter without much order; his, however, she stacked softly and neatly beside the centerpiece candle. Before long, the kettle whistled as the steam escaped from the top of its chamber, causing her attention to be drawn away from her current task. Moments later, she exited the kitchen and walked back towards her room.15

She stood in her place in front of her window, watching as the rain slightly ceased its downpour for the first time in many days. She wrapped her blanket around her shaky body tightly and took a sip from her steaming cup of tea, letting it linger by her delicate lips. The rain diminished more so, allowing bits of the sun to shine through the dark clouds just as the clock chimed again, announcing that half an hour had passed. The day was moving on, and life, as always, was following suit.16

She closed her eyes, and a soft smile spread on her lips as sunlight melted across her face. She listened to the birds that lived in the willow as they flew overhead, singing a song for the rain that had ceased to fall, and for the promise of a clear, new day. Soon the only audible sound was the sweet tune of her husband’s favorite song, which she hummed so tenderly to welcome the morning as he had always done before. Her fingertips danced along the outside of her cup as she lightly swayed side to side, reminiscing her time with him and the love they would always share.17

Life will go on, she knew him to say in the toughest of times. She sighed and parted her lips, whispering delicately aloud as his voice rang through her heart,18

“Life will go on.”

Author notes

For Contests:

I honestly don't know what I think about you, since I don't know you. :] I think you're a talented writer, other than that, I've got nothin' sorry.

My quote?
"I think it takes courage to live each day facing your worst fear with a heart and strong-will to not let it take control of you, or bring you down to where you know you shouldn't be. I think it takes more courage, though, and a strong act of faith, to accept help when you realize you can't do it on your own. That recognition, and leap of faith, can make the difference between death, and living your life as you were called to live it."

It's a long one, but it's original.

A contest entry

Please tell me what you think

    : , Your review:

    Comment Suggestion: What is your your first impression?
    : Cost: 0 free left 0 points, You have 0. (?) (Line numbers)
    Ratings:

Comments

1 - 20 of 20

  • Forgotten Anomaly
    February 12, 2008
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    This is quite good, insperational, descriptive, wonderful.


  • stardust3492
    January 11, 2008

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    This is amazing. It really moved me. One little suggustion:

    In Paragraph 10: As she shifted her gaze towards her feet, he lifted her chin and softly pressed his lips against hers, embracing her in a warm hug before the clock once again chimed, signaling half an hour had passed, and the day was not waiting any longer. That's a run on sentence!

    Anyway, this is beautiful. It is so poetic and wonderfully written. Thanks for entering and good luck in the contest!

  • BabyxBadger
    January 4, 2008

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    Amazing, and beautiful story. Very well written, I loved how much description you put in this to make you really feel like your in the story. Amazing write, and Happy New Year
    xxx


  • Ayesha Raees
    December 31, 2007

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    it was long and some of the description was unnecessery
    but some words were powerful and made me think.
    i liked it
    good work


  • On.Cue
    December 29, 2007

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    It has a good flow and very good descriptions. Make sure not to overdo the descriptions because it can make the reader want to stop reading. Too abrupt with the "husband dying" scenario. Maybe you could expand on that a little bit more. The emotions going on were a little bit too surface-y. But overall, I enjoyed how you placed the words and made it lyrical in some places.

  • werner1221
    December 24, 2007

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    perfect?

    a amazing story. emotion filld ride that doesnt let up. everything was done flawlessly. you did a wonderful job writing this.

    goodjob. ;-)


  • beezy92
    December 8, 2007
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    I've read this already

    And commented on it too. Enjoyed reading it, thanks for entering. Good luck in the contest! (=


  • littlebluebird1
    December 2, 2007
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    Wow.

    You painted a picture using words, and did a wonderful job.


  • Makinbettachoices
    December 2, 2007

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    This was a perfect and heartfelt story! It really touched me, it was delicate and beautiful, valuable and honest. I truly enjoyed this story a lot! In fact i think its my favorite one, the best I've read on story write so far! I really cant say much else, it has left me speechless, your writing style is just so pretty it paints a lovely picture and it makes me so warm inside, and it also teaches an important lesson as well. it is truly a wonderful story. Maybe I should have my lil sis read this, she lost her best friend. it may be good for, theraputic even, tyhank you for writing this! x from the ashes x

    beginning: 5, language: 5, plot: 5, ending: 5, characters: 5.


  • emperess27
    November 30, 2007

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    Amazing

    I thought that was amazing. You captured her thoughts and feelings perfectly, and you could tell how much she truly loved him. You have a talent for description. You are definitly a creative writer. Punctuation all seemed good. Well Done! Kais


  • Toxic Paradox
    November 23, 2007

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    Very poetic. The language is literary and I'd say more narrative/lyrical than true prose - but I like that a lot, it gives a sense of rhythm.

    Thank you very much for entering my contest, I greatly appreciate it.

    -T.P. xx


  • hiGh-on-happYness
    November 12, 2007

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    only ONE grammar/spelling error. My, my, I take back what I commented on another story... THIS is the best one so far as far as grammar/spelling and etc.
    Here's your mistake:
    ...should be more busy then the rain.
    "then" should be spelled "than".
    Now for the emotion... it's wonderful, so poetic. I love poetic stories that have great detail equally as much as I love sarcasm in stories. I usually absolutely hate romances other than Shakespeare, but this is marvelous... my favorite so far. It's spectacular! This is a lot coming from me. Usually I'm very strict and find whatever mistakes I can in a story, but this is near perfection! It's marvelously beautiful, so sad and wonderfully written, almost more realistic-feeling than some of the true stories that have been entered!
    Bravo! I love this.
    Thanks for entering, and good luck in my contest!
    <333
    Lily

    beginning: 5, language: 5, plot: 5, ending: 5, dialog: 5, characters: 5.

  • Fragments Of Dreams
    November 8, 2007

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    Awesome!!

    Eeek! I really truly loved it. Seriously. Not kidding. Okay, enough of that. Sorry. Ahem. Okay. Well. Ahem.
    Lol sorry
    Good luck, as always.
    ~Chelsey


  • Infectious Insanity
    November 7, 2007
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    i love the last line..... so moving.... yeah good job...
    good luck

    *Sheepy*


  • chintzy faberge
    November 2, 2007

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    This is the most poetic story in this contest. I think it has almost a Jane Austen-esque feel to it with the heady, flowery language and love story content.

    It's actually really odd that I liked this so much, because usually I don't fall for such a typical plot. Your descriptions are really good, if (I agree with beezy) a bit overdone at times. The language you used kind of brings me back to an older age of chivalry and ladies and tea-parties and lace...frankly, I like it a lot.

    I kind of wish that you had focused on her a bit more and her thoughts rather than on the rain. It feels a bit tired after a while, even though the mood it portrays is fitting for the occurences in the story.

    A few questions:

    What about the funeral? How did he die? What time does this happen in? Where is her family and friends? Doesn't she have a job? What made her turn around and begin again?

    Thanks for entering!


  • Natalie-
    October 21, 2007

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    I hope that you continue with this the imagery was perfect at the beginning and is what I enjoyed most about it.

  • beezy92
    October 19, 2007
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    I knew he was going to die

    I knew it from the very beginning. Beautiful strong imagery, it really added to the picture of the story. Some parts, I thuoght, were a little over done. Like the cup with her fingers dancing aruond it was beautiful but then youa dded that it was within her hands, which sounded redundant. but thats jus tme. anyhow, I sill love dit. beautiful and envoking


  • Rosemary silver member
    October 11, 2007

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    Good story, but sad

    Your descriptions were great. I felt the rain, the cold and the depression the woman felt. I was waiting for her to take her own life in a fit of dispair.


  • whichcraft Greeters member
    October 9, 2007

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    I like the fact you chose the background with rain droplets when you start your first sentence with a downpour.

    The style of writing is different. It seems as if I am reading a poem within a story.

    His death took me by surprise and I felt as cold as the female character. You have used good description.

    I like the ending. We know life will go on but it's hard to maintain the same life when you lose someone close to you.


  • Lostskins
    October 9, 2007
    Edit | Reply
    Loved it!

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