Sophia’s skin pulled tighter over her shoulders and the
first tears formed along either side of her spine. It was time. She threw off
her pajamas and climbed onto the tree outside her window, making her way to the
limb that would give her back the most exposure to the full moon’s light. Finding
the branch that held her teeth marks from full moons past, she bit down. Her emerging
wings pushed through, widening the tears into gashes. She bit down harder,
until a pair of amethyst colored wings fully unfurled themselves.
Relaxing her jaw, Sophia pulled her mouth away from the
branch and rested. She opened and closed her wings slowly and let them drink in
healing moonlight while her heightened senses picked up the perfume of every flower
in her backyard. Once her wings were strong enough, she pushed away from the
branches and flew.
Sophia
soared over her street, the feel of the wind on her skin wiping away any
lingering aches she had. She flew high enough to take in most of her small town
in a glance. Her high school was easy to get to, but Sophia decided she didn’t
want to waste her time on pranks again. Tonight she wanted to spend every
moment in the air. So she did, flying until the moon had gone down behind the
hills of the next town over.
Her
grin disappeared as soon as her feet touched down at home. Sophia ran her
fingers along the edge of a wing. The longest she had kept them was three days,
when her parents were away. But tomorrow was a school day. And they grew back
every month. So she went to the shed, just as she always did, and grabbed garden
sheers to cut her wings off in small enough pieces to bury them in the compost bin.
This short story is part of Magaly Guerrero's and Emily Yardis' Beautiful Freak Fest 2017. Follow the link to meet some more beautifully freaky fun.
It's sad when she had to cut her wings off. Some day she won't have to do that any more, I hope!
ReplyDeleteI hope so too.
DeleteTo many unnecessarily cut their wings instead of the soul given right to soar to the hearts content. This is beautiful, your blog header is a great visual to the story.
ReplyDeletehttp://gypsyspiritrising.blogspot.com/2017/06/beautiful-freaks-fest-2017.html
The blog header is the glorious work of Sunshine Shelle and I'm grateful everyday that she let me show off her beautiful work.
DeleteI like the story. I think I went to school with her long ago. :)
ReplyDeletePerhaps you may have
DeleteThis is so incredibly poignant!! I clutched my heart near the end while she cut off her wings. Sigh..
ReplyDeleteThis is when my full wickedness as a writer comes to bear. Yes, it was terribly sad writing the ending, but I am delighted that it had such an emotional punch. I am awful that way. :D
DeleteMy heart was flying and then it broke in dutifully-cut pieces. Such painful beauty. I love the details more than anything, the things that aren't said. For example, the fact that even during the pain of her lost, Sophia doesn't waste anything. She gives back to the earth, to the universe that has blessed her... even if those around her (or, at least, the way she interprets their reactions) make the whole thing feel like a curse.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful. Freakish. Devastating.
You got all the symbolism I put in! *happy dance*
DeleteIt's so sad to have to cut off her beautiful wings and to hide her true self that way. My heart aches for Sophia.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad I was able to write in such a way that elicited that response.
DeleteThe sheer joy of her flight, the agony she felt as the wings broke through, the devastation of the necessary deed to keep her secret and her safety. This was so full of emotion for me! It was really visceral for me. Wonderful story! Shall we see her again?
ReplyDeleteThis was a lot of emotion in a wee story. I'm rather pleased with myself. :D I think so. I just want to be sure it does Sophia justice.
DeleteYou captured my soul immediately , I felt a strong affinity with Sophia right away...so beautifully written..love all of the visual imagery conjured in my mind!
ReplyDeleteVictoria
I am so glad. Thanks ! <3
DeleteAt first I was sad when Sophia cut off her wings. Then I realized she saw something different.
ReplyDeleteThere are many ways this small story can be seen, and I'm very glad about that.
DeleteOh, my... what a devastatingly poignant ending...
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful, sad tale! Perfect for gay pride month. ❤
I hadn't seen that aspect when I wrote it, but yeah, that completely works.
DeleteI hope Sophia's wings would grow again, so she can continue to soar. Beautifully written piece, Rommy!
ReplyDeleteI hold out hope as well :)
DeleteOh WOW! Sad and happy all smooshed together...how many off us would hide that beautiful secret for fear of reprisals???? Fabulous creation XXX
ReplyDeleteTo hide something so beautiful that clearly brings so much joy, despite the pain...it is tragic.
DeleteSo many feels right now. Beautifully done.
ReplyDeleteWoot! I'm thrilled I could conjure the feels
DeleteA whirlwind of emotion in such a beautifully written tale ♥
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you enjoyed it. <3
DeleteI soared... Then I fell back to earth at the realisation it was not acceptable, the beauty, the happiness, it had to be secretly destroyed, obliterated least others see and do not approve, the lonely can soar, but to be accepted, this hammers home one needs to only do, be, say, mirror attributes and modest aspirations of the masses... So sad to hide freakish talents In the era of dullards wielding pitchforks, I hope she decides to keep those wings one day, I hope the world changes to delight in differences not discriminate and gather a hateful posse to force sameness. Great post!!! Love ❤️
ReplyDelete<3 <3 What a wonderful world that would be!
DeleteI hope one day, she won't have to cut her wings off anymore! Amazingly written Rommy!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you enjoyed it
DeleteSad to lose one's wings. But good they come back every month. Once she grows up, I suspect she will be able to keep them.
ReplyDeleteAs always, your words are a wonderful little trek to things odd and magical. This one, especially, as the heavy weight of knowing your Sophia clips her own wings so she cannot fly makes this extra poignant. So many metaphors to be had in this one. Such a clever piece of writing.
ReplyDelete