In the spring, daisies bloom where we shared our first kiss, where we used to go to watch the sunset behind the summit. From our lofty perch we could see the city laid out across the hollow formed by the surrounding mountains. As the sun dipped behind the far peaks, lights blinked on in the buildings and streets below, forming a jeweled web spanning the whole valley.
Sometimes we would stay on the bluff until morning. As the sun cleared the trees behind us, our spot would be bathed in the first light of day. It was here where he said he felt most at peace.
So, here I will release him. We will share our last sunset together and when the morning breaks, and the first kiss of the sun brushes my cheek where his lips once caressed, I will set him free on the wind.
Thin spiral notebook 
Legend has it, Keith Richards snorted a bit of his dad’s ashes. That’s rock-n-roll, for you. Your scene is much more moving, a profound image. Nice job!
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Keith Richards is a freak… but, maybe in his own way, that was a fitting tribute to his dad. Guarantee, I won’t be snorting, or in another way, digesting either of my cremated parents.
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Tara, this is absolutely exquisite. I caught my breath at the end. Lovely, lovely, lovely work.
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Wow – that was incredibly moving in so few words. Excellently done
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Wow – so movingly beautiful and poignant. A very lovely piece, Tara.
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I totally got the ashes part! 🙂 Actually, you may not realize it, but unless writers clearly spell stuff out for me, I struggle to get the real picture of the intent. But here – I saw you standing with an urn full of ashes to say goodbye. And now I want to cry. This is a gut wrenching piece on letting go, something which I dread and don’t look forward to. I’m such a sappy romantic, and I’m glad that you are too!
p.s. “jeweled web” would that be too tricky for a future prompt? I love this image your words create. Let me know your thoughts…
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Both of my parents have written instructions to be cremated. I’m leaning toward that final rite too. I’m glad you “got” it and understood the loving intent.
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I have written clear instructions on my desire to be cremated (burying people is a waste of land) and how to process my ashes… I hope my family will be open to following my instructions!
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Timely and has me sniffling since last Friday would have been Ben and Emily’s 5th wedding anniversary. While it’s not a long lifetime, every moment of being with the person you love is a testament to that kind of relationship. 5 months or years or 50..the loss of them is an ache.
your prose was perfect to show us a love of a lifetime and the hope that those we lose are never really gone.
it was beautiful.
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So beautiful and yet so sad… You are good!
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You are one of my favorite writers of all time because you can do dark and light in succeeding post. There’s a sweetness in this that shows what a good person you are.
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Are you turtle doves?
Leslie
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I’m not sure what that means…
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It sounded like there was a parting of ways of sweet hearts. Since they were on a perch I wondered if they were birds?
Leslie
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Ah… it was supposed to be a parting after one of the lovers died, and the surviving one spread his ashes from their favorite place to watch sunsets/sunrises – on top of a mountain.
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Oh dear me. That was very touching. You know, I think we will save our ashes and put them together after we are both gone. I guess the children will have to do that for us. Better leave a note!
Leslie
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My dad has already told me he wants to be cremated and his ashes loaded into a shotgun shell, then for us to take him on one last duck hunt.
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Bravo for your Dad.
Leslie
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