Picture In A Box

 

Tags  regret, memories, pics

 originally written- July 2, 2019

 

He was quite the ladies man in his heyday. He had many lovers and collected many a naughty pics of his conquests that he kept in a little wooden box with a lock. He looked upon them proudly as trophies he had won.

 

So came the day he settled down and found grey upon his head. Life had taken its toll on him, but to his private joy, he found he could still turn a head.

A much younger spirit called to him, and so he spent many hours of his time in the light she brought to his dark days. She shared of herself as he did as well, and he found he favored her company more than that of those he had in his past.

So he sought her out more and more, to know her name and a picture to look upon in his lonely moments. These things she denied him for reasons she would not speak right away.

Time passed and he found himself alone again, when he came upon the wooden box that he had long since put away. As he sat alone at a table by the window that allowed the light of the morning sun to shine through. He opened the box and perused its contents.

He scratched his head, as picture after picture he pulled to view and wondered to himself who these women were. He couldn't place a name with a face any more than point out one star in heaven's sky.

But there was one he remembered well, that had touched his heart. He became happy recalling memories of her, as he dug thru his collection more fervently, but came up empty. He was for sure he'd recognize her right away if he could just find her picture, but happiness quickly turned to sadness.

For the one he sought was not among them many pictures in the box.

He returned to his room and sat on the edge of his bed with a tear in his eye, for he couldn't remember what had happened to his dear one in the small lifetime they'd shared many special moments.

 

Then, a familiar conversation came to mind, an exchange they'd had.

He recalled how in his arrogance, he had become angry she would not share a picture with him to look upon and delight in her body. She had laughed at his anger and left him with these words:

 

"I will not become a picture in your box to hold when you're old and lonely. For you don't see it now, how much more important to you I am, than that. And after you have long forgotten everyone else, it will be me in my faceless glory that your heart will remember, while your nights will be filled with torment".

"And you will remember how I fought for a better place in your mind and heart than what you were willing to spare" she continued.

"You will cry yourself to sleep wishing for one more time under the stars to share with me, but I will be no more to you, but a distant memory you'll recall as that "Once Upon A Time".

"Hug yourself from then on silly old man, and recall how I loved you but you denied me for the sake of that pride you stubbornly held onto. Hug yourself now even tighter, for you will find you have been dealt with everything you deserve for hanging on to those selfish memories, while you only have yourself and that never-ending pride".

" Maybe not now but you'll soon realize, I am worth more than a picture in a box, and mark my words, you will remember me best".

I Met An Old Woman

 

I met an old woman while I walked a path, she stopped me and asked for help. I did just that and set upon again on my journey, when she considered me a moment and called me back again.

"Pardon me" she said as she laid her hand upon my arm "but I sense something in you, that seems you are very sad. May I help you as you have helped me?"

"Thank you for thinking of me, but no there is nothing you can help. There is something I must do, and I must do it alone".

I bid her a good day and continued on my way. I must've walked for an hour or so, when I swear before me, there she stood.

"Please let me help you, young one. You seem in such pain. I have a remedy that may be of comfort", she implored.

I wondered from where she came from for her to pass me unseen or appear as a dream. I tried my best to reason with her that I didn't want her help.

Then she asked that I sit with her for a small spell. Her feet were tired and her eyes, weary.

So I granted her request on the promise that after this she would bother me no more. She promised, and so we sat quietly regarding each other with just a smile to share in between.

I was anxious to leave for night was coming quick, and I had a trip to make, a job to do.

But I'd been taught to respect my elders and maybe she still needed me though she wouldn't say, so I did with the wish her strength would soon return, and we could part ways.

"I sense in you a troubled heart, tell me what is the matter with you?" she inquired.

What I replied next should have me burn in a lake of fire. I was so rude and oh so mean to this old woman. I didn't realize she was saving me. An unlikely angel with a favor to answer.

"I just wish to set back upon my path, without being followed. I told you before I do not need to borrow a thing".

Oh, to see the look upon her face, what sadness I seen hung mine in disgrace. With heavy shoulders and a sigh to boot. I sat back down and buried my shame, but she forgave me and placed no blame.

"My world is crushed, my heart is broken. I have no use for it anymore. I was set upon a path to go bury it somewhere, so I shouldn't think of it anymore" I finally bled out.

Silently she watched me while at my lowest point. One question she did ask. "Why?".

The frustration within me began to build once again, but I would not make the same mistake twice. I took a moment to answer before my anger spoke.

"All my life, I've wished for a love so true. Someone to hold me, but love is just cruel. It took from me and drained me till nothing was left. Now I'm ready to be done with it".

"If you were to meet someone upon your path, that needed one. Would you give yours rather than bury it?"

"No, its tainted, its cold and black from misuse, I couldn't think to harm another with my curse".

"Very well" she said and stood, " I must be off for I too have things to do. I just thought since you helped me, you would help another too. Your heart seems to work fine, but go about your business I will not tell. But you may need someone as much as they need you".

Then in a blink of an eye the old woman was gone. I set upon my feet and continued on.

When I arrived at hallowed ground, there came upon my sight, a man of my age lost, dejected, and sad. Yet all I could think was about the old lady, what had she said about helping yet another?

The man asked me for help, and the goosebumps ran over my skin, why was that? I wondered to myself, as I tried to rub it away. He just needed help to find a lost love, and together we searched the grounds. When he found what he was looking for he sought to thank me and kissed my cheek.

I waved goodbye and found my spot. It was near an old oak tree and a statue of an angel ever near. I kneeled upon my knees, unbothered by the dirt and plowed away at it till I reached a deep enough hole.

Just as I had pulled out my heart and thrown it in. Another laid in that very same spot. A heavy hand rested upon my shoulder and I turned up to look in wonder. A most extraordinary thing happened.

We exchanged thoughts, memories, loves and laughs, pain joy and wrath. All within that simple touch and something ignited and lit within us both.

We were one in the same looking for each other. "Don't bury your heart, there" he said to me.

"I made that same mistake long ago, and returned to claim it before the girl came. An old woman told me you'd be here and said you were my match. I didn't believe her but curious to find the truth. I came as quickly as I could".

He began his tale " See, I'd buried mine long ago and had forgotten long since where? But when I seen you by the angel, I swore that had to be the spot. So let's join our hearts and see what happens."

He pulled his out as I had pulled mine, but instead of returning it to its old casing we traded to see what was missing. There we found we were the key to one another, and the old woman hid behind a tree and smiled. Her work was done at least for a little while.