Meant to be?

She’d gone. Why, he didn’t know. 

‘It wasn’t meant to be’, they said, ‘it’s for the best, you’ll see’.  

He didn’t see.     

Sitting on a bench he stared toward the horizon, before him an expanse of nothingness.  Soon, the sun would set and the sorrowful day he’d endured would be over.     

As a warm glow  appeared in the sky, he began to wonder if they were right. He tried telling himself that it was a sign, a positive end to what had been the saddest day of his life.

All of a sudden, a mass of starlings appeared above the pier. He smiled as they formed a heart, high in the sky! 

But as fast as it took shape, it broke into two, then the birds came together to create a cloud, as black as any he’d seen.

‘It’s for the best, you’ll see’, they’d said.

No, he didn’t see. 

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Original image credit; Paul Berry Unsplash

Thanks to Sadje for hosting What Do You See?

26 thoughts on “Meant to be?

  1. Denise Hammond's avatar Denise Hammond Feb 12, 2024 / 13:40

    As someone recently told me, “we took different paths only to find ourselves back on the same road.” Maybe they will find each other again. 

    Liked by 1 person

      • Denise Hammond's avatar Denise Hammond Feb 13, 2024 / 23:50

        Did you read my post on Jan 30? Those two are back on the same road, and have crossed paths repeatedly for 26 years. Who knows what might happen.

        Like

  2. Sadje's avatar Sadje Feb 12, 2024 / 13:59

    A very moving story Keith. When someone suffers a loss, it’s very hard to see that it was for the best. Thanks for joining in.

    Liked by 1 person

  3. Suzette Benjamin's avatar Suzette Benjamin Feb 12, 2024 / 15:05

    Deeply felt emotions well presented Keith. Sometimes it is hard to see through that wall of sadness. Great take on the prompt.

    Liked by 1 person

  4. Patricia's avatar Patricia Feb 12, 2024 / 15:10

    Sometimes we have to turn away from something or someone to understand the gift given.

    Liked by 1 person

  5. Christine Goodnough's avatar Christine Goodnough Feb 12, 2024 / 15:29

    “Pain can teach you and tears can be a cleansing,” they say–unless they’re the one in pain or crying.

    Liked by 1 person

  6. Mason Bushell's avatar Mason Bushell Feb 12, 2024 / 16:20

    A sad but beautiful tale. I hope he finds love again some day. I love how you added the birds in silhouette to the picture at the bottom. Well done, Keith.

    Liked by 1 person

  7. Dale's avatar Dale Feb 13, 2024 / 14:32

    Beautiful write about love lost. If it were easy to get over, it didn’t mean as much…

    Liked by 1 person

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