246 words

Keith's Ramblings

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I sometimes sit in the churchyard, for despite the silent army of gravestones standing to attention in honour of the dead, the place has sounds, smells and movements all of its own

Sunday, I watched as the faithful few filed into the ancient building. From the open door, I heard the tuneless singing of hymns and the sonorous sound of the wheezing organ. I listened as they mumbled along to the prayers. 

I strolled inside and along the aisle. A priest passed me swinging a censer, the smell of incense filled the air. Somebody tried to stifle a cough. A head turned toward me, illuminated by a shaft of sunlight from the stained glass window. We smiled. I wandered back outside.

A kid rushed past me. ‘Ready or not, here I come’  A  tousle-haired head bobbed up and down behind a tomb. I used to hide there.

I glanced to my right where an elderly lady knelt beside an overgrown grave. With a tiny pair of scissors, she clipped the weeds whilst dabbing tears from her cheeks with a lace hankerchief. I knew her years ago, she was always kind to me. I wanted to comfort her. I wanted to thank her. But I couldn’t, so I blew her a kiss as she ambled away.

Yes, I sometimes sit in the churchyard. Not because I seek peace and quiet, I get plenty of that. I just like to know what is going on above the ground.

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Thanks to Jenne Gray and CEAyr for hosting The Unicorn Challenge 

*perhaps I should have called it The Kirkyard!

 

© Ayr/Gray

23 thoughts on “246 words”

  4. Sadje's avatar Sadje Sep 14, 2024 / 01:20

    This is a very touching story Keith.

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  5. Margaret's avatar Margaret Sep 14, 2024 / 08:01

    I feel sorry for this ghost, although it’s good that he/she has curiosity about the living world, and a degree of freedom of movement to assuage the boredom of ‘life’ underground. You’ve created a lovely, peaceful picture of the goings on at the church, and in the churchyard, very realistic with the less than perfect hymn and prayer renditions, but touching and true.

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    • Keith's Ramblings's avatar Keith's Ramblings Sep 14, 2024 / 14:27

      Margret, thank you so much for your thoughts on my little story. I’m so pleased it came across the way I intended.

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  8. jenne49's avatar jenne49 Sep 15, 2024 / 11:39

    That’s a lovely, peaceful story, Keith, and you led me along quite gently.
    Then the twist – of course he was a ghost – which made the smile exchanged in the church so much more intriguing.
    It’s a beautiful story.
    (And I have to stop commenting via my mobile – sometimes comments disappear, like the one I posted here – or not – yesterday!)

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    • Keith's Ramblings's avatar Keith's Ramblings Sep 15, 2024 / 16:09

      Thanks Jenne, I thought I’d add a church-going ghost to the mix as well!

      Damn mobiles, mine has a mind of its own too!

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  9. ceayr's avatar ceayr Sep 15, 2024 / 12:50

    Aye, Keith, it’s a kirkyard, in the village of Kirkoswald, about 15 miles south of Ayr. At the other side of the road is a restaurant, Souters Inn, which was once a school attended by Robert Burns. But you’d just be a laddie then yourself!

    I enjoyed your wee tale, full of weel-kent depictions of Sunday service, and sussed you were a ghostie towards the end. Nicely sprinkled clues, sir!

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    • Keith's Ramblings's avatar Keith's Ramblings Sep 15, 2024 / 16:06

      Thanks for the info CE, however Robert Burns is 186 years, 5 months and 2 days older than me!

      I’m really pleased you enjoyed it.

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      • ceayr's avatar ceayr Sep 15, 2024 / 16:45

        I believe the 5 months and 2 days!

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  10. clark's avatar clark Sep 15, 2024 / 15:40

    What an excellent ghost story.

    I especially like the rhythm of it, casual yet engaging, funny in a quiet way  “…tuneless singing of hymns and the sonorous sound of the wheezing organ. I listened as they mumbled along to the prayers.” 

    the coolest thing, imo, is that the implications (of the complete story) are left to the Reader. Tragic or kind-hearted (human states never that far from each other) the MC makes his world available, if only for a brief time.

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    • Keith's Ramblings's avatar Keith's Ramblings Sep 15, 2024 / 16:28

      Thanks so much for your generous words, Clark, your thoughts are much appreciated.

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