Photo by P. Koskela, Finland
Earth was silent, dark, dense beneath the enormous frame.
Heartbeats grew further apart, the slight tremor of ice shards like glass in long lashes and shaggy coat. A dozen bitter winters, this the first when it is too much to stand.
Thump.
An eyelid raises, cracking its frozen seam to see a bright line in greenish-yellow against the sky’s ink.
No sound or scent of footed life, only the patient gathering scrapes of talon and wing.
The eye is open, the chest is now silent. He draws a breath.
The circle tightens. The sky’s line glows.
One soul rises, absolved.
###
This is an exactly 100-word flash fiction piece for a tradition of writing ghost stories on Christmas Eve. We acknowledge a sinful and hopeless world, and welcome the dawn in full awareness that Christmas day brings us light.
Advent Ghosts 100 Word Storytelling is put on by Loren Eaton at I Saw Lightning Fall. See other entries there.
Esse Diem 
Eerie transcendence. And sad, too. Seems a theme with this year’s stories. Nicely done, Elizabeth.
Thank you, Loren! I do love this tradition.
Excellent. Really enjoyed it, Elizabeth
Thank you for stopping by and for the kind words. KJ.
Beautiful imagery. Well done.
Thank you so much. Honestly, I had to confront that this is really about me. Both of my parents have cardiology issues, and every night I fall asleep feeling my own heart beat and wondering when the last one will come.
Beautiful and tragic, Elizabeth. Loved.
I really appreciate your comment, Derek. This year just felt like a focus on loneliness and sadness to me. I’m glad it resonated with you. Thanks so much!
Pingback: Bring on the Ghosts: Advent Storytelling 2016 | Esse Diem
Pingback: Shared Storytelling: Advent Ghosts 2022 | Esse Diem