What Can’t Be Captured
Her legs swing beneath the chair, shiny black shoes tapping against each other with a faint squeak at each pass.
Chin on her hands, her brown eyes dart back and forth, up and down. In the jar before her the lights flicker bright, zooming in the confined space. In moments she morphs, frail and old, staring at the same jar, now filled up with lights.
One light flares bright, lighting up her face in a smile, her eyes shine in memory.
Around it so many dim and die – you can’t save every memory. Important ones shine while others fade away.
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The prompt of Jar immediately made me think of fireflies in a jar – but as one who never actually collected fireflies in a jar (I know, the horrors!!) – this is the 100 words that evolved.
Check out the other entries at Velvet’s place…
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Fireflies are one of the things I miss most having moved from Tenn. to Fla. When I was a child, I did collect them in a jar. There is something magical about them. I like your analogy… thanks for this childhood memory.
They are all over the place here in the summer. I love watching them flicker over our yards, or the nearby fields. Totally magical. I’m glad you like the analogy 😀
My kids have the book about Sam the Owl and Gus the fire fly. Your piece made me think about that. Well written.
Thank you, Lance. I haven’t heard of that story, now I’ll have to go find it. I’m gad you liked my 100 words this week!
Wonderful 100 words! Putting fireflies in the jar was always a favorite pastime. Thanks for reminding me of it.
I love the fireflies as metaphor for memories. Really nice.
I love fireflies too. We have them here and it’s fun to watch them at night. This came out very nicely, Sarah. Keep up the great work.