Keeper of Shadows

Entry for the FALL WRITING FRENZY Contest.
Image #10
words: 174
Country: USA

Keeper of Shadows
by Carmen White
 
She invited shadows every All Hallows Eve to come sit by her darkened fire. It required a bit of effort--the fire put out and the ashes turned over by early morning and covered with water. She swept the floor but left the dust piled in the corner. She didn’t throw away the dirt, and she didn’t disturb the webs because even if something is seen as dirty and scary, doesn’t mean they shouldn’t have a place to belong.
She turned off all the music, inviting the silence, and stood by the window waiting, leaving the chair to her guests.
Until suddenly, with a gentle creak that chilled her heart, they began to enter. Hands, heads, and glowing eyes; shadows that had lost their person, sooty spirits crawling from the chimney to skate the old wood floors. And though it was mostly darkened, and though the house was cold. A sense of joy developed there as a world full of light, dance and laughter stilled and gave the darkness a place to stay.


6 comments:

  1. Thought provoking! I especially love the last line "...gave the darkness a place to stay".

    ReplyDelete
  2. Beautiful. I love the thought of providing a space for shadows. I also loved the last line as well as the phrase "shadows that had lost their person."

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for your kind remarks. I'm glad you enjoyed it!

      Delete
  3. Love this idea of everything/everyone deserves a place to belong, even if it's a little uncomfortable at first, and I enjoyed that it lead to joy in the end. Thank you so much for sharing this insightful piece with us for the Fall Writing Frenzy!
    Sincerely,
    Kaitlyn Sanchez

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks. I tried a few lighter ideas first, but this was the one that spoke to me, so, it had to be written. :)

      Delete