He sits and paints.
I look around the room. There are hundreds of paintings. They all show the same bridge.
Sometimes in sunshine, sometimes in rain, sometimes covered in snow. Sometimes the water underneath runs high, other times the level is low. In some the colours are bright green and blue, others are grey and dull.
Outside the cottage window the bridge can be seen. Today it is bathed in sunlight, the water a clear copper, the wild grass and flowers swaying in a gentle breeze.
Why does he paint the same crossing over and over again? Local legend says that before the bridge was built he lived happily with his true love, cut off from the rest of the world.
Then the bridge brought the outside world onto his doorstep, including the man who stole his love away from him.
And so now he sits and paints the bridge.
Perhaps he prays that one day she will return to him by that same crossing.
This is a response to the Thursday Photo Prompt – Crossing curated over at Sue Vincent’s Daily Echo. Click on the link to read other stories inspired by the image.
A thoughtful piece Iain.
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Thanks Di
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Beautiful story. I hope she returns to him someday soon.
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Thank you
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Oh I love the sentimental feelings of this story. Great job!
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Thank you Joy 🙂
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Very interesting thought. Bridges are mostly portrayed as something positive. Maybe this is not always the case.
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Thank you
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A sad but beautiful story Ian 💜
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Thank you 🙂
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😉
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Sad tale Iain, but if one doesn’t have hope what else is there?
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Thanks Michael
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Beautiful it is 🙂
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Thank you
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So sad and full of longing. I think he needs to stop painting the bridge and perhaps cross it to search for his love?
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That would be a brave move. Thanks Sarah Ann
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You old romantic
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Every now and then 🙂
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Luvly one iain!!! 🙂
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Thank you so much 🙂
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It is amazing that bridges which should bring people closer together are also the means for them to move on.
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Thanks Frank, they do provide a good opportunity for stories to be written!
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I’m holding on to the hopein this piece, Iain 🙂
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Thanks Sue, me too 🙂
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An interesting tale. Perhaps he is trying to recreate a memory or the result of his past situation. Perhaps every time he paints it, he imagines his love turning away from the other man, and back to him. It’s an idealization and a wish.
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I wonder if he paints her into any of the pictures. Good idea that Mandi.
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Yeah, that would be interesting. Thanks 🙂
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