The Old Chair in the Window
August 1, 2012 * * * * * Posted by: Deborah 
No one knows what became of her.
She was there. Then she was not.
There had been no suspicion that she even wanted to be other than what they thought they saw. How perfect she seemed to be, always doing what was expected.
A day came when all this came to her awareness, along with the questions. Unrelenting questions that stirred deep within her soul.
She grew weary of that old chair with the worn out cushions, for it had come to represent all the things of life that she despised; her position, her role in which she played the game to keep the peace. It was too painful to sit there any longer.
She leaned into that window, that thin, fragile barrier that was keeping her in….leaned oh so carefully until she thought she no longer had the strength. To her surprise, that thin glass gave way, and with it all her fears seemed to simply melt.
For a brief moment she sat on that window sill, taking it all in, breathing that fresh air, feeling the thrill of whatever was to come.
And then she soared.
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Special guest today is Deborah Tisch from the Midwest who blogs at her site Learning As I Go. Thank you for joining us here today, Deborah!
Deborah Tisch, chair, window
Reader Comments (16)
Love how you've constructed and construed this little story of hope and imagination from a simple chair in a simple window. I think there's a part in each and every one of us that can relate to that feeing when we take that first breath of fresh new air. Beautiful!!!
Thank-you - Deborah - for joining us here today!!!
In just these few words today, Deborah, you have painted a picture that could mean almost anything...anything that fits our individual stories. I have a feeling the monochrome of this image will suddenly become living color!
Thank you for joining us today!
As I read your post, Deborah, I immediately began visualizing a character in my mind. That character, however, changed as I read further in the prose. That's what made your post so interesting to me...the manner in which the story evolved, with a little sense of mystery.
Thank you so much for joining us today Deborah.
Thank you, gals, for your kind words. It's a pleasure to share with you!
I think an image of a window, one of my favorite things, can always create wonderful ideas and stories. You shared a very sweet one here and the photo fits perfectly ~ welcome!
what a beautiful post. i adore "soar!" thanks for the great guest spot!
Great storytelling! Imagination is a glorious thing!
very intriguing as I couldn't think what had happened to her, was it good or bad, but i guess we are meant to read our own thoughts into it - I like the idea of her soaring, finally finding her freedom and moving on to better things, wherever...whatever...
Wow Deb, just a few words, but so much emotion, atmosphere, feeling.
Wonderful for you to join us! Your post speaks volumes to me and I'm sure to so many others! Life is a journey, isn't it! Love your site!
You've painted the picture in our minds so perfectly with your words and the photograph sets the scene wonderfully. Thank you for sharing.
Love it, the vision and the verb. Welcome!
Lovely story, it is so nice to break down barriers and be free.
Fabulous! Such a perfect image to accompany this tale of hope and courage.
When I first saw the photo, I imagined the chair a school desk, and began reading the story as the "escape" of a school child. By the end, I was thinking of my mom, who died a year ago and who, in the end, simply slipped away.
I can't help but think of John Magee's poem, "High Flight": "
Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds, — and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of — wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there,
I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air. . . .
Linda,
I love the poem you shared! Very inspiring.