Musings on Life, Love, and Linguine-Poetry & Writing
The brilliant sun was showing signs of setting when Leona eased into her rocking chair. Her bones groaned and creaked; much like the chair who has been her only companion for many years. From the porch, she can see all the way to the craggy mountains breaking the horizon. A cow is screaming across the arroyo; she wonders if it’s the one she lost from her dwindling herd. Well, there’s nothing she can do now. Once the sun sets in the desert, biting cold comes and darkness is blacker than coal. If the cow survives the night and is still bellowing in the morning, she’ll saddle up and ride. Leona is not hopeful; most likely the coyotes or wolves will have taken the cow down. She takes a deep drink from her whiskey glass, closes her eyes and listens to the cow’s mournful song.
©2021 Linda Lee Lyberg
I’m hosting today at dVerse Poets Pub: Prosery #7 Jim Harrison Come join in!
That must be heartbreaking for Leona to listen to the cow without being able to help.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, for sure. Thank you Frank.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think you have to harden when you are a farmer living on the land… I assume that this is destiny …
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree with you. If you are to survive, that is.
LikeLike
The opening sentences took me straight into Leona’s life – the rocking chair speaks volumes – and I like the brief but detailed description of the scene form the porch. The fate of the poor cow is so tragic and Leona is so pragmatic!
LikeLiked by 1 person
She’s lived a lot of years; seen a lot of things. Thank you so much Kim.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love how the scream of the cow turned into a mournful song. Moved to that perception by entering into Lorna’s dilemma. And whiskey.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Victoria- Thank you for your thoughts. Sorry about the late response- I found this comment in my SPAM folder for some reason.
LikeLike
Leona is pioneer laconic for sure. Secondary to the word “arroyo”, many of us are choosing Western themes; really cool–a place where my words thrive.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I thought you may like that!
LikeLike
Beautiful and haunting. It would be hard to hear that sound through the night.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, for me too. Thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow!!! What powerful images with this writing – I can’t imagine not being able to do anything about the cow! 😦 A fantastic pic to go with it too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Something tells me that chair has heard more than a few lost cows.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, I would think so. Thank you Ken.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I could imagine all this playing out. I guess Leona knows that some things are out of her control as nature is harsh sometimes.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The matter-of-fact and non-sentimental practicality was well delivered, even as it was heartbreaking in it’s matter-of-face and non-sentimental practicality … Well done!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I feel so sad for the cow
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes.
LikeLike
Well done. Sounds like the beginning of a Tony Hillerman book.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you.
LikeLike
Pingback: Alone — Charmed Chaos – yazım'yazgısı (typography)
It does read rather like the opening of a book, or the opening scene of a film.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Jane.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is heartbreaking, particularly since the persona hardens her heart within the reality of the situation. We the readers must too face the harshness of this night.
Much✏love
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Gillena.
LikeLike
What a great atmosphere you create – enough detail to take us there, but also enough mystery that we have to fill some gaps in with our own imagination. That poor cow is going to have a hard night tonight…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, I suspect it is.
LikeLike
so haunting, you took me there!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for your thoughts.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A reality in those parts – an acceptance for the give and take demanded. Nice writing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Margaret.
LikeLike
What an excellent character sketch you’ve provided within this short story. I can “feel” her personality here…..the whiskey is the capper.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Lillian.
LikeLike