July 32nd - Ruth's Story

Ruth's Story

She watched as Shaun made his way from the evening summer barley field, the dappled orange light bathing the hill as he crossed over the top and out of sight of Ruth, who stood alone and cold. The sun drifted behind a thin cloud that had crept up on it unawares; the whole scene of swaying ears of golden barley and the rippling water-like effect in an instant was gone, never to return. The field was suddenly just a field and Ruth a girl alone, and as she stood she wept. Thin tears of alienation and regret fell like streams down her downcast face - and so she turned to walk away.

It seemed like miles to walk with infinite steps through unending stalks of unfeeling barley. With every step Ruth buried her heart in that time she had spent with Shaun in the crop circle. The chill evening breeze made her shiver, but was never so cold as when she accepted that she would never spend time like that again. Step after step took her further and further from what was quickly receding into the eternity passed, from a memory that so briefly before was still yet to be made but now would be nothing more than that, a memory - a recollection.

Reaching the edge of the field finally, Ruth emerged onto a small road. Looking back at what was once such a beautiful vista she saw only a lonely field; an undulation, some barley and above it all the now cloud-ridden sky. Her tears still flowed, and now the greying canopy took time to rain upon her. At first, so gentle she barely noticed - and then so cold... the rain began to fall in earnest, to pour down upon her head as her tears were falling on her heart. And utterly forlorn she walked home to hide her memory in the deep recess of things never to be recalled until that great day in the future when all is brought to mind.

End