Left hand. Insignificant third finger, until that old rock song comes on the radio. The one that was playing the first time he took my hand in his.
Irrelevant flesh, until it’s bare. I throw the cold metal into the quarry outside of town. Such a tiny thing, but I think I hear a splash as I turn away.
Inside the car, the song still plays. I shut it off.
Left hand, inconsequential third finger. I rub the callus on my palm that the slender gold circle had created. Without the band, the blemish bothers me.
But it will fade.
Lily Thomas has been writing since she was little (but then, what writer doesn’t say that?). She has lived in Northeastern Pennsylvania her whole life… except for a brief stint in Central Pennsylvania.
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13 Responses to “BARE • by Lily Thomas”
Comments
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January 9th, 2008 at 4:37 am
Ah, calluses!
January 9th, 2008 at 6:45 am
Nice last line.
January 9th, 2008 at 7:19 am
My sister has just found out her “insignificant third finger” is going to be bare now, too - so I hope things go as quietly as this.
I’m not sure how this isn’t just a scene though . . .
January 9th, 2008 at 8:08 am
Terrific. Subtle. Poetic. I like!!!!
January 9th, 2008 at 9:04 am
I liked the splash.
January 9th, 2008 at 9:05 am
sweet sad short. Perfect for what it is. Simple is hard; it comes in under 20 minutes or it doesn’t come, imho.
January 9th, 2008 at 10:01 am
Yeah, PA writers!
January 9th, 2008 at 10:28 am
Hi. Emotionally, compact. My best to you in Northeastern Pennsylvania, Lily.
January 9th, 2008 at 10:33 pm
Lovely! Well done, Lily.
January 10th, 2008 at 11:20 am
I had to go through a moment like this a couple of years back. It’s powerful, and Lily’s done it great justice here.
I don’t believe it’s just a scene because the narrator is experiencing growth in putting the relationship behind her.
January 12th, 2008 at 4:46 pm
Short — very short, with expert use of every word. No, it’s not just a scene. A whole lifetime of experience and emotion is written into these few lines. Very well done!
January 21st, 2008 at 9:17 am
Nice
January 21st, 2008 at 6:50 pm
Wow…. I just read these comments (because I’m a chicken!!) and I just have to say thank you to everyone. I really appreciate your comments and I’m thrilled by them, too. They’ve made my night. -Lily