I reflected, how strange… You would never think of going through another’s possessions. Death changes that. Some of mother’s books were–unexpected. Asimov, yes, and Tolkien, but Gore Vidal? How little we know.
I opened the pages of her Bible and pressed flowers she had plucked from her springs and summers wreathed the floor. A secret garden. Inside the cover I found the note and a photograph.
I knew that baby face. I unfolded the yellowed paper and read the faded blue ink.
‘Dear Jon and Elizabeth,
So sorry for your loss. You must cherish the other twin enough for…’
Twin… twin…? Yes, I knew that baby face but it was not mine. The photograph had been cut down the middle. This fragile past divided my being. What had been her name? How long had she lived? Would she still have looked like me? So many questions.
How little we know. My reflections would never be the same again.
Oonah V Joslin lives in Northumberland, England. Winner of the Micro Horror Trophy 2007. Most read in EDF, Jan 2008. Guest judge in the Shine Journal 2008 Poetry Competition. She has had work published in Bewildering Stories, Twisted Tongue 8 & 9, Static Movement, and 13 Human Souls. She has work coming up in The Linnet”s Wings, The Ranfurly Review and Boston Literary Magazine. You can link to work, follow up-dates and contact Oonah at www.writewords.org.uk/oonah/.
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19 Responses to “DIVISION • by Oonah V Joslin”
Comments
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July 16th, 2008 at 3:19 am
I loved the idea of the secret garden falling out of the book.
July 16th, 2008 at 3:30 am
Lovely stuff Oonah. What a revelation.
July 16th, 2008 at 3:34 am
Wonderful writing, great imagery - that cut photograph!
July 16th, 2008 at 3:45 am
Life shifts and everything is different. Love the images.
July 16th, 2008 at 4:39 am
I loved the carefully chosen images, particularly the flowers falling from the Bible.
July 16th, 2008 at 5:26 am
Great story.
July 16th, 2008 at 5:33 am
See now, that is a superb juxtaposition- the dead flowers falling from the Bible and the picture of the lost twin in the same book. Who knew you could put foreshadowing into a piece that compact? Very nice.
July 16th, 2008 at 6:26 am
Lovely, Oonah. So much told in so little words.
jennifer
July 16th, 2008 at 7:13 am
Oonah:
Beautiful. It struck a chord with me.
K.C.
July 16th, 2008 at 8:19 am
Remarkably fine story, Oonah. Discovering when I was in my 30s that my brother was adopted caused just as great a shock to me. Can’t wait to read more–and I think one’s coming up in Bewildering Stories next month.
July 16th, 2008 at 10:27 am
Thanks to all of you for your kind comments. I’m so glad you enjoyed the story and that it struck a chord or two.
Thank you Virginia for the compliment.
And yes, Walt. I was in the BwS Quarterly Review with two stories last week - see this forum here or my blogsite/website. And I have a poem there next week.
July 16th, 2008 at 2:56 pm
My goodness, that gave me goosebumps.
July 17th, 2008 at 4:42 am
Beautifully crafted as ever, Oonah.
July 17th, 2008 at 6:01 am
Loved this story. You’ve thrown open a whole history with a handful of words.
July 17th, 2008 at 7:30 am
Thank you for commenting so kindly, Marie, Celeste and Rumjum. ‘Beautifully crafted’ is a very great compliment, much appreciated
July 17th, 2008 at 10:03 am
Yet another brilliant flash, Oonah.
July 17th, 2008 at 12:39 pm
Oh, Oohah! You are the Flash Queen.
This story packed a punch in a tiny amount of space–Loved it!!
–dj
July 19th, 2008 at 1:58 am
Love this story!
Sarah
July 19th, 2008 at 6:15 am
Thank you so much. The Flash Queen, eh? I ‘d love that title!