She brushes her hair with her brush, the one with the ivory handle, Papa brought her on his last trip. Staring into the mirror she makes faces like she did when she was a child. How she loved playing this game with Papa. They would take turns making faces and the other had to guess who or what they were imitating. For her it was usually insects or birds and that was where she got her nickname. Papa always called her, “Ma petite Luciole, you are the light of my life.”
Five years have passed since then but she wonders if l’avarice has taken over her Papa, she has started to call monsieur l’étourneau. He says he is still looking for that special treasure and when he finds it, he will return for good. She looks out at the birdfeeder near her bedroom window. She huffs out of frustration. That starling is stealing all the seeds again…such a greedy little thing it can be!
She misses her Papa and especially since her Maman died in childbirth three years ago. She still has a difficult time to be happy around la petite Colibri. They nicknamed her after hearing her moan in her bed at night putting herself to sleep. Pauvre petite Colibri, she thought. She had the same emerald green eyes of Maman. How she craved for the long ago laughter of her Papa.
They had all they needed, she reasoned. Her father had inherited le Manoir des Chèvrefeuilles as well as their maison de campagne in Marseilles when maman passed and yet…
She would write to him later this afternoon, she thought, gazing at her silver pheasant feather quill pen. She would ask Colibri to paint a huge soleil to bring Papa back home soon. She sighs and drapes the silk lavender shawl over her bare shoulders and runs down for le petit dejeuner sur la terasse with her Grandmaman and sister.
Searching for scents
no fragrance compares
this lonely silk road
© Tournesol ’15/11/15
Translations:
luciole = firefly
avarice= greed
étourneau = starling
colibri = hummingbird
maison de campgagne = country home
Tournesol dans un Jardin 
Beautiful story and poem, I love the French words sprinkled in.
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Thanks. The idea of traveling on The silk road just conjured up so many stories from the old country. Hope you are relaxing this weekend. I took today off to nurse a cold.
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I hope you feel better. I did manage some relaxation this weekend, thanks for asking 🙂
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Thanks, a day’s rest helped. thanks!.
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You’re welcome 🙂
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That’s a very creative response to the challenge. I really enjoyed reading it.
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Thanks I liked the idea of long ago having a parent buy me treasures but like I told my friend, I think adding the death may be my subconscious getting ready for the year anniversary of my mother’s passing
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Lovely journey though so sad.
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Thanks, Janice, I don’t know why I added that death part…I may be getting ready for the one year anniversary of mom soon. Sending you warm hugs to you and your family.
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much insights, well done.
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Thanks so much:)
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A very touching tale, told in soft style, with a terribly sad haiku.
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Thanks, Hamish. Our writing is often influenced by our environment…I remember seeing a single rose lain at the site of the shooting in Paris. That rose stayed with me
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Very delightful. I was drawn in by her play and wanted to know her and her family!
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Glad you enjoyed it, Carol:)
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What a beautiful story Cheryl-Lynn … sad yes, but still absolutely delightful too in style and the thoughtful manner you wrote it …
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Thanks so much, cara, glad you enjoyed this little story. It was fun writing.
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🙂 And I’m glad you had fun writing it! 🙂
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I felt tongue tied in haiku for the past few days and last night “in the darkest hour” haunted me all night…no kidding and woke up to so many haiku I will be posting more later. It’s all or nothing:)
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Nothing like sleeping on a problem to resolve it!!! Glad to hear it!
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Well sleep was quite light I have to say, my muse was firggin annoying.
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Hahahaha! Muses are worse than kittens at times 😉
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Um, well…yes, I would have to agree although Bette has been quite needy lately.
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They really do make their needs felt 🙂 gotta love ’em!
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