(Short Story by: Annette (Wengert) Tarpley)
The sky above…a darkened abyss of ebony oblivion. The rising harvest moon with its nuance color of fiery orange, taking centerstage in the black backdrop of night.
A snowy white owl hoots from high in a pine tree, across from a rushing creek. On the other side of the creek sits a tall old willow tree. It’s tendrils blowing in the breeze, summoning visitors to its harbor.
The dark sky now alit with stars, the twinkles are flashing beacons, announcing the presence of the glowing harvest moon. Enough light is emitted to highlight the changing color of leaves on trees, as fall is announced in the yellow, orange and red in the leaves as they wave their last greeting in the cool autumn breeze.
In the distance the constant hum of the rushing Creek, as the waters detour past fallen branches, remnants…the debris of previous storms. Large toads croaking in the night, lending their melodic blend to the crickets and locusts, in the nighttime musical serenade.
The willow tree remembers, the two young lovers who frequently met beneath its cavern of tendrils. It was the place of their first secret meeting. Their union was forbidden, for it was an atmosphere of prejudicial unrest. His skin a pale white, hers a glorious dark caramelized brown. He was the son of an illustrious plantation owner. Home now after years of study at a prestigious Collegiate setting overseas. She served him in the library, his Earl Grey tea with a dollop of cream and one cubed sugar. Their eyes had met and embraced in a longing stare. He later would slip her a piece of paper, on it a picture of the willow tree by the creek he had sketched with a time of 11 PM. It was there that they would meet nightly for a month. The first meeting he touched her gently with his hand on her face, his lips meeting hers in their first moment of blissful ecstasy.
The following month he was married to a woman of great means, well known in the social Circle, of which company he kept. His young lover would continue to visit the willow tree, it’s branches now blowing in the wind with a sad remorse. Her abdominal girth now giving way to a rounded growth of forsaken love. She walked along the edge of the embankment of the creek, as the earth gave way to her weight, she plummeted into the creek, striking her head, she was engulfed and carried by the waters. Her body was found resting downstream, in close proximity to the plantation where she had been bound.
Tales of her spirit roaming the land and wailing under the willow tree…have been told for decades. After news of her death, her beloved had visited the willow tree. Lying under the tree with a tear-streaked face, he had awakened after feeling a soft touch on his face and warm delicate lips pressing up against his. It would be the final goodbye to the forbidden love that eternally haunted him…
©Annette (Wengert) Tarpley
9/24/2022
Bio:
Annette Tarpley (USA) is an acclaimed award-winning poet, short story writer and published author. She has been recognized for her outstanding contributions to the literary world, publishing in various anthologies and gaining popularity on YouTube and Tiktok. Annette is a co-author of the Amazon bestseller "Two Hearts," written alongside Sarfraz Ahmed. As the founder and administrator of the thriving Facebook group "The Passion of Poetry," she has fostered a community of over 110K members internationally. In 2022, she released The Passion of Poetry Group's very first anthology book, "Inked With Passion". Annette is preparing for the release of her third solo poetry book and has also ventured into children's literature with her debut book, "The Bird and the Dragonfly," published in June 2022. She showcases her versatility by exploring short stories, having all five of them published in books, and continues to contribute to various international anthologies. Annette's first debut book, "Poetry Potpourri," was widely received, selling several copies, and was heralded with excellent reviews. Annette also hosts a live webcast called POP Chat, bringing attention to other poets and writers, and has conducted over 100 interviews. Annette is a Staff Writer for Wildfire Publications Magazine and has had the honor of writers many forewords for authors books. Annette is the honorary member and USA coordinator and host for events for the Progressive Literary and Cultural Society of India. She has been featured on the cover and in a number of poetry magazines and journals. She has written many forewords, prefaces, literary reviews and introductions for other poets and authors. Annette is highly acclaimed in the literary/poetry community and has received much respect and adoration for her leadership and innovative ideas. She has been interviewed on numerous occasions and continues to be a widely sought out guest and is featured in many poetry events. Her group “The Passion of Poetry” on Facebook has 111K members internationally and grew 50K members in 3 months May-August of 2023 and is one of the largest poetry sites on Facebook. Due to her widely popular group “POP” and its uncanny growth, she was featured on the cover February 2024 cover of Blossoms Journal. September of 2023, she built and launched a standalone website “POP-Star Poetry which publishes poets works. In October 2023 launched POP’s online magazine “POP-Star Poetry Magazine.” She is currently working on publishing her 2nd solo book, “Poetry Menageries” slated to be published in 2024. She also has begun writing her 1st fiction novel, “The Ballad of Ned” based on a poem she wrote about bullying. January she was selected as a guest and appeared on The Spotlight Network/TV, and was interviewed by Logan Crawford, an Emmy Award winning Anchor and a Hollywood actor.