Written for Writer's Digest Blog - Promptly by Zachary Petit: blog(.)writersdigest(.)com/promptly/What+Happened+When+The+Circus+Rolled+Into+Town+Tell+Us+And+You+Might+Get+Published+In+WD(.)aspx

Prompt: It was on a bright, starry night that the traveling circus rolled into town.


A bright, starry night

It was on a bright, starry night that the traveling circus rolled into town. The air was crisp and clear after the afternoon's quick drizzle, and a slight breeze rustled the recently full-blown spring leaves in the aspen glade. She listened to the distant sounds of the circus tent being set up, people hollering and animals bellowing. A movement to her right caught her attention, and she saw the form of a girl standing behind a honeysuckle bush. The sweet scent wafted through the air, and as she watched her step forward, her breath caught and her chest swelled. The girl smiled, cocked an eye-brow and strode towards her. An arm was offered to her, and a whispered 'come with me' wiped away all fear, wonders and uncertainty. She just knew, and she went with her.

It was on a bright, starry night that the traveling circus rolled into town. The air was dry and still hot from the day's quivering heat. No breeze rustled the dark green leaves in the aspen glade, and as she waited for her girl by the honeysuckle bush, the sounds of circus tents, hollering people and bellowing animals drifted towards her. Twigs cracked behind her, and she felt slender, yet strong, arms encircle her body. A soft bosom pressed against her back, and a gentle breath whispered loving words in her ear, mending her heart and drying her tears. She turned around, pressed her forehead against hers, and 'please don't leave me again' slipped out, floated in the dusk for a second and then found their way to another heart that needed mending.

It was on a bright, starry night that the traveling circus rolled into town. The air was chilly and still damp from the evening's heavy rain, and violent winds shook the trees in the aspen glade, tearing golden leaves from silvery branches. The red berries on the honeysuckle caught her attention, as she waited for her family. Tents, people and animals made familiar noises that blended with the approaching sounds of squelching feet in rubber boots and the rustling of rainwear. The children's tiny warm hands slipped into her larger ones and filled her soul with purpose, and her woman's laughter spread love in her body. Fits of giggles and 'hurry up, let's go' echoed in the night, adding a childish excitement to an event that held meanings the small ones did not yet understand.

It was on a dark, gloomy night that the traveling circus rolled into town. The air was cold and biting, from the drop in temperature during the day. Snow drifted across the frozen ground; a thin shroud of white dust, a reminder of ashes spread and a love gone too soon. Thick, white frost covered the branches in the aspen glade, like crystal on granite, like diamonds on silver rings. No one was there with her to share the moment, and the silence was ripped apart by sounds that she no longer wished to hear. No arms were offered, no hands sought hers. No voice uttered words that spoke to her heart.

'I miss you, love' lingered in the air as she left her love, her life and her joy behind in the aspen glade.