Sunday Afternoon
The man’s head is bent in concentration at the task before him. His shoulders hunched purposefully as his elbows move in tiny circular motions. The sun glints weakly off the oil-darkened blade of the carving knife as he whisks it from side to side on the sharpening stone in preparation for carving the chickens for the Sunday meal.
His daughter watches in fasination. Her six-year-old eyes take in the site of her father. Her legs swing gently back and forth against each other. Her hands resting on the bench as she watches his movements. A gently breeze rustles the through the trees, lifting the baby hairs that frame her face.
Inside the house there is a hum of activity. The roasting chickens simmer and brown in the oven. The rice and peas, plantains and carrots sit on the top of the stove. Her brothers and sisters are talking, reading watching T.V. or resting as usual on this lazy afternoon.
The man looks up without the slightest change in his rhythm. He winks at the little girl. A quick smile flashes across her brown face and as she draws her legs up and crosses them under her she knows that on this warm peaceful Sunday afternoon all is well with her world!
Ciya
March 21, 2005
March 21st, 2005 at 9:20 pm Sounds like a nice beginning to a novel…….
March 21st, 2005 at 9:21 pm And BTW, Happy Belated Anniversary to you and Popsy. I’m late, the post no longer accepts comments.
March 22nd, 2005 at 7:58 am HI Ciya. Hope you are well.
March 22nd, 2005 at 9:39 am Hi Ciya-Well written. I wanted to read more. Nice imagery. HOpe you’re having some sun shiny weather and getting out of those winter blues. Have a great day.
March 22nd, 2005 at 9:53 am Thanks for your comments y’all. Doesn’t matter if your late D. it is the thought that counts right Finally it is beginning to feel spring-like. We have sun shiny days here fi true Sunshine! I only hope it lasts, because it is possible to go back to snow at any stage at this time of year. Have a great day guys.
March 22nd, 2005 at 9:14 pm Bwoy, Ciya, that one took me back. I remember Dad had to have those knives sharp enough to split hairs! He was such a perfectionist, wasn’t he? Those were such good times! He came unbidden to my mind this morning as well… I was remembering checking him at Nuttall Hospital. He really liked it there, much more than he liked the Tony Thwaites wing at UHWI, strange though that might seem…. or at least, he made it seem that he liked it more.I think it was because there was always a cool breese blowing through his room and because he could look out at the hustle and bustle of people going about their business in Cross Roads…I miss him.
March 23rd, 2005 at 9:57 am No words to describe how I feel….
March 23rd, 2005 at 1:04 pm Don’t we all miss him!!!! But he is here with us each step of our days. I believe that!!!!