Short Story number 13: Inspired by the song «Races» by Glen Hansard from the solo album Rhythm and Repose.
He slowly opened
his eyes. His head was facing the window. As he gradually adjusted his eyes to
the luminosity of the room he was able to clearly distinguish the blue skies
out there. He turned his head around. He saw himself reflected in the mirror on
the wall. He could no longer recognize himself. He saw an old man, whose body
had given up, lying in bed. But one thing still remained the same, though. He
had the same expression in his eyes, he had seen in old photos of when he was
just a child.
He turned his head again to the window. It was the only connection to
the world outside, of which, he once was part of. He felt that the end was
near. Small fragments of his life began to flash before him like an old black
and white movie. Except that, in this movie he was the leading actor. The
memories ran gently like a stream in the spring and overflew his heart with joy
and tenderness. He lived his life to the fullest, fought every war and ran
every race. Never denied to fight for his dreams, although, sometimes he
doubted himself and allowed weaknesses paralyze him. He also failed. He
contemplated the ruins of his failures, but always found the strength to look
ahead to what was yet to come.
That strength he possessed to overcome all the hurdles in live came from
the absolute knowledge that the most important things in live are not visible.
They can only be felt. And for that reason he always found within his heart the
meaning of live.
He closed his eyes, and in the profound silence of his bedroom, he
clearly heard the beating of his heart. Yes, it was there, that he stored and
concentrated his most precious possession: love. In every inch of the tired and
old muscle was imprinted an intricate web of feelings that connected him to
those he ever loved and were once part of his life. Because of them he knew
that live did not just pass by him. He lived it well.
He knew that even the stars stop shinning and die. But he also knew,
that its light would endure forever, as it travels the universe for years to
come, leaving behind a trace of immortality.
He felt peace inside him and let himself go.
By Raquel
R.
