The walls and floor are of fitted stone, the elm ceiling beams adzed from trees long perished. In a corner is a basin chiseled from river rock. An iron pipe juts from the wall and drips into the basin, each drop a musical note in the stillness.
The silence is immense except for the basin’s drip and the sometime whisper of a snake moving across the floor.
The boy knows from books that snakes are creatures who wish only to be left alone. They will not trouble him here. This has become his place. He will tell no one about it.
Beautifully atmospheric. Joshua
New word – ‘adzed’ – thanks. Great atmosphere, lying somewhere between a child’s undiscovered hideout and something more sinister.
Ah! a new word – adzed. Wonderful. I felt his solitude, and his tranquility.
Dear Josh,
The atmosphere is alive and gentle. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
I love when I have to look up a word… And this is beautifully descriptive. I hope no one finds out his “alone space”…
Enjoyed every single detail and could also (like Sandra) feel the solitude and tranquility.
I felt that I was with a young Merlin, lovely
And now I’m wondering what the story is behind the boy wanting such solitude. Nicely done :)
Why is he living in a house that is snake pit? Who is he hiding from?
Beautifully description of a place enjoyed by a very wise child.
Your description is just as a spring house should be. There are worse places to hide out. Nicely done.
Adzed, a boy and a snake, is he running from something, or is it just plain and simple kids stuff?…
Brilliant piece
Adzed! My God, you’re a Thesaurus :-) I especially loved the description of the setting in the first paragraph, very poetic.
I agree the language is very poetic. I love “the sometime whisper of a snake.” The boy knows his snakes. Assuming its not benomous, their are worse companions with whom to enjoy one’s solitude.
Ah, this reminds me of so many happy “spring house’ memories! :) Ahhhh, I’m just going to sit here in the cool shade of the spring house of my youth, crack open a jar of homemade applesauce, and maybe sneak a sip of Papaw’s ‘shine…. ahhhh, such the beauty is of sweet memory… Thank you very much for the writing of it!
You’ve evoked a tremendous sense of stillness with this piece. Excellent writing.
Very atmospheric, the descriptions bring the scene to life.
Your tale was wonderfully descriptive. My favorite line is “An iron pipe juts from the wall and drips into the basin, each drop a musical note in the stillness.” =)
Such wonderful atmosphere.