When the Solid Gives Way
The dog trotted onto the frozen pond to fetch an errant stick. That is how I picture it, at least. The boy trudging along the snow packed shore. The arc of the stick against crystalline sky. The dog tracking its path, eager paws scrambling. The bounce of the stick—once, twice—spinning and spinning. The dog’s oblivious disregard of depth and strength and gravity. I picture the boy’s measured steps forward, hands outstretched like the blind. Imagine the plunge into needle-fingered cold. Heavy boots. Heavy coat.
Later, the dog came back alone. Sodden and shivering, fracturing our lives like ice.
Photo Credit: Jon Anderson
being someone who walks on frozen lakes (and living in a land of lakes and cold) whenever I can this story sent a chill through me – great story
Appreciate it 🙂
Sob. I felt this.
Read it twice to make sure I understood. Impressive. You conjured deep emotions with so few words.
Just happened upon these comments. Thank you so much!
Love this story
So glad you liked it!
I love this piece and this writer.
Thanks for being a fan 🙂
gut wrenching. Like your writings, Kathy.
Thank you, Joan!
Captures well that in an instant, life is forever changed.
My dog did this once. Luckily, the ice didn’t break and he came when I called him.
This is beautiful, and so full of sorrow, too.
Great story.
love this.
Thank you, Caitlyn