Writings of the Month

Man and Woman
By E.Walters

Woman is lost in a world that never was. And yet continues to exist. A world that was not of her creating, but yet she is here. Chains and bars cover this place, this very empty room. She knows that she is not a prisoner her for this is not her prison.

A man that can’t free himself holds Woman captive. Man does not know her, but needs her nonetheless. Man is bound by numerous chains, all heavy enough to keep him in place. Wanting to help break the chains that bind him, Woman runs to him. Scratching and clawing at his bindings her fingertips began to bleed. Seeing Woman’s pain, Man turns away. Woman begs and cries, continuing to hurt herself, trying to help, trying to get to him. Not wanting to hear this, Man blocks his ears.

Not once in his time of need did he speak to her; only mumbles of how he plans to leave. Not thinking of why, but only how. Poor Man. He thinks not of his immediate holdings, but of the ones that hold this desolate world together. Woman still insists to help, to get him to understand that those chained walls mean nothing at this time. To get him to realize the shackles holding his body down. Poor Man. Man cannot leave, for he refuses to listen.

She knows why she is here.

Woman loves Man. Woman wants Man. Wants him free. These chains that bind him are the enemy. Her enemy. It hurts Woman to see Man bound in such a way, as if the chains were a part of him. In her heart jealousy and hatred of the chains appear blocking any form of affection she once had. Clawing at his bindings, she begin to understand. And so Woman’s crying ceases.

The chains that hold Man can only be broken by Man himself. Her love for him surges forward, destroying the hate, and encapsulates her. Accepting his chains, she embraces him. Man still will not release his ears.

Woman no longer tries to free him for her sake. For she knows Man must free himself. She kisses his face to open his eyes, to show him what future lies in front of him and beyond. For he must see these futures to be able to break free.

Frightened and scared he backs and falls. Fearing and enthralled by this news he had never planned for. Man finally wants to be free. Man wants this scary future. Man who doesn’t know how to break his chains.

Joy rushes through her, for finally he’s ready to begin. Woman speaks. Not with words of the mouth, but with feelings from the heart. Explaining.

Woman has shown Man all these possible things, frightening as they are. She has helped Man feel impossible things, things he knew not existed. She will now let Man find his own way out of the chains. But Woman will not leave. She will sit and wait; watching him struggle and succeed. She will lend an ear to Man’s ranting and raving. Woman will always offer words of encouragement, kindness, and love, for Man needs them in his journey and his escape.

Though ears barred, he understands. He knows in his heart her words are for him alone.

He stands, beginning his battle.

No longer having someone to fight for him, Man can finally see the path to his own freedom.

Releasing his ears, Man fights his chains. Finding that no two are alike, he struggles more with some and less with others. Time passes, but the amount of shackles does not diminish. Time is quick and slow for the both of them in these proceedings.

Although his ears are free, he does not hear the things outside of the room. The sounds that his broken bindings create. Thankfully. Only Woman is tormented by the increasing noise. Noise that becomes louder and fuller with each of his felled shackles. Sounds so unbearable, they threaten to crush her. Crush her love. Crush her hope of Man freeing himself. Then one day they stopped.

Raising her head, Woman sees that he now stands free from any confinement. Man has won, and is no longer scared. She yearns to go to him, to embrace him, but he doesn’t not see her. He sees nothing, for now Man can hear. Listening to a sound from beyond these barred walls. A sound that he forgot. A sound that Woman knows all too well. For this sound was here before any other came to being. It was with this sound Man knew all things were in reach.

Man’s eyes gleamed.

“I can hear the rain again”