Ten years ago Britt kissed Bjorn on the rocky steps
built above the stone wall overlooking Sognefjord.
Oh, that kiss! Warm – in spite of the crystalline spray rising
from the wind-churned waters twenty feet below.
Air vibrating with the calls of fulmars and gannets,
Britt’s heart beat with a rhythm she’d never felt.
Now Bjorn is gone – lost in a battle filled with whispering arrows and ringing axes.
Moans. Howls. Cries of victory. Shouts of loss.
And the never-ending scent of enemy blood.
What remains of him? The song of gannets and the smile of a child named Hjerte Sang.
Up From the Ashes 
Poor Bjorn, but he left a heartfelt child, and a verdant and stony picture.
Nice. Randy
Happy Holidays.
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Thanks, Randy! Happy Holidays to you, too. May they be peaceful.
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Oh this is a story that happens all to often… going off to war leaving only songs behind.
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Yes, it is. And in honor of your lovely picture I HAD to put your name in the story. Thanks for a great picture and a kind comment. Merry Christmas!
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Nicely written, the language was excellent.
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Thanks, Sandra. Write – rewrite – and write again! Merry Christmas.
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Bjorn lives on!
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Yes! Merry Christmas! Wanted to write a semi-upbeat story this go-around.
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Beautiful and sweet story/poem. 🙂
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Thank you! Good cheer to you. And a happy New Year!.
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Dear Priceless Joy, I can’t find your 100 word story this week, did you submit one? Cheers, Alicia
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Yes, I linked it to inlinkz. Was it not there? It is called, “The Light.”
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Found it! Will read.
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Liked this take on the prompt about love, war and remembrance.
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Thank you! It started with the temperance of the night the Germans and Americans celebrated Christmas Eve in Nowhere Land. How it got here? Who knows.
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enjoyed reading your story and the way you ended it.
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Thank you, Happy Holidays!
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A very bitter sweet tale, losing Bjorn but she has his child. I love your descriptions.
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Thank you! May your New Year be full of hope and good cheer.
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Dear Alicia,
A well-written and touching piece. And a nice tribute to our own Björn.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you , Rochelle! I couldn’t resist using Bjorn’s name in this story of love. Happy New Year. Thanks for keeping our little village of writers marching on.
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This is an incredible piece, Alicia, and I think one of the best I’ve read from you. There’s a lot of nice moments and it has a great rhythm to it. I had to smile that you put Bjorn’s name in it. 🙂 I love that her heart beat to a rhythm never felt.
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Wow! Thanks you for your lovely comment. Hope your New Year is the best, Alicia
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Yours, too. Thanks, Alicia!
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It’s almost a song in itself. Lovely.
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Thanks so very much. Appreciate you stopping to read and comment. Happy New Year, Alicia
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Beautiful imagery and rhythms. I like how you described Bjorn’s loss, and how he lives on in the memories, sounds, and of course the child. Lovely story. I also enjoyed listening again to stories of the World War 1 Christmas truce.
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I’m glad you enjoyed Heart Song. Listening to those stories inspired this one, but my husband and I have been watching Vikings on the history channel and that slanted Britt and Bjorn (couldn’t resist using his name) toward a different era. Happy New Year
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Beautiful and sad and happy. I’ve read this several times, Alicia. It’s a great piece! I can hear the seabirds singing at the end.
Happy Holidays!
Ellespeth
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What a lovely thing to say! Thank you and Happy New Year. Alicia
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All I can say is, “Wow!” Beautifully painted images here. I can’t add much to the other comments, but agree with Amy, this is one of your best so far.
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Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Happy New Year to you and yours. Alicia
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Alicia, This sounded just like a Norse myth. What a lovely romantic tale. Unfortunately many families have been left behind when men went off to war never to return. Well told and written. Happy Holidays! — Suzanne
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I’m so glad you saw the Nordic slant to this. War is bad, no ifs ands or buts. Thank you for stopping by. Happy Holidays to you, too, Alicia
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Poor Björn! At least he’s honored with a song and this wonderful story! Well done, Alicia.
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Thanks, Dawn. Travel safely and have a Happy New Year! Alicia
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Dear Alicia,
There should be a ‘loved this to pieces’ button to click for stories such as this. Everything about your story resonated in my heart and made me smile. You captured love and history and sense of place so effortlessly and wrapped it all up with a bow and the sweet image of a child named Hjerte Sang.
Absolutely masterful. Remember this one. (I shall.)
Aloha,
Doug
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Yikes! My face is turning red from your praise. Thanks so very much, Doug. Happy New Year. Alicia
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Oh, what a wonderful song, Alicia! I can hear the call to battle. I’m standing on the wall, feeling the spray.
Lily
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Thanks so very much, Lily. happy New Year to you and yours. Alicia
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I like how you put Bjorn’s name in your story. You painted a wonderful word picture of the situation. It made me feel like I was there…
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Thanks. Bjorn’s name was begging to be in this story. Happy New Year and thanks for stoppong by. Alicia
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It was a really clever addition to the story. Have a good weekend
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Your writing here is beautifully poised, understated yet brimming with emotion.
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Thanks, Lovely to hear from you.
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