Write about ashes 2/17/11

In an urn being slowly poured into the breeze. They float softly and noiselessly through the air. They land softly in the grass and roots becoming a part of the earth, nourishing and supplementing. They coat leaves and branches. Brush softly across butterfly wings and settle in birds' nest. They become one with the earth again.

They coat everything. You can't look anywhere and no see them. Bright pictures that hung on wall are now dingy. Furniture lovingly cared for has it so embedded they'll be discolored for a lifetime. Water swirls across the floor picking up the loose stuff and creating a gray trail. A stream for a mouse. It simply layers everything, including the people sifting through it. The man straightens from his crouching, swipes his hand across his brow leaving a black streak smeared across the skin. Mom stands in the middle of the children's room, looking hopelessly around. She turns a slow circle looking for the best place to start. Her jeans are already coated and chaffing. She reaches for the bedspread to throw in the huge container for laundry and there it lays. Still a marvelous and beautiful pristine white bunny. Her daughters favorite. She doesn't dare reach for it yet. She doesn't want to mar the on thing still perfect in a no longer perfect home with the ash on her hands. She gently lays the bedspread back over it to protect it while she works.

"I want you to write about ashes," the english teacher states.
"What about them?" Several students roll their eyes and think 'what the hell?'
"Anything. What do you think of first when you hear the word ashes?"
"Death," says the goth student from the back.
"Fire," says one. The daughter of a firefighter.
"Fireplaces," pipes up one boy. He lives with his grandparents on their farm on the outskirts of town.
"What do they do?"
"Float." "Make a mess." Laughter ripples through the room. "Bank a fire."
"What do they look like?"
"They're gray." "Actually, they can be any shade of black to any shade of white."
"Hey! What about volcano ash?" The small science loving boy asks.
"Very good." "Cigarette ash?" "Of course."
"Wow. There's a lot for something so simple."
"Yes there is. Now expound!"