You came to me in a dream, as the dead sometimes do, and my joy rushed out to meet you. I remember how your brown eyes held me while, finally have the chance, I said what I needed to say.
I must have looked away, given you just enough time to leave me. I knew that you had died again and that the cost was fair.
Jean Ryan, a native Vermonter, lives in Lillian, Alabama. Her stories and essays have appeared in a variety of journals and anthologies. She has also published a novel, LOST SISTER. Her short story collections, SURVIVAL SKILLS and LOVERS AND LONERS, are available online. STRANGE COMPANY, a collection of short nature essays, is available in paperback as well as digital and audio editions.
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4 thoughts on “The Cost”
Bella, is there no end to the genius and beauty of your heart, soul and mind? Brava!
Jean Ryan 
Bella, is there no end to the genius and beauty of your heart, soul and mind? Brava!
Love you, John.
Amazing. Bittersweet. Thank you for sharing
Glad it resonated. Thanks for stopping by.