Frost clings to the ground. The cold still holding the world in its grip. Breath plumes in clouds from the mouths of passersby and tears freeze on cheeks.

These are the days of deepest sorrow.

But look – there – a glimmer in the blackness. A gleam of starlight reflected in ice, the twinkle of fairy lights dancing in your eyes. And warmth – a slow, steady warmth spreading up from within, bringing a gentle glow to skin paled by the absent sun. That precious, hidden star of your own, lightening winter’s burden: Hope.

These are the days of deepest sorrow. But this, too, shall pass.

***

“You’re a storyteller. Dream up something wild and improbable,” she pleaded. “Something beautiful and full of monsters.”

Strange The Dreamer by Laini Taylor

Inspired by Erin Morgenstern’s Flax-Golden Tales, I have decided to embark on my own creative writing blog series, “Wild & Improbable Tales”, as a way to write more freely and more frequently. At least once a week, I will choose a card at random from The School Of Life‘s ‘Small Pleasures’ or ‘Relisience’ box and use the image and/or writing on the back to inspire a short piece of creative writing. I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.