PARTING IS SUCH SWEET SORROW
A short story by
Maree Bishop
Copyright 2011 Maree Bishop
Smashwords Edition
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PARTING IS SUCH SWEET SORROW
With a weary sigh the elderly priest stepped down from the altar and turned to face the marble statue of Christ. In a soft sliver of light from a side window the mother of pearl effigy’s iridescence glowed down on him for the last time. With great humility and devotion he lowered his head, genuflected, then, clasping his hands before him turned to face the empty chapel.
He was disappointed and saddened by the lack of attendance at morning mass. He could still hear his own sombre voice echoing like some lost soul around the near empty church. Of course, the regulars, the devout old widows sitting in the front pew were there gazing up at him in total adoration hanging onto every word of the sermon as if it were being delivered from the Mount itself.