The Moment of Freedom

“Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.”

Annie turned and put her hands up to the side of my face, her hands warming my cheeks as the frigid salty harbor mist of January swirled around us. A gesture so unexpected from the green eyed, timid woman I met only twelve days ago as our ship set sail from Queenstown. A ship full of immigrants with dreams carefully packed up among the meager and priceless life possessions stuffed in battered trunks and worn-torn satchels. Twelve days ago I left Ireland for adventure, for something more than being a village farmer that can no longer survive on what the land was no longer providing. Annie professed to me one dark stormy afternoon as we huddled with the other passengers durning rough seas that she was running away from a country that had persecuted her family for what they believed in. She was running away because she was afraid of not being able to be herself. 

“Jack, we did it. We are here in New York City. This is the start of our new lives!” 

“Yes, Annie, we certainly made it” I reply as I brushed back the red fiery hair from her face, her green eyes sparkling with excitement as the Statue of Liberty stood by solemnly proud welcoming us to a new beginning and kissed her forehead.

I struggled to smile back as I realize that I will soon have to let her go. Moments later the ship is in dock and the gangplanks set in place. The ships crew and the immigration stewards are shouting orders. Annie and I shuffle with the others, many struggling with their bags down the passageway. I take Annies hand as we walk down the wooden planks and squeeze it gently as together we step on American soil. A single moment shared only by the two of us. A moment of freedom and of new beginnings. No words are said as I let go. No words are needed as we go our separate ways.

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It feels good to be writing again! My goal for 2013 is to write more! 




This weeks Trifecta Writing Challenge is....

survive

1: to remain alive after the death of <he is survived by his wife>
2: to continue to exist or live after <survived the earthquake>
3: to continue to function or prosper despite : withstand <they 
survived many hardships>