The Writing Life: Venturing Beyond the Bend

Have you ever wondered what lies at the end of a rustic path? Or where an uncharted road may lead.

I know this sounds deeply metaphorical. But I’ve actually encountered many such places throughout my life.

A Towering Fence

As a child, my family house was surrounded by a towering fence with wooden poles and galvanized shingles.

This fortress kept out peering eyes. But it also made me wonder about the world that existed at the back of that house.

For years, my mother banned me from exploring.

A deep gully ran along the perimeter of the house. Hapless children were prone to lose their footing on the narrow gully banks. So I stayed within the confines of our fenced yard, at least for a while.

Within Reach

On my small island home, nature is always within reach. And water is everywhere.

In the complex where I live, we’re within inches of a mangrove. When it rains, all manner of croaking and slithering creatures emerge from their swampy sanctuary.

I’m no fan of creepy critters. So I’ve always avoided the swampy perimeter.

But a few months ago, the mangrove was cleared, at least partially. A footpath emerged. I became intrigued.

Yet the threat of critters kept me from venturing down that rustic path.

Then one day, my teenage son decided to explore. Like me, he’s curious. But unlike me, he’s unafraid of creepy critters.

So he ventured beyond the bend and made a remarkable discovery.

The Writing Life Beyond the Bend

One balmy afternoon, when all puddles had been reduced to cracked earth, I took a walk with my son.

I remained alert, ready to spot slithering creatures hiding in green places. But as we veered left along that rustic footpath, this is the world that unfolded.

These beautiful scenes continue to inspire me. Who knows which stories may emerge from beyond the bend?

Beyond the Fence

As a teenager, I dared to venture beyond the galvanized fence of my family home.

I walked along the narrow gully bank with its overgrowth of trees. My heart raced as I rounded the corner. The trees thinned out.

Then I beheld a cluster of houses and many meandering lanes. It was not the glorious world I had expected.

But at least I had cured my curiosity. So, to me, that adventure was certainly worth it.

Have you ever ventured beyond the bend? What did you discover? Please share in the comments.  

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 © Christene Campbell at Cozy Caribbean Fiction