Ben: I didn't ask for any of this. I just want to be normal. Gronx: I wanted to be an underwear model. We play the hand we're dealt.

'Touched'


The Great Write Way, Chapter Two: Twice upon a time...  

A place for Buffistas to discuss, beta and otherwise deal and dish on their non-fan fiction projects.


SailAweigh - Mar 05, 2008 5:56:18 pm PST #9845 of 10001
Nana korobi, ya oki. (Fall down seven times, stand up eight.) ~Yuzuru Hanyu/Japanese proverb

Hee.


-t - Mar 06, 2008 6:23:01 am PST #9846 of 10001
I am a woman of various inclinations and only some of the time are they to burn everything down in frustration

Clever!


Lee - Mar 09, 2008 1:43:47 pm PDT #9847 of 10001
The feeling you get when your brain finally lets your heart get in its pants.

The animated or automated challenge is now closed.

This week's challenge is opening the box .


Beverly - Mar 09, 2008 10:36:15 pm PDT #9848 of 10001
Days shrink and grow cold, sunlight through leaves is my song. Winter is long.

You've always taken as much care with the wrapping as with the contents: a pastry brush and wooden spoon crossed in the bow of an apron wrapped around the box containing a pretty ceramic pie plate. A pretty pebble twisted in tissue-foil, tied with tinsel, a tiny bottle full of sand with an hourglass drawn and "extra time" hand-lettered on the label, and a list of "things to do with your extra time" on parchment, rolled and tied, all tucked into a small white bag watercolored with sunset, or forest, or ocean.

Your mom always handed you a wrinkled brown paper bag, the top rolled over and crimped shut. Happy Birthday, she'd say. Merry Christmas.


SailAweigh - Mar 10, 2008 2:54:10 am PDT #9849 of 10001
Nana korobi, ya oki. (Fall down seven times, stand up eight.) ~Yuzuru Hanyu/Japanese proverb

Ouch and a half, Bev.


Anne W. - Mar 10, 2008 2:59:27 am PDT #9850 of 10001
The lost sheep grow teeth, forsake their lambs, and lie with the lions.

That's lovely, but painful. Nice work.


Laura - Mar 10, 2008 5:44:27 am PDT #9851 of 10001
Our wings are not tired.

The call came once a month with a gentle reminder to please come pick up the box. It was claimed and then sat on the closet shelf. Out of sight. I don’t remember when it was moved to the shed. It may have been moved for safe keeping, out of reach from toddler’s hands. Ten years had gone by before I knew what had to be done. The box descended slowly beneath the water lilies. I had thought ashes were supposed to fly away on the wind. I know he understands why I never was able to open the box.


Beverly - Mar 10, 2008 6:51:24 am PDT #9852 of 10001
Days shrink and grow cold, sunlight through leaves is my song. Winter is long.

Oh Laura. Um. That last visual is striking, of the box sinking amid the lily stems. And the last line is quietly powerful.

We're a lively bunch of Pandoras, aren't we?

(In my mom's defense, she always baked me a cake--from scratch. Presentation of any sort was not part of her purview.)


Laura - Mar 10, 2008 6:59:41 am PDT #9853 of 10001
Our wings are not tired.

Thanks Beverly. I'm a shy one that usually looks at the challenge then puts something in my journal for my eyes only. I'm trying to climb out of my box a bit here in my safe place.

Mom almost always used the Sunday comics for wrapping paper. You brought back that fond memory. Now I think her husband does the wrapping because it has improved, slightly.


SailAweigh - Mar 10, 2008 7:55:17 am PDT #9854 of 10001
Nana korobi, ya oki. (Fall down seven times, stand up eight.) ~Yuzuru Hanyu/Japanese proverb

Laura, I love the image of the box and the lilies. Thanks for getting over the shy!