Not the
window and not a crack. Open the door.
Gauge the
temperature, if you must. Sniff the air. Check for cloud cover.
Step
outside. Hesitate all you will, but in the end there will be no shutting the
door until you are on the other side of it. Step outside.
One foot is
fine. You may need to find your balance again. Take your time. Eventually, the foot
left inside must follow the outside foot. Lead with your right then put your
left foot out. Shake it about or not, whatever feels most comfortable.
Close the
door behind you.
Next - this
will come as a surprise and may be quite shocking- you must look yourself over
in a mirror. There is no help for it. The different light changes everything,
and you need to be aware of the changes. Smile. Bare your teeth. Pretend to
chew. Notice it all.
You will
come to many doors, one at a time or all at once, it’s hard to say. You do not
need to open all of them, and there are some you would be well-advised to
refrain from opening.
You will
need to do some rehearsing. You will want to know what words to say and when to
say them.
The
combinations are endless.
Exhaust all
possible scenarios.
Imagine one
more. That is the one you will want.
When you
coddle your regret, remember that this is only one outcome, only one door.
Finally,
you will need to open one. Don’t over-think it.
You’ve
looked in the mirror. You are prepared.
Open the
door.
EXHAUST (transitive
verb) 3a : to consider or
discuss (a subject) thoroughly or completely 
'13 Untitled (Sally) 51,668;
'12 Barcelona Clash 51,878;
'11 Mojo Madness 52,793;
'10 Changing Directions 53,400;
'09 Daybreak 56,565;
'08 Vacant 52,486
I like this. Lots of doors out there.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Mae. Sometimes the doors are hard to find, though.
DeleteI love how this is in second person POV -- well done!
ReplyDeleteThanks you, Bee!
DeleteStupid blogger (the software, not you) is hiding the "reply" option unless I reply to an existing comment. So - apologies to Mae and Bee ;).
DeleteI loved the numerous levels of metaphor in this and the way it enjoined the reader to action without making any assumptions.
Oh, so sorry for your troubles, Jessie! Sometimes it's the browser, sometimes, who knows? I have my share of heartache on the internet, too.
DeleteI'm pleased you were able to read without being assaulted by assumptions, as that is always a danger when you're in instructor mode.
Thank you!
This is really good!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Deana!
Deletereally good unique approach.
ReplyDeleteThank you, kz!
DeleteReally brilliant. I think one of my favorites this week for sure (:
ReplyDelete[I like giving orders] Thanks so much, Draug!
DeleteI feel like this sometimes. Well portrayed. (RogRites)
ReplyDeleteDon't we all?! Thanks, Rog!
DeleteExcellent; it's a change to read a story set in 2nd person POV. Great voice in this.
ReplyDeleteFound I enjoy putting a bossy voice in my literary mouth. Thanks, Sandra!
DeleteLove the voice in this one - Really felt as if I was right there.
ReplyDeleteSo you followed the instructions then? lol Thanks for the love, Kelly!
DeleteThis is wonderful, and something I needed to read. I'm facing a lot of doors, and need that push to start opening some of them. Baby steps.
ReplyDeleteHow awesome is it to write something that someone else needed to read.
DeleteI'm very familiar with doors.
Thank you so much, Tara. <3
Not to repeat the others, but very clever and forceful use of second person pov. I've never tried it but I think I'll give it a go. Fun read too!
ReplyDeleteWhen it's good repitition, repeat away!
DeleteGlad you enjoyed it. Look forward to reading your new pov.
Thanks, lumdog!!
Shake it about or not... I love that. I can imagine the kids performing that little ditty. Unique, Kymm... I love it. Creative take.
ReplyDeleteHokey pokey. I still think there might be a better way to get in that reference, but some weeks if you snooze, you lose.
DeleteThanks so much, Steph!
BizarreInBarcelona... I love this piece. This one will be hard to beat.
ReplyDeletelol Can I love that nickname?! Thanks so much, Ted!
DeleteI thought through every phrase here and began thinking about lessons and teachings. Such a unique voice. Loved it!
ReplyDeleteThat's so nice to hear, Gina. In the end, the writing is all about sharing. Thank you!!
DeleteWow! wow again! absolutely loved it! Is this philosophy? Is this fiction? Is this literature? Is this poetry? I think it's all of these :)
ReplyDeleteI'm flabbergasted by your enthusiasm, but enjoying it. In Spanish, roughly translated, they call it 'mental masturbation' or 'eating your noggin'. But I prefer your version! Thanks so much, Rashmi.
DeleteThe overthinking part is really hard. You're right - we just need to open the door (and hope it's the right one!)
ReplyDeleteYeah, maybe when we're younger, it's a better idea to think things through, but at this point, I think it's just a matter of taking a deep breath and hoping for the best. Thanks for reading, Janna!
DeleteWasn't it, though? Odd how that works. Thank you, Flippa!
ReplyDeleteI like what an expansive metaphor this is; so many doors in life to be opened. Nice work.
ReplyDeleteYup, and they're always changing, too. Thanks so much, Annabelle!
Deletenice metaphors. Though all I could think about how now that I have a pup I MUST open the door first thing in the morning. And there's no worse mirror to look in once outside than your rearview. At least for me. I never look good.
ReplyDeleteHaha. Oddly enough, that was also the first mirror I thought about, and yes, that's why I mentioned it might be shocking. Thanks, Sandra!
DeleteYou caught me from the very first line. Loved this.
ReplyDelete*reels Trifecta in* hehehe Thanks!
DeleteThis reminded me of a chapter from the book Mechanique where she talks about the mystery and miracle of walking. So simple and yet profound all at once.
ReplyDeleteOne foot after the other... Thanks, Morgan!
DeleteThis is fantastic! Love the imagery and the firmness of the narrator's tone. Some mornings I could stand to have this etched onto my ceiling. Great take on the prompt!
ReplyDeleteHa! Love the idea of etching it on the ceiling. While you stare at it. Staring...
DeleteThanks so much, Suzanne!
doors... portals to other limnal states. Nice work
ReplyDeletemarc nash
Hmmmmmm will need to use liminal in a piece soon. Thanks, Marc!
Delete