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Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Instructions: Opening a Door

Open the door.

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  

46 comments:

  1. I like this. Lots of doors out there.

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    1. Thank you, Mae. Sometimes the doors are hard to find, though.

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  2. I love how this is in second person POV -- well done!

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    1. Stupid blogger (the software, not you) is hiding the "reply" option unless I reply to an existing comment. So - apologies to Mae and Bee ;).

      I loved the numerous levels of metaphor in this and the way it enjoined the reader to action without making any assumptions.

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    2. 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.
      I'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!

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  3. really good unique approach.

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  4. Really brilliant. I think one of my favorites this week for sure (:

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    1. [I like giving orders] Thanks so much, Draug!

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  5. I feel like this sometimes. Well portrayed. (RogRites)

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  6. Excellent; it's a change to read a story set in 2nd person POV. Great voice in this.

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    1. Found I enjoy putting a bossy voice in my literary mouth. Thanks, Sandra!

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  7. Love the voice in this one - Really felt as if I was right there.

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    1. So you followed the instructions then? lol Thanks for the love, Kelly!

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  8. This 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.

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    1. How awesome is it to write something that someone else needed to read.
      I'm very familiar with doors.
      Thank you so much, Tara. <3

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  9. 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!

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    1. When it's good repitition, repeat away!
      Glad you enjoyed it. Look forward to reading your new pov.
      Thanks, lumdog!!

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  10. Shake it about or not... I love that. I can imagine the kids performing that little ditty. Unique, Kymm... I love it. Creative take.

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    1. Hokey pokey. I still think there might be a better way to get in that reference, but some weeks if you snooze, you lose.
      Thanks so much, Steph!

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  11. This really was a door filled challenge lol!! Lovely writing, as usual!!

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    1. Wasn't it, though? Odd how that works. Thank you, Flippa!

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  12. BizarreInBarcelona... I love this piece. This one will be hard to beat.

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    1. lol Can I love that nickname?! Thanks so much, Ted!

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  13. I thought through every phrase here and began thinking about lessons and teachings. Such a unique voice. Loved it!

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    1. That's so nice to hear, Gina. In the end, the writing is all about sharing. Thank you!!

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  14. Wow! wow again! absolutely loved it! Is this philosophy? Is this fiction? Is this literature? Is this poetry? I think it's all of these :)

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    1. I'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.

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  15. The overthinking part is really hard. You're right - we just need to open the door (and hope it's the right one!)

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    1. Yeah, 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!

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  16. I like what an expansive metaphor this is; so many doors in life to be opened. Nice work.

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    1. Yup, and they're always changing, too. Thanks so much, Annabelle!

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  17. nice 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.

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    1. Haha. Oddly enough, that was also the first mirror I thought about, and yes, that's why I mentioned it might be shocking. Thanks, Sandra!

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  18. You caught me from the very first line. Loved this.

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  19. This 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.

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  20. This 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!

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    1. Ha! Love the idea of etching it on the ceiling. While you stare at it. Staring...
      Thanks so much, Suzanne!

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  21. doors... portals to other limnal states. Nice work

    marc nash

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    1. Hmmmmmm will need to use liminal in a piece soon. Thanks, Marc!

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