As we drove and he continued to talk about what a great idea he had, I kept thinking, "ME? Write metaphor? On purpose?"
It's festered in my mind since yesterday.
When I sat down at my computer today, the following (very) short story came out. Now, I am no "fiction" writer, much less an intentional implementer of literary elements. When I write, it's nonfiction for educators--professional books. It's easy for me. It's black and white, explanatory type stuff.
This exercise, given in an off-handed comment by my 12-year-old, felt a little more like bearing my soul. It's vulnerable. I'm sure it could use some "red pen"...but DS 3 has me curious.
Admittedly, I didn't really stop and think until I reached the end...then when I re-read, I could immediately find my own deeper meaning...my own metaphor.
But, I'm curious, how do YOU interpret its meaning?
She shuffles the cards and they suddenly scatter across her screen ready for her to make a play. They lay across the spider's web almost crying out, "Match me! Match me!" She studies them carefully wondering which is the "right one" to move. Gingerly, she clicks the mouse and drags one card on top of the other. Red eight. Red seven.Red six. Stop. No moves.
The web's sticky silk seems to hold some cards back from being touched. She looks again. Black nine. Move the red pile. She thinks to herself, "Sometimes they need to go to another holding spot until the right row is made and ready for them."
Deal the next round. Click. Drag. Study. Plan. Move.
It's tough clearing the cards off the web. Help arrives in the way of a free space. It serves as a holding space for an unmatched card. Click. Drag. Study. Plan. Move.
The formations are almost complete. Black King down to Black Ace. Whoosh! The pile is gone. Red King down to Red Two. She looks for the Ace to complete the pile. It is stuck under another card. The spider's web seems to hold that Ace in its unforgiving grip.
She can see it. She just can't get to it. Decision time. Fold? Ask for a New Deal? Use the "Extra Space" and lose points? "It's just a game," she tells herself biting her lip. "It's just a game. I can stop it if I want to. I can redeal. I don't have to finish."
With that thought and the simple click of the mouse, the current game is gone. A new set of cards are shuffled and dealt before her. She's ready to play. But when, oh when, will she finish and be able to leave the spider's web forever?
Be gentle, I might be a "fragile fiction writer"!!!
11 comments:
Let me take a crack at it.
I remember an English teacher once teaching us that there are multiple interpretations to every piece of literature, that every person will take away from it something different. So here I go.
Let's see. Often, a person's life circumstances are referred to as "the hand they are dealt." Hence the cards. Life circumstances have also been called "this tangled web we weave," hence the woman is playing spider solitaire rather than gin rummy.
She is trying to get her life in order. She sees what it is she needs, but it is just out of her reach. To obtain what she needs, she risks taking longer to get there or possibly getting tangled even deeper in the web.
She decides instead to take no action and allow herself to be dealt a new set of cards. She's starting over because she's afraid to continue with what she has.
Along with starting over comes another fear. Will THIS be the one? Will this be the successful time? Will I make the right decisions this time? Will I be able to see what I need and obtain it without risk to myself?
That's what I get out of this. But then I tend to overthink things. :)
I am really one that likes going, thinking, dancing or whatever outside the box.. so tell your son.. way to go....
I like what you have said,,, and agree with g. meadows...
everyone is going to have a little different take on it.. but that is what makes life interesting.
You are giving us a small bite and that is really all we need...
I think you did great...
My brain is not working well right now but it sounds great to me!! I am tired and not focused on much these days except my friend and her health. Thanks for stopping by. Yes thank our good Lord there will be no CANCER in HEAVEN!! praise GOD!! NO CANCER!! How wonderful!! She will be able to run and dance and have no pain and be waiting for all of us soon...Sandy
Thanks all for stopping by so far. You're right, it can be interpreted differently by each person. I think this is one of the things that used to drive me crazy when I took Lit classes in college and they would tell you the "definitive" message the author was trying to convey.
I just always wanted to say....did he/she SAY that's what they meant? Because if it didn't come straight from his/her mouth, then I think it is unfair to put a piece of writing in a box.
Guinevere, you don't think too deep at all...that's kind of where my head was when I reread.
Sandy, I'm continuing to pray for your friend.
Hugs to all and thanks for "playing"!
:-) Susan
1st - I have a BS degree and never took a college level English class...just for this reason LOL. I 'clep' tested out of Freshman Comp I & II and that was all the English credits I needed for my degree.
2nd - Do you know about FaithWriters.com???? Susan I invite you to join us over there. Each week there is a writing challenge and I think you will do very well. We are on break until July 5th when the next challenge will be given.
3rd - This reminds me of a post I wrote awhile back http://stowebear.blogspot.com/2007/03/are-you-playing-too-fast.html
4th - My take-away is this...we put too much pressure on ourselves to always do the right thing, make the right move. We are often to scared to pick up the cards and move on to something completely different or to just lay down the cards and take a break. The spider that holds us in place can be compared to the Enemy but we know we have our Loving Lord on the inside and we just have to call on His strength as we decide to play, redeal, or walk away.
ps Thanks for stopping by today. I left you a comment to your comment. Stop back by :-)
I love your take on it, Sharon! No, I didn't know about Faith Writers...maybe I'll have to stop by there.
Thanks for your post.
:-) Susan
I didn't even tackle this one :o) but now reading the first answer I can really see that.
In response to your comment on my one liner post - it's living a long time, Susan !!!!
Susan
I think MY brain is too full of FLUFF right now to "think" what your brain MIGHT have been thinking! And I'm really not good at looking for the "deeper" meaning in what is written - I really LIKE to just take a story for a "story"! Like you, though, I always questioned HOW my teachers "knew" what the author or poet meant when they wrote a certain work - because I didn't always "get" out of it what THEY got out of it! (even when I DID bother to look for deeper meaning!) ;) Now... having said all that... I think your story ROCKS! :)
Oh! What did DS3 think of it?
DS 3 said it was "good"...he also thinks that I should sponsor it for the blogosphere kind of like Thursday Thirteen, Sunday Seven...Metaphor Monday (I guess). I had to explain that it's HARD to think about and requires deep thinking. He said, "It's good for you to think deep. It's how I think." I know. I know.
:-) Susan
Metaphor Monday....I like that idea, but I am unsure that I can play...I have a difficult time thinking in metaphors....when I read your piece I envisioned you in front of your computer playing a computer game ;)...until I read the first comment and I thought....whoa....I totally missed the point ;).....that is some son you have!!! You must be very proud.
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