writing exercise (from linda berry)
9/11/09
1. overgrown grass pushed down by human feet
2. billowing curtains
3. my eyes when they are sleepy, one turning out slightly, both drooping
4. eggs
5. stained carpet
6. cliffs above a raging sea
7. McDonal's arches against a mountain skyline
8. rows of circles of dough
9. an earlobe, up close
10. a cave with only a flashlight beam to light it
My fingers gripped the side of the sink; i could feel the grit on the underside of the porcelain. The light in the bathroom was bad, so flourescant for a light inside a house. I tried to look at myself in the mirror. At first, i was just a smear against the shiny surface. Exhaustion was clouding my already bad vision. I had not slept, in, I didn't even know how long. I squinted, and then relaxed, and my face came into focus slightly. There were my eyes, smeary with old makeup. One turning out, both drooping, like two little signifiers of fatigue and bewilderment. I widened them, tried to straighten them. It was no use. I only looked crazier, like someone had just said something shocking. My hand shot out and i smacked the mirror with my palm, let my hand stay for a moment, then slide slowly back to my side. I was done. I turned and walked back out into the rest of the world.
1. overgrown grass pushed down by human feet
2. billowing curtains
3. my eyes when they are sleepy, one turning out slightly, both drooping
4. eggs
5. stained carpet
6. cliffs above a raging sea
7. McDonal's arches against a mountain skyline
8. rows of circles of dough
9. an earlobe, up close
10. a cave with only a flashlight beam to light it
My fingers gripped the side of the sink; i could feel the grit on the underside of the porcelain. The light in the bathroom was bad, so flourescant for a light inside a house. I tried to look at myself in the mirror. At first, i was just a smear against the shiny surface. Exhaustion was clouding my already bad vision. I had not slept, in, I didn't even know how long. I squinted, and then relaxed, and my face came into focus slightly. There were my eyes, smeary with old makeup. One turning out, both drooping, like two little signifiers of fatigue and bewilderment. I widened them, tried to straighten them. It was no use. I only looked crazier, like someone had just said something shocking. My hand shot out and i smacked the mirror with my palm, let my hand stay for a moment, then slide slowly back to my side. I was done. I turned and walked back out into the rest of the world.