Nothing goes right for Frustration. Her keys are always lost and she can never find her glasses, though nine times out of ten they are perched on top of her head. There's a word on the tip of her tongue she just can't think of and the hint of an idea at the back of her mind that never seems to jell. Her shoes pinch, her jeans squeeze (they'd fit if she lost five pounds) and the blouse she ordered from a catalog looked much better on the model than it does on her.
Frustration is envious of her older sisters Patience and Acceptance, because they never seem bothered by the same troubles that dog their little sister. Insecurity and Fear are always blocking her path, keeping her from getting what she wants. "If only they would get out of my way," she says, "then I would be a success." But what Frustration doesn't know is that, if she only took a deep breath and gave it another try, she could sidestep her troubles and accomplish her goals.
***
Writing Prompt: Personify an emotion you've felt recently, like in The Book of Qualities by J. Ruth Gendler. This was an assignment in my evening writing class.
I have a run-in with my favorite fictional character, Hercule Poirot.
Me: "Help! Help!"
HP: "May I be of some assistance, madam?"
Me: "That man stole my purse!"
HP: I see. Well do not trouble your pretty little face. Hercule Poirot will use his little grey cells to track down the thief!"
Me: "We don't need to use your little grey cells, because that's him right there! The man running with a ladies purse!"
HP: "Mon dieu, then we should catch this villain!"
Me: "Hurry, he's getting away!"
HP: "..."
Me: "Aren't you going after him?"
HP: "..."
Me: "Right, sorry I asked. Could you hold my shoes? I can't run in heels."
HP: "Certainement! Anything for you, dear lady!
Me: *Eyeroll*
Music is playing in the darkness. We stop to listen. “Where’s it coming from?” I ask. We’ve taken our moonlight walks on this same path for years but have never before heard music.
“That way,” you say, pointing in to the woods. You take a step in that direction but I hesitate.
“Are you sure that’s a good idea?” I am imagining all the dark and scary things that the woods can hide.
“Listen closer.”
I close my eyes and concentrate. A few seconds later they fly open again. “That’s our song,” I say, grinning like a fool. You offer your hand. I take it and we race through the darkness, tripping on roots and stumbling over dead branches but somehow never falling. As we get close I can make out a clearing, lit up by a lantern floating between two trees. We step in to its light to find an elegantly laid table with champagne and dessert, and a stereo nearby with our song on repeat.
“Happy anniversary,” you say, holding me close.
“It’s amazing. I can’t believe it! How could you do all this without me knowing? How did you get a table out in the middle of the woods? Did you have help?” I look around.
“No more questions,” you say, gently turning my face towards yours. “It’s just you and I.” We kiss and I lay my head on your chest as we sway to the music that floats softly by.
***
The prompt for this was to write a story that begins with the first line of my favorite song, which is currently "You and I" by Queen. I expanded on the prompt by also incorporating some of the imagery from the lyrics as well as the last line. You can listen to the song below.
