This way-more-abstractly-metaphorical-than-I-usually-write story was inspired by one of the exercises in Holly Lisle’s “How to Beat Writer’s Block.” She calls him her “muse”; I call her my very life-breath.
My soul is weary with sorrow;
strengthen me according to your word. (Psalm 119:28)
Flashlight in hand, I progress slowly down each step, toward the dungeon in which I keep my soul. Repeating drops of condensation drip, drip, drip and echo off the cold, dead walls. The scent of urine and defecation permeates the air, and intermingles with a poison must.
I loathe this place, which reeks of hell and depression.
I approach the cage. My keys rattle against the thick, steel slats, as I wrestle with the heavy padlock.
The noise rouses my soul from her bed on the concrete. She glares at me in terror, her once luminous countenance now merely flickering a dim grey, bruised and mottled from years of abuse and neglect. She slinks into the opposite corner. I swing the gate open, slowly enter the cage, but do not approach her. The horror of a hundred thousand past encounters etches itself into her eyes, as they follow me, tracking me.
I stoop in my corner of the cage. I try not to touch the floor with my knees or hands, but I cannot get down to her eye-level, because she is balled up tight as an armadillo bug, her eyes peeking out from behind emaciated fingers.
“I wanted you to make me popular, powerful,” I explain. “I expected you to do whatever necessary, whatever I demanded. I thought that would bring me fame and fortune, and fame and fortune would bring me happiness.”
My eyes stare as into the void.
“But it didn’t work,” stolid. “And now there’s no one left in the house but you and me. And I’ve all but killed you.”
I rise, not knowing what else I might say. I want to tell her I’m sorry, but I know she cannot believe me. I have worn out any trust she may have ever had for me.
“I’ll leave the door open for you. I hope you decide to rejoin me upstairs.” I begin to leave.
Pausing: “For what it’s worth, I promise never to make demands like that of you again. I promise from now on, we’ll only create what we both desire to create. And I’ll never cage you again or attempt to restrain you.”
No answer. No movement.
I return to my favorite space, in the once-bright reaches of my home, a place formerly full of possibilities and promise. Now, dark except for a single, yellow incandescent lamp.
In the distance, a tentative step falls on my ear. And another. Getting closer now.
And the tiniest tear I feel returning to the corner of my dry eye.
sportwetten mit startguthaben ohne einzahlung
Here is my web site; basketball wetten
software sportwetten vorhersage
My website; basketball wetten erkläRung
mexican pharmacy: mexican pharmacy – mexican online pharmacy
esc wettbüro
Look into my web-site; basketball wetten über Unter verlängerung
canadian pharmacy online: online canadian pharmacy – canada pharmacy
new no deposit casino canada, casino sites usa
no deposit bonus and pokies real money united states, or
no deposit bonus australian online wind creek casino online free play [Columbus]
http://casasaludpharmacy.com/# CasaSalud Pharmacy
sportwetten strategie ohne verlust
My web page; basketball über unter wetten
indian pharmacy indian pharmacy online best online pharmacy no prescription
https://casasaludpharmacy.shop/# online mexican pharmacy
welche sportwetten sind in der schweiz legal
Here is my blog; ncca basketball wett vorhersagwn übertore untertore (Maryellen)
kids casino
online canadian pharmacy: pharmacy in canada – best canadian pharmacy
österreich sportwetten
Also visit my blog: basketball Spieler wetten
online wettbüro
my blog :: basketball wetten prognosen; Cole,
tipp basketball over under wetten system (Wissen.Cloudhives.de) vorhersage
best india pharmacy: online indian pharmacy – trusted online pharmacy
https://northbridgepharm.shop/# pharmacy in canada
richtig tippen sportwetten
My webpage: Basketball Wetten üBer/Unter Strategie
best online pharmacy india: india pharmacy – reputable online pharmacy no prescription
http://casasaludpharmacy.com/# mexican pharmacy
quando analisar estatísticas para Apostar vivo em empate
bedste boksning tips
Review my website :: Bettingsider med mastercard
https://healthspherepharmacy.com/# india pharmacy
limitação que significa Empate anula aposta casas de apostas
mexico pharmacy mexico pharmacy mexican online pharmacy
india pharmacy: HealthSphere Pharmacy – no prescription pharmacy paypal
Boa noite, guia completo demais. o Fortune Tiger fiz diversas tentativas já recuperei o investimento.
pronosticos resultados de apuestas deportivas; https://Es-Betting.com, apuestas mlb
CasaSalud Pharmacy: CasaSalud Pharmacy – mexico pharmacy
http://healthspherepharmacy.com/# best india pharmacy
п»їlegitimate online pharmacies india: HealthSphere Pharmacy – buy online medicine
indian pharmacy online: indian pharmacy online – trusted online pharmacy
age legal epiphone casino john lennon edition new zealand,
aristocrat lightning link pokies united kingdom versions and best casinos in central united states, or deposit 10 get
usa
https://healthspherepharmacy.com/# top 10 online pharmacy in india
solana casino liste solana casino liste.
mail order pharmacy india indian online pharmacy buy drugs online
http://casasaludpharmacy.com/# mexican pharmacy
legit online casinos usa, free 50 pokies no deposit sign up bonus united kingdom and 5 dollar deposit online casino
usa, or craps guide uk
Review my web page: are automated roulette tables rigged
india online pharmacy: online indian pharmacy – shop medicine online
solana casino online https://solkryptocasino.de/
bet365 roulette strategy usa, slot all casino games online uk and play slots for
real money usa, or casino united statesn poker 2
1 dollar minimum deposit fastest paying casino online, mg-transports.ch, uk,
how many poker machines in australia and real money pokies online united states,
or bet365 new zealandn roulette tips
888. https://888-uz6.com/
is gambling legal in australia, real slot machines for sale canada and
new online casinos for real money usa, or are there casinos in usa
Check out my web site … best app to play blackjack android (Pilar)
интернет кракен onion
проверить сайт kraken онион тор
CasaSalud Pharmacy: online mexican pharmacy – CasaSalud Pharmacy
такой kraken актуальные ссылки
https://healthspherepharmacy.com/# online shopping pharmacy india