Picture Perfect

Burst Writing Prompt

Kaylin, Louis, Tristan, Elise, & Mr. Kefor

Prompt: With different colors, start by writing one sentence. Pass it to the person to your right. That person adds a sentence and the pattern continues until a story is written.

Pancakes

Yesterday morning I was sitting eating my pancakes, when my mother suddenly fainted. My first instinct was to call 911, and that’s what I tried to do, but I forgot how to use a phone. I fell to the ground, and lost control of all my limbs; I realized I was having the same problem. I lay there on my side, wondering how something that started so well, could have gone so wrong this quickly. Confused and incredulous, I continued to eat my pancakes. Pancakes are my favorite food after all. I just decided to let my mom lie there, as the pancaked were too yummy! Processing that I could not move at all, however could still eat my pancakes blew my mind; this was astonishing! When my dad entered and saw me on the floor with my pancakes, he smiled.  Then he called 911, but started laughing at the dispatcher because he was shocked at what he saw. My dad then fell to the ground, and lost control of his limbs too. Our family apparently has some sort of degenerative disease because my brother walked in next, and the same fate hit him. Still eating my pancakes, I started to wonder which one of my relatives could be responsible for my outrageous morning. Then, in a sudden burst of unprompted madness, I plucked the family cat from the couch, clutched her close as I melted a stick of butter, and plopped her in the same pan.

Irony

My story is a complicated one that you might not understand. However that is why I am  obliged to tell it to you.  As I reflect on my situation and how I got here, rage boils inside me. The person who put me here…she deserves this. Not me.

When I think about it, my story begins earlier than what I originally thought. Way before the wedding.   Back to when we met. I had seen two applicants before her. I admired how she confidently walked in. She looked up. Her soft blue eyes, stared around the room. I remember distinctly our first conversation. She quietly on the sofa next to the library. "Hi…I'm Jack".

"Kim" she said shyly.
I hired her.  Her qualifications were limited, but it made sense at the time. After about two weeks, she still hadn't come out of her shell.

One day, she had just finished organizing the books, and immediately moved onto her next task. I saw her struggling with the coffee machine and couldn't resist helping her. I  grabbed an apron, and thought of offering some assistance, only to realize I already was.

"What are you doing?" she asked quietly.

I looked at her but said nothing.

"All fixed." I said. "You're Welcome,…Kim."

"Thanks." she said firmly.

I walked away thinking "My goodness, what a complete failure. My life is over". But then someone else must have taken control of me because I walked back over again.

"Hi." why am I doing this?

"Hey, Kim" why not?

I continued, "I just ah…I…um… So, Kim how is your day?"

"Oh, it's okay." after a brief pause she added, "Why do you ask?"

I turned to her. "Why not?"

On our wedding day she told me, "Love is a lot like hate, you see. You can't force it, and you can not resist it. You just have to embrace it when it comes along." That day two years ago is a day I wish I could redo.

The truth is I didn't love her soft eyes or her confusing demeanor. All throughout our marriage, the confusion destroyed me.  She should have never forced the love. I should have resisted. Due to her mistakes, I stand lonely. Locked away from society- envious of her position in this situation.

Hate is like love. I couldn't force her to love her. She couldn't convince me otherwise.  And likewise, the hatred eventually came along. I had no choice but to embrace it.

Poem

Poem 3/3

Original:
The Man
Yesterday I met a strange man
He offered me candy and said, "Hop in the van."
But no way; I'm not stupid!
He must have thought I was clueless.
I imagined my mother saying, "Run as fast as you can!"

Revision:
The Man
Today I was approached by a strange man.
He offered me candy and said, "Hop in the van."
But no way; I'm not stupid!
He must of thought I was clueless
And with that, I grabbed my bag and ran.

Poem 2/3

Original:

Five Numbers

Suddenly you smash into the wall,

Which leads to a purely instinctive reaction.

Immediately you glare at the bold lights and gaze 

For what is actually quite unexplainable.

You find five numbers awaiting your reaction

They lie in a significant order that surprises you.

And in that moment, nothing matters more 

Than the excitement that follows 

And those past endless hours, 

Which rearranged those five numbers.

Revision:

Five Numbers

Suddenly you smash into the wall,

Which leads to a purely instinctive reaction.

Immediately you glare at the bold lights and gaze 

For what is an unexplainable feeling

There you find five numbers awaiting your reaction.

They lie in a significant order that never fails to surprise you.

And in that moment, nothing matters more 

Than the excitement that follows 

And those past endless hours, 

Which rearrange those five numbers time and time again.

Poem 1/3

Original:

Finally No Snow

Endless days and starry nights

That lead to waking in daylight. 

Finally relaxing; All of my worries, removed.

And no absurd projects soon to be due.

Rediscovering unfamiliar things,

Like lush green blankets and birds that sing.

Winds that blow in skies of blue

Salty seaweed scents and swift sounds of anew

I am now able to travel and explore

And much less fabric is to be worn.

I can journey anywhere; everywhere I will go.

The seasons have changed, there is finally no snow.

Revision:
Finally No Snow

Endless days and starry nights
That lead to waking in late light. 
Finally relaxing; All of my worries, removed.
And no absurd papers soon to be due.

Rediscovering unfamiliar things,
Like lush green blankets and birds that sing.
Winds that blow in skies of blue
Sweet sugar scents and swift sounds of anew.

I am now able to travel and explore
And much less fabric is to be worn.
I can journey anywhere; everywhere I will go.
The Earth has changed, there is finally no snow.