Sunday 26 February 2012

Fixed to the spot

Cumbersome words, black and unwieldy,
sharp and sticky, they set like cement,
hindering the fluid flow of my progress.

I am aware of the faint murmur of my answer
as it bypasses my senses and emerges fully formed
- tumbling haphazardly from my lips like rain.

And I want to run - full pelt - away from the intensity,
away from the looming insanity, the spitting shadows,
but inertia gone, my body is reluctant to move.

For I fear I may disturb the dense atmosphere,
I am afraid I may finally lose my place on the map. . .
a stray bullet ricocheting off the smoke stained walls.

So I stay put, fixed to the spot, petrified in my place.
Entranced by the slow motion movement of his mouth
as it carefully enunciates the words I never wanted to hear.

Written for the sunday whirl using the words below.














Image - Susannah Bec

20 comments:

irene said...

You've captured an emotional moment being frozen to the spot.

Rinkly Rimes said...

We have all lost our position on the map at times and you captured it well.

Dr. Pearl Ketover Prilik (PKP) said...

Great read and a punch to the gut unexpected final line...

Daydreamertoo said...

Sometimes it's hard to bite our tongues and keep on keeping on.
This captures that feeling of suppression so well. Great use of the wordle words.

brenda w said...

Powerful emotion moves through your words, Susannah. You've captured fear, anxiety, being "fixed to the spot." Excellent write.

Laurie Kolp said...

Susannah- So descriptive... love the unexpected ending.

margo said...

Your description of this moment, and what happens to a person on one side of it, is vivid. I found myself reading the last two lines in slow motion.

teri said...

My wordle feels like mine- but without the anxiety of feeling stuck. Great write.

Sherry Blue Sky said...

Oh the words one never wanted to hear. I remember the feeling of those moments.

Mary said...

An intense and very satisfying wordle.

Jules said...

I think you have described the moments when I heard that loved ones were ill and were not going to be able to return home. You want to be able to react to be by their sides - instantly. Yet fear at the same time what you will find when you do arrive. That's what comes to my mind. Thank you.

Paula Wanken said...

loved the line about losing your place on the map...

Traci B said...

Powerful write, Susannah, and a terrific use of the wordle. You've given us a picture of a conflict or confrontation, but left it vague enough to allow the imagination to fill in the details.

S.E.Ingraham said...

Oooh - very nice, terse throughout and a real zing at the end ... awful to lose your place on the map ...

Mary B. Mansfield said...

Powerful, intense, emotional...I think I may run out of adjectives! Loved this.

Anonymous said...

Hi Susannah;
Wow. Very nice. I like the energy of this, the slow motion feel, and the unexpected ending.

This wordle was fun.
;)
http://taralinda.wordpress.com/2012/03/05/quelled/

David said...

Some how, I lost track of a friend. Some times, I wonder how, and why. Was it just two paths separating in the wilderness? They say, all roads lead to Rome. Maybe someday, we'll meet again at the Trevi fountain, both of us feeding the pigeons, we'll bump in to each other, and catch up.

Susannah said...

True friends never really totally lose track of one another. ;-)

Someday, somewhere.

I will look out for you.

Wonderful to hear from you - hope all is well. x

Sending good vibes your way.

Sherry Blue Sky said...

Back for another read........this captures EXACTLY the emotion of those moments. "Entranced by the slow motion movement of his mouth"......been there, kiddo.

Susannah said...

Good to see you Sherry! x

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