Emotional Life Raft
“Just let me go”, I said angrily as I pushed his arm away and headed down the hallway.
“Why do you always have to be in control?” I yelled at him slamming the door on his enraged voice.
I need air and space, I thought. Much space between us. I can never think straight when he gets so argumentative and demanding. My back is always against the wall and I struggle to justify my actions when he is firing questions at me.
I went out to the hazel wood because a fire was in my head and it felt like my stack would blow. A gentle breeze through the trees was calming and eventually the flames died down. I could think clearly once again.
I walked for what seemed hours.
“Where did you go?”, he asked on my return.
“Anywhere but here”, I replied
Copyright © 2021 Christine Bolton - Poetry for Healing All Rights Reserved
Kim, from Writing in North Norfolk is hosting Prosery at D'Verse Poets tonight. She has prompted us to write a story of no more than 144 words to include these lines from "The Song of the Wandering Aengus" by William Butler Yeats. I went out to the hazel wood, Because a fire was in my head, You can read the whole poem here Image by Valiphotos from Pixabay
we all need an emotional life raft from time to time
well written
Indeed we do! thanks so much ☺️
Hahaha love the sassy reply at the end! 😀 Sometimes you just know when it is time to move on. ❤️
Or at least until the annoyance moves on! Thanks Sanaa ☺️💕
It sounds like this is a relationship coming to an end…
The character’s frustration is so palpable, Christine, and you make the whole scene come alive with passion and life. Wonderfully written narrative.
Thank you Dora. You’re so kind. I really appreciate your comments ☺️💕
You’re so welcome! 😉
Raging fires, dying flames, walking a perfect quenching medium. Brava.
Thank you Helen ☺️ I really appreciate it.
Thank you Helen ☺️💕
Oh yes! It sounds like this lady knew exactly what she needed to do to set her head straight, and how to set boundaries and protect herself.
Thank you Ingrid. You understand! ☺️💕
I love how you started with enough dialogue to put the reader in the picture, Christine, and then allowed your first-person character to escape, get some space, and think clearly once again. It is good to know that the hazel wood can be anywhere but here.
Thank you Kim ☺️ I loved the song version of the poem you shared. It was beautiful. If you were going to be in Ireland for any length of time it’s no wonder you read so much Yeats! It’s woven into the fabric of the country 🥰
I also love this, Christine. Pure human experience here – no unnecessary frills and whistles – just 100% believable and relatable.
-David
Oh so kind Ben, thank you! I always love the property prompt when it comes. It gives me a chance to do something different ☺️
I love ’em too <3
Love it. Very well written with the limited words and with the specific lines. I did want to know more.
Thanks so much. I really appreciate it. ☺️ That’s the fun of the prosery prompt for me. It stretches me beyond poetry and I have all these little flashes of fiction that might one day become something longer, if only a short story ☺️
Fantastic story.
Thanks Sadje! ☺️
You’re welcome 😉
So THAT’S where the hazel wood is … anywhere but here. I always wondered.!
Thanks Beverly! 🤣
Great answer!
Ha! I thought so 😑 Thanks Regina