He picks up the bottle, pours out of it a stream of bitter and slanderous lies. I stand for truth: I am bombarded, yet I stand, embattled, battle-hardened. The tirade of abuse hits like a hurricane, but my limbs are seasoned timber: I have weathered many storms.
Where there is hatred, let me bring love…
It’s a hard one to remember, in the midst of a storm, but remember it I must. If not, toxicity takes over, and my resolve crumbles into dust.
Bless those that curse you, bless, and curse not…
I turn the other cheek, but there’s a carving knife gripped tightly in my hand…
I didn’t say that I was going to use it.
© 2021 experimentsinfiction.com. All Rights Reserved.
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
Written for dVerse
Tonight, Merril has given us a line from the poem ‘Planetarium’ by Adrienne Rich to incorporate into our short prose pieces:
“I am bombarded yet I stand.”
This was such a powerful statement that it took me in a very definite direction. Do visit Merril’s post to find out more about Adrienne Rich, and try the prompt for yourself!
Nice piece Ingrid. I really like:
“The tirade of abuse hits like a hurricane, but my limbs are seasoned timber: I have weathered many storms.”
Have a great week. ❤️
Thanks Joni ❤️
You are very welcomed. ❤️
I love it, Ingrid–especially those last lines!
We do seem to be bombarded by hate–at least here in the US with the followers of our former president. I think there’s a fine line between turning the cheek and not standing up against hate.
Turning the cheek is really hard to do, but we definitely need a kind of defiant resolve when faced with irrational hatred.
Yes, I agree.
It is scary that we have to be bombarded like that… having something to defend yourself and still not use it is real strength.
Yes, the temptation must be enormous!
I’m not sure I believe her! Nicely done, Ingrid.
😏 thanks Sarah!
Love the strength in this piece!
Thank you Jaya!
It is always good to be prepared! Gret verse
Thank you Beverly!
“Be prepared and always wear clean underwear, just in case,” my mother used to say. Our minds and our poetics run in similar directions today. You rocked the prompt, and put a smile on my face; thanks.
My pleasure Glenn, thank you!
Powerful … loosen the grip !! … “It’s hard to hold the hand of anyone who is reaching for the sky just to surrender” .. Leonard Cohen
Perhaps that is the answer! Thank you Ivor 🙏
Serious issues, yet a tad of lightness in the ending.
Happy Monday
Much💛love
I always try to add that! Thanks Gillena ❤️
You build up so much tension in just a few words. Chilling. (K)
Thank you Kerfe – I tried!
I can feel the struggle in this, and that ending! 😲 He better watch out!
I’d say so!
The language, the message, the resolve of the character- strong piece! Love this.
I’m smiling Ingrid… 🙂. Love the gallows humor ending here! 👍🏼
A good story Ingrid… great ending.
Wow! Very intense! I was right there with you in the telling.
I was taken by the poetic prose. And such a strong character! She really picks her battles, choosing an internal one of turning the other cheek rather than overt resistance. For now.
This prompt is attracting heart-wrenching and intense posts. Very well-written!
Damn. This is an intense write, Ingrid. I say – use the knife!
The future hangs in the balance…
Grim times call for grim measures!
Indeed! 🔪
Oh this is so good! A two-edged sword is more effective than a carving knife, but I too, have held many.
Thank you Mary!
Very powerful piece. Excellent construction!
Thank you Gabriela! I’m glad you like it ❤️
‘”Where there is hatred, let me bring love.’ It’s a hard one to remember in the midst of a storm.” I love the way you have incorporated the quotes, Ingrid. I think the person might almost be forgiven if they do use that knife.
Thank you Cheryl!
I LOVE the grit and bitterness, even if it almost reduces me to tears. What a description of what is being poured!
Strong last words. At the very end I noticed it was a “carving knife,” not just knife..how powerful.
Just like the farmer’s wife 😅 thanks Ain!
Ingrid .. love how you interspersed those wonderfully positive lines. Hoping the knife is unnecessary.
Thanks Helen: me too 😅
Yes, I have been fortunate to spend weeks in the Lake District .. wonderful memories, so long ago.
Oh how lovely: Wordsworth country! Whereabouts? I was back for a month in the summer.
“Where there is hatred, let me bring love…”
That sounds like an excerpt from the prayer of St. Francis.
If ever I need guidance about turning adversity and pain into love and compassion, St. Francis is a very welcome set of guidance.
It is indeed adapted from that prayer: I make use of it a lot.
powerful and truly and an intense piece.. loved it Ingrid!💖👏👏
I’m glad Cindy, thank you! ❤️
You’re sooo welcome!💖
sooo welcome always Ingrid!💖
So intense! Truth and kindness are powerful! Bravo.
Thank you 🙏
intensity is 144 words, helping me out of a writing funt
Great to hear!
This is such a powerful piece. It takes tremendous strength to not retaliate in kind. Let us hope she does not need the knife.
Thanks Dale! Yes, fingers crossed🤞
This is amazing Ingrid. So powerful. You are a talented writer.
Thank you so much Deborah: it’s so much harder to sustain this voice over the length of a novel though!
You don’t need to. You can write beautiful prose but it should pepper your story. Otherwise it would be too rich to digest.
That’s a very good point, thank you!
Well done, Ingrid. Definitely contains things to think about.
Gorgeously written. Catches at the heart. I loved this more than I can say.
Thank you Jude 🙏