Describe the air, he says.
Don’t think about it, just start
writing. Whatever comes to mind.
Air? She mumbles the word and stares
at him or at least he thinks she is staring at him
but really she is looking at the clock on the wall
just above his shoulder. From her spot in the classroom
the clock appears to be perched near his ear
which strikes her as funny. Not haha funny
but crazy funny. Like describing air.
He paces in front of his desk then stops
and repeats himself like he is prone to do.
Just whatever comes to mind, the way air feels, he says, drawing
out the word f-e-e-e-e-l-s.
She doesn’t know how to describe air. She doesn’t
belong in this class or this school or this place or this
life.
This uncomfortable life.
The classroom is filled with sounds
of scribbling. Pen to paper. Thoughts spill
and pens move effortlessly, yet she sits frozen.
Immobile.
He walks to her desk.
He stares.
He snatches her blank notebook paper.
Her pen bounces to the floor
and hides beneath her desk.
Nothing, he says.
That’s how the air feels to me, she whispers.
He stares. She watches the clock.
Grace Grits and Gardening
April is National Poetry Month. Although Air is not written in the style of a traditional poem (and I do not profess to be a poet, heaven’s no), I do enjoy writing poefictiontry which Carve Magazine describes simply as poetry that tells a story or flash fiction that sounds lyrical.
Very nice. Made me think
Thank you Darrica!
I’m there, watching the clock. Nothing.
Very well chosen words.
True.
Great poem – loved the form, too.
Thank you Jane!
WOW, that made me think too! Air? Interesting thought…how to describe air. Might have to try that one for myself. ♥
Thanks Kathy – this was to be my A post for A-Z Blog Challenge had I not dropped out:(
That’s awesome! I had no idea it was poetry month! May need to get cracking on one!
Thanks Stephanie – it’s not too late!
That made him think! Jerk! Ha
Thanks Colene:)
Thanks for sharing this poem with us!
Thank you for reading and commenting Shauna!
Was this CD Mitchell by chance? Or is it true “fiction”? Good job. pl
Pat this is 100% fiction. I wrote this for the April A-Z Blog Challenge (A is for Air), then decided not to participate this year. I enjoyed CD Mitchell’s class—he was nothing like the professor in this poem – LOL.
I always wonder what I can believe! Either way I love it!
I was such a clock-watcher in high school.
And college.
And nursing school.
I probably would be at work too, but I’m usually up and around, doing something!
Wonderful poem. Thanks for sharing it. 🙂
Thank you! I was a clock watcher in high school. And sometimes at work:)
I’d say that’s a perfect description of air.
http://joycelansky.blogspot.com
You made something interesting and fun out of thin air. I enjoyed!
Very nice…thanks for sharing, Talya. I agree, air feels like ‘nothing’…I take it for granted. A ticking clock, not so much…it’s the bane of my busy existence. 🙂
I hardly ever read poetry that’s not Dr. Seuss, so thanks for the opportunity to read something a little more grown up and thought provoking!
I love it! I actually brought back a memory of my sister having an experience very similar to this in school. I could even smell the school and hear that giant wall clock ticking.
Well… I’m not much into poetry, but this caught my attention! You have such a way with words Talya!!
Thanks Jennifer!
You are so creative! I definitely am a clock watcher or watch watcher, which is one reason I have not discarded it and made my cell phone my time keeper. It’s easier to steal a look without being noticed.
I watch the clock if I’m not engaged:) Isn’t it great when you get lost writing and realize half the day has passed!
You’re right, Talya. I wouldn’t call this a poem but it is very good prose spaced on the page like a poem. Great insight into those pompous, elitist writing classes where they want you to create something from nothing. Sometimes zero just means zero!
Thanks Fay:)
Beautiful. That is exactly how I would describe air but in a much less poetic way.
Thank you Janelle.
Loved this! I read it and read it again….and you got me thinking!
Thank you!