For the month of November there is a group of the Storycatchers' community that are writing it all out. Every day I send an e-mail with a prompt, goal, or inspiration. And, as little or as much as the community can, they are doing the work of showing up and putting thought to page.
It has been an absolute pleasure to be on the other side of that 'reply' e-mail. To hear and read what is coming up out of these sessions for our community - the raw, the insightful, the silly but always delightful.
Along the way I would like to create space to share some of what is coming up and out of our writers.
Today's prompt was one of the most 'stretching'. It was: Write a grocery list as if it was a letter to someone you love but lost.
I wondered if it would spark anything for anyone in our community. I have learned to let go and I'm so glad I did.
The following was sent to me tonight from writer (and Storycatchers Live teller) Kathy Vivoda.
Grocery List
I wish there was a Dream Emporium
where I could shop for us,
a store that would carry all manner
of off-beat items.
Like shelves full of Time, in boxes
ranging from a split second up to
decades.
And vials of Memory-Jogging Juice
sold by the fluid ounce.
And a book like “Astroprojection
For Dummies.”
I would save up my money,
start early in the day to beat
the crowds.
“I need one year of Time,”
I’d tell the clerk,
“and 2—no, make that 3--
ounces of Memory Juice.
And I better take the book
about Astroprojection.”
“Is that for here or to go?”
the clerk would probably ask.
“Umm…you know, I think for here,”
I’d say.
After I’d paid him, I would
park myself in the little bistro
area in the corner of the store,
on one of the overstuffed chairs
near the window overlooking
the courtyard.
I’d unwrap the box of Time and
set the enclosed clock back to one year
before you died, and press Start.
I’d drink an ounce of the Memory
Juice, then call you on your cell.
“Hey, it’s me,” I’d say.
“I’m at the Dream Emporium.
Yeah…that place on the corner
of Larkspur and Vine. Just
wanting to spend some time with
my sister, and I think you’d love this place!
I bought some cool things to
show you, too… Okay…
see you in 10.”
The label on the Memory-Jogging Juice
would say “Lasts up to 2 years,”
so that after you're gone, I would have
another whole year that I could
remember what your voice sounds
like, and the smell of the flower
essence you used to wear.
I would start perusing the book,
wait happily in the corner
till you arrive.
When you’d see me by the window
I’d give you my warmest smile,
stand up to hug you tight
and breathe all of you in.
“I’m so happy to see you!”
I’d say. “Should we sit
outside?” And we’d go
from there.
Thank you so much, Kathy for your beautiful peak into your world and for being a part of our Storycatchers community. And please, if you are writing with us in November, be sure to drop me a line.
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