“The core of every fruit is better than its rind,” Mike read aloud before placing his book on the hotel bed and retrieving an orange from the extravagant fruit basket.
Laura squinted at the title of the poem he was reading -“Precious Core,” by Rumi. Room service had just delivered a tray of oysters on the balcony. They sat down for a bite and to people watch. The world seemed so peaceful from this height. So sane.
“You think the core of humans is soft or chewy,” she asked, peering down at the crowds below. “Perhaps they’re a bit gooey like these oysters?”
Mike laughed, then his face grew serious. Some people are hard to crack. It’s okay if you cry.
The visiting angel shook her head. “No! I do not weep at the world – I am too busy sharpening my oyster knife.“
Today, Lisa hosts dVerse Prosery where we write a short prose piece of no more than 144 words and include the quote: No, I do not weep at the world – I am too busy sharpening my oyster knife. (We are allowed to change punctuation only) This quote is from “How does it feel to be Colored Me,” in World Tomorrow (1928) by Zora Neale Hurston.
Tricia Sankey 
I freakin’ love this.
I love writing to the Prosery prompt! 💗 Thanks, Lucy! 💕
I love this post because I love oysters.🤜
Thanks! I started to crave them after writing this! 😆
I love your question, which just happens to fall right at the center of your story. So much good description in here, Tricia, and I like the Rumi quote. Lots of food for thought. BTW I’ve never eaten oysters I’ve eaten clam chowder and it was quite tasty 🙂
Yes, lots of food for thought! 😆 Going to have to send you oysters 🦪 and some sparkling wine 🍷 for your awesome prompt this week! 💝👏👏
I would love that! I think smoked oysters would be very tasty. I know I love smoked fish.
Yes, it’s an experience!
Very nicely done! Sounds like this might have come from first hand experience! I love the soft or gooey humans. A very nice touch to your story!
👼 Thanks Dwight! 👼
You are welcome!
Great piece of flash fiction, with many possible interpretations: love it!
I started thinking it could probably be interpreted more than one way. But I envision the good angels on a mission to find the pearls within us! 👼
As we all have I’m sure 😊
Oysters as a metaphor for humans!
Amazing, Tricia ❤ ❤ ❤ (and more hearts after that!)
Yours,
David
Thanks, David! We’re either slimy or hiding a pearl! 😆
Or both? (Please disregard other comment)
Yes, I love the metaphor of the pearl within, just like the caterpillar cocooned, the longer the pearl stays in the shell, the larger it will be. Maybe the longer we are in human form our souls can grow more as well!
Oh, that last line took me somewhere I wasn’t expecting! Great piece.
Thanks so much! 💝
Such an interesting story, Tricia! There’s a lot to think about here.
Thanks so much, Merril! 💓
You’re welcome, Tricia.
You write lovely prose …. and yes, it’s ok to cry.
Thanks, Helen and I agree! 💕
Reblogged this on Mitch Teemley and commented:
My Featured Blogger this week is Tricia Sankey, whose “musings of a milspouse” site is a long-standing favorite, so I’m remiss in having taken so long to share her with you. A professional editor and ghostwriter, Tricia, who also “plays with words in her free time,” loves “helping (her) clients crush through their writing block and create something they can be assured is well-written.” And indeed, she knows how. The proof is in her own writing!
Thanks so much Mitch! 💗
An excellent response to the prompt!
Pleased you enjoyed it, Liz! 💕
🙂
Nicely done, both creative and thought provoking.
Thanks so much, LaDonna! 💗
💗
I found you from Mitch Teemley’s site, where he shared this post. I’ll say here what I said there: I’ve never read so much in so few words. Excellent!
Thanks for your feedback! We were challenged to write this in 144 words including the last line so it was pushing my editing abilities! 😆
Quite a profound fiction. Some statements are made to be read again & again…. “No! I do not weep at the world – I am too busy sharpening my oyster knife.”
So pleased you enjoyed it! 💝
This is absolutely stunning! 😀 I love the question which you pose here; “You think the core of humans is soft or chewy,”.. as there is so much to them than meets the eye. We are a complex species. 💝
Thanks so much Sanaa! Glad I finally got into the Live reading to see you all – even with all my technical difficulties! 💗
great use of the prompt!
Thanks, Kate! ❣
Wow! There is a treasure packed in this short piece. Great metaphors.
Thanks so much! 🥰
Nice post..
I love this..
Thanks so much! 💕