I watched him paint a picture every day. I remember so well, the slow curve of his
hand, and the tilt of his head. Now, I play in a palette of bleeding memories, staring at a box packed up long ago.
I rip the box open, and its contents spill out before my eyes. Three works of art, some loose change, a roll of duct tape, old rags, and a key.
I pick up the key as sunlight begins to spill through the open window, across the dusty floor, onto my blouse – and everything I do is stitched with its color! It spreads like paint, it swallows me in pieces, like an ocean, and I want nothing more than to drown in this light! If only I could frame it, if it would stick – I want to nail it to the wall.
Written for dVerse Prosery where Lisa asks us to write flash fiction with a beginning, a middle and an end, in any genre of the author’s choice, no longer than 144 words. We were challenged to include the following line of poetry in our prose:
Everything I do is stitched with its color.
– W.S. Merwin, from “Separation”
Tricia Sankey 
“I play in a palette of bleeding memories,” wow what a powerful line, Tricia! I think the moment she picks up the key and the sun embraces her is synchronicity, the way the “mysterious mother” speaks to us. Beautiful writing to the prompt.
Thanks, Lisa! The line and poem you picked had me going back to an older piece I’d made private from 2020 because I wanted to polish it up, and I think it’s perfect now! ❤️🙏❤️
So happy to know the poem was drawn out of hiding so we could see it. You are very welcome.
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Beautiful, Tricia. I could feel it!
Thanks, Merril!! 🙏✨
You’re welcome!
The way you transformed this prompt is absolutely remarkable and inspiring to me as a writer! I love the meaning you brought to “color” and the detailed imagery in every line. Amazingly done, dear Tricia 🤍🤗
That means a lot to know it inspires you as a writer, I had written a longer piece many moons ago, and then tried to make it a poem, but realized it is better as flash fiction. This prompt line just pushed me to go back and polish it up. So glad you enjoyed it! 💝
Wow, the writing grabs you into the moment and holds you there transfixed! Wonderful, Tricia. ❤️
Thanks! When inspired, I really enjoy flash fiction! 💓🥰
Very nice use of the prompt. Great metaphor. I love the idea of being stitched in Sunlight!
Yes, one day! 🙏✨
Grief and guilt come through in this piece. The box of random items works so well to show the various elements of what is left behind. Well done, Tricia.
Appreciate your thoughts and so happy you enjoyed it! 💓
I did. Very much so.
❤️🙏❤️
That was so GOOD! You weaved that line flawlessly, bravo.
Thanks, Jay! I appreciate your kind words, I really enjoyed crafting it! ♥️🙏♥️
Well done.
Thanks, happy you enjoyed it! 💝
Whenever I clean my room, I always experience this kind of state. I find the smallest of treasures that take me to certain memories and people. At the end of the day, there will be no cleaning done. Just reminiscing. Lovely take! 🙂
Thanks, Maria! It is the flash of memory that is the treasure in the box! ♥️🙏♥️
I love the delicate and beautiful observation in ‘the slow curve of his hand, and the tilt of his head’, and the phrase ‘palette of bleeding memories’, Tricia. Also the description of sunlight that ‘begins to spill through the open window, across the dusty floor, onto my blouse’.
Thanks, Kim, so happy you enjoyed those lines, I enjoyed crafting them! ♥️🙏♥️
Nice one!!!
“I want to nail it on the wall”
Where any good painting should be.
Happy you dropped by my blog.
Much❤love
Thanks, Gillena! ♥️🙏♥️
Wow! So beautiful! I liked the metaphor. 👌👌
Thanks so much! 💓✨
My pleasure 😊
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What a wonderful way to describe those very painful memories… it sounds like something that ended too soon
Thanks, Bjorn, it’s fiction, but I believe so! ❤️🙏❤️
Magical! But then light is very transformational. (K)
Yes, the light is definitely another symbolic key in the story! 💖
wow this was an amazing job on the prompt and your imagery awesome Tricia~💞
Thanks, Cindy! I had a good time with this one! 💓
indeed, it shows.. ❣️
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A beautiful weaving of the prompt line, Tricia! ✨
Thanks, Ingrid! ♥️🌹♥️