Metaphorical Winter (Speakeasy #157)

Winter seemed reluctant to release its hold.

Shortened days chased by frigid nights stacked for months

on end took their toll. The polar vortex, unexpected and swift, consumed me.

The icy barrier layered around my heart- intended protection-

served double-duty as an impenetrable prison.

Rippling streams of affection had long ago

been solidified into distorted memories. I became unsure if the

flutter of newly-planted love was borrowed or owned. I questioned whether I

had been capable of thriving once, or whether an umbilical

noose had ensnared me from the beginning.

If I poured my concentration into it, I could

have spotted a break in the clouds; a pinpoint of light. Promise.

Future. Hope. If I tried, I could’ve engaged in a leap of faith; grasped the thread;

dared the sun to thaw me. Or, I could’ve watched my chance lead

to my demise, as I unraveled at the seams.

Trapped beneath the permafrost of indecision,

I remained rigid in a self-imposed perpetual winter. I could’ve

focused on the light but instead, I closed my eyes. Cocooned in my loneliness,

I tucked in the fetal position, head rested upon my knees, set to

face fate; indifferent toward death or re-birth.

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This is my response to the Speakeasy weekly writing prompt which  asks us to write a piece in 750 words or less (mine is 199) (1) using “Winter seemed reluctant to release its hold.” as the first sentence, and (2) make some kind of reference to the  media prompt:  a drawing by Leonardo da Vinci, who also celebrated his birthday in April, entitled Study of a Womb.

The challenge is open to anyone, so if you want to join in, click the badge to the left to check out the challenge details!