Reena’s Exploration Challenge #132

Welcome to another week of a cloistered existence!

I do miss the fresh air, other than whatever can be inhaled in the balcony, but I don’t feel lonely. Online and telephonic contact has increased, and creativity is bolstered by new situations and stories I hear about. There is television for updates, but tailored, partisan news does not interest me. It shows more perspectives and concealed intent, than facts.

Then, what do I do? Cook, clean (which I did not do before the lockdown), read, write, sketch and paint. I’ve just started to learn charcoal drawing. I don’t know why I feel the sketches are darker than what they are intended to be. I blame it on the lack of proper tools – I use a regular eraser instead of the required kneaded eraser, cotton buds, pieces of tissue paper, a graphite and a charcoal pencil.

Art by Reena Saxena

It takes me to this week’s writing prompt.

PROMPT #132

I came across a poem by Rebecca Elson, and I reproduce the first three stanzas here

ANTIDOTES TO FEAR OF DEATH

Sometimes as an antidote
To fear of death,
I eat the stars.

Those nights, lying on my back,
I suck them from the quenching dark
Til they are all, all inside me,
Pepper hot and sharp.

Sometimes, instead, I stir myself
Into a universe still young,
Still warm as blood:

Would you like to write something in a similar spirit, or just carry this ahead – in prose or poetry? Can you think of a story or anecdote or historical tale on the same theme. It should basically be a story of survival strategies.

Go where the prompt leads you.

As usual, there is no restriction on length or format of the piece. Write a post on your blog, and copy-paste the link here.

If you are choosing a pingback, please check if it has worked. There have been instances of pingbacks not working in the past. Tag it ‘Reena’s Exploration Challenge’ for easy location in the blog roll.

WEEKLY WRAP

Susi Bocks at

Don’t Gogh – I Write Her

Reena Saxena at

Blank Canvas – Reena Saxena

Ramya Tantry at

Recover – And Miles to go before I sleep…

Aishwarya at

Nothingness – Kitty’s Verses

Eugenia at

Once upon a time… – Eugi’s Causerie

Sadje at

Reena’s Exploration Challenge # 131 – Keep it alive

Punam at

Inspiration, a bird | paeansunpluggedblog

Len at

https://lensdiary.blog/2020/04/21/a-leg-up-the-ladder/

Hecblogger at

ग़ज़ल नई – Playing with words

Rhen Laird at

http://cobbledcontemplations.com/2020/04/23/nothing-of-value-lost/

Jade Li/Lisa at

Reena’s Exploration Challenge #131 — Virus