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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: White (10/29/09)
White space fills my computer screen; a lone black line blinks at me. I stare at it and find that I am memorized by its constant, steady rhythm and jealous of its persistence; if I could only be as dependable, I tell myself.

I continue to watch this lone black blinking line on the even lonelier white space before me. Where do I begin? What is it I want to say? I rise to get another cup of tea; maybe the ideas will come to me on my way to the kitchen. I take my time preparing the tea; I prefer coffee but I’m trying to quit. That’s it, I could write about the trials and tribulations of quitting the dark, steaming brew that I so enjoy. Yes, I could compare it to quitting . . . .

Nah, that won’t work.

I walk back into my office and plop discouragingly onto my chair. I look at my computer screen and stare once again at the memorizing, yet not too thought provoking, blinking in front of me.

Blink . . . Blink . . . Blink . . . Searching for ideas, awaiting response.

Think . . . Think . . . Think . . . Incoming thought. I start to type and now the white space is dotted with lines and arches that make up words. Look two whole paragraphs!

Now what? I continue to stare at the screen. Suddenly my fingers take on flight and I am keeping up with the blinking line and filling in the white space. It is a mad dash to the finish line but, no matter how hard I try I cannot keep up with the blinking line. It seems to alway be one step ahead of me! As the race comes to an end I have another two paragraphs. I take a moment and read what is on the screen.

Blink . . . Blink . . . Blink . . .

Nah that won't work!

I hit the backspace key and all the lines and arches are gone. Once again, I am looking at a blank white screen, except for of course, that annoying blinking.

Blink . . . Blink . . . Blink . . . Please insert a Bible verse. That’s it I’ll start off with a Bible verse and go from there. Let’s see which one I should use. I get my Bible and pray for the Lord to lead me to a specific verse that I can use. We decide on Psalm 7:31.

Now I am ready to go. Let’s see where shall I start, hum . . . on that’s it. I sit up and lean towards my computer. I intertwine my finger and move them back and forth, like a pianist getting ready to play his composition, I am ready to create my own masterpiece, as I flip my hair to one side I place my fingers gently on the keyboard.

Blink . . . Blink . . . Blink . . . I begin with my opening, “Trusting in the Lord . . .

Think . . . Think . . . Think . . . takes a lot of work.”

Blink . . . Blink . . . Blink . . . Ok, that it for today!

I turn off my computer and walk back into the kitchen. Staring at the clock, I see the small black hand moving around the white background.

Tick . . . Tick . . . Tick . . .

Wow, I can hardly believe how the time flew by; it’s been hours since I sat down to write. Looking around the kitchen, I realize I was so busy writing that I never planned anything for dinner.

Tick . . . Tick . . . Tick . . . . I stare at the clock once more and find that I am memorized by its constant, steady rhythm and jealous of its persistence; if I could only be as dependable, I tell myself.

Think . . . Think . . . Think . . . Meatloaf, I decide . . .

Tick . . . Tick . . . Tick . . . .

Nah that won’t work!
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Member Comments
Member
Date
Laury Hubrich 
11/09/09
Been there, done that:)
Brenda Shipman
11/10/09
Ha! I think we can all identify with this. I, too, go back and forth between writing in the office and putzing around in the kitchen, muttering in both places, "Nah, that won't work." Very cute!