Wednesday, August 15, 2018

WEP: Change of Heart

            For the August challenge, the WEP (Write...Edit...Publish) is collaborating with the Insecure Writer's Support Group. I decided to take a different approach and wrote a monologue. I should give credit to my brother for suggesting this idea, because I probably would not have participated otherwise. My monologue is short, but I like how it fits with the Change of Heart theme. It was another interesting writing experience, and I hope you enjoy.




The Dilemma


In or out?

Why must I always be faced with such a decision?

This opportunity does not present itself very often,

And I feel so pressured to make a choice.

I could enjoy the pleasures of staying in,

But then I’ll constantly wonder what’s going on out there.

In here, I feel safe and warm,

I know exactly the best area to make myself comfortable,

And I have all the accommodations I could hope for.

On the other hand, out there I can find excitement and adventure;

There’s so much to explore, and so much to do and see.

If only my demands could be met immediately,

And I can get out when I need to.

But I am forced to decide my fate based on the whims and fancies of others.

Who do they think they are, anyway?

They go out whenever they please,

Sometimes without even asking me what I want to do.

I tell you I am sick and tired of it all!

Oh no! The door is about to close!

This opportunity is about to pass me by.

I must go out! Now!

Hello, world outside the door!

The door…

The door has been closed behind me.

No, wait! I wasn’t ready!

I had a change of heart,

I don’t want to be out here anymore.

Please let me back in,

This was a mistake!

Come back, my human!



Word count: 232, FCA

52 comments:

  1. I love the idea of writing a monologue! I'm a fan of theater, so I can appreciate the value of a well composed monologue, and I think you did a great job here. As I read, the dilemma felt real and immediate, and I loved the idea of writing from the perspective of a pet. I think many of us have wondered what goes through the mind of an a pet as it prepares to bolt through an open door. Well done!

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    1. Thank you, L.G. I'm glad that you enjoyed it!

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  2. Cat or dog? This one could go either way.

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    1. Liz, I had a cat in mind, but I suppose it could work as a dog, too.

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  3. This was cute to read. I'm thinking it was a dog?

    betty

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  4. Hi,
    A very well constructed poem for me that describes the dilemma of should I or should I not. It comes across as the typical Shakespeare, to be or not to be. You have done an excellent job in forming the dilemma.

    Shalom aleichem,
    Pat G

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    1. Thank you, Pat G.! Shakespeare's "to be or not to be" was the first monologue example I thought of whilst writing this :)

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  5. Where others saw a pet, I saw a mind wondering whether it should run free, or remain confined...
    Either way I thoroughly enjoyed this.

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    1. Thank you, E.C.! I like that you saw something different. I intended to leave it a bit open to interpretation.

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  6. The decision between the two can sure be daunting. Need that balance. I can see a dog yelling for a human to come back, a cat would probably be the one that shut the door lol

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    1. Pat Hatt, lol! I didn't think of that, but some cats certainly would :)

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  7. Lovely! Poor little one, those decisions can be so difficult when all feels safe and warm!

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    1. Thanks Yolanda! Having two good options certainly can create a lot of indecisiveness.

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  8. I love it. We all face this dilemma once in a while: cats, dogs, or humans.

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  9. The ending is so cute. I didn't expect the "I" to be a pet. Good job. For so many people, this is a very real problem. I thought it might be someone with agoraphobia. Well done.

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    1. Thank you, Diane! I didn't think of agoraphobia in particular, but, as an introvert, I can relate to that struggle.

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  10. A dog a cat or even a pig
    No matter which you chose
    It might even be a bird
    Or soon to be cat food

    The story’s cute and
    I’m glad you wrote
    Without letting us
    Know who’s who

    Thank your brother
    And let him know
    Without him we would
    Not have meet you

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    1. Thank you, Ellis :) I had started writing something different for this theme, but it seemed too boring. I'm glad my brother helped me come up with a better idea.

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  11. Well crafted dilemma, feline, canine and human also. A cute and unique take on the prompt. Kudos!

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  12. Hi Liz - I started thinking about a baby ... then realised that idea was somewhat unrealistic! Then thought person ... but as the others have said it could so easily be a pet ... I enjoyed the read and the indecision ... cheers Hilary

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    1. Thanks Hilary! A baby would be a bit of stretch, but I like all the different perspectives these comments have pointed out :)

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  13. Very good interpretation of animal behavior or of me an introvert. ;)

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    1. Deborah, as an introvert myself, I can see the similarities :)

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  14. Hello Elizabeth. I was definitely seeing an introvert not wanting to go out -- dithering, indecisive -- then at the end I could see a dog tugging at a leash. Great that your brother helped you to get your idea posted. Love monologues. My senior English students are doing one as their next assignment. Makes you dig into a character.

    Awesome, non-boring entry for the WEP. Thank you for joining us this month and I hope you enjoy the experience and return in October for our horror fest.

    Denise

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    1. Thank you, Denise! I'm trying to come up with something for the October WEP, although most of my focus is on my IWSG anthology entry right now.

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  15. In the beginning, I made the false assumption this was a poem based on an introvert trying to break out of their comfort zone. The twist at the end caught me by surprise. Great job, Elizabeth.

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    1. Thank you, Christopher. My introversion tried to steer this in a different direction, but I enjoyed throwing that twist in at the end.

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  16. This is especially timely, as I just had to chase down my cat, who bolted out the door when I opened it. She's such a brat!

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  17. I loved this. It was so cute. I figured it was a four-legged friend tryingt to decide what to do. I imagine this same monologue runs through my dog's head at least four times a day. There are those rare moments, though, when I think she's given up on life because she turns her head away from the door and won't even look at it.

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    1. Thanks, Toi. My cats are the same way. Sometimes, they act interested in following me, then run off in the opposite direction before I even open the door.

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  18. Sometimes we don't want what we thought we wanted until we get it. I could see some pet changing its mind or heart if it sees rain or snow. Loved the presentation!

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    1. Thanks, D.G. I agree that sometimes getting what we want isn't the answer.

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  19. I had a feeling it was a pet. And then I got to the end and I was not disappointed. Way to go! Love it.

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  20. After the opening question, which was an excellent way to begin, I wondered where this was going to. My curiosity suitably piqued, I went along and enjoyed the unfolding words which gave no clue...
    What a wonderful surprise at the end! I didn't expect it to be a pet.
    Sounds like a dog. A small, cute puppy with those irresistible eyes...

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    1. Thank you, Michelle! I'm glad you enjoyed it! Also, I love those puppies :)

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  21. Interesting to take a non-human perspective on the prompt. Very well done, too.

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  22. Love that twist at the end! It made me go back and reread. And of course I was reminded of the two kitties we used to have <3
    Such a neat take on the challenge!

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    1. Thanks, Deniz! I'm glad it brought back fond pet memories for you.

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  23. The dog on my lap thought that was an excellent monologue, but then she is my muse (and distraction). Of course, I'm not sure without re-reading what creature you had in mind, but you caught the indecision brilliantly. I realise now that it was a cat - though our dogs are fickle, especially if it's raining. In fact, at one moment I was relating as someone dependent on others to get out in my wheelchair. Very clever piece.

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    1. Thank you, Roland! I tried to leave it open to different perspectives before narrowing it down with the last line. I haven't owned a dog for a while (just cats), so I forgot that they also have their indecisive moments.

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  24. Great take on the prompt. I enjoyed your words.

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  25. The last line shows us whose point of view. Great job!

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