dVerse — Prosery Monday — Death Becomes Her

To her, death is quite romantic
from Bob Dylan’s “Desolation Row”

It’s not the falling in love that she finds difficult; it’s the staying in love. Suffering an all-or-nothing type of malady, when the inevitable disappointment by a lover happens, her mind begins to wander. She slips their cache open and makes a check-mark in their notebook; their stature incrementally diminished. She shakes herself awake and sips the tea of denial. She laughs at their jokes.

Few of her lovers have tread into the territory of fatal breach of trust. She has to give herself credit for picking the bulk well; the ones who have been upfront about their weaknesses. For them, once their notebook is filled with check-marks, it’s time for them to decide they’ve had enough of her.

For sly surgeons, however, to her, death is quite romantic. She visits their graves with wine, frilly dresses, and genuine affection; she loves them best.

[144 words]

top image link

Dylan is a master lyricist and only he could have brought this story to life as written. Thank you, Björn, for choosing Zimmy to write to today.

The title of my story is lifted from a 1992 movie starring Meryl Streep, Goldie Hawn, the Bruce Willis.

Björn is today’s host at dVerse’ Prosery Monday. Björn says:
As usual the challenge is to [use the given quote to] write a piece of prose of maximum 144 words, that uses this line as it is. You may not change the order of the words, but you are allowed to include linebreaks and change punctuation.

41 Comments

  1. lillian's avatar lillian says:

    That second stanza is a killer. Well, perhaps she is a killer? A mysterious write indeed. Visiting graves with wine and frilly dresses. I think it best if I stay away from her????

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

      Thanks for reading, Lillian. I’m glad you find the write mysterious. Probably a good idea to stay away from her, especially if considering being her lover…

      Like

    2. Gillena Cox's avatar Gillena Cox says:

      “She shakes herself awake and sips the tea of denial. She laughs at their jokes.”

      Nice one

      Much❤love

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

        Thanks much, Gillena.

        Like

  2. sanaarizvi's avatar sanaarizvi says:

    This is such a scrumptiously spooky prose piece, Lisa! Perfect for the month of October :D I love how the line by Dylan fits in so well! 💘💘

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

      Thanks very much, Sanaa. That line wrote the prose!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. sanaarizvi's avatar sanaarizvi says:

        You’re welcome! :)

        Liked by 1 person

  3. Grace's avatar Grace says:

    Well the ending was a twist. She is a sly one but its true – keeping that love going can be challenging. And I love the movie – hilarious.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

      Thanks much, Grace, and glad you’ve seen the movie. It is a real hoot isn’t it.

      Like

  4. I see a black widow here… what a story, and I think the line works so well into your prose.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

      Thanks much for what you see here, Bjorn.

      Like

  5. Ron.'s avatar Ron. says:

    Wine & frills, eh? She could visit me anytime.
    Fine write, Sister. Thanks.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

      Ron, I’m not sure you’d want to pay the price! Thanks for reading.

      Like

  6. mizuv's avatar Paula Light says:

    Love this one 🖤

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

      <3 Thank you, Paula!

      Liked by 1 person

  7. Oh this is delightfully wicked Lisa. Did she also dance in their graves? ☺️

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

      LMAO It is distinctly possible.

      Like

  8. memadtwo's avatar memadtwo says:

    Everyone has their own definition of love I suppose… (k)

    Liked by 1 person

  9. Raivenne's avatar Raivenne says:

    “She shakes herself awake and sips the tea of denial” Something about that line holds such sense of deja vu.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

      Thank you, Raivenne, I like what you see in it.

      Like

  10. Truedessa's avatar Truedessa says:

    That is a riveting tale. Be careful when love slips a way with this one.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

      Thank you, Truedessa. Care is definitely needed.

      Like

  11. K.F. Hartless's avatar K.Hartless says:

    Super spooky, Lisa. I love this date visiting the grave. The frilly dress image, perfection.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

      Thank you, K!

      Like

  12. kim881's avatar kim881 says:

    I love that film, ‘Death Becomes Her’, especially Merrill Streep, one of my favourite actors. I can understand your character’s dilemma: “It’s not the falling in love that she finds difficult; it’s the staying in love.” I think we’ve all encountered the inevitable disappointment. What an intriguing story about a black widow serial killer!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

      Glad you know the film, Kim. Thanks much!

      Like

  13. This prompt has certainly introduced us to a very weird set of people!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

      Weird is a euphemism here, Jane. Thank you.

      Like

  14. Sadje/ Sadie's avatar Sadje says:

    I like that movie!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

      I do also, Sadje. It takes wickedness to a new level.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Sadje/ Sadie's avatar Sadje says:

        Haha, it did. A dark comedy

        Liked by 1 person

  15. Dora's avatar dorahak says:

    Devilishly executed, pardon the pun. That movie is unforgettable. A little bit of self-mockery probably did the Hollywood crowd a lot of good with a whole lot of fun thrown in lol.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

      Indeed! I look at some of the celebrities that have had extensive plastic surgery and the film is not far off!

      Like

  16. Badfinger (Max)'s avatar Badfinger (Max) says:

    The movie was great…. love Goldie Hawn…

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

      I do too. I love all 3 of those actors. It was a great combo and such a funny dark comedy.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Badfinger (Max)'s avatar Badfinger (Max) says:

        It’s been a while since I watched the movie…I watched some of it on youtube this morning.
        They were very good together. I love dark comedies! Heathers comes to mind also as one of the darkest with Christian Slater and Winona Ryder.

        Liked by 1 person

        1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

          Yes, I like those two also. I miss seeing both of them in movies.

          Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

      Yep, that’s also my blog :)

      Liked by 1 person

Comments are closed.