all of the names swallowed up by the cold
— from Tomas Tranströmer’s poem,
“After Someone’s death”
She is Freud’s example of what happens when the first step is jumped. From daddy and mummy, then uncles and cousins, to neighbors and strangers, to lovers and spouses, her unprotected vulnerability is an opportunity to be exploited by unscrupulous, predatory, and/or similarly damaged players. Her experiential cultivation of mad-logic-consciousness-as-object manifests as productive toy.
She happens across a healer with a new playbook. It takes practice, but she becomes the quarterback of her story.
At forty, she applies and is accepted to astronaut school. She laughs at the puzzled frowns that swirl around her. But there are a few genuine smiles also.
Her face takes up the bubble window on Saturn 3. Her pupils fill with her tiny blue home.
Here, all of the names swallowed up by the cold vacuum of space.
She meets her Maker and understands now. There are no mistakes.
[144 words]
top image link
Björn is today’s host of dVerse’ Prosery. Björn says:
write an up to 144-word story to the given line of poetry.
Tao Talk 
An excellent piece of prose Lisa 💖💖💖
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Thanks much!
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The ending took me by surprise, but it seems like she went were she wanted.
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Thanks, Bjorn. I know the “meet your maker” usually means to die, but she is still alive, enjoying her view from the space ship until she goes home.
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what a surprising journey out into the cold of space, Lisa! Sparely and sensitively told, with empathy and spirit!
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Thanks, Someone!
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Great stuff with a BLAMMO close, Lisa. Well done. Thanks
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Thanks, Ron. She’s still alive, so maybe blammo ;)
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Very intriguing story Li
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Sadje, thank you :)
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You’re welcome 😉
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To become our own world, that is magic. (K)
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Kerfe, I knew you would connect with the story. Thank you.
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A very creative story, Lisa. I like what you have done with the prompt line. Takes me back to the space shuttle accident and Sally Ride!
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Dwight, thanks so much. I remember Sally! Remember that song, Mustang Sally? I bet she played that out in space :)
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Ha ha… and elsewhere!! You are welcome.
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Enchanting, Lisa. I love the sci-fi you set in just 144 words.
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K, thank you so much. Glad you see it for what it is.
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This was fabulous, Lisa. I was surprised at the Meet her Maker ending because, yet, that means to come to the end of one’s life – but see in the comments that no, she’s not died but has reached her own wow moment of having achieved the seemingly impossible.
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Dale, maybe it’s a symbolic end of one way of living and a beginning to a new way, one that leaves that stuff behind. Insightful on your part with “seemingly impossible.” Maybe it is possible. Appreciate your view of the story.
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I like that :)
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<3
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I love this, Lisa
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Thanks much, Robbie!
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💕
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You took a totally different approach (not a surprise) with an evocative outer space theme (definite surprise) and blew my mind. Never would have thought of this storyline. Great piece, Lisa!
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Nancy, thanks much. My mind is geared a little bit different, so output is a little bit different.
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Wow ❤️ I loved the space theme in this story.
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Thanks much, Aboli :)
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The unexpected twist of her acceptance to astronaut school at forty challenges conventional notions of age and achievement. The imagery of her face filling the bubble window on Saturn 3 is just perfect!
~David
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:) Thanks, David.
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So much in this story. I think it would be great expanded to a longer piece. I was also surprised by the ending, but I’m glad she lived on–at least in some form.
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Thanks much, Merril.
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You’re welcome much, Lisa.
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She’s still out there somewhere! A great write, Lisa!
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Carol, yes she is. Sometimes, late at night, when you look up, you can see her there, among the stars…
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The opening line is such a hook! Stellar writing here, Lisa 😍😍
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Sanaa, thank you for your generous comment <3
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I love that she understands her arrival and purpose, something about hope and living into one’s life, losing fear.
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Paul, I love what you see in the story. <3
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