Mixed Messages (an exercise)

Tears filled my eyes as I said, “Can I call you back in a few minutes?”

No other words could escape my mouth.

I held my neighbor’s arm as I directed him to the car.

California Stop at the corner to beat the oncoming traffic.

Quickly park next to the “No Parking” sign.

Um…I’m sorry. I didn’t hear what you said.

I helped him on with his shoes.

I couldn’t just STAND there any longer.

I couldn’t tell her over the phone that the screen was nearly blank.

Something was wrong with his heart and it needed to be checked out.

Searching the internet for her long gone daughter.

Finding an obituary

I Pull him out of the car and practically shove him through the emergency room entrance.

Listing only date of birth, date of death, and burial site.

This wasn’t a lie, but it was.

Fall into the waiting room chair as they wheel him into an exam room.

Naida Lavon

04-23-09

Poetry Workshop with Liz

Exercise:

Write two emotionally opposite scenes on two different pieces of paper:

1—physically inactive; 2—physically active/emotionally charged

Cut out the individual sentences, place them on the table, then intermingle all of the sentences to create a new, integrated story.