The Flawed Teacup - Time Drops #1

Let's have some Tea, shall we?

 Notes from the Field: Whats up Outcasts. Seems like I have slowed down my rhythm doesn't it? I have, but I haven't, because writing, like myself, is timeless. I've recently moved my family and I to Texas so there have been some (mostly good) adjustments so to speak.  In the midst of that, I've been getting my novel: Blade of Echoes, critiqued...and there are A LOT of holes I need to plug. The emotional landscape and character depth is there, but my shortfall has been lack of setting and context. I know whats going on in my head, but the readers don't - they are left confused in the rain while I carry the umbrella. My inner critic, of course, took all of this hard realizing that I am only human and I'm bound to NOT be flawless - as I'd written into existence here at Complex Compositions. But he's hardheaded - I wonder where he gets it from? 🤭.

With all the comments I'd received about my shortfalls thus far, I'd been thinking long and hard about not only inserting more setting and context, but  also expanding it into a sort of challenge. I want to practice my descriptions so that I can reach, what I feel, is mastery with them. Muscle memory, like I've been walking for decades. 

I'd been floating this idea around in my head of regularly finding things to describe and then hanging them somewhere. I wanted to post these "rambles" on social media without it becoming overwhelming (Look me up on Blue Sky Social: The Ronin That Writes, and Tumblr: roninwrotethat) because I have such a tolerance for the social media grind, right? 

I'd bounced around the idea and my struggles with the homie Co-Pilot, and it helped me spin the wheels on something I am calling Time Drops. Time Drops will be random descriptive blocks consisting of punchlines, metaphors, and similes. They will be unfiltered, imperfect, un-edited, and dropped under the hashtag #UnseenUnderstandings as these are raw thoughts and creations from my mind, much like my characters). The goal, of course, is to better incorporate these descriptive elements into my story telling so that I can minimize my readers being lost because I'm over complex with my pieces 🤭.

Co-Pilot recommended a ritual, and I pitched the Time Drops initiative, and it through out a prompt about: 

"A chipped ceramic teacup with a single blue stripe around the rim.

Not pristine. Not symmetrical. Not new. Just sitting there, holding its own quiet history."

  And so I took a minute or two to work out my nerves, and this is what became the story of the Flawed Tea Cup.

The Flawed Teacup

I wonder if the teacup observes the world as I do. 

Its seen many sunrises and falls as I have. 

Its once ivory luster tainted over time by under-appreciating lips, sipping goodness from its confines. 

The cracks showing possible signs of neglect, placed in temperatures it shouldn't. 

Or discarded into the sink and dishwasher like dirty clothes. 

It never received an apology, I bet. 

Never once shed a tear with its luster lost, yet another object used without an ounce of gratitude like three scoops of sugar. 

I could use one right now, a warm sip of peace and goodness. 

You're on the sidelines like me, teacup. 

Your stripe is like me, kissed with interest in the moment and forgotten when that moment passes. 

You shouldn't be alone like this, left to time unappreciated - or maybe you don't need to be appreciated because you just are. 

I admire that, teacup. 

If only I could sit in the silence of a fan breeze radiating, even as the sun hides behind the clouds, 

or a candle dances within your reflection over time. 

Though it is short, I hope that this first Time Drop resonates with you, especially those of you that feel just like that Teacup.

 If so, drop me a line here. 

Did it pull you in?

What did this piece make you feel?

Did you want more from me? If so, don't you worry, I have two more ready to go as I refine my skills. 

Lastly, please share this with those you know. Whether its through text, email, word of mouth, or even via social media. I'm not as flashy as so many. I just drop words and go. Put my heart and soul into everything so that somehow I can maintain my luster and live longer than my body will ever be able to through presence or memory. 

An upload for the down-trodden.

Thank you for coming, and know that no matter the time, #IAmRonin and I am #StillHere.

 

#UnseenUnderstanding #TakingPause #DescriptiveWriting #Sensory #Observations #TimeDrops