shnikt, shnikt
Metal strikes mineral in rhythmic space.
shnikt, shnikt
She is a lean shadow, sat alone. Silent tears shed blending into the briny tide that approach and recede her salt licked feet. Only saline tracks that frame her cheeks tell tale they existed.
Dawn chains to dusk, none saw her arrive, nor leave.
shnikt,
She has just been… there…
shnikt, shnikt,
Stone in one hand, blade in the other is no game or dream for her
shnikt,
We watch and wonder what on Earth caused this refrain
I do not weep at the world – I am too busy sharpening my oyster knife.
Words unspoken yet heard by all nonetheless
Not what they seem, the tears screen not her melancholy, but her rage
shnikt, shnikt
And all we know is: the day she rises will lead to the night someone falls
shnikt, shnikt
dVerse Poets Pub | Prosery: Finding Ms. Zora Neale Hurston
Today Lisa introduces the pub to one of my favorite writers, Zora Neale Hurston and challenges us to write a piece of prose that is no longer than 144 words, sans title, and must include the line “I do not weep at the world – I am too busy sharpening my oyster knife.” from Hurston’s “How Does it Feel to be Colored Me” in World Tomorrow (1928). This can be flash fiction, nonfiction, or creative nonfiction, but it must be prose!
refrain, lead, shed, dream, frame, space, recede, seem, screen, game, lean, chain
Raivenne-lations 
Raivenne, you know, I think it’s very impressive that you included “shnikt, shnikt” so many times, given the word limit – I was struggling just to get my message across, while you were playing with sound effects! This is lovely!
❤
David
I saw the words ‘sharpening’ and I could not escape the onomatopoeia in my mind. I had to use it. Thank you!
I love your sound punctuation here: a tale of someone who is sick and tired, rising in the night, to be revealed in the light…
Exactly. Thank you, Ingrid.
What a dramatic mood you have set for us. The onomatopoeia works well here. Though not a poem, I heard your poetic voice resonate in this piece.
Thank you!
Sound effects, I could imagine! Well done … I enjoyed reading your Prosery.
Thanks, Helen.
Luv the use of your sound words, bringing rthym mystery interest.
Happy you dropped by to read mine
Much💜love
Thank you, Gillena.
Raivenne, when I read the end, my whole scalp tingled. They say most of how we communicate is through body language, and her message was clear to all. I take, “Metal strikes mineral in rhythmic space.” like a clock moving forward — to the right time. The imagery is so rich in your prosery, the tears falling into the ocean with the traces left on her cheeks, is so vivid.
“like a clock moving forward — to the right time” Yes!
Thank you, Lisa!
You are very welcome ❤
This is so powerful. I love the way you’ve taken this challenge on. It’s a great prompt, but certainly not an easy one. And the way you have the sound throughout your piece, I can picture it as the soundtrack to this conversation, this scene. Amazing.
Thanks, Lainie!
I read this aloud to get the full effect. Fun way to read!
Thank you!
Very welcome 🙂
This is incredibly POWERFUL, Raivenne! The image of “Dawn chains to dusk,”.. and “Only saline tracks that frame her cheeks tell tale they existed,”.. add so much to the depth of the lines by Hurston. An unforgettable prose piece. 💝💝
Why thank you, Sanaa!