8/04/2011

Terpsichore's Goodbye

 Image from WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
 
She never realized she was just another puppet in Zeus’ play, dancing when he pulled the strings. 

One day, her heart was too heavy to dance.  But she believed Zeus was her friend and thought he would understand. 

Silly girl. The puppeteer cut her strings, and she crumpled.  When she hit the floor, she knew.

***

Discovering she meant nothing made her sad, but soon she moved on to mad.  And the more she fumed, the stronger she got. 

Anon, a lightness filled her.  She discovered she didn’t need the manipulator’s strings at all.

She tore them from her limbs and danced away, flicking a wave at him as she went.   


***********************************

Written for the Tenth Daughter of Memory and Friday Flash 55.


Posted by PattiKen
Labels: ,

23 comments:

  1. UnknownAugust 4, 2011 at 11:39 AM

    But when he cut her strings, she became the Muse she is - and so he did her good service, though she obviously didn't see it at the time.

    Very nice.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Sherry Blue SkyAugust 4, 2011 at 11:55 AM

    I love this one, Patti. Been there myself:)

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousAugust 4, 2011 at 12:26 PM

    "the more she fumed, the stronger she got"

    Yes, yes and YES!

    Sometimes you have to percolate for a bit, get pissy and THEN move on. Lotta punch packed into these compact sentences.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Brian MillerAugust 4, 2011 at 2:09 PM

    smiles and arent we glad she learned to dance for what life is there to one on the strings...

    ReplyDelete
  5. steveroniAugust 4, 2011 at 2:49 PM

    Oh so many I know, who, were their strings but severed, might be once again dancing...HAPPY!
    Joy!

    ReplyDelete
  6. BimbimbieAugust 4, 2011 at 4:02 PM

    Grinning, and boy is she shimmering without those crippling strings*!*

    ReplyDelete
  7. JeffScapeAugust 4, 2011 at 4:39 PM

    Hah! Really?

    ReplyDelete
  8. BainoAugust 4, 2011 at 5:18 PM

    Short and sweet. Ah manipulators,I'm only just learning to pick them. Although sometimes, just sometimes, I like someone else pulling the strings

    ReplyDelete
  9. Tara R.August 4, 2011 at 5:38 PM

    Yes! Very empowering.

    ReplyDelete
  10. JaniceAugust 4, 2011 at 5:55 PM

    It is a good feeling to get rid of those strings!

    ReplyDelete
  11. kaykualaAugust 4, 2011 at 8:09 PM

    Tells us how not to get taunted and bullied by someone having control over us. Tells also how one gets to taunt back when freed from the shackles.Beautiful verse!

    ReplyDelete
  12. G-ManAugust 5, 2011 at 1:10 AM

    You mean flicking a Finger at him as she danced off.
    Ya know Patticake...
    Ahhhh Never mind...I Loved your Double Dose story.
    Thanks for playing this week, You are missed when you don;t play, Have a Kick Ass Week-End

    ReplyDelete
  13. CadAugust 5, 2011 at 2:15 AM

    That packs a punch...

    ReplyDelete
  14. anthonynorthAugust 5, 2011 at 2:25 AM

    Quite a metaphor in there. Excellent.

    ReplyDelete
  15. izzyAugust 5, 2011 at 9:26 AM

    It is always an inside job! thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  16. moondustwriterAugust 5, 2011 at 1:36 PM

    oh delight to dance and go merrily along without the strings
    gr8 to see you dear Patti

    ReplyDelete
  17. UnspokenAugust 6, 2011 at 12:09 AM

    Nothing like a woman cut from the strings and strong in her anger! I am pleased to hear she still danced as she moved away :).

    ReplyDelete
  18. hopeAugust 6, 2011 at 12:16 PM

    Bravo! A good lesson summed up nicely.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Jannie FunsterAugust 6, 2011 at 4:25 PM

    I'm not sure which is more captivating -- the image or your startling blood-boiling words.

    Gotta be one's own pupeteer methinks!!

    here is my 55.

    ReplyDelete
  20. OliviaAugust 7, 2011 at 11:41 AM

    That is my story!
    Only I cut those strings on my own and handled before hitting the ground...

    Absolutely wonderful!!

    Hugs xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  21. TomAugust 9, 2011 at 7:15 PM

    don't get mad...

    ReplyDelete
  22. AnonymousAugust 9, 2011 at 11:22 PM

    Yes. Yes. Yes. What an empowering tale. I love it!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Harnett-HargroveAugust 11, 2011 at 3:48 PM

    Hah! Are you sure she didn't flick him the bird?

    This reminded me of an old skit with Danny Kaye...
    -J

    ReplyDelete

Thoughts? I would love to hear from you.

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)