Abbozzo
For Penny Fuller's challenge: the A-Z of Unusual Words
No longer nighttime but the day not fully there yet.
A hint of the sun behind the clouds, half-hidden.
Our blurry outlines obscured by the sheets.
Entwined no more, not fully separate either.
The beginning or the end, an item or a mistake?
Who are we then?
Two bodies half-asleep when it’s time to get up.
Hasty platitudes, furtive glances, coffee left unfinished.
Time to go.
My hand half-raised, almost touching
Your stubble not yet a beard.
I almost kiss you.
You almost say goodbye.
(85 words)
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Abbozzo comes from Italian (obviously!) and means the first draft, a rough sketch or an outline of something: a text, a painting, etc.
The word made me think of those sketches painters make so as not to forget things: a specific grimace, an angle of a raised hand, a body position... Hastily drawn lines, unfinished shapes not meant to be seen by the public, mere hints of what can be found, much later, in the actual painting. And I thought: isn't it what our lives are? So often, we encounter new circumstances unprepared, we muddle through, perpetually uncertain, and do the best we can with our limited knowledge and skills. The image is never complete as long as we are alive.
And then I thought: where can there be more uncertainty than in relationships? Especially when we are young!
This is a very interesting challenge, go have a look:
About the Creator
Katarzyna Popiel
A translator, a writer. Two languages to reconcile, two countries called home.
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Outstanding
Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!
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Heartfelt and relatable
The story invoked strong personal emotions
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Violence Begets
"Any last words, cowboy?" "None you'd understand, sodbuster." "Funny. That's Marshall Sodbuster to you. But I meant some last nugget that would help us in the adjudication of the myriad offenses counted against you and your gang. I wasn't asking for penitence."
By Adam Diehl5 days ago in Fiction
Comments (10)
The description of those moments when parting is well done. I just woke up and decided to scroll the A contest for Penny Fuller so I'm not sure my words really convey well the way in which I enjoyed your poem. One thing that pinged in my mind though is how much love poems like this can also resemble Ars Poetica, especially here when combined with the word you chose, and then how Arse Poetica can be epistolary as a love song.
Delightful ✅… beautifully linked with an interesting word.
This is beautiful. Well done.
I love this, and I love the layers of meaning revealed by your commentary on it 😁
Dear Kp - Reflections from our matching pale blue eyes: I See that Youngins have instantly found their EverAfter. - With Respect - Jk.in.l.a.
Awesome poem! I loved how the scenes played out! So well done!
This was a fantastic way to express the theme - I loved how the encounter was a series of specific, tiny details. Great job and thank you for submitting!
This is so good, Katarzyna!! You took a great word and worked wonders with it! Beautifully woven scene!
Ah, that uncomfortable silence and hesitation after an encounter that isn't likely to happen again. This made me realize, again, how fortunate I am. I'll check out the challenge!
I loved the inspiration and the poem, Katarzyna. I will check out the challenge too.