Sweet Potatoes & Feelings.
A Mikydred April dollar Prompt.
I’m a little bit upset tonight. Someone said something that just… didn’t sit right. Nothing huge. Just enough to stick in my head, like a splinter of a sentence I can’t stop picking at.
So I walked into the kitchen. Didn’t really know what I was looking for— just something to do with my hands Counting to stay calming One, two, three, four....
Opened the pantry. And there they were: two sweet potatoes, sitting there like they’d been waiting. A little soft on the edges, but nothing crazy. Kind of like me...I'd rather not think that thought.
Didn’t want to mash them. Didn’t feel like feeling weak. So I peeled them like they owed me money for weeks.
Chopped them into angry little cubes. Tossed them with oil, salt, smoked paprika, a little bit of brown sugar— not too much. Didn’t feel sweet tonight.
Threw them in the oven. Hot. 225. Let ‘em roast until they blistered. Made the kitchen smell like something was happening. Something good. Something I could actually control.
And somewhere in the middle of that— watching them crisp up, hearing them hiss in the heat, I started to calm down.
They came out perfect. Golden on the edges, soft inside. Like… I don’t know. Like they have nothing to hide.
I stood at the counter and ate them straight from the tray. Emotions now at bay, storm starts receding.
About the Creator
Cathy (Christine Acheini) Ben-Ameh.
https://linktr.ee/cathybenameh
Passionate blogger sharing insights on lifestyle, music and personal growth.
⭐Shortlisted on The Creative Future Writers Awards 2025.
Reader insights
Outstanding
Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!
Top insights
Excellent storytelling
Original narrative & well developed characters
Expert insights and opinions
Arguments were carefully researched and presented
Eye opening
Niche topic & fresh perspectives
Heartfelt and relatable
The story invoked strong personal emotions
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More stories from Cathy (Christine Acheini) Ben-Ameh. and writers in Poets and other communities.
Comments (25)
So you're telling me that this masterpiece was here and I had not read it yet? I am falling all over myself fangirling over your words. I love the reference to yourself, soft around the edges like that sweet potato. And not wanting to mash them because you didn't want to feel weak. Wow. Going back and forth from the sweet potato to yourself was the best choice you ever made for this prompt. You even gave us a recipe. The fact that you controlled those sweet potatoes, because you felt like you couldn't control what you were feeling. That's talent. That's the heart of a writer. That's the undying spirit of, I will go on anyway. I am hooked to your style of writing. 🤗❤️
"Nicely explained!"
Fabulous writing Cathy! 🌸
Great🌸🌸
Lovely way to deal with the emotions, well maintained. Congrats.
Congratulations my dear well done to you great job,you did an amazing writing here👍🥀💪
🎉 Congrats on getting Top Story!!! 🥳 Well deserved and super proud of you! 🙌✨👏
In a word, awesome" There are many languages of love, but in one word - awesome!" 💖 - Napsolive
Oh, wow! This is very well done! Some really rich phrasing here! I especially liked, "So I peeled them like they owed me money for weeks."
This is beautiful.
Very good work, congrats 👏
There's something so therapeutic about cooking, isn't it? The way you transformed those sweet potatoes from something that could've been discarded to this perfect, golden-brown goodness is kinda like what you did with your emotions - took something messy and made it manageable. The kitchen can be a great refuge sometimes. Glad you found your calm
Nice
Best! Congratulations on TS!
Ohh I really liked this and the emotions going on and involving the sweet potatoes. 🙂🌷
Congratulations on the Top Story! 🥳🎉🌷
Another great piece of writing from you! Love the analogies, but it also has a great flow to it
Back to say congratulations on your Top Story! 🎉💖🎊🎉💖🎊
Awesome and yummy 😋 love it.
Absolutely loved this! So original 🫶🏻
nice
🌷
"So I peeled them like they owed me money for weeks." Lol that made me laugh! I'm happy to know you felt better at the end. Sending you lots of love and hugs ❤️
Thanks you so much for joining in with your lovely story
It’s amazing how sometimes, the smallest things, like peeling a sweet potato, can turn into a way to process feelings and regain control.