 Frog Dr. Andrew drops a leopard frog into a Pyrex dish filled with cold water. He places the dish above a Bunsen burner. The frog’s cool green skin glows, an emerald in a crystal sea. Dr. Andrew sets the flame to boil. The frog leaps from the dish. Dr. Andrew returns the frog to the water and adjusts the flame to simmer. The frog drifts in the illusion of safety while the water boils. Molly
My name is Molly. Every workday I board the 7:32 from Tinley Park to the Loop. I fold and unfold – fold and unfold – my train schedule and sink into the beige, cracked, vinyl coach seat on the aisle away from the window. Better to meditate or be with my thoughts than watch urban concrete flash by and be grabbed by black fingers of darkness that try to reach from the underground terminal – through the windows into the train – to envelope me – at the end of the line. What will distract me today? I finger my hair. Should have brushed before I boarded. Memories of Momma and Daddy – after the explosion – the darkness – drift before me. No, I’ll only think pleasant thoughts. Someday I’ll transfer in Blue Island to a different line with a view of Lake Michigan – Chicago’s golden morning sun and a brightly illuminated station at the end of the line. I’ll skip work that day – a grand time I’ll have. No routines or commitments will bother me. If I get off now – the next station – the last chance to transfer – someday could be today. No, I’ll be okay – I’ll ride one more time – to the end of this line. Mr. Businessman Mr. businessman oh, do you hear My siren call to bring you near Or will you dress for the day For your job or any way She wants you to be To come home to see Another life to not include me On the 8:10 I glance your way Hoping to catch your eye to say Be with me to lift away Far away or anyway I want you to be To come back to see Another life that will include me If this essay is meaningful, please like or tweet below or leave a comment. Thank you for your interest and possible action you may take. Richard Wilberg, MS, PLCC, ACC Creativity Coach for Personal Fulfillment and Career Success
6 Comments
Wayne Brabender
11/13/2018 07:26:34 pm
I like your pieces. They hang together, showing us the "boringness of ordinaryness" . . . all, including the frog, would like to escape to something more interesting and exciting, but all, including the frog, settle in to their comfortable ways, bite the bullet, accept the inevitable, never pick a more exciting color, and never take the risk to change things. Together they make us think about our own ordinary lives. So, will we do any better? Well done.
Richard
11/14/2018 11:40:26 am
Wayne, Thank you for your reflection. Yes, we can be numbed by sameness and routine and miss or decide to skip a chance to transfer at the next station that could take us to a better place in our life.Often we don't feel the urgency and postpone a change. In so doing, we make a choice although it may not feel like a decision. Thank you for posting.
Richard, I love what you've said here in response to Wayne... "In so doing, we make a choice although it may not feel like a decision." You've nailed something significant here. So many moments happen where we're sly about cheating ourselves, because we remain passive rather than active; staying rather than shifting seems to take less energy when we're in something that is wrong for us, but it provides detrimental effects.
Richard
11/17/2018 06:34:05 pm
Ah, yes, "sly" we are when we self-deceive ourselves. Sherry, you have tied the theme together and advanced the conversation in a related direction. I'm fascinated with how we self-deceive in so many ways, tricking our higher self into believing stories that take our behaviors out of the picture and of course our responsibility for our lives. Thank you for your wisdom!
Louisa
11/23/2018 10:00:43 am
I love how you switched between narrative and poetry. If it had been longer, I'd have kept reading.
Richard
11/23/2018 10:31:40 am
Louisa, Thank you for your comment.It's fuel for my heart. Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
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About the Author
Richard Wilberg writes fiction, creative non-fiction, self-help, and career counseling articles. He lives in Madison, Wisconsin.
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