On Water

One of these 5-minute awesome writing exercises we have in class. I should really get around to typing them all up and posting them here, although they all are very humble.

When I was a kid, it took me quite some time to learn to swim. Every other year my parents would bring me to the Black Sea, and then for two weeks have a hard time convincing me to relax on the flat surface. I was too stubborn, too nervous in fact, and I am not sure whether I would have been more successful had I had my beginner lessons even in the saltiest lake in the world – Lake Asal in Djibouti.

One summer though, when we were having our vacation at a place that both had magnificent sandy beaches and breath-taking views of the near-by green mountain, the miracle happened. Confidently, I was paddling with my lifebelt on. What I did not know was that it had no air in it.

Atwater Wall

Having lost a child in war: A grey, lifeless wall, it brings about nothing but sorrow in me. It is the excellent work of some tombstone carver.

Being in love: The stones fit perfectly into one another, creating a complex yet beautiful mosaic.

Bored: I spent my whole day gaping at the dullness and repetitiveness of the wall blocks in front of me. I could not find a meaning.

Frightened: Big, imposing, seemingly never-ending, the wall is about to collapse on top of me. Or so it feels…

Stranger Studies

Dressed in an ordinary way – with jeans and a tee, he grabs my attention with his extraordinary facial features, which I quickly identify as a mix of European and Middle Eastern blood. His white skin seems perfect, unblemished but in the duskiness of the room I cannot be sure. He sports a broad smile, showing as many of his shiny, healthy teeth as possible.

He is very fluid on the dance floor, following the rhythm and the beat of the music. However, he is just an okay dancer: despite his skill, he tends to be very repetitive in his movements. For some reason he stays away from female partners, preferring to sway his body in the awkwardly-formed circle of his male friends.

From time to time, he turns towards me and gives me this broad grin. Having in mind that he smiles all the time, I do not feel that he is trying to make an impression on me. He seems very self-confident; I do not like him.