In every green forest a cabin can be found. In every cabin there’s a wood stove. In every stove there’s ash. In every ash pile there are bones. In every bone there’s a story. In every story there’s a voice. In every voice there is hope. In every hope there’s a cost. In every cost there’s a cut. In every cut there’s a ghost. In every ghost there is a home. In every home there’s a witch. In every witch there is a girl. In every girl a green forest can be found.
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This tight exercise in the logic of matryoshka doll — or a sort of verbal palindrome — is full of surprises: “hope” becoming “cost,” “cost” becoming “cut,” “cut” becoming “ghost.” The final line might be even better with a bit of compression to produce modulation and climax: “In every girl, a forest.” This is a provocative, realm-encircling koan.
Immensely clever writing, Melissa. Is this an example of cumulative writing?
Margarida, thanks for the question! I do believe this would be an example of. I wrote this keeping in mind it needed to remain relatively simplistic, being that it had to be 100 words or less, while trying to elucidate the main idea.
Excellent writing. I adore its simplicity, but the impact is strong. Every word stuck in my mind. A very clever way of writing. Good job, Melissa.
Thank you for the comment, Lotchie. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
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You’re welcome, Melissa
Loved this Melissa – it was so thought provoking and unusual. Every word seems to resonate.
I appreciate your comment, Sandra. I’m pleased you found it to be thought provoking. .
Really delightful, Melissa! It stays with the reader for a long time, like a proverb. I’ve read it many times now, and enjoy it just as much each time. Great writing!
Thanks Fuji! I was really going for a verse or proverb feel. I’m thrilled you picked up on that!
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I love the enigmatic, philosophical Ariadne- thread we are invited to follow in your story, Melissa. I had a feeling from the beginning that we would end up where we started in the maze, but some of the jumps were still surprising and thought provoking. Very well done!
Thank you so much for this comment, Christer. I wanted to try something a little different. I feared it may be a bit confusing for people but I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
I loved this parable-story, Melissa. Some of the connections are elusive – like hope-cost-cut-ghost, but that elusiveness makes it all the more intriguing. I like this style of writing!
I appreciate your comment, Julie. I wanted to try something a little different. So, your comment means a lot to me!
Huge congratulations, Melissa! I love the fact that you were experimenting with something new and different and it was so well-received. Great story.
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Thank you, Julie! I’m sending you a congratulations as well. You are such a talented writer.
Congratulations, Melissa! I love your thought provoking story.
Thank you! Congratulations to you
as well, Christer.
I agree with Julie, Melissa, well done on trying something new. It certainly paid off! Congratulations on your win.
Thank you, Linda!
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Congratulations, Melissa.
Thank you!
You’re welcome.