The Look Challenge

Linda Hoye, author of Two Hearts, invited me to take part in The Look Challenge for writers. According to Linda, “The premise is simple: find a passage in your manuscript or book that contains the word “look,” post it on your blog, and tag five other blogging writers to do the same. Seems to me like a great way to introduce readers to other writers, so I’m all in.”

And I’m all in too. Here is a one of the poems included in my memoir Leaving the Hall Light On – it even has the right title for this challenge.

The Look

(inspired by the movie “Revolutionary Road”)

She looked toward him

from the counter

and offered him a glass of orange juice

freshly squeezed.

She was fully dressed in blouse and skirt

and little wedgie shoes,

Her makeup was perfect.

Her long blonde hair just so.

She then invited him to sit down

at the table.

“Scrambled or fried eggs?” she asked.

He said whatever is easier, scrambled

probably, and unbuttoning

his suit jacket sat down,

looking at her all the while.

She stood at the sink scrambling and

when the eggs were cooked,

she sat down

opposite him and they ate.

Not much talking, mostly eating, and looking

closely at each other’s eyes.

He got up to go.

“That’s the best breakfast you ever made

for me,” he said.

And before he left, he asked her

if she was still mad

at him from the night before.

They had yelled at each other and showed so much hate

that she ran off into the woods

beyond their yard.

“Leave me alone,” she screamed,

“I need to think,” and he went to bed

alone.

But this morning there was complete calm.

Her eyes clear, her face luminous,

showing none of last night’s horrific pain.

She had the look that said

she had found her

peace. And, it didn’t include him.

I saw that look once before

on my son’s face, the night before

he took his own life.

So I knew what was coming.

It was eerie to be so certain

that this was where this story

was going.

As she said, “No, I don’t hate you,”

she took his face in her hands

and smiled slightly.

She then walked him

to the door and stood there until

he drove away.

She turned and went inside.

That was the last time

he would see her alive.

Now, I extend the challenge to these five wonderful writers. Please take a look at their websites and become familiar with their work. You are in for a treat.

Angela Felsted, editor of Poetry Pact, 2011

Eleanor Vincent, author of Swimming with Maya

Sonia Marsh, author of Freeways to Flip-Flops

Doreen Cox, author of Adventures in Mother-Sitting

Laurel Garver, author of Never Gone