Short Story Spotlight: No Longer Confused
A while ago I posted to my Facebook page that, while I hadn't proceeded to Round 2, I had received an Honorable Mention for my NYC Midnight Rhyming Story Challenge 2023 Round 1 entry.
Image text Reads: "No Longer Confused" by Tamarin Butcher SYNOPSIS - Two would-be lovers use their small town's Classifieds to give voice to their forbidden feelings.
One of my followers stated that they were dying to read the story, based on the above synopsis alone. That got me thinking--why not post my successful contest submissions in full on my blog for my readers to enjoy?
What follows is the unedited version of No Longer Confused. My assignment was as follows:
- Genre: Romance
- Theme: Classified
- Emotion: Unsatisfied
- Word Limit: 600
What I especially love about NYC Midnight challenges is that they give you a very focused time period in which to write, along with just enough instructions to get the creative juices flowing. If you are looking for ways to keep writing regularly, consider checking out their website.
ALL my stories are going to, at some point, undergo a few rounds of editing before I collate them into an anthology, or series of anthologies. that means that feedback is welcome! The NYC Midnight judges have already given me some ideas, but I'm always on the lookout for constructive criticism.
Without further ado, I present No Longer Confused.
No Longer Confused
9/7/2022
To the ally I saw at the fair,
With your crocs and your teal-dyed long hair:
I’m feeling quite shy,
But I thought I would try,
Do you think we would make a good pair?
- Confused
9/13/2022
To the Classifieds I’m usually blind.
I prefer to read books to unwind.
But my brother, he said,
When the paper he read,
A description of me he did find.
I remember you well from that day,
In your least favorite dress of dark gray.
With your husband you came,
His anger aflame,
When you dared to suggest that you stay.
- Cat Lady
9/17/2022
Thank you for taking the time,
To write in this secretive rhyme.
I’m glad you remember,
That day in September,
Even though I am not in my prime.
My husband is harsh and a bore.
I try, but I cannot adore,
His gruffness and rage,
And his jokes ‘bout my age,
Or is anger about every chore.
- Confused
9/21/2022
I am sorry to learn that your life,
Is filled with such anguish and strife.
If only he knew,
That by mistreating you,
He is losing a wonderful wife.
We met once before at a do.
We spoke as we stood in the queue.
When I saw you again,
Hope sparked in my brain,
And I think that it sparked in yours too.
- Cat Lady
9/23/2022
Turmoil in my heart and my head,
Coupled with terrible dread,
Leads me to say,
I can no longer play,
The dangerous game in this thread.
My husband, were he to find out,
Would break things and at me would shout.
He’s a danger to you,
And so I must do,
What is safest against that great lout.
- Confused
9/24/2023
Your terror I can comprehend,
I acknowledge the warning you send.
Some more things I must say,
As you go on your way:
I will always be here as your friend.
And a marriage should be satisfying.
He shouldn’t be leaving you crying.
If you were my bride,
I’d hold you with pride,
And a love that would never be dying.
- Cat Lady
10/13/2022
I have to make sure you’re alright.
I read of that terrible fight.
In a hospital bed,
With a long road ahead,
The newspaper said of your plight.
A plan I have made in my head.
What if you and I fled?
The police are no good,
So maybe we could,
Run away and eventually be wed?
- Cat Lady
11/2/2022
I hope that you read my last verse.
I learned when I spoke to your nurse,
That although you are well,
You’ve been sent home to dwell,
With the one who will make things far worse.
- Cat Lady
11/29/2022
Of your plan I have thought long and hard,
But my husband has kept a close guard.
I couldn’t reply,
Although I did try.
From leaving the house I was barred.
If your scheme you do not regret,
And if you aren’t scared of the threat,
Then at midnight you will,
On that street calm and still,
Find me at the place we first met.
- No Longer Confused
Image by Ian Lamont on Flickr, CC BY 2.0