07 September 2011

First Campaigner Challenge

On the Campaign Trail - Write a short story/flash fiction story in 200 words or less, excluding the title. It can be in any format, including a poem. Begin the story with the words, “The door swung open” These four words will be included in the word count... an added challenge (optional), use the same beginning words and end with the words: "the door swung shut."...make your story 200 words EXACTLY!

The Open Door

The door swung open
There it was in front of me
I beheld the worn out step
Those who entered fearlessly
Won the passage through
I know this time it's only me

I stood before that open door
Thinking of those who've left
Thinking of those behind me
Reasoning out the steps
I took that ended there
The open door is all that's left

Standing, watching, waiting
The silence got louder, louder
The worn out step loomed large
My thoughts those of the doubter
I wrestled all thoughts within me
Cast them out, centered my power

The cool wind touched my hair
Swooped merrily around my body
Light bright, brighter, brighter still
I touched it, hands knotty,
Strained to contain the magic
Welling inside me, washing my body

The door is just beyond the worn step
I must cross while the magic is there
The step is past, the door is near
I walk toward the door as fast as I dare
The threshold under my feet as I step
No worries, no fears, just wonder so fair

The past was past, all ties were cut
I looked about, then heard the sound
Quiet click as the door swung shut