Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Wordzzle Librarian

Lee has tagged me to do something called a wordzzle:

Take the following ten words...
prenomial
inexplicable
tangerine
masks
chocolate cake
panorama
librarian
Stonehenge
meek
florid
...and weave them into a paragraph.

Here is my paragraph:

Inside the meek librarian is a tangerine soul, tangy and adventurous. Don’t try to catalog that soul in a Dewey Decimal drawer. That soul is a bobcat and will spring out at you, clawing your masks off, one after another. She too wears many masks. Her secrets are deep and prenomial, inexplicable as Stonehenge. Her secrets rush like a river of history—a florid panorama of battles and blood. No sweet chocolate cake moments for that soul. At midnight she stretches out on the floor of the poetry section, eats blood oranges, and dreams of war.



91 comments:

Celebration of Life said...

Wow! That was fantastic! That librarian has some deep secrets in her soul!

San said...

Jo, I'm glad you enjoyed it. It was fun. :-D

Sandi McBride said...

Really great work San, Lee reached out and touched me, too and I have to get with the program, but first am playing catch up...really good job on your end!
hugs
Sandi

Daryl said...

Loved it .. so, when do you begin seriously writing ... clearly painting is not your only talent .. and I am drooling over that painting ... it SO echos the paragraph ... and the colors make me wish it was here to look at every day

:-Daryl

lime said...

that is a seriously disparate list of words to use in a single paragraph and yet you have pulled it off with aplomb!

San said...

Sandi, I look forward to reading whatever wonderful, surprising thing you come up with. Hugs back.

San said...

Daryl, how cool that you see (hear?) an echo between the paragraph and the painting. The painting's a couple of years old, but, yes, I felt it somehow "went" with the librarian.

San said...

Lime, you are too kind.

Patty said...

San, you managed to pull that off with ease. If you haven't written any books....perhaps you should think about it. Great job, my friend!

San said...

Patty, thank you for such a vote of confidence in my words. That means a lot to me, friend.

SandyCarlson said...

That's a great paragraph, San. You done good! What a fun game. It reminds me of the round robin stories we make with our daughter. Always a surprise! But your piece is more of the order of flash fiction. My hat's off to you.

Leigh Russell said...

Not sure this is the best way to produce fluent (or even coherent!) prose, but it's fun! I'm very impressed at your skill here but I'll decline the challenge...

San said...

Sandy, you can put your hat back on. But thanks for the compliment. It IS a little like the round robin concept, isn't it?

San said...

Leigh, I know what you mean. I don't know if I'll be inclined to play in the future, but I'll stay open to possibility.

www.retiredandcrazy.com said...

My dad always used to say "never trust a man with a beard". Same sentiments I guess? And now I've upset a whole strata of the population. Well deal with it! I'm old and entitled to be a little weird!!

San said...

Make that moniker "weirdretiredandcrazy."

And thanks for visiting.

:-D

Velvet Ginger said...

Your paragraph is actually a "story" in it's self! I love it!
When attented college I worked in the campus libray and I felt so at home, I really dreamed of being a Librarian...a life surrounded by books seemed like just what I wanted!
I also love your "Time Travel" painting!!! It tells a story too!

San said...

Rubye Jean, I can see you right at home there among the books. I believe I'd feel pretty good there too.

And I'm glad you like the painting!

Unknown said...

Well done.

San said...

Thanks, Nick.

Andrea and Kim said...

...another word weave that is incredible! It is amazing how you do that, and that librarian is so good with the double life! A delightful quick read.

I love "Time Travel", too...the jewels shimmer to take one to another time and place...Beautiful!

indicaspecies said...

San,

I enjoyed this story of the soul of the apparently meek librarian's battles and wars! And you skillfully included chocolate cake in between all that. Excellent imagination. Your Time Travel is intriguing.:)

Jameil said...

those are special words and i'm pretty sure the librarian needs a drink. or 8.

Ellie Creek Ellis said...

you are an excellent writer and to take those words and make such a paragraph is simply creative! good job!

San said...

Kim, you do have a way of weaving a compliment that sparkles. You make me glow.

San said...

Celine, there's ALWAYS room for chocolate cake.

Thank you!

San said...

Jameil, cheers!

San said...

Ellie, you are simply too nice. It must run in the family.

Sparkling Red said...

That is the coolest Wordzzle! I love the last line... the blood oranges...

My mom is a retired librarian. I think she would like this too. :-)

San said...

Red, that would be so cool--for your mother the librarian to give this her stamp of approval.

Cath said...

Wow San! What a writer. Brilliantly composed. Painting with words!
Thanks for all your visits at mine. We both seem to do catch up! (And thanks for adding me to your list on the comments at David's. It did warm my heart.)

San said...

Yes, Cath, I hear you. I drop out of blogland, then feverishly play catch-up, but it's always worth it.

And I always enjoy your visits. And of course your comment has made me feel SO good.

sukipoet said...

Your story was fun. And the collage painting is lovely. I like the way you mixed the photos with paint. I have a hard time doing that.

RiverPoet said...

Are you sure you aren't a writer, too? Powerful little paragraph. If I can come up with something as amazing as that, I'll link back to you.

Peace - D

Lee said...

Wow! While I was sitting around listening to students struggle to answer questions in English you sat down at the computer and showed yourself a master of it. :-D

Love the painting, somehow it looks familiar. Maybe it was intended to do that.

"Tangerine soul, tangy and adventurous"....hmmm...sounds like I feel sometimes. The whole paragraph has a wonderful spiritual feel to it, like your descriptions of spirit dreams and their personae. I like where the librarian takes her ease. And I'm with Sparkling Red, That blood oranges line is Great!

Hugs!

San said...

Suki, I'm glad you liked the mini story. I have a hard time mixing the paper with the paint too, so I go for the deliberately wrinkled effect.

:-D

San said...

Well, Doris, something tells me you will come up with something amazing.

San said...

Lee, when you're listening to those kids, is that when the tangerine soul kicks in? Try not to spring at those kiddos. :-D

As always, thank you for reading and looking so closely. I'm glad the painting seems familiar to you. Art should feel familiar, so I take that as a compliment.

Hugs back!

jsd said...

well done, well done :)

San said...

Welcome back, JS, and thanks.

Carol said...

OOOOOOOHHHHHH! Muy bueno! The paragraph is intriguing and I love the sensuous textures on the painting!

An artist of paint and words...

Flannery said...

private collection, eh?

San said...

Muchas gracias, Senora Carol.

Pinturas y palabras. Sigh.

San said...

Not just private, Flan-O. Make that TOP SECRET.

xoxoxo

Celebration of Life said...

Good thing I was on earlier today, I turn around and you have 44 comments! lol

Good job! Want to have coffee in the morning?

Unknown said...

This is a beautiful painting, San, so much warmth coming from it.
And your wordzzle :) (a new word I learned) is funny and mysterious:)
love
Andrea

San said...

Jo, coffee? Delicious! And I'm talking about the company.

San said...

Andrea, wordzzle is a cool word, isn't it?

And thank you for your lovely words about my painting.

xo

Chuck fka: Meanie said...

Hi San!
Me an Mawmaw ah bak fwum ah twip! Me gwad tu bee hom an abow tu pway wiff me toyz!
Wuv,
Chuck

B.T.Bear (esq.) said...

I'm a lokwayshus Bear, but I'm not shor I cud do that! Well dun!

:@D

Anonymous said...

Librarians may seem meek, quiet and orderly... but look! They are surrounded by lives and dreams, peace and war... and maybe a little temptation.

The painting's grid reminds me of bookshelves. Each cubbyhole containing a different selection of books.

d smith kaich jones said...

Prenomial? My at-work dictionary doesn't even LIST that word! Thank goodness the internet is at hand.

Mima said...

You have major talents not just in the painting arena, but with words as well, that is a challenge well met, I am seriously impressed by what you were able to come up with, and you made her really come to life!

murat11 said...

San: So glad to see you back on Calle Blog, nice to have you out of the art boudoir.

This tangerine soul was right up your alley. The whole is a mighty pleasure, but that last line is gorgeous. Yesterday afternoon, before reading your post, I was standing in front of a display of blood oranges Italian soda at Central Market. I first heard of the wondrously named fruit some 30+ years ago, when reading John Hawkes' The Blood Oranges. There was a dude. I think he sent me straight from there to Ford Madox Ford's The Good Soldier. This lovely paragraph has the feel of both.

John-Michael said...

Ya done real good here Girl! I am way beyond impressed. And enjoyed the doodlie heck (don't ask, just seemed right at the moment) out of it as well. Thanks for sharing another facet of your amazingiosity.

Sure love You.

murat11 said...

Meant to ask: Steinbeck in the middle of Time Travel?

Raven said...

AWESOME! You are a born wordzzler. I hope you'll join us on Saturdays. I usually post on Friday night and there's a Mr. Linky so that all the participants can read each other's paragraphs. This one is a work of art. Thanks for your comments on my Obesity post. Glad you found wordzzles and Raven's Nest.

San said...

Wehcum bak, Chuck. Haf fun wiff ur toyz.

Wuv to u an Mawmaw.

San said...

Bob, you are loquacious and you are highly skilled. I would love to see a wordzzle by you!

BEAR HUG.

San said...

Chewy, you are right--there's a lot of adventure and temptation lurking in all those books.

And I LOVE your seeing the painting's grid as book cubbies. Now I do.

San said...

Yes, Debi, how did we manage BI (Before Internet)?

San said...

Mima, thank you for your enthusiastic words--they make YOU come to life in my eyes. I see you smiling.

San said...

Paschal--blood orange Italian soda--I never had it, but it does sound highly drinkable. You are making me want to pour myself a tall glass and revisit JH and FMF.

Cheers!

San said...

John-Michael--DOODLIE HECK!! That is SO perfect.

HECK! Why didn't I think of that?

I love you too.

San said...

Paschal, yup. Steinbeck. Good eye, man.

San said...

Raven, I am honored by your visit. I will check out what horrific challenge you have thrown our way on Friday night or Saturday...

david mcmahon said...

Hi San,

I really enjoyed your comment on my latest post. I'd never heard the word ``heyokah'' so I looked it up IMMEDIATELY and this is what I found: ``a contrary clown who holds total wisdom and teaches people through laughter and opposites.''

Ma'am, I'll wear that badge with pride. I reckon you've taught me a word that sums me up to a T.

Thank you.

San said...

What's blogging for anyway, David?

Indigo said...

Man! I'll have to show Doug this one. :)

Vikki North said...

I just wanted to say I really like your Time Travel abstract. Your colors and textures are really inviting and 'very Southwestern'.

Thanks for visiting me. I'll come back and see you also.
Vikki

Martha Marshall said...

Wow, fabulous piece of writing. And since I'm new to your blog, am I to assume that abstract is yours too? Beautiful.

I have a wonderful friend who is a librarian, poet, and visual artist. How perfect is that? I need to show her this post.

Blue Sky Dreaming said...

You had my attention with "tangerine soul, tangy and adventurous"...great creative piece...more please!! Thank you for your gallery tour. I took my time and enjoyed the work and felt the energy. You have a beautiful space in a beautiful area! Mary Ann

~Babs said...

Love this mixed media work!
I see ancient copper pieces,changing colors with the elements,,,,,just beautiful!

San said...

Hi Indi! I hope Doug approves. :)

San said...

Vikki, I appreciate your visit. And of course your very nice words about "Time Travel."

We'll stay in touch.

San said...

Yes, Martha the painting is mine. I'm so glad you like it and am really pleased that you want to show the paragraph to your friend. She sounds like a Renaissance woman!

San said...

Mary Ann, thanks much for your encouragement!

And I'm glad you enjoyed the gallery tour.

San said...

Babs, that is so cool--"ancient copper pieces, changing colors with the elements." Thanks!

Merlin's Wizard said...

What a great way to have fun writing!

Take care
Merlins Wizard
xxx

Woman in a Window said...

I wouldn't want to spend a lot of time alone in the stacks with that librarian. Nicely done!

Jeff B said...

I loved how you put these together. What a great mental picture you painted.

Hope you'll join Raven and the rest of us on Saturday's for more Wordzzles.

Unknown said...

I came back to ask a question:

I wonder why librarians are so often thought of as being meek? The ones in my elementary school library regularly sacred the crap out of me!

DILLY said...

Hewo San!
Dilly wud try wordzzle but not kno all werds. Dilly be tellygent but ownly ickol.

¬"

Celebration of Life said...

Hi San!
It's almost Friday and it's been a long week and you have sure gotten a lot of mileage out of this wordzzle!
Want to have coffee in the morning?
Jo

San said...

It's always good to see you here, Wizard.

xxx

San said...

Woman in a Window--good point!

Thank you.

San said...

Thanks, Jeff! I appreciate the invitation.

San said...

Nick, I believe the elementary school librarians are exceptions to the rule. And I find the way you typed "sacred" immensely fun, positioned there by you in your clerical collar.

San said...

Dilly be tellygent AND princessy.

xx

San said...

Jo, I know what you mean. After all, mileage doesn't come cheap these days.

Coffee? Would LOVE to!

Unknown said...

Wow, San! I LOVE that librarian piece! Fabulous!