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Drabble Corner

Michelle Swisz

This month's Drabble, on the topic of Going In, is written by Mang Thomte. For me, it captures both the doing and the spirit of going in.

What are Dreams Made of?

Never been in love. Never knew what it is to have money, and spend it. Achievement is always short. Friends are no more than mere companions. Give to them, they will take. But they will part quicker if you ask something from them—just a favour. But here again I am working hoping this will lead me somewhere. I dream again. Pictures that might stand the chance of being pulled out from some dark, cosmic black hole. Somewhere inside my brain, when the dream factory churns on, shows me the future; beckoning me to have it. Have I moved on?

It's been one of those months again. This time, I've had romance on my mind—I'm not thinking of love or passion just now, but of romance in particular. Somehow, I never realized or thought so much about just how different each word is from the other. For instance, love can move mountains to capture or recapture your attention, whereas passion already has your attention. But what is romance?

Maybe romance is the story part of a love story. Yet a love story can involve two grouchy, miserable individuals who come to find that they must be grouchy and miserable together—so, is that a romance? Can it be told so that it is romantic?

What is it, then, that makes something romantic? Does romance depend on a forever feeling, or is it strictly of-the-moment? Is it made of wearing matching mud-splattered flannel shirts in the back country, or sleek black evening wear at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel for dinner? Does it depend on the connection between the couple, or on whether he or she correctly pronounces the name of the wine?

More questions: Can it be love lost and then found, or is old stuff too messy to be romantic? Is it a time for illusion, or must real romance involve truth and sincerity? Must there be spontaneity, or must it fit some pattern?

Our theme for October Drabbles is Romance. If you choose to accept this assignment, this time write a 100-word romance (as opposed to a piece about romance), following the Guidelines as usual. The place to send it to is drabble@wvu.org, and it's due in by September 10. I loved reading the August submissions. See you next month!