Get your creative juices flowing with a weekly short essay prompt:
You discover you have developed a special power. What is it, and what will you do with it?
Email your 300 – 500 word short essay to me by 10: 00 a.m. on Monday, October 6, and I’ll post my favorite with next Monday’s writing prompt!
Thank you to all the entries in last week’s Monday Writing Prompt! You can read last week’s favorite by Janice Fisher below:
“Not for the faint hearted.” I stared at the alarming words on the brochure in my hand that windy overcast morning in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. Zipping my all-weather jacket up to my neck and pulling on my gloves, I pacified myself with the thought that the warning didn’t really apply to me. At age 67 and ever cautious, I had no intention of walking across the 65-foot Carrick-a-rede Rope Bridge high above the North Atlantic Ocean.
With our two traveling companions, my husband Jack, and I trekked the long winding trail to the bridge. The path, high above the ocean’s edge, seemed endless as we struggled uphill against the wind with many others making their way to this sight. Next were the 180 steps down to the final point before one crossed the bridge which connected the mainland to a small island once used by salmon fishermen. Jack was elated; he was about to realize his dream.
The bridge spans an 80-foot chasm. I stood against the high wire fence looking over the craggy cliff at the swirling blue water below. Jack descended the very steep metal stairs and waved a casual good-bye as I readied my camera to record the event. He crossed the swinging bridge and disappeared around a bend.
About this time the ticket-taker came up to us ladies and asked, “Would you like to go across?” I told him about my fear of the steep steps, never mind my fear of going across the bridge. He offered to go in front of me and lead the way. Something came over me, “I’m GOING!” I suddenly announced. My friends’ jaws dropped open; they couldn’t believe I would actually traverse that swinging, heaving bridge high above the Atlantic.
Determination spurred me on as I followed the ticket-taker down the steps. He stepped aside then as if to say, “It’s up to you now.” I didn’t expect the swimming, dizzying effect I experienced as I walked gingerly along holding tightly to the rope on each side. “Don’t look down, don’t look down!” I told myself. I must admit, it was exciting. Such a feeling of exhilaration swept over me as I stepped safely off the bridge and onto firm ground. I turned and waved ecstatically to my companions. They waved back. I waited until Jack appeared on the trail. He looked at me incredulously and said, “How’d you get here?” Surprised and proud, he gave me a big bear hug. We went back across the bridge taking photos of each other.
As we hiked back to our car, the sun broke through the overcast skies and gave us wonderful views of the brilliant turquoise ocean and sweeping vistas. The wind was at my back pushing me along the path to my next adventure. I was ready.
