The swindler is a sharp man in a sharp suit. He winks at the ladies, shakes hands with the pals. He cops a quick feel for a quick giggle, unbuttons for a blow job in a back room. The face he wears for the larger circle smiles beatifically. He punches walls, but only when it’s nuclear. In his mouth, crime is another country. A good man stands alone, redressing the score, evening the balance.
Music to my ears. It felt uncomfortable to write and I was wanting this to translate to the reader. I started with just the swindler and was having nagging feelings about how I was framing him. Because there’s actually a lot of poignancy here for me. When I thought about fragmenting it all these layers came
Into play and it suddenly felt more honorable and uncomfortable.
Daisy thanks so much! I’m really glad this landed. I recently came across the fragmented essay form which I hadn’t known of previously and it seemed the right thing to try it with.
Amazing, Misbehaved Muse! I loved how went back and forth between the swindler and the butterfly — that was such an effective device to draw the connection and also keep us guessing.
Thanks so much for your warm response Michael Edward! I share a little about my process with that here in the comments if you’ve not seen that. It was an experiment and I’m happy it landed well.
Mounting the swindler using insect pins unfortunately may not be arranged aesthetically.
Indeed!
That turning toward at the end was so uncomfortable. Effective.
Music to my ears. It felt uncomfortable to write and I was wanting this to translate to the reader. I started with just the swindler and was having nagging feelings about how I was framing him. Because there’s actually a lot of poignancy here for me. When I thought about fragmenting it all these layers came
Into play and it suddenly felt more honorable and uncomfortable.
Love that solution description.
Wow the butterfly fragments are incredible! This one is dark. So good.
Daisy thanks so much! I’m really glad this landed. I recently came across the fragmented essay form which I hadn’t known of previously and it seemed the right thing to try it with.
Nice combination.
Amazing, Misbehaved Muse! I loved how went back and forth between the swindler and the butterfly — that was such an effective device to draw the connection and also keep us guessing.
A really engaging piece. :)
Thanks so much for your warm response Michael Edward! I share a little about my process with that here in the comments if you’ve not seen that. It was an experiment and I’m happy it landed well.
It landed very well :)
“Large empty rooms”
There is something engaging about feeling uncomfortable and I was engaged with this story.
Thank you! 😊
You're on my list of the people I'd most like to meet.