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Thursday, August 19, 2010

100 words: such great heights

I'm participating in a weekly writing challenge: 100 words. Each week, Velvet Verbosity posts a prompt, and participants write 100 words, in any form, that evoke the word. This is my first week. The word is failed.


Such Great Heights 
She beats eggs until they billow above the lip of her bowl. They form shiny, stiff peaks. 
A chocolate custard, smooth, thick, voluptuous, bubbles on the stove.
She gently folds them together, until the white disappears.
Lovingly spoons the mixture into a ridged, round dish, capped with a parchment crown. 
Slides it into the oven. 
Waits. Glides quietly through the house. Hums to Chopin on the radio.
Opens the oven door and spies a lift so high, it rises above the parchment.
Giddy, she removes the souffle: Airy. Light.
Within moments, it falls. And sinks. And slumps: Dense. Heavy.
Failed.

8 comments:

  1. My mouth watered as I read your 100 words and then a feeling of despair... no souffle today. Loved the line, "Lovingly spoons the mixture into a ridged, round dish, capped with a parchment crown."

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  2. I love your take on failure, a much different and lighter spin than some. And I love baking, so this was particularly interesting to me!

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  3. This is what would happen should I ever make an attempt at baking.

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  4. Oh, this is wonderful!!

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  5. this is GREAT!

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  6. Mmm...I would still eat it even if it was slightly slumped. I bet it wouldn't be a taste fail! :)

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  7. I could smell that chocolate souffle as it cooked. I would so eat it, failed or not!

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  8. Wonderful imagery. I could smell the chocolatey goodness, and felt a pang of disappointment when the souffle fell.

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