Microfiction: Ice

Hint Fiction: Lubricus

One step further than the right amount, confidence of the most detrimental degree. One moment of peace, before all falls out; the feet once trusted fail the owner, as the ground becomes all too familiar.


Dribbles: Rickety

The ankle always trusted is now compromised; interest leads to downfall. As the body once strong falls to the earth, strength was the demise. We see pride leading into failure, but rarely do we see motivation touting surrender.


Author's Note:

This is my attempt at being somewhat succinct in writing; this is no small task for me as I tend to be somewhat flowery in writing. Both of these little 'stories' are centered in reality, as making my way to class today was somewhat terrifying. I currently don't have any stability in my left ankle as I tore the ligaments extensively in a climbing accident, so even the slightest slip on the sidewalk ice was problematic as I can't catch myself or balance effectively whatsoever. These stories use my current lack of faith in my body and more importantly the reason for this issue to explore the lack of confidence brought about by the loss of stability in walking. The stories vary in that the first is focused more on the walking material, hence the use of Lubricus, and explores a bit more the emotion of slipping and falling not due to the owner, but due to the lack of sureness in footing. However, the second story focuses more on the failure of the owner to handle the walking well, and as such is more self-deprecating and defeated in tone.


Photo Credit:
Grey Patch | Kurt Bauschardt

Reading Notes: Ramayana D

This final episode in the Ramayana focuses on closing what has been opened in the previous entries. We open with Rama and his army closing on Lanka and needing to get across to the kingdom. Garuda comes to heal the army of Rama - who've been injured by Ravana's son Indrajit. There are numerous attempts at psychological warfare by both Ravana and Indrajit, but ultimately Lakshmana kills Indrajit, causing Ravana to ride to battle to slay Lakshmana. Rama uses his brahma-weapon and kills Ravana. Mandodari mourns the loss of her husband Ravana. We then turn to Rama and Sita, whose story doesn't come to a head as we've expected. Rama comes to Sita and puts her down, saying that since she's been living with another man for too long, and as the king of Ayodhya he can't take someone who's been loose as his bride. Sita, upon hearing this, insists of her purity and requests a funeral pyre to prove her faith - calling Agni to hear her. We see Sita enter the fire and hear her torment, the gods come down and speak to Rama clarifying his position. Rama takes Sita back to Ayodhya in Ravana's chariot. Rama returns just in time to prevent Bharata's suicide. Rama is coronated. Some time passes, then Sita goes into exile, Lakshmana fades into Heaven, and Rama decides his time is past as well - returning to heaven as Vishnu.


There's less of an emphasis on cosmic balance or weird theoretical extensions, rather we see more about resolution. This entry is centered on closing what's been opened, and the filling of the prophesied arcs. 





Photo Credit:
Rama and Lakshmana fight Ravana | Augustus Franks

Reading Notes: Ramayana Part C

In this week's first reading we see a lot of continuity in terms of motivation. Rama & Lakshmana are pursuing Sita, but first must find Sugriva, who initially is threatened by them. Sugriva explains his fear, and then requests Rama's aid. We then see Vali, Sugriva's brother, warned not to fight as Tara, his wife, has learned of Rama's involvement. We see Rama help Sugriva, but by assassinating Vali - this is troublesome as Rama has conducted himself extremely honorably until this point, it seems like an unjustified character break. All the monkeys grieve Vali, even Sugriva, who is now king. Sugriva agrees to aid Rama and Lakshmana on their way to Sita, but states he cannot during the rainy season. As the rainy season closes, Sugriva sends armies of monkeys in all compass directions to gather information on Sita. The southern marching army is met by Sampati, Jatayu's brother, who informs them that Ravana has taken Sita to Lanka. We hear a brief tale from Sampati mirroring Daedalus and Icarus. Ultimately, Hanuman (monkey god) is sent into Ravana to scour for Sita - upon leaping he does battle with a powerful Rakshasi. Hanuman finally makes his way into Ravana's palace, searching through he finds Ravana asleep, but doesn't find Sita until he begins his way outside - where he spies Sita in a grove of Ashoka Trees. We see Ravana attempt to persuade Sita to marry him, failing. Indrajit, Ravana's son, captures Hanuman and brings him to the court of Ravana. Ravana starts a fire, there's panic, Hanuman escapes, but not before verifying Sita's safety. We meet two of Ravana's generals, who appear eager for war as debate over such a topic continues. Finally we see Vibhishana, Ravana's younger brother, abandon Ravana for Rama as he believes his brother is making a mistake in keeping Sita and causing war.







Bibliography:
Public Domain Edition | Valmiki | Ramayana
Photo Credit:
Sampati | Balasaheb Pandit Pant Pratinidhi