The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion #1

by Beth Brower

I look in this mirror and recognise myself less now than when I was a child. I suppose that happens when you’ve grown up and still don’t understand your place in the world.

Gossip is as catching as the plague ever was.

But my true love is the evening walk, that last hour of daylight that has its way with sunlight, shadow, and soul.

The word choice was particular. Could is a challenge. Would is a favour.

While there are many things beyond our control, I’ve always thought the cruellest is that we mortals are not told when our last glance is just that.

I sounded more confident than I felt; one of the great secrets to life.

Sleep is yet a far way off.

Perhaps that is what I feel about my precarious place in life. Be patient, says every voice of reason. When the sea is! I wish to yell back. Until my world feels solid beneath my feet, my life feels attacked by the rush and tumble of every uncertain wave.

It was against human capacity not to laugh at such a display.