There are spiders in the basement. Clockwork-legged creatures that skitter across the cold cement floor like unwelcome thoughts. There are boxes, too. Precarious pyramids of brown corrugated cardboard filled with mistakes, regrets, silly accumulations and outgrown notions. Waiting to be moved out. (As soon as I am able to move on.) And most distressing of all-damp, heavily shadowed corners. I hesitate to imagine what trepidations might be lurking within those dark spaces.
I’m inclined to flee. Nail the basement door shut. Never again force my shuddering self to venture into the depths of this bare-bulb lighted pit. Turn my back and whimper whatever.
Still, among the complicated chaos, I discover some gems. Radiant moments, resplendent memories, carefully packed away in colored tissue paper. I carry them upstairs. Illuminate them in optimistic daylight. And find sanity once more.
http://www.trifectawritingchallenge.com/2014/01/trifecta-week-109.html
This week we were asked to use the third definition of the word whatever-(adverb) Used to show that something is not important.
The Word Pirate 
The adorable words in your post speak wonderfully. Loved every bit of this piece. 🙂
Thank you, sweet friend! I’ve been struggling with the words for a couple weeks now. It felt so good to break the silence at last. My eyes are a little cross eyed right now from working on this, but I will visit your wonderful post tomorrow:) xx
I was following some links from different prompts & ended up here. Lucky me! Your pirate pic is dead on! I absolutely enjoy your writing.
Thank you kindly for that! You made my day!!
well put! …….. it’s like a time machine down there … careful where you set the dial :o)
Thanks Lisa! I think so too! I like to set the dial back. Way back! xx
Loved every bit of this piece, Valerie. As always, a great entry, my friend. Congratulations on your win last week, hugs!
Thanks dear friend! For everything! Big hugs to you too:)
Congratulations on last week’s win!!! It’s hard to send them away (I cried a lot) but then we adjust and watch them bloom. The beautiful words above remind me of everything I have to do and unload in my basement but don’t have the energy to do so. Always wonderful visiting your writing!!!
Gina-thank you so much! It gives me strength knowing that others have gone down this road before me, and I’m not alone. I can relate to the crying-I’m thinking of buying a boat! Thanks for you encouraging words, my friend:)
I really like your take on the prompt! I never would have thought to take it in that direction, but it works so well. 🙂
Thanks a billion, my sweet friend!!
Moving into the light, wonderful.
La Tonya, Thanks so much, my lovely friend!
I love the way you sprinkled alliteration through this piece. And the back and forth play of light and darkness. Brilliant work, Valerie. The line “illuminate them in optimistic daylight” is lingering in my mind and making me smile again and again.
Thanks, dear M. I’m glad this spoke to you-I was praying that the message of dark vs. light and finally hope would come shining through. I appreciate your words so very much:)
This line is lovely: Clockwork-legged creatures that skitter across the cold cement floor like unwelcome thoughts. Great piece.
Thank you so much Kelly! That means a lot to me!!
I was a young child the last time I lived in a house with a basement (they aren’t all that common in Arizona) but I remember it being a very creepy place. I like the image of uncovering forgotten precious memories there and bringing them back into our lives.
Thanks Janna! I think most basement are pretty creepy too!
You use words like an artist and I love the imagery you use. And the scene itself – so true to life, and very familiar
Swoon, Thomas. Thank you!!
Now that is the reason I hate basements, Mostly 😛 Lved the story…amazing !
Thanks Lala!! It’s the spiders that I fear the most, though I never harm them. I just want them to stay far away from me;)
Every word precisely, expertly, chosen to evoke the reader’s memory and emotion. In such a short passage, you pulled me in and made me feel *everything* and I feel like I understand why the narrator was compelled to enter the basement, and the memories, on this day, at this moment.
What I’m trying to say is that I just adore your writing, Valerie. :))) Another wonderful work.
Thank you so much, dear Jo! I wasn’t sure I’d pulled this piece off so I am so very glad you liked it. My mind reminds me of a basement sometimes-I fear the spiders and dark corners-and all those boxes full of memories! Oy!! xx
That second sentence. Swoon.
And I love the whimpering whatever!
Hey Kymm-swoon yourself! Your piece this week was awesome!!
I love how you describe those randomly placed boxes so poetically. After my divorce, I avoided them until I discovered similar treasures: Presents made by my kids when they were little. I really related to this lovely writing.
Thanks lum! The good that can be found in the bad is what matters. I’m glad you could relate to this-it makes my writing worthwhile:)
I like the idea of discovering gems among the darkness.
Thanks dear Draug!! I like to think about that idea too:)
The whole first paragraph/stanza/section/whatever……is incredibly well-written. I love the description of the spiders, the content of the boxes and your feelings “waiting to be moved out (as soon as I am ready to move on)” is all wonderful. I, also, liked the way to turned your fears into something positive in the end. All in all, another stellar, stellar piece of writing. 🙂
Thank you Tom! That is high praise, and I am so flattered and so grateful to you for writing such a wonderful comment! 🙂
I’m glad I now live in a city with no basements. I remember the mad dash up the stairs, certain that something malevolent was slobbering close behind.
I hate that feeling, because you just never know…:)