Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: The Editor (05/27/10)
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TITLE: Jack's Panic Attack | Previous Challenge Entry
By K.D. Manes
06/03/10 -
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‘Tis the moment truth beholds.
Under piercing scrutiny,
countless stories about to unfold.
Final revisions screech to a halt.
Black, white, rich, poor, small and great -
amongst the millions, Jack Littlewun
trembles while he anxiously awaits.
The lineup’s quite impressive.
How will his work compare?
Can he look into those fiery eyes -
when every plot and action lay bare?
Ann Noteworthy, stands poised and calm,
Cradling her piece encased in gold.
Everyone believes she’ll make the cut,
millions of copies she has sold.
Ted Accolade confidently stands tall.
Only a few heads reach his shoulders.
Publishing prestigious works
make him appear bigger and bolder.
Sister Sue, although quite small,
garners favorable chatter.
Compared to many others,
her deeds attain high flatter.
“My book doesn’t measure up
to all these angles and hooks.”
His manuscript, tattered and worn,
didn’t craft an impressive look.
Like so many around him,
Jack looked for an exit to leave,
but the passage he entered into
disappeared with no retrieve.
“Jack Littlewun,” the voice thunders.
“Come now, let’s take a look.”
Frozen with fear, Jack couldn’t move
as the Editor opened a book.
Then a strange thing happened
In a twinkling of an eye –
The earth fled; disappearing -
And thus did the sky!
Once upon a time, Jack was nimble
And, known to be very quick.
But facing this consuming fire,
dims jumping a candle stick!
His thoughts raced with rapid breaths.
Dizzied, his heart caught in his throat.
Sweat poured down trembling limbs,
as he plunged; spiraling inside a leaking boat.
Trembling, quivering.
Flailing, falling prostrate down.
How many opportunities missed?
This ocean of shame threatened to drown!
“Littleman…Littleton…”
His booming voice did not waver.
Softening his tone, “Littlewun…Jack,
to My right, son of favor.”
No scathing words? No reprimand?
Speechless, Jack remained frozen.
His work measured mediocre.
Why had he been chosen?
Then, a gentle hand lifted Jack,
inserting him with few on the right.
Their work also accepted –
deemed “worthy” in His sight.
They wept. Their works’ validated.
Shell shocked, for the ones they surmised -
who would easily pass His critique –
escorted to His left…a sad surprise.
What Jack’s group had in common
wasn’t creativity or skill,
rather, surrendering to their
Editor’s criteria and will.
A brilliant light surrounded them,
erasing dark plots and mistakes.
A rainbow of colors formed a cross,
covering them in warm, scarlet flakes.
“We’ve been justified in His sight!”
Peace, joy, hope and love filled Jack within.
“We’re covered by His merciful act,
just as if I never sinned!”
A spring of jubilee gushed
deep within Jack’s soul.
His story now meshed beautifully
with His, weaving into a seamless whole.
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