Plan interrupted

Write, listen, release

Past 3:00 AM, cognition straining but valiant in its determination to lift heavy ideas off the ground, my quiet-enhanced tinnitus and the whish of the refrigerator out-maneuvering my thoughts with increasing frequency, interrupting the rain of fingers on keyboard, a spider appears at my right elbow.

No bigger than a lentil, not counting the legs, it pauses near the edge of the counter, probably sensing it has run out of runway. From the drawer within arm’s reach, I pull the ceramic lid to my now-everyday mug, a gift from a daughter, that keeps my tea temperature deliciously stable so long as it’s sitting on the magical electromagnetic disc.

I tink the lid over the arachnid, confining it until I can grab a larger container from the cupboard across the kitchen. Plastic pickle tub in hand, I rescue an oversized political postcard from the recycling bin and use the two tools to gently scoop my eight-legged visitor up and out the door.

I always wonder how that must be for the critter cruising across a cold slab of stone, a wool rug, a pane of glass, plan of action obliterated. But I take heart in returning it to the wide open world. 

When I come back to my chair, Sanity speaks. 

“This is crazy. You can finish another day. Go to bed,” she says, aloud.

I listen.

While I wait for sleep to come, I think about the tiny seed that hitched a ride inside with the air-dried laundry, how it parachuted in front of my face before settling on my pant leg, how even at such distance my breath caused it to glide across the wooden surface of the chest of drawers, where I captured it beneath a magnifying glass to get a better look at it later. I think about how, in the morning, I will let it go.

~Elizabeth

---

Hello, friends. This isn’t what I planned for you today, but it’s what emerged. I’m proud of myself for listening. Changing gears on short notice isn’t my best trick. What about you? Are you a regrouping wizard? A bug-releaser? A seed-saver?
The best part of every piece, for me, is that I get to know you better in the comments. I hope you’ll share what comes up for you today, The heart button at the top of the page is a good way to let me know you found a little piece of yourself here, even if you’re not up to chatting about it.

---

Every Chicken Scratch essay is anchored in loads of time and intention. Regardless of means, I want it to remain free—for everyone. If you are able to consider contributing, you will be lifting up more than just the words on these pages.

Paid subscription options can be accessed here, and one-time contributions can be made here. Any amount is sincerely appreciated.

---

One week to go for the U.S. Election: If you are eligible to vote, whether in-person or by mail, please do! Click here to find out more about how to do that in your state.