Opening Pandora’s … Vase

/ roughwighting

Chat GPT, winking house, house for writing, PandoraI’m enervated and enthusiastic as I return home after meeting with some of my writing besties for lunch. Ah, the stories we share!

Smiling, I park in the garage, gather my purse and lunch leftovers, and open the door into my home, ready for a hot cuppa tea. 

But then I stop as if an anchor is placed on my ankles. Something is wrong, or at least not right. I feel a subtle shift in the house. Yes, a shift.

Occasionally, I get this sensation; after all, a house is not a static object. It’s full of wood and plaster and beams and then walls and ceilings that absorb all the inhabitants’ moods and pains and joys and … I suppose some may think I’m weird. But living space is alive with energetic cells released by each of us.

I concentrate on this new shift in my house. I walk through the small hallway and immediately notice the tall ornate shapely vase on top of my white-marbled antique dresser. https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/secondhand-vintage-dresser-redo-marble-top-diy-37040447 , marble dresser, coz z home

I love this breakfront, once owned by my great-great-Aunt Betty. I usually decorate it with a vase of flowers – lilies or iris or daffodils, depending on the season. But I’ve never owned this tall dark-navy hourglass vase embossed with gold drawings. Where did it come from?

Chat GPT, blue vase with dancing womenAs I approach nearer, I notice that the drawings are figures dancing – each female holding an item in her hand. I peer closely. Pens?

I pick up the vase. Who has left this here? What is it? I shake it ever so slightly, which is rather inane. Why shake an empty vase? But as I do, a sound echoes out of the mouth of the urn.

“I’ve been waiting for you,” the deep yet feminine voice says.

My voice shakes, as does my hand as I place the vase back on the dresser. “Waiting?” I know I should be scared, but I’m more apprehensive.

The voice is firm but caring. “Shouldn’t you be at your desk? Don’t you have a word count to complete?”

“Word count?”

A sigh emits soft vapor from the top of the vase. “Your book. The deadline looms. I am here as your muse, your conscience, your writing partner if you will.”

“Okay okay,” I agree, trudging up the stairs to my writing desk. Sheesh, I just take one afternoon off, and what do I get? A talking vase. Image by Ami from Pixabay , Pandora's Vase

A mist surrounds me as I reach my writing room; it takes the shape of Pandora, the goddess of curiosity and creativity.

“Thank you,” I whisper.

Chat GPT, blue vase with dancing women

Has your muse talked to you recently?

85 thoughts on “Opening Pandora’s … Vase”

  2. Could you please send me your muse? Maybe she could bring some inspiring dark chocolates too. . .I really need to reboot my muse who needs some incentives, preferably chocolate ones. . . .

    Liked by 1 person

  3. Interesting! Is the Vase a part of your new book or the figures your new characters, Pam? Wishing you all the best for your new venture.
    My muse talks to me every day, often kicking me out of dark corridors, nudging me to write.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Yes, if we treat our muse right, she will (hopefully gently) kick us back into writing production). 🙂 No, my muse has asked to not be one of the characters in my book, but she didn’t say I couldn’t write about her, thus this post. ❤

      Liked by 1 person

      • Now I don’t feel so bad about my unfinished projects – a short story collection and a poetry book. I don’t have a vase. My muse seems to be locked out of my apartment where I recently moved. I need my muse to help me open that door.

        Liked by 1 person

  12. This is such a wonderful post! How lucky are you that your muse has made her presence (with rather strong insistance) known in such a delightful manner. Surely she occasionally lets you off the hook now and again? Maybe I should find myself a receptacle of sorts so that mine can mist around when I’m feeling less inspired.

    And ooohhh… a new book? Wonderful!

    Liked by 1 person

    • The only “hook” my muse has is encouraging me to find them in my stories. Ha. Yes, look around your house for a vase, jar, something. You never know what may pop out. And um, the ‘new book’ I’m working on is still gathering a bit of dust in my file drawer. But not if Pandora has anything to say about it.

      Liked by 1 person

      • Hey… it works, doesn’t it? I must find something I can dust off – I just feel that is the proper way 😉
        Hey, it exists enough to have dust on it so… Give her another nudge, Pandora!

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  14. Ah, how delightful, Pam. The vase is gorgeous and a great place for a muse (or genie) to inhabit. I’m so glad your muse is nudging you and keeping you on track. Happy Writing, my friend. You’re inspiring.

    Liked by 1 person

  15. Lovely story! I hope all goes well with your writing! Going out for lunch is a very good thing!!! Take care of you in these springtime days…good food, fresh air, little breaks, and writing, of course! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  17. I’d say give your muse the boot, except you say that you have a deadline to meet. Oy Vey!

    This reflection has such a lively rhythm, I had to read it twice.

    P.S. Thanks too for the memory of

    a white-marbled antique dresser, much like Grandma L’s!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Interestingly, only my muse seems concerned about deadlines. Not me! 🙂
      Yes, these white-marbled dressers are so beautiful, elegant and unique. Our is a centerpiece for us as you walk through our entryway. You’re welcome to enter any time!

      Liked by 1 person

  19. I love this story. Yes, everything is alive and has energy. One day everyone will realize that. I love your muse and the vase. I need bit of a boot in so many areas. Word count. Oh my. But at least you had a nice lunch first.

    Liked by 1 person

  20. I hear you. I have been walking past my office door for four months now. I just can’t put pen to paper or fingers to keys. I feel like a leaf ready to fall any moment. The point is, I don’t know when I will fall. I don’t want to be blowing

    Liked by 1 person

    • That’s exactly it, Nancy. I feel guilty if I stop to dust or cook or even talk to a friend. I tell myself (with Pandora whispering in my ear) “that story won’t get written by itself. Get going!” 🙂

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  28. That is some vase!! I love this. The muse can be hard on us but thank heaven she’s there. Always more inspired after chatting with other writers for some reason. I plan to do that tonight with a writer friend in Canada. I’m sure the ideas will flow as soon as I hang up. (we’ll see!)

    Liked by 1 person

    • Those of us who know that our homes/special rooms/places have an energy are ahead of the game. I don’t know about you, but I sometimes shout out a “hi!” when I enter my home (and no human body is there), and when I dust, I stroke the furniture and walls lovingly. 🙂 But I do the same thing to my plants, and I swear I hear them sigh swoonfully.

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  32. My muse is a wooden spoon I made as a girl. It tells me to create another meal where I can hide the vegetables from my husband, who doesn’t like veggies. As always , I love your story.

    Liked by 2 people

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