Empowerment. Engagement. Authenticity.
Metaphor - An Emotional Ride
In the Styrofoam cup of black coffee, I see only
the cesspool of my emotions sloshing within walls so thin the slightest
squeeze would send them spewing out.
“So tired of this roller coaster.”
I feel my counsellor’s eyes on me but he says nothing.
“I used to love roller coasters.” My laugh is more bile than mirth. I
don’t lift my eyes from bottomless black. “The slow climb and that jerky
halt at the very top. Then zooming down and sideways and backwards. And
racing to the next ride even before my head stopped spinning.”
“And now?” my counsellor prompts.
“I’m done. I’m tired. Nobody needs me, anyway.”
“Your students need you.”
He’s throwing me a lifeline but it’s out of my reach. “Teachers are a
dime a dozen,” I say, the words barely making it past the exhaustion
scrunching me into my seat.
“Tell me about sitting at the top of the roller coaster.” His voice is
calm.
“Why?” The cup trembles and the quick, sharp scald of spilled liquid on
my wrist gives a few tears an excuse to escape down my cheek. “What’s
the point?”
“Tell me anyway,” he insists.
I squeeze my eyes shut. “I feel like, here I am, at the top of the world
with so much colour and shape and sound swirling around me. Like I can
reach out and touch the sky.”
“You feel optimistic and hopeful. And when the fall comes, do those
feelings disappear?”
“More like it transforms. I’m thrilled. Defiant.” A smile quivers at my
lips and surprises me. “’Almost flipped from my seat, but didn’t, ha.’
And, ‘ha, again, made it around that tight curve.’”
“And you’ve said you get off one ride and race to another one.” My
counsellor leans forward in his seat. I wonder when I’d lifted my gaze
to him. “What’s different this time?”
“We’re talking real life now, not some day in an amusement park!” I gulp
the coffee, gone cold now. “I can’t see the next rise. And I’m so damned
tired of spiraling downward. So why keep at it?”
“Don’t leave the park,” my counsellor urges. “Sit on the Ferris wheel
for a while. Catch your breath before the next roller coaster.”
“Or maybe switch to the miniature train,” I joke.
“Nah,” he smiles and pats my hand. “You’re an action girl.”
(c) Kristy Kassie, 2017
Metaphor
Metaphors are comparisons that don't use "like" or "as." Too many metaphors in a story can confuse readers but a consistent metaphor throughout a story can give readers insight into characters and events.
