See, the first part feels uncomfortable: when you answer his questions "wrong". But afterwards the situation melts into a hazy understanding that two very different strangers can find enough in common to spend half an hours as friends, then they depart into their respective lives, never to see each other again. I think because the story hasn't escalated into more discomfort, it didn't read as horror to me
You’re right! I did melt the tension into a cozy interaction (my default tendency in writing and life). I paired back too much that I was looking at my fears in the mirror. Still happy with how it turned out, and getting to see ppl’s reactions is what I love about Substack. Super helpful. Thanks for reading and reflecting :)
Great poem! I felt I was there with you.
This felt so cozy: I could almost feel the chill of the evening, the thrill of talking to a stranger, followed by the comfort of home
Thanks Laura! It’s funny folks have that reaction. I’d meant it as a veiled horror story of my deepest fear, haha!
See, the first part feels uncomfortable: when you answer his questions "wrong". But afterwards the situation melts into a hazy understanding that two very different strangers can find enough in common to spend half an hours as friends, then they depart into their respective lives, never to see each other again. I think because the story hasn't escalated into more discomfort, it didn't read as horror to me
You’re right! I did melt the tension into a cozy interaction (my default tendency in writing and life). I paired back too much that I was looking at my fears in the mirror. Still happy with how it turned out, and getting to see ppl’s reactions is what I love about Substack. Super helpful. Thanks for reading and reflecting :)
It was my pleasure!
The beauty of poetry is in how many ways it can be interpreted! Everyone reads it through their own coloured lens, I think
How did he know your grandfather, The Leonard Cohen?
Haha! Lucky guess :)
Luv this
Thanks Rocki!! Appreciate you reading :)
Dig the trivia element with the stranger. This story really takes you there. Brevity +
Thanks Guy! Appreciate it. Yeah, capital city trivia is a classic bar trick 😂
I feel like this accurately describes the experience of going to a bar by yourself in Amsterdam (or anywhere really). I really enjoyed reading this ❤️
Thanks Tamara! Appreciate the read :)
My social anxiety gets tickled already by reading this, hehe
Haha! Yeah, this is the kind of thing that used to make me gulp big time, and cover my swallows with yawns.