Loosened Swag Of Green

 By Maryanna Gabriel

Nothing like trying to be suave about facing New York agents with how great one's book is when a hundred kilometer per hour wind swooped in. The night before the big "pitch" I knew I needed to sleep, but it wasn't just nerves that were keeping me awake. The side of the house sounded like it was being ripped off and branches landed on the roof with such loud thunks I leapt out of bed. I made my way to the living room couch, which seemed a safer bet should a tree fall and huddled with a blanket as I listened to the screaming sound. 

Secretly, I was hoping for a power failure. No power. No internet. No New York agents. 

Well, the power held, although it was knocked out for others. The wind died down as suddenly as it came and I successfully made my pitch. It is the aftermath. The landscape is strewn with huge branches I am not sure I can tote to the fire area and I have been raking piles, for every square foot of the property is covered. The outdoor exercise is helping me land back on earth. I had one promising response, and between doing a reading from my manuscript for the school, and the residency I did with my class with New York as the focus, I am fairly flattened--at one with the loosened swags of green surrounding me.