Exercises from the Energheia Writing Course 2024

Theme: Man in the colosseum 

Teacher Yoanna Tyrou  (Energheia International Writing Course 2024)

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Rome

He didn’t even flinch. I was staring at him with my full power and that idiot didn’t even pretend to notice it. What was up with him? I mean, I was right there, glowing under the golden light, my blue dress and my killer stare, and that bastard preferred to look at a rock?

Bia told me about Italians, but this?, really?, what is up with him? Or me!, yes, what is up with me? He was flirty from the start. Of course he was flirty, who would come to Rome and not see the colosseum. He wanted me and I was a spoiled little brat with my arrogant replies and dried up smile. What is wrong with me?, why do I do it, yes, because it was not him that lost interest, it was me who pushed away, me, with this silly game of pretending and this childish tantrum. A rock.

A god damn rock. What a bad excuse to run away from my petty, despicable self. Idiot. I could be out there enjoying a lovely evening, being courted through aimless walks of ancient, imperial Rome. And here I am, self-victimising over my petty attitude, in a narrow room amidst the shallow village of despair.

He was cute. Cute enough. Og god, what an idiot. I might as well leave. Go out there into the night. Find some solace in being in a wide, alive city, alone. Craving for… love?, or at least entertainment of sexual desires. Is that too much to ask in this place?, trace of old symbols of blood and virtue. Yes, perhaps. Too much to ask. I’ll stay here. I’ll cry quietly.

Bernardo Fortuna