Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Revision Is This Part II

This is in continuation from my last post on revision, Revision Is This. You didn't think I'd leave you dying on the path, did you?

My legs ache from the steep incline and I can barely put one foot in front of the other. I stagger to the top of the peak and let the wind brush a cool breeze against my cheeks. The air smells sweet like honeysuckle. A valley spreads below me in a patchwork quilt, and I realize it’s filled with tulips, daisies and tiny white flowers.

And there, just in the distance, stands the finish line, its crimson flags whipping against an icy blue sky.


Energy bursts through me and I take off in a sprint down the hill. The wind pushes against me now, tearing at my clothes, but I’m so caught up in my downward momentum that I don’t care. I’m practically flying.


I hit level ground. It’s rocky and weeds twist their way over the path, but my eyes focus on the finish line. Fire burns my lungs, a searing pain. It spreads through my whole body and yet I’ve never felt more alive than I do right now.
 And then I cross the finish line. I lift my arms in victory, and I scream and shout. Someone presses a thin, cold disc into my sweaty hand.

My medal.

The blisters are forgotten, the cuts and bruises have vanished, and the doubts have been left in the dust because I’ve finished the race.

And nothing can take that victory from me.
I’ve nearly made it. I’m almost there!

15 comments:

Stina said...

This is a hilarious post. I've never thought of revisions this way, but it's true. Though I usually don't need a shower once I'm though with them. But a massage would be nice. :)

Tony Van Helsing said...

Beautifully written.

Marcia said...

Yes, revision is exactly this!

Unknown said...

Go, Christina! Go!

Christina Farley said...

I guess since I like to run, I can see lots of simularities! And some of my best writing ideas actually come when I'm writing!

Kimbra Kasch said...

Keep on going! You're almost there!

Victoria Dixon said...

Yes, yes you are. :D Congratulations again! Do Koreans celebrate the Moon Festival this month? If so, have a great one!

Misha Gerrick said...

Hehehehe nicely put. Revision definitely can start off painfully before we get into it. The last bit is the best. :-)

Golden Eagle said...

I'm breathing hard with exhaustion just from reading this entry. :) LOL.

Bish Denham said...

We get blisters on our fingers!

Janet Johnson said...

Best feeling ever, isn't it? Love the comparison!

Christina Farley said...

Victoria- yes it is! Chusok! I need to do a blog post on it soon.

Misha- I know. It's so rewarding at the end, isn't it?

Golden Eye- Love it

Yes Bish! Blisters on fingers!

Anonymous said...

This is so true. I slogged through revisions and edits lately. It was grueling, but so worth it at the end.

Jaye Robin Brown said...

Okay - this is hilarious and so true. I personally wish Pink Pajama Girl would come visit me :0)

Ruth said...

You have summed it up wonderfully!