The Shortness of Self

Written for Reena’s Xploration Challenge –
to write a story, poem, etc., inspired by
a line from Ayn Rand’s “We the Living”.
Here’s where the prompt took me.

Sunday, April 19^th

Dear Diary,

Ayn Rand once wrote: ”It’s a curse, you know, to be able
to look higher than you’re allowed to reach.”

She was speaking, of course, of the human soul straining
against the indignities of a mediocre world.

She was also, I have decided, speaking of me.
 And my kitchen. And the nutmeg on the top shelf.

I can see it perfectly well from here …. mocking me,
 small and smug, just beyond the reach of my finest
effort, and both my arms fully extended.

I made the soup without it. It lacked something.

We both know what.

N.

NAR©2026

This is “The Climb” by Miley Cyrus

Reena’s Xploration Challenge #426

^{Everything on The Elephant’s Trunk was created by me, unless otherwise indicated. Thanks for your consideration. NAR©2017-present.}