Promptvent - Day 2
25 days of winter prompts to thaw your writers (ice)block - and this year it's all about being Cozy.
Listen to me read the guided invitation via audio below or if you prefer to read the transcript, that is also available for you underneath the audio.
Hello and welcome to day 2 of Promptvent!
You have returned to our Promptvent village advent calendar and find yourself standing once again before the rustic wooden window. It is particularly frosty today and your breath fogs up the glass of the window, as your teeth chatter a little song.
Bundled up in your warm woolen mittens and thick scarf, you are eager to get out of the biting cold and to know what wintry word of the day awaits you. What world will you step into and discover today? You can feel the eagerness in your fingers as you pull off your mittens and reach for the iron latch on the window, lifting it with care.
Through the open window, a wave of warm orange light hits your cheeks, making them tingle. The light is emanating from the center of a cozy living room, decorated with twinkling fairy lights and a Christmas tree in the corner. Then you see it, a huge fireplace almost as tall as you, with a roaring, crackling fire. A single red and green stocking hangs to the right side of the fireplace and it has your name on it - it looks like there is something inside! The fireplace looks so inviting, away from the chilly winter wind. The fat, plush armchair next to the fireplace is calling for you to rest your weary legs.
Suddenly, the red wreathed door to your left slowly opens, inviting you in. You step inside, stamp off the snow from your boots and hang your winter coat up on a golden brass hook. Before you melt into the armchair, you stand beside the fireplace and put your hands up towards the flames, the warmth is reassuring and nostalgic. You begin to smile and remember how much you love a cozy fire, from bonfires to afternoons sat being read to by a relative when you were young. You think of all of the deep conversations you’ve had under the stars with strangers or in a friends house, with nothing but the dance of the flames to capture your attention. The blaze reminds you of the fire you have inside of you too and how much you have overcome and grown this past year. The stocking catches your eye once again, with your name inscribed in golden thread. You reach in and low and behold - a beautiful journal with filigree restoration design on the cover opens in your hands - you reach in again and pull out a pen.
You notice a candle has been lit on a small wooden table next to the armchair, it is the same one as yesterday, and you know just what to do. (if you’d like to light a candle, now is a good time to do so).
You take a seat, flick open the bound journal and come to a page with one word in large cursive script written at the top of it.
It reads: FIREPLACE.
You pick up the pen - and write.
For some wintry musical inspiration, why not try listening to The Secret Garden Fireplace by Piano Peace on Spotify
Please do share your words on today’s prompt in the comments, in notes or in a post and tag me, so I can reshare and enter you into the cozy gift prize draw - winners will be announced on the 31st December.
Happy writing friends, stay cozy.
Louise Goodfield
A Poet on the Road
Years ago my sister lived in a beautiful old cottage . The old inglenook fireplace was one that could be walked through . Not when a fire was burning though . The atmosphere on a cold day was transformed into cosy and snug . The logs burning and popping adding character to the quiet exhaustion after a long walk in the cold . Sometimes seasonal oil applied on fruit skin added to the spice of an early evening drink . Anytime the fire burned the quiet silence or old stone slabs changed. All cold dissipated and lying back in a comfortable chair I would imagine someone hiding and escaping through the chimney . Or thinking how Santa Claus would be coming later . We had young children in the house and were getting ready to leave Santa’s snack and a carrot for Rudi . Sweet memories of long ago . The magic of Father Christmas and the midnight deliveries we would be making later . Sitting by the fire I could remember my own sweet Christmases where pillowcases left out were mysteriously filled . Believing fervently that Santa was responsible for the chocolate and wonderful stocking surprises . Sweet, lovely memories of a fire like being transported into other tins
day 2 - inspired by a couple of things I’ve been thinking about and used an acrostic approach.
……………..
From wonder comes knowledge and learning
In the most unexpected ways.
Reassured by personal commitment
Excited for what is to come.
Placing trust in others as
Life takes on a new tributary,
Along the rivers outside the window of wonder.
Cozy and comforting by the open fire, flames
Enchant my eyes and bring dreams to life.
Sue H 2 Dec 24