Creative Writing: Greener Grass

Online Descriptive Writing Class Assignment: Write a 250-word description of a natural object, idea, or emotion using animism or personification. Again, this assignment has been left in its original state. I have not changed anything based on comment or critique.

Greener Grass

I wish I were Lauren because she is brilliant. I wish I were Nick because he is kind. I wish I were Jenny because she attracts friends so easily. I wish I were Lisa because she attracts men so easily. I wish I were Mike because he is rich. I wish I were Mary because she is good. I wish I were Scott because he is wise.

When I hear her good fortune, his good luck, their hard work finally paying off, I nod and my eyes fall to the floor. When I look back up - it’s a mere moment I glance away - I smile with false alacrity and chirp a congratulations.

“I would love to do something like that, but I never could,” I say. “I just don’t have the money.”

I’m just not that lucky. I don’t have the time. My father is too sick. My husband would never go for it. My kids come first. Whatever excuse is handy, I use.

At least she’s fat. At least he has a stupid haircut. At least they drive a piece-of-crap car. At least I don’t look like I just walked off the set of The Addams Family. At least I don’t drink so much. At least I don’t start projects I never finish.

I am burning. I am tight-necked and stiff. I am clench-fisted. My legs and arms are crossed, my lips are pursed, and my eyes are narrow. I am cold and mean and distant. I cheer when you fall and grumble when you win. I am anger at its worst. I am jealousy.