For today’s dVerse prosey prompt, to use the line “To be pretty for you I have dropped two seeds of turnsole in the dark of both eyes.” from the poem garden “Garden” by Isabel Duarte Gray in a short piece of prose, no more than 144 words.
All night I waited for you. I plucked up my courage as I plucked the rose petals to scent this bed for you. I have whitened my face with lily root to be pretty for you. I have dropped two seeds of turnsole in the dark of both eyes to hide the red from my tears, and two drops of belladonna to give you dark pools to gaze into. And I have waited for you, as you asked of me, to prove my love. Although I am afraid. But now the dawn is reaching her arms across the sky and the night is turning from her. And these white sheets are reddened only with crushed petals.
anotherKate 
Beautifully written both lovely and sad. I love the line dawn is reaching her arms across the sky and the night is turning from her. Well done. 🙂
Thank you ❤
I’m not sure whether I feel sorrow or relief that the mystery didn’t show up before dawn. This could be love at its purest or something more sinister. I like the ambiguity of it.
Definitely relief. Anyone who asks you to prove your love is bad news. 😀
It does open a door difficult to shut doesn’t it.
my comment should say the mystery “person”
A creative take on the quoted line…well done!
thanks Lynn 🙂
That’s a potent mix, turnsole and belladonna, Kate! I love the use of colour in your prosery piece, and the way you slipped in the prompt line so seamlessly. ‘But now the dawn is reaching her arms across the sky and the night is turning from her’… lovely imagery and an open ending to leave the reader wondering.
Thank you Kim 🙂 I had to look up turnsole. Apparently it’s used to treat warts and conjunctivitis! And belladonna is still used in medication for irritable bowel syndrome.
Ah… the addition of belladonna is great. Also the line about only the rose petals reddening the bed sheets is great.
Thank you 🙂 I was trying to get across the idea that she was still a virgin without being too blunt about it.
One is grateful for the dawn most times.
Almost always 🙂
“I have dropped two seeds of turnsole in the dark of both eyes to hide the red from my tears, and two drops of belladonna to give you dark pools to gaze into.” This is absolutely stunning work done, Kate! I am in awe 😍 Thank you so much for writing to the prompt 💖💖
Thank you Sanaa ❤
I don't usually write to prosery prompts, but this one just seemed to flow out.
You captured a suitably Gothic feel with this one!
Thank you 😀 I did imagine the missing lover as something like a vampire.
Wow, Kate! That is such a fantastic, suggestive line!
Much love,
David
Thanks David. It was meant to be suggestive of a virgin waiting to be “deflowered”.
A lovely poetic write, Kate.
Thank you Sunra 🙂
This is very lyrical, but also has a gothic feel. I think maybe it’s good he didn’t show up?
Definitely good. Hopefully he was eaten by a bear.
😂
This is wonderful!
Thanks Sherry ❤