Drabble 108 – Humicubate

It’s been a while, huh?

I’ve been phenomenally busy for the past two weeks. I went to two conventions, covering PAX West for Women Write About Comics and spending too much money at Rose City Comic Con. I had this drabble ready two weeks ago, but life got in the way and I’m trying to do better at taking care of myself.

At any given time, I’m trying to spin plates and juggle and live life as well, and sometimes I have to take a moment to set everything down and breathe. I don’t work better when I’m stressed, nor do I live better when I’m working all the time. And though I love the vast majority of the work I do, sometimes I need to put it aside.

In establishing arbitrary limits on myself–both in terms of when things need to be put online, for example, and in when I need to stop work for the day–I’ve found I’m getting much better at it. My work is better, more consistent. I sleep better. I’m in a more positive mood.

I know this, but it’s so hard to do. Give yourself a break regardless.

Anyway, here’s a drabble.

HUMICUBATE

(v.) from Latin humus, earth or ground, and cubitus, reclined

To lie down, especially in prayer.

When you lie on your back in a sunny field, there is nothing that can hurt you. Warren believes this—has always believed this—because this far into his life it’s always been true. By many estimates, he’s too old to be lying in fields, staring at the clouds, but when the grass is tall enough nobody can see you and it’s not like they’d be able to stop him, anyhow.

There’s a particular peace in having your back to the earth, your eyes to the sky. When he falls asleep, it’s like the ground swallows him whole, an embrace.