It's a mixed bag for me.

Sometimes I like to lurk. Seeing true art graffiti-ed on the walls of the web is gratifying in a way words can't quite explain. The internet is rife with garbage work pretending to be anything but. Prose is a welcome reprieve.

Sometimes it's to dump the things out of my head when I get that insatiable itch to put words on page. There's something special about knowing I can post anything in the world, whether it be snippets of a novel or the incoherent ramblings of an insomniac at two in the morning.

Sometimes it's to wander through Portals and into treasure troves of talent. Poetry beyond reckoning embraces my senses. The genius on this platform is more abundant than June cockroaches on Bourbon Street.

And Finally-- for the challenges.

The indulgence.

The special treat to greet at the end of a long day of living among un-writerly folk.

I am continually delighted by the creativity to be found there-- in the Challenges section.

In short, Prose. is the choose your own adventure I didn't know I needed.

Typically, I have my own stories I’m trying to work out and then post them here on Prose.

It is an awesome outlet with a wonderful, insightful and encouraging community.

I enjoy looking through the challenges and reading what the prompts have inspired.

I have occasionally entered challenges and usually end up writing something I never would have considered myself ever trying to do. It opens up the the mind in new and unique ways.

To me, even though I don’t often contribute, the challenges are mostly a reminder of how great this place is.

Sometimes, I am inspired or have something in mind. If that's the case, I will write what I want to. On days like today, I'll go on the challenge page and see if anything strikes an idea. Sometimes it doesn't and that's okay. Often, I don't even write, I interact with other authors and read beautiful works. That's the beauty of it.

I prefer answering challenges for two reasons, one good and one bad. On the good side, I admit to being poor at inventing story lines but if I find the right challenge, it releases my creativity. For that reason, I will always return to The Prose. On the bad side, a few of the writers come over as self-righteous and condescending while also missing the point. Since writing a challenge most easily finds such people, I no longer bother with that. It's also why I will sometimes take a rest from The Prose.

I... Only write.

I'm not here to dive into the minds of others.

I come by, hoping to take a look at a piece of myself after I've thrown it onto the page.

Sometimes it's possible, sometimes it's not.

But that's my main use of this website.

As well as the hope that maybe what I say might matter.

Even a little.

It's a silly little wish that I guess all of us have in varying amounts.

I wish I could take it away.

I wish I didn't care.

But I suppose I wouldn't share my attempts at vulnerability with anyone at all if truly, none of it mattered.

And I guess, even as I might not know you, stranger, remembering there really are people out there as scrambled as I am is deeply comforting and upsetting all at once.

But comforting, first and foremost.

Now comes something or other about misery and company.

The closing act, the curtain call, show's over folks.

Back to reality, clutching this tiny box source of joy and its many opposites in a messy little room.

We'll meet again anon.

Cross paths that never quite touch along the stars, choices, infinite possible futures, tinier boxes of joy and its many opposites within these ones.

Till then.