Original DDE™ art: “Tumblin’” by: rob kistner © 2/16/26
—-<§>—-
The laundromat on Aurora hummed with fluorescent patience, each dryer tumbling private histories into anonymous warmth. Mara fed quarters to the machine, watching the glass blur socks, denim, and his blue scarf — she had decided maybe to keep.
Steam rose from her paper cup, carrying the scent of burnt coffee, cinnamon, and bad memories. Her mother used to insist, lips forget what they have kissed, once enough ordinary days stack between — as if time were a shelf where longing could be misfiled.
Across the aisle, a child pressed her palms to another dryer door, laughing at the kaleidoscopic spin. When Mara’s cycle ended, she folded the scarf, hesitated, then placed it into lost-and-found near the counter. Outside, buses sighed, traffic thrummed low. She stepped back into the drizzle, hands gripping her laundry basket. It, and her heart, a bit lighter — her world washed cleaner.
<~>
rob kistner © 2/16/26
Sometimes it takes more time to move forward. A lovely write, Rob.
Thank you Dale… 🙂
This is one of the most marvelous things I’ve ever read. The image of the child pressing her hands against the dryer is fabulous. I love “…as if time were a shelf where longing could be misfiled.”
Thank you so much Lisa. 🙂
Sometimes you just have to rid yourself from the past to be able to go on…. it would be interesting to hear who picked up the scarf and if it went on to someone else.
Yes it would Björn. Maybe for the next “open link” — I will take us all on the journey pf the blue scarf to it’s new home — that would be cool! Great suggestion my friend!
Your artwork, Rob, which goes so well with your beautifully written Prosery piece – how did you make a launderette so poetic? I love the idea of ‘each dryer tumbling private histories into anonymous warmth’, the hint of lost romance in the ‘blue scarf — she had decided maybe to keep’ but then put in lost property, and the way you zoomed in on the child.
Thanks Kim. I just extended my rinse cycle… 🙂
Love the way this vivid scene you’ve created lends itself to stories of the past and future. I’ll be interested to see where the blue scarf takes you next. Thanks for joining in, Rob.
Thank you Mish… 🙂 there will have to be avsequel, Bj?rn helped me see thar — so stay tuned…
Rob, you brought this scene to life so well. Love love love this:
“Steam rose from her paper cup, carrying the scent of burnt coffee, cinnamon, and bad memories. ”
I’m kind of glad she left the scarf behind, but my heart hurts a little for her in her letting go.
Thank you Lisa! Thanks to Björn’s curiosity, the journey of the scarf will have a poetic sequel — at least one. 😉
…… 🙂
Wow! Gorgeous piece, Rob!
Yvette M Calleiro 🙂
http://yvettemcalleiro.blogspot.com
Thank you Yvette… 🙂