In this series, I will take the Word of the Day from Dictionary.com and craft a short piece of creative writing around it. My goal is to embrace the meaning of the word in some unique way, all the while trying out different styles, rhythms and characterizations. It is as much an exercise in creativity as it is an exploration of grammar. Enjoy!
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By Alex Seise
The crack of the cocoon shattered the early morning air. The initial split ran jagged along the shell’s longest dimensions, growing longer and wider as the figure within pushed and squirmed.
First, one wiry black leg climbed through the break, followed by another and another and another. The shell started to come loose as the sleek body emerged, its prior hairiness replaced with an organic soft down that suited its new place in the biosphere.
But the process of being transfigured was most evident in the thin, moist wings that rolled out from the broken, dead husk as it tumbled to the ground, landing with a faint, crisp crunch. The bold, beautiful flappers unfurled and dried quickly, becoming translucent white and black sails ready to carry the newly emerged creature high into the azure blue skies above.
