Writing Assignment #3: Moving Prepositions

            Set for 5:00 AM, the work alarm signals that I was too preoccupied last night, and that day break is near. This long night of fruitless sleep has not refreshed my body, mind, or spirit. I silence the alarm and try once again to rest. Now daylight is streaming; the 7:00 AM alarm clock is screaming. My room is awash of light and sound. I arise, knowing the day and its mysteries await me.

            Breakfast is cold, and so goes my disposition. To set the coffee timer, I forgot last night! (Am I becoming senile? I can’t remember!) Regardless, this adds to my chilly disposition. I leave home with anxieties and acid flowing full throttle. They have merged making a wonderful stomach cocktail, bathing the “brick” I have just eaten. The truck gas gauge is almost empty, but I’ll tend that later. I have more pressing matters first.

            I travel US-23, following, what seems like, every grandmother in the tri-state, all flaunting their ‘New Blue You’ hair-do. When I reach the turn-off to ACC, I notice their lower parking lot is empty. I decide I will use the upper lot. Walking up all of those steps would not help my fluttering stomach anyway.

            On rubbery legs and leaden feet, finally, fearing it will be locked, I reach the door; I am surprised it opens so easily. I ascend the stairs and walk the darkened halls, hearing only my own footfalls hollow echo. I find that the room mirrors my mood, dark and empty. My sulking frame fills the first chair I see. Disposition and anxieties now abating, I try to focus, and ponder: Has life passed me by, or is it just catching up with me?

Meta-Narrative for Assignment #3: Moving Prepositions

This last change of moving a prepositional phrase works very well. It accomplishes the change in mood and emphasis while not distracting the reader with sentence structure changes. “Finally, fearing it will be locked, on rubbery legs and leaden feet I reach the door; I am surprised it opens so easily” puts the emphasis on the “fear” of the writer.  “On rubbery legs and leaden feet, finally, fearing it will be locked, I reach the door; I am surprised it opens so easily” changes that emphasis to the physical aspect of the writer. Leaving “finally” between the prepositional phrase and the main body of the sentence gives the reader a sense of a sigh, relief, a goal has been attained.

Rick Waddle / Saturday English 101 / Fall 2003

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