Monday, April 18, 2016

My Only Choice - The A to Z Challenge - The Letter O

Blogging from A to Z Challenge
April 2016
What is it?


This first part is a fictional piece.

"It's my only choice," he said.  
I closed my eyes and shook my head.
Ugh!  I wanted to scream at him, "Do you know what the word choice means?"
But I didn't scream.
I took a deep breath and counted to ten, as I slowly exhaled the air out of my O-shaped lips. 
"Sweetie, are you saying that you've made a decision?  Is that what you're telling me?"
He looked at me, his brow furrowed, puzzled I suppose, wondering why I would be asking that question.
"Ma, like I said it's my only choice."
Trying to maintain my composure, I said, "Honey, I thought after our talk last night you were going to be giving each of your options more serious consideration. 
"Ma, come on don't give me a hard time about this, okay?"  he said softly. 
I could feel the heat of a flush as it crept up from my neck, then to my face, warming my cheeks.   
I pushed my fingers up under my glasses and pressed them into my eyes.  I turned away. I didn't want him to see me cry. 

When I was trying to think of a post for the letter O I thought of the word oxymoron.  The results of my google search led me to a website of Oxymorons

I know this isn't necessary but just in case:

"An Oxymoron is a combination of contradictory or incongruous words, such as 'Cruel Kindness' or 'Jumbo Shrimp' (Jumbo means 'large' while Shrimp means 'small').
An oxymoron term is a literary figure of speech in which opposite or contradictory words, phrases, terms or ideas are combined to create a rhetorical effect by paradoxical means." 

The Web site has many different lists including an alphabetical one.  

Because today's letter is O, I selected the O list.  From that list, I chose "only choice". 

I've found the website to be an awful good resource for writing prompts.

Do you ever speak oxymoronically?


  1. Now I am curious what his only choice was that made his mother cry.

    I think I have spoken a lot (and often) oxymoronically :)


    1. I probably do also, but am not aware of it most of the time.

  2. Haha! What was this "only choice"??? Yes, I find myself using oxymorons in speech and it annoys the crap out of me.

    Meet My Imaginary Friends

    1. At this point, I'm waiting for Mom or son to tell me. :)

  3. I like oxymorons. I even like the word oxymoron.

  4. I think we all do, from time to time. Unintentionally. I'm just wondering what his "only" choice was.

    1. When I read the lists of them I realized that there a few that I use.

  5. I am sure that I speak like this more than I am aware. I never much gave any thought to the phrase, "it is my only choice". Now I will!!

    1. I am sure I've said that phrase a lot of times, never thought about much either.

  6. The little fiction piece packs a powerful punch. And I am always on the lookout for my own speech and everyone else's. Word geek habit from way back. :)

    1. Thank you. I will be more aware now of oxymorons.

  7. Excellent piece. I'm intrigued!!

    I love oxymorons. I'll have to check out the site.

    The Really Real Housewives

    1. Thanks!
      Yes the site is a good writing resource.