Utilitarian Love Contest Winners

By Vasudha Iyer and Marianna

 

In February, we held a Valentine’s Day contest for the writers of Pleasanton. The challenge of the Utilitarian Love contest was to write a love story between two inanimate objects. We have picked three fabulous winners. Here they are (in no particular order):

 

Rida Lasne

Falling To Pieces

 

I was never much of a socializer. I liked my snug little corner, right next to the stove and beside the window that brought in the morning light. I was one of the first to arrive in Leila’s new kitchen, shortly after the microwave and various pots and pans. On my first day here I was brought to life with a simple plug into the outlet. Leila quickly stuffed a hazelnut K-Cup into me and placed the most beautiful mug underneath my chin. She was placed sideways so I could clearly see her face as she giggled while making eye contact with the dirty spoons lying on the counter across from us. As she smiled I could see the slight chip in her paint and watched the warm coffee swallow the tiny little heart at the bottom of her. Every day she came back with her enchanting smile,and for those 5 minutes I felt like the luckiest coffee maker in the world. One day, she returned fresh and clean from the dishwasher and stared right into my eyes from across the counter as if she could read my mind and understand every emotion i’d ever felt for her. The next morning, when she lay under my chin, she looked up at me for the first time and asked me if I knew that all the mugs in the cabinet wished they could take her spot under me every morning. They adored my buff, black frame spouting the warm coffee into a lucky mug.  I laughed and told her that I was flattered, but wouldn’t want any other mug but her. That day I took thirty extra second for Leila’s coffee. From that day onwards, she told me about her adventures with Leila, traveling the world, and I told her about mine. Our bond grew stronger and deeper until one morning when she told me she loved me and I confessed that I’d loved her from the moment I laid eyes on her. She gave me the most charming smile that day, a smile I would cherish forever. A couple days later, I’d brewed some Hazelnut coffee for Leila and listened to my darling’s stories until our time was finished and Leila grabbed her from underneath me and set her on the wooden table in the living room. Leila reached out to grab the mug as she scrolled through her Instagram feed and accidentally  knocked her over. I saw it from my lonely corner. I watched her fall. Her nervous face ingrained in my memory. As her soft edges hit the floor my heart broke into pieces, and just like that she was gone. I wished that I never let her go, let her leave me here only to watch her break in front of me. I watched Leila brush her beautiful little pieces into the trash bag, sealed away forever. With little remorse on her face, Leila brought a new mug to lay under me, but it wasn’t the same. I longed for my sweet little mug to come back and tell me more stories, mesmerize me with her smile, and the chance to tell her that I loved her one more time. Somedays I would see Leila looking for her only to remember that she would never find her, my precious little mug, again.

***

Our hearts ached for the little mug who never saw his love again.

 

Anna Chuang

She was the light of my life

She could brighten any room with just her smile

She sparkled, shining with the radiance of 1000 jewels

She overlooked everyone, making sure all was well

But she was lonely

She floated in solitude

Beautiful but alone

And I loved her despite our differences

I was a simple rug

Not fit for a glorious chandelier

While she rose above all

I lay limp on the ground

Waiting to be walked all over

While she was like a delicate rose

I was a pine cone

Waiting to be kicked around

I was a lowly rug

Not fit for a intricate chandelier

And I loved her

***

We’ll never look at our lighting appliances or our rugs the same way ever again.

 

Subha Khan

“Love Letter from Scotch Tape to Table Lamp”

Do you remember that first day?

When I was placed next to you

And you were all shiny and new

I felt a spark that day

I fell in love that day

with all your nice round edges and how tall you stood

How you brought light to the world in a way only you could!

 

We went our separate ways

Me off to fix things and you to lighten up all our days

But that spark in me grew

I kept longing for you

So now I send my heart to you on wings

Oh my darling! I’ll give you my heart and more!

I’ll fix every crack and bump in your way, and stick to you like glue!

My sunshine I love you!  

***

This poem lit up our day and taped a smile onto our faces.

 

Thank you to everyone who submitted. Your entries were greatly appreciated, and so fun to read. If you’re interested in participating in another Ptown Life contest, then maybe the St. Patrick’s Day contest. Draw out plans for the ultimate leprechaun trap and send them our way! More details can be found in the article here.