Embracing Shadow

Written for a Short Stories Inspired by Pictures Challenge (Sketch Story)

Embracing Shadow


The fading light promises another dreamless night. There are
whispers within the shadows and I’m certain that I’m actually
grateful for silenced image and thought. More than my share
accosts me at dawn and, thankfully, take their leave at dusk.
 

 

Dawn

I often say that I miss who I used to be and that whisper passes over my shoulder like a breeze. And again, directly overhead, I hear regret. The hallway that I pass through is stark white and much too quiet, the only time that silence has unnerved me. I imagine finding myself cornered by him, surrounded by all of this white. I smell lemons and it makes my stomach turn. It was the scent of the spray starch on his shirt, smothering me as I lost my voice.

I sense his presence now and the air feels stagnant.

I pick up the pace but, as dreams like to do, my movement is sluggish as if I’m running while submerged in water. The struggle is draining. My breathing slows and I feel like I’m drifting off to sleep though I’m fully awake and walking.

“I will always be your doubt…the one who stands between who you are and who you could’ve been.”

I find myself sitting among friends, unsure of when or how I got there. I put on a smile because their voices are soothing.



Images

Raine asks what makes me so sure that who I am now is less valuable in any way.

I wasn’t even able to feel hate or nod in reparation when I heard that three bullets ripped through his body. All I could imagine was his little brother’s face while huddled under him, protected by him. He must have been so afraid and I worried about the scars that would be left from being exposed to that kind of violence so early in life. I could not focus beyond that thought and I had no answer for my friend's question. But sometimes having the right question asked of you gives a moment of clarity.



I’m drawn to pictures of profiles and faces with downcast eyes. There is a feeling of softness and introspection. They also, for me, represent vulnerability left in the wake of darkness. I embrace these images.

Raine asks, “Will you embrace yourself?”



Dusk


The fading light promises another dreamless night. But as promises like to do, and that is another story, the void breaks. Image and thought move freely but they seem to have lost their voices. Muted and muddied shades of undefined colors give life to questions, doubts and even hope. Dreams come occassionally now, always in silence. And that's enough for now.





 

Written for a Short Stories Inspired by Pictures Challenge

© 2008 SilentDream (All rights reserved) 9/30/08

Author's Note

A waking dream. Abstract only because moments get lost sometimes...
and a glimpse of why the penname SilentDream was settled on, in Dusk.

Reviews

[2kurupt eb]

I often say that I miss who I used to be and that whisper passes over my shoulder like a breeze. And again, directly overhead, I hear regret.

never regret life live it to the fullest

[Michael X]

wow, epically invented and transporting, powerful, a vision to take the reader to another place and time,
the actual dynamics are stunning I assure you, it touches in ways that are ethereal, light, wisping, flowing, dreamy, riveting, passionate, artful, balanced, brought on by memory, the clarity and heightened thought
captivates the heart in ways as if looking at a painting, seeing every color come to life, very brilliant.