Saturday, January 21, 2012
Page One, STREAM OF CONSCIOUSNESS
The pitch black night fed upon my terror! Breathlessness gripped me as I sat motionless atop its red and gray steel-framed back. It crept forward, unaware of my presence. Or so I thought. Suddenly, it pulled me under where its relentless hold on my hair and feet drove me in two opposing directions. Icy cold numbness paralyzed my mind while boiling heat raged inside my veins. The howling wind and the uncanny stillness competed for control of my consciousness as pounding drums juxtaposed against peaceful piano chords inside my head.
My body and mind were one and yet, strangely, two contradictory forces fighting a battle that could not be won. The pain would soon cease. My racing heart slowed to an incoherent hum. And then a bright light came out of nowhere, forcing me to open my eyes. Bump, bump, bump! Its slow beat was almost inaudible, even to the trained ear. Like being electrocuted, a piercing blow overpowered my neck and shoulders. And no longer awake, I could neither see nor hear…
“Honey, get up! It’s already seven in the morning. They’re going to be late for school. You must have hit snooze like ten times,” Eric lovingly shouted into my aching ears.
I felt I had just evaded death. How could he not see that getting our three kids to school on time paled in comparison?
“Okay, I’ll skip my shower. Don’t worry, I’m awake! Please start some strong coffee,” I whined as I flopped onto my back in the shape of a very sloppy X.
Then out of the corner of my sleep-encrusted eyes, I noticed a pure white feather falling from the sky outside my bedroom window. I’m not kidding, it’s as if the iridescent glow called me to notice its presence. And I’m not sure why, but its celestial twirl down to earth reminded me of The Nutcracker Ballet, which makes me think of Alex, my older sister, who I haven’t spoken with in months. I need to text her to see how she’s doing.
But without a single sip of coffee, I could hardly be held accountable to produce any type of rational thought this early in the morning. And against my better judgment, my face plunged back into my over-sized pillow for just one more minute of rest.
“The coffee is already on. I’ve been downstairs eating breakfast and making my lunch. I just figured you were already up. I was just coming up to kiss you and the kids goodbye. Do you want me to take the big kids, Renee?” he asked sympathetically.
“Actually, that would be great Hon. I was having a really psychotic dream and I feel totally out of it. Thanks Eric,” I voiced with appreciation while reeling his black and gray striped tie toward my chest for a quick hug and kiss. The more I played up the poor me routine, the more he caved to my every wish. And bribing him for what might come later couldn’t hurt either.
My body and mind were one and yet, strangely, two contradictory forces fighting a battle that could not be won. The pain would soon cease. My racing heart slowed to an incoherent hum. And then a bright light came out of nowhere, forcing me to open my eyes. Bump, bump, bump! Its slow beat was almost inaudible, even to the trained ear. Like being electrocuted, a piercing blow overpowered my neck and shoulders. And no longer awake, I could neither see nor hear…
“Honey, get up! It’s already seven in the morning. They’re going to be late for school. You must have hit snooze like ten times,” Eric lovingly shouted into my aching ears.
I felt I had just evaded death. How could he not see that getting our three kids to school on time paled in comparison?
“Okay, I’ll skip my shower. Don’t worry, I’m awake! Please start some strong coffee,” I whined as I flopped onto my back in the shape of a very sloppy X.
Then out of the corner of my sleep-encrusted eyes, I noticed a pure white feather falling from the sky outside my bedroom window. I’m not kidding, it’s as if the iridescent glow called me to notice its presence. And I’m not sure why, but its celestial twirl down to earth reminded me of The Nutcracker Ballet, which makes me think of Alex, my older sister, who I haven’t spoken with in months. I need to text her to see how she’s doing.
But without a single sip of coffee, I could hardly be held accountable to produce any type of rational thought this early in the morning. And against my better judgment, my face plunged back into my over-sized pillow for just one more minute of rest.
“The coffee is already on. I’ve been downstairs eating breakfast and making my lunch. I just figured you were already up. I was just coming up to kiss you and the kids goodbye. Do you want me to take the big kids, Renee?” he asked sympathetically.
“Actually, that would be great Hon. I was having a really psychotic dream and I feel totally out of it. Thanks Eric,” I voiced with appreciation while reeling his black and gray striped tie toward my chest for a quick hug and kiss. The more I played up the poor me routine, the more he caved to my every wish. And bribing him for what might come later couldn’t hurt either.
Labels: book, by Dianne, c, p. one
