Today’s picture prompt is from Theresa Cole —I love its light within darkness—and to go with it I’ve chosen a story starter (below at the beginning of the story in bold) by Marta Szemik which seems to portend a misfortune.
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I walked slow, not breathing too often nor too loud, trying to feel each step before I took it, waiting for an echo of my footsteps. But none came.
I smelled the air, raising my face, but could pick up no familiar scent. In the pitch dark, I could see nothing, and when I turned, I realized I did not know which way I had come.
Tired, I sat down, then lay myself, though I could not tell whether it was on a blanket or grass or concrete I lay. I felt nothing, not even the beating of my heart.
Welcome, thrummed from nowhere and everywhere at once, a voice, yet not a voice.
Here I have been ever since, waiting for the clouds to part for the sun, and the thrumming sings through me, as it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be, world without end.
I know not if days, weeks, months or years have passed. I stay here, no sense, no feeling, only existence, and the singing of the voice that is not a voice. The sun has not emerged, the clouds have not parted, and I know now that it does not matter.
I am, and the world is without beginning, without end. That is all.
——
If you liked this story you might like some of the stories I wrote for my A to Z last year.
You can tell us what you thought were the highlights of your April Challenge, what you learned, what changes you might make next time, or what surprised you most. Let us know about special bloggers you met in your A to Z journey or about a post or posts that especially moved or impressed you. There are no limits as to what your Challenge experience might have been so tell us in your best way how you felt about the April A to Z Challenge of 2012.
It could be the place we run to when the going gets tough in life. Lovely story, loved it.
http://sulekharawat.com/2012/04/29/you-know/
Well the crossover in this was of the final threshold, but I like that some of the comments talk of various thresholds.
Thanks once again for all the generous comments. I wish I were more deserving of them.
Eerie, creepy yet spellbinding!
Neither here nor there… suspended… state of limbo…
Lovely piece!
Depressing place to be.
Thanks for visiting my blog. Returning the favor. The way you are combining challenges is fascinating and I can clearly see why you're a writer and I'm not.
This description of crossing a threshold can be taken in so many ways. How many times in our lives do we cross thresholds without realizing things will never be the same again?
Spiritually speaking, The dark times in our lives certainly do foster a longing for sunlight.
Blessings and thanks for an interesting post, Geoff.
It is indeed eerie and evocative. I hear you liked XENA. I did my post on her and why she is important to me, Roland
Some where in limbo…
Holy cats, Batman!
First, that opening sentence was *killer*. Really, brilliantly gripping and intriguing! Second, it's hitting me in an interesting psychological place, that bit about, "…as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end…" given that I say those words in prayer every day. And third – I just ADORE that picture. I think this one's my fave, so far!
Some Dark Romantic
So many thresholds in our lives. Loved this post and the story that evolved from the prompt.
Wow. That was awesome. I never heard of story starters but I like the idea of it. Great story.
Oh, I very much enjoyed this piece! The ending gave me chills; it can be taken so many ways, theology the most obvious direction. Your snippets always leave me wanting more.
Andi-Roo /// @theworld4realz
http://www.theworld4realz.com/
theworldforrealz@gmail.com
Cool. You know this reminded me of Fledgling by Octavia Butler. Have you read this? Very well done. 🙂
I love the idea of beginning with just a starter sentence and photo and seeing where they take you! Good job! Also love the way you compare your writing to an amloki – so interesting – learned something new! Thanks for visiting my blog and enjoy the last two days! Blog on and finish strong!
eerie! nicely done!
Beautiful. It feels so timeless and peaceful. Good job!