I wrap myself in an old blanket – faded and worn, with holes, like me. And in the tender gray, I swim undisturbed, trying to piece together the fragments, trying to stitch together lucid memories.
I close my eyes and consider the last time I stole a page of poetry and randomly cut out wistful words, taping them onto my mirror, coating my reflection in soft syllables and syrupy verse. I didn’t want to acknowledge the wrinkles and warts – the morphing skin.
I recall silver bells ringing that Christmas sundogs filled blue sky. In golden beams and hazy dreams, the UFO landed, scattering skiers in melting snow. My pupils burst as I folded loose bits of humanity into my soul.
Who am I now? Maybe I’m a spice you can’t name – ginger or cardamom? It’s all a guessing game now, in this primordial soup.
Written for Prosery at dVerse where Lisa challenges us to write a piece of flash fiction that cannot exceed 144 words with a line from a poem by Cella Dropkin:
In the tender gray, I swim undisturbed
from her poem “In Sullivan County”
Tricia Sankey 
Beautiful writing and cool story, Tricia. I like how you worked in the prompt line. And great title!
I could definitely name ginger and cardamom. 🙂
Thanks, Merril! I can never tell my spices apart, 😆 it’s what I came up with. I pulled from a few of my recent #vss365 tweets! 👽
You’re welcome! 🙂
Tricia, the unfolding of your story had tingles crawling up my scalp. Such good sci-fi. Who is to say it won’t end for us humans just like that.
Yep, you never know! I like flash fiction because it just plants the seed of a bigger story. Maybe I’ll develop the whole plot later, haha!
Yes, I wish you would! I do also.
🥰
It’s happening. It’s happening. We’re killing the planet, which means we’re eating each other.
😱 There is a lot of truth in fiction isn’t there?
Sorry. I forgot to say how much I LOVE this story!!! Awesome work, TS.
Thanks!! You’re forgiven! 😆
This definitely invites further elaboration. I love the image of life folding into itself. We seem to be doing exactly that. (K)
Thanks, Kerfe, it does all make me think and writing helps me process! 💝
Scary stuff. Love the way you threaded those words though.
Thanks, D, I had fun crafting it! 💝
Bravo. You piece oozes personality and speculative suspense. I love this one, Tricia.
Thanks, great to hear! 💓
Sounds like a real discombobulated dream you had swimming in the gray soup after you hit the snooze button! Well done.
😆 Maybe a premonition?? 👽 Thanks, Dwight! 💝
Oh, with more to come!?
I think the fun is just beginning after full disclosure! 😆
Blast those aliens. I’m not sure but this is the POV of an exploded snowman and “My pupils burst as I folded loose bits of humanity into my soul” is either a metaphysical nightmare or the only possibility of humanity’s preservation or both. Did he have ginger nose and a cardamom smile? Questions, questions!
You may be onto something, there! ⛄This story could go so many ways, I wrote it while taking Mucinex D today and blowing my nose. I’ll have to ponder it more while taking Benadryl tonight! 💡
LOL. Feel better my dear and write more stories in between!
Thanks, I get the best ideas on Mucinex D! 👍
I’ll have to try it next time I feel a cold coming on. 🤧
👍💯
Love this dreamy story to the prompt Tricia and your words “faded and worn, with holes, like me”.
A wonderful cozy write and my pupils popped when I heard your words and the picture radiated back at me. Lovely job!! 💞
Thanks, Cindy, glad you enjoyed those lines! 🥰
So beautiful, Tricia! ❤️
Thanks, Punam, great to hear! 🥰
I’m wondering if this isn’t to be taken literally, more a form of madness, the introversion of someone who can’t face reality so she pretends reality has gone bust. My interpretation for what it’s worth.
Our perceptions create so much of our reality, so that’s a great interpretation! Thanks, Jane! 💝
🙂
A very compelling story from start to finish. I especially loved ” My pupils burst as I folded loose bits of humanity into my soul.”
Thanks Mish, so happy you found it compelling! 💝
That was a nice turn. Didn’t see the path you were taking me on, but I landed at ginger. Ginger for sure. Stay warm, enjoy your holey holy blanket!
Thanks, maybe I should have picked a more exotic spice like Saffron, it will likely all change in another future draft 😆Thanks for reading!
What a poetic post-apocalypse you are painting. I think cardamom though
Thanks, Bjorn! Free refills on the soup today! 🍲💝
Beautifully written and I love ‘Maybe I’m a spice you can’t name – ginger or cardamom? ‘ – perfection ❤
Thanks, so glad that line worked for you! 💝