Memory Pressed Into A Journal

Dear Diary,

I dreamed of her again, but this time she wasn’t screaming.

I wondered if the dreams would return once I saw the sold sign on the old Williams house yesterday. I touched the wrought iron fence to see if I could feel anything besides cold metal. Nothing.

But I did hear hellos from some workmen cleaning things up before the new owners move in. I said hello, talked about the weather. Because that’s what you’re supposed to do. And kept walking.

I know she’ll be back. I just need to find a way to keep her from screaming.




Song Choice: Creep by Radiohead


Gateway, photo by J Hardy Carroll

This poem was inspired by the picture prompt given over at Friday Fictioneers. To see what the other Fictioneers based on this picture, just follow the link.

33 comments:

  1. Dear Rommy,

    Chilling story of recurring nightmares. Well done.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

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  2. Replies
    1. I'm glad. It was a bit of a departure from my usual.

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  3. Disquieting.
    I had to search for the right word and that is the best I could do.
    Love the story.

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  4. Unsettling. I wonder who the screaming girl is?

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  5. Intriguing and vaguely disturbing.

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  6. Nothing more delicious than an old house bursting with screams. I wonder how long the dreamer will be able to keep her from screaming... and from the new owners.

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    Replies
    1. I wonder as well. This might be one to play with in a larger format.

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  7. Great ending. Talk about a big question mark

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  8. That was something else. I loved this

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  9. I love the diary entry approach. You've left a lot to the imagination here. I like that. Well done.

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    Replies
    1. The small word count really forces me to make use of the negative spaces (all the things implied but unsaid).

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  10. The start of your piece is stunning.. it could be a classic. It reminds me of Rebecca actually:

    Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again.

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    Replies
    1. That's one that I keep meaning to read, but just haven't gotten to yet.

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  11. Nice. Spookily vague. I look forward to seeing more of your work

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  12. Replies
    1. Thanks. I felt the song went well with what I wanted to get across.

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  13. I couldn't decide is she was real or imagined. I also couldn't decide if she was tied to the house or him. Loved it.

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    1. To tell the truth - I haven't decided that either yet. But I think this one would be fun to jump more deeply into.

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  14. Lovely and menacing all at the same time.

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