This week’s stream of consciousness Saturday prompt is “Hear/hear.” SoCS is a weekly affair and you can drop in to check it out at: http://lindaghill.wordpress.com/2014/08/01/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-august-214/
My attempt to interpret “here/here” follows and it titled Tell Me Again.
Tell Me Again by John W. Howell
When I listen to you talk I can almost see the scenes you describe. I am with you on a long trek up the mountain and fast track down to the sea below. You’ve carried me along for the journey of a lifetime and I know it must be hard to have the extra burden. I wish I could help, but you have me transfixed and a prisoner of your words. You painted the verbal picture of the courtroom with the majesty of the law. The judge and jury so eloquently drawn it is as if I am there. The words of the bailiff calling, “Hear/hear order in the court.” Almost imagined by me yet understood clearly. The judge so beautifully pictured from your mouth leans over the verdict and gently asks that god have mercy on my soul. Tell me again what happened and why I must stay and you can go? Tell me another story, but this time make the ending not so dark. Tell me why I am no longer allowed to go free?
Love the somber tone of this. Makes me feel sorry for the speaker, but also curious about the situation.
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Thanks Charles. I have a fourth book to start and am playing with some themes. The speaker is indeed the victim.
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4th book of the same series?
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Heartbreaking and sad. Why must he /she stay? Is this person in an institution? Is that why they weren’t in court to hear the verdict? Hmm. Lots between the lines. 😉
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Complex situation of being accused and left to face the consequences alone. The priest is moving through the halls and this is the last few minutes before the sentence is carried out.
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😉
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This is so darkly serious, so sad. Makes me think of Kafka, Camus. And yet it also reminds me of the feelings that some might have at the loss of a close family member or friend, that sense of being left behind, not free to follow.
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I am trying some new stuff in preparation for my fourth book. i wonder if this might be a good opening scene.
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Oh, indeed. I would keep reading if that were an opening scene.
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😎
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Beautiful prose John. Really enjoyed this.
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Thank you Philip.
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Loved this, reminded me of darkness and light, of things not understood and a quote:
“Fiction is the lie by which we tell the truth” – Camus
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Thank you. The dark side is one which needs to trained to behave.
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I had to read this three times – I’m intrigued by its meaning. It makes me want more. Indeed, it would be a great opening scene for a book. Thanks for making this part of SoCS this week, John. 🙂
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Thanks for having me.
Sent from my iPhone
>
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This was definitely a change up from your humorous bents. But you DO craft the dark corners quite expertly, so I’m not complaining.
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Thank you. Need to stretch a little.
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