Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “Picture”

~ John W. Howell

Stream of Consciousness

 

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday time again and this weeks prompt is “picture.” We are supposed to write about a picture that we see when we sit down to write. Unfortunately, my regular writing place which has lovely pictures is overrun with workers installing new flooring. I will have to write about the picture in my head.

The Picture by John W. Howell © 2018

“So what picture have you formed in your head?”

“I’m sitting on a desert island under a palm tree.”

“What are you doing there?”

“Basking in the sweet peace and quiet.”

“Is there anyone there with you?”

“Let me see. Nope. There is only me, the sand, and the crystal clear water. Oh yes, there are palm trees too.”

“Aren’t you lonely?”

“I just got here for heaven’s sake. By the way, where did you come from?”

“Me? I’m just a figment of your imagination.”

“Who asks a lot of questions.”

“Well, it must be your enquiring mind.”

“Okay so let’s just go with it. What else do you want to know?”

“Why are you here?”

“Have you ever spent three weeks with an air compressor and  pounding hammers?”

“I could say yeah, cause I’m part of you but let me play along and say, no.”

“This island is so quiet it almost brings tears of joy in the response to the relief.”

“Wow. You trying to impress yourself with that kind of description?”

“Now you’re being a pain.”

“So how long are we—um—I mean you staying?”

“Oh, I don’t know. Let’s just say I might be ready to leave as soon as my heart slows down and ears stop ringing.”

“I think that was the bourbon and not hammers.”

“Very funny. I only used the bourbon as soothing syrup.”

“Said the guy who pitched an empty 1.5-liter bottle.”

“Aw come on. I had that thing a year. Besides, why do I listen to you?”

“Good point. Do you have an answer?”

“Go away.”

“How about a nice cold drink of water.”

“You bring a cooler?”

“No.”

“So why offer a cold drink?”

“It was a thought, not an offer.”

“Come to think about it. I think I need to find some water.”

“And a stray burger or two.”

“Damn. this may not work.”

“You think?”

“Let’s get out of here and stop at Buster’s Bodacious Burgers on the way home.”

“My kind of guy. I’m right behind you.”

“Wait. How do we get off?”

“I’m a figment, not a magician. How do I know? You got us here now take us home.”

“There’s no place like home.”

“Wizard of Oz isn’t going to help. Why don’t you just wake up.”

“Huh. Where am I? Where are you, figment? Oh great. Hammers.”

 

46 thoughts on “Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “Picture””

  1. Maybe I’m thinking of snow – for all I see when I sit down to write is a white screen!! I just don’t understand why it’s always laughing at me!!

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  2. This was a greater meander through the mind of John. I might have to apologize, since I’m usually the guy with the hammers and conpressor. If you’re out of bourbon, I’ll have Cheryl send you a care package.

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  3. I loved reading this midnight travel clip. Nothing quiets the soul more than a short respite from noise, and your dream-state was a great reminder. Sometimes walking outside, sometimes a sip of bourbon, sometimes just a venture into one’s imagination. Well done, John. 🙂

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    1. Thank you, Gwen. While I was writing that piece the whole house was shaking with the compressor. Always good to take a trip somewhere else at those times even if it is just in the mind. 😀

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  6. Here’s to soothing syrup and stray burgers! 😀 John, it’s perfect — I think this is your best SOC… although I’m so sorry for the circumstances that created it. I couldn’t survive three weeks of that kind of noise. I hope you’ve escaped it for Galveston at least for the day. Huge (quiet) hugs.

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    1. Reminds me of the joke where the guy has been stranded on a desert Island for years and up swims a beautiful woman. “Want to play around?” she asks. “Gold clubs? You have gold clubs?”

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