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dVerse — Prosery 18 — Tanked

msjadeli

topless guy running through field of flowers

 

[T]here is nothing behind the wall
except a space where the wind whistles…
–from “Drawings By Children” by Lisel Mueller

I’m floating in aquamarine dialed to an optimal degree. My breasts point to the sky. Bubbles tickle my back. I flap my arms like humpback flippers and hum low, sending a message to my lover. Please hear me.

My feet paddle towards a ladder.

Wrinkled fingers and toes climb to a dry platform with cushioned hammock. A filter’s soft thrum pulls me to dreams. There I run and laugh, being chased through a flowered field by dear Robert. The dream always ends with Sol pulling our flailing bodies up and up. I always wake here, alone.

There is nothing behind the wall except a space where the wind whistles between it and other honeycombed tanks as far as an AI drone’s eye can see.

A compartment opens, where a smelly glop awaits. I look up to my new sun, the red pulsing observation globe.

[144 words]

Merril is today’s host of dVerse‘ Prosery.  Merril says:
Write a piece of flash fiction or other prose of up to or exactly 144 words, including the given line.

 

Published by msjadeli

mother, gardener, retired government worker, observer, reader, learner, bicyclist, woman who runs with the wolves, lover of music!

60 thoughts on “dVerse — Prosery 18 — Tanked”

  4. I read this as a future where we all have deprivation tanks, and this piece details the sadness and isolation that comes from too much leisure time; where each person lives alone, except in June when everyone procreates. Loved the Leon Russell accompaniment.

    Liked by 1 person

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  8. Yes, yes, yes! Sci-fi! 😀 I’m psyched.

    I love the ending, it is almost ambiguous. Definitely solemn in the midst of light, and extremely isolating in this destination they are in. A fantastic piece of prose, Lisa. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.

    Liked by 1 person

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  13. Love this sci-fi tale, Lisa 😀 it’s so very compelling and tastes tenderly of dystopia. The image of the “the red pulsing observation globe,” speaks volumes. 💝💝

    Liked by 1 person

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  18. Intriguing unfolding story, each image undoes the next in a wonderful surreal dream – I keep wanting to stop and ask – ‘why by the feet’?; who’s Robert? where the roses? – but the story presses on. This has all the claustrophobia and breathless desperation I imagine interstellar travellers will feel as they journey to their new star.

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  23. I always wake here, alone.

    The unexpected seems to be waiting to burst out and it could have led to a bad dream. It is always a good thing to wake up before being overwhelmed with cold sweat. Great imagery, Jade!

    Hank

    Liked by 1 person

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