Every night’s the same, curled in too-rough sheets and too-thin blankets, falling into sleep to moans and screams. We dream behind locked doors. Worse are the prisons of our own minds, which keep us hostage to the whims of institutions.
I am out first each morning at the click of the door. My slippered feet pad quickly to the dining hall. Guzzling oatmeal and gulping coffee, soon I sit at my favorite easel, the one by the window with the best light.
I’m lost in Maestra Madonna’s slender white neck. One day I’ll paint my way out of this place.
[100 words]
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields is the personable host of Friday Fictioneers.
Tao Talk 
Very strongly written, Lisa. I fear your patient will be in the secure hospital a while yet. I admire the graphic way you summarise some of the horrors of such incarceration.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Penny, thank you very much for your observant and thoughtful comment.
LikeLiked by 1 person
If he’s that talented and lucky It may work out so well
LikeLiked by 1 person
May be, Larry. Thanks for reading.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The horror and also the routine of living in that institution come through very clearly. Let’s hope the painting does help getting free of the demons.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Gah, thank you for your generous comment. Much appreciated. I hope they do find freedom!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Of course, there is surely a reason they are in the institution in the first place. These might be delusions on their part or, it could be worse. They shouldn’t be there in the first place but have not found a way to get out…
You weave such great stories, Lisa.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dale, I like your stream of consciousness about the story. People in prison always claim to be innocent. People in asylums always claim to be sane…
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is so true… and… sometimes they actually are!
LikeLiked by 1 person
All s/he has to do is paint a door on the wall and walk through
LikeLiked by 1 person
You may well be right, Neil. Wondering what they will walk into beyond the door…
LikeLike
Art is as good a path to redemption as any.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes it is!
LikeLiked by 1 person
We still have so little understanding of the mind. I’m glad at least art is provided as an outlet in this place. (k)
LikeLiked by 2 people
For sure, K.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love this story Li. It’s so poetic.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Sadje, glad you enjoyed the story :)
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome
LikeLiked by 1 person
A man more fortunate than many of his fellow inmates – so lovely to have an escape.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, yes.
LikeLike
You raise the question ;what truly do we mean by freedom?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Indeed, “Someone.” Thank you for reading and your comment.
LikeLike
Thank goodness he/she has something to occupy their mind, somewhere to escape to if only mentally.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, thank goodness!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t know why…I was thinking they are locked in rehab having hallucinations…I’m probably way off base.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Max, anything is possible. Your mind can fill in whatever details it wants. That would be a fantastic twist to the story wouldn’t it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes it would…that is what came to my mind. You left it a little open.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You remind me of that TZ episode where the woman is in the hospital and keeps “dreaming” those horrible things. That episode is one of the scariest to me as an adult.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh yes…that lady kept telling her “Room for one more, honey.” ….it is scary.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’ve painted a vivid picture here. Totally enjoyed it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Linda, thank you :)
LikeLike
I like the idea of painting their way out of that place. I fear that may be an empty dream, though.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ali, I fear you are right, especially how he studies her neck!
LikeLiked by 1 person
A strong image of a hard, spartan life. Sometimes hope is all we have left. Your artist is right to hold on to the dream.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you very much for your feedback, Jilly. Much appreciated.
LikeLike
Excellently written story, Lisa! I was engaged from the beginning, wanted to know more, and the ending was hopeful.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Brenda thank you for the wonderful comment. I’m glad you enjoyed the story.
LikeLike
I like this story, Lisa. Not everyone in prison claims innocence and too many are not guilty of the accused crimes.. Sadly, too many cannot survive outside the institution, but they all would like to. Well done and stirring for me. :-)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Bill, thank you very much for your thoughtful and sensitive comment. Institutionalization is a very real threat that often starts in childhood :(
LikeLiked by 1 person
:-) Something I know too much about.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A great sense of despair here in only a few words. The need to escape through ones art is strong. I hope they can.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks much for reading and your comment, Laurie. I hope they do also.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah, to the sweatshops and fast-fashion and mass-art, where the talent is taken for granted and hope is often squashed. …. Well done!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for sharing your perspective on this, Na’ama!
LikeLiked by 1 person
My pleasure! It’s a reality, sadly! You captured it well.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great take. I love the way you took the artistic outlet to the extreme as a frantic therapy.
I guzzle oatmeal and gulp coffee (actually hot chocolate) every day. Am I in an institution?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Nobbin. Aren’t we all?
LikeLiked by 1 person
If feels like it the last two years.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Lisa,
Having spent some time in an institution–not prison ;)–I could relate to some of this. There’s something about that door locking behind you. Not sure why your MC is incarcerated. Well done piece.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Rochelle, in my old job working with struggling juveniles, I often had to visit them in “lock up” in one place or another. I’m glad I got some of the experience right in the story. Thank you very much.
Shalom,
Lisa
LikeLike
that can surely be the way out.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, i b arora.
LikeLike
Leaves me with a lot of questions. Why is the MC incarcerated and for how long? I wonder if the paintings are any good – will s/he paint themselves out in reality or only in their dreams?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Elmo, I’m glad you were left with questions :) Thank you.
LikeLike
…Worse are the prisons of our own minds, which keep us hostage to the whims of institutions. Nice line. What a thoughtful, deeply profound short story. Very well written.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Neel, I’m very happy you liked the story. Thank you for your wonderful comment.
LikeLike
if anything, glad he finds solace in his art.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such a fascinating story. I have this Lewis Carroll feel, watching the rabbit disappear into hole, wondering if I should follow or not. Great take on the prompt.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Anne, thank you! I like what you see.
LikeLike
The horror of the captive’s reality contrasted with the beauty and freedom of the artist’s creativity. You’ve drawn the contrast well.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for your feedback, Margaret. Much appreciated.
LikeLiked by 1 person