PHOTO PROMPT © Fleur Lind
Lily’s dream is always the same. She walks an endless green meadow, its tall stems capped with periwinkle, butter yellow, and lipstick pink. Sweet peas and snapdragons scent the air. Her loose-fitting dress billows in warm breezes as she moves, like a cloud moving through cerulean sky.
:::Bang!:::
Midnight slamming metal doors, unholy screams, and lithium make getting to REM sleep difficult.
Lily’s waking mind is an untended garden, half-parched and full of weeds. Special surgeries, electric current, and pharmaceutical stunners keep it that way.
She smiles each time she awakes, knowing they will never destroy her paradise.
[98 words]
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields is the host with the most of Friday Fictioneers.
Tao Talk 
Well-handled, the transition between the fantasy and the grim reality
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Thanks much, Neil :)
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Beautifully brutal, great take,
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Dommer, thank you.
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Powerful writing. You took me to both worlds.
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Joy, thank you very much <3
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I hope she can escape permanently to that dream world…(K)
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Me too <3
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Hope she can get out and make the paradise a reality….but I seriously doubt that.
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I fear the worst for her also, Max :(
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yes…if she has all of that going on…the worse will happen
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Good for Lily to have that pleasant dream. Her reality sounds pretty bleak!
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My worst nightmare would to get trapped in a psychiatric hospital!
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I agree it’s a pretty horrible thought!
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A true haven. Shame the real world is horrible.
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Indeed, T.
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She has a beautiful escape plan
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Sadje, it’s what keeps her going.
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👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
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For some, alas, the only reality to live in, is the one of escape.
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Well-said, Na’ama. Thank you for reading and your comment.
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I’m glad she’s still smiling; her reality sounds like the nightmare.
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Exactly, Jen!
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What a horrible reality to wake up into. Let’s hope her sleep time can increase.
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I appreciate your benevolence towards her, Gabi. Thank you.
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Poor Lily but at least she has her dream.
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Yes she does. It’s what keeps her going.
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I enjoyed the dream, but the reality struck hard. I like how you finished the story with a secret smile to smooth the pain.
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James, thank you very much. I think it is an important story to tell.
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Great use of the picture both as her dream and also as a metaphor for her mind. Well done.
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Thank you very much, David.
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That went dark pretty quick.
I do love the theme you’re using. It makes the post look really pretty.
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Thanks much, Bernadette :)
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Wonderful images of her dream world and then the nightmare of her waking life – a horrible reality for her..
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Thank you very much, Margaret.
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What used to be the reality for any “resident” in an asylum. I’ve read quite a bit about the “treatments” some of them endured. No wonder they slept as much as possible–it kept them safe from those treatments!
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AMEN, Linda. God give me the grace to never find myself in such a predicament :(
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I suppose they still exist, but one hopes they aren’t the horror show they used to be.
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Long may her dream bring her comfort. If only it could become a reality. A great take, Lisa.
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Keith, thank you. Your comment has me thinking about using this story as a jump off point for taking it in that direction. Why let reality limit fiction?
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Wow, a powerful story and a reminder of how things used to be. I was hooked from the beginning. Excellent writing, Lisa!
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Thanks for the high praise, Brenda <3
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A very powerful read Lisa 🙌
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Ange, thank you <3
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BAM! And the curveball has been delivered perfectly! Great ink!
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Sicilian, thanks! Love your comment :)
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My great pleasure!
And friends call me Nancy
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OK Nancy! Will try to remember :)
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No worries! I answer regardless!
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Excellent, Lisa. Let us hope she can keep her dreams – and maybe even make it her reality? One day?
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<3
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💞
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Dear Lisa,
At least she has her escape. Powerful piece. Great use of the prompt.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, many thanks, glad you liked the story.
Shalom,
Lisa
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i suppose she’s a survivor. at least, for the time being. :(
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Oh, wow! Love the contrast. Great story as always.
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Thanks much, glad you enjoyed the story :)
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Oh this is beautiful if also sad. A broken mind perhaps? Great jarring transition between moods
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Laurie, thanks much for reading and your feedback.
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Oh my…this is disturbing.
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Thank you for reading, Dawn.
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excellently executed Li! :D
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