The Wor(l)d Within


Alison was mesmerised.

The doorway, not exactly welcoming, somehow called to her. Signs all around were warning her to go away, keep out, and beware. She saw the signs, but they were not as important as what was on the other side.

The shadow, for one thing, looked solid. Jet blackness hid from view what was beyond. The dragons, the dolls, the spooky people seemed less real. Less solid. And, oddly, less frightening.

Transfixed, Alison walked forward. She stepped into the space that had been placed over, through, and between the pages of a giant book.

Through words and worlds she stepped, crossing tees and realms alike. She passed by dotted Is and staring eyes at the same time. She was in a paradox and a paragraph at the same time.

She found herself lost within a book.

Literally caught between words, and caught between worlds, she realised there was no return. There was no way she could undo what she had done.

She learned that the world within the pages of a book, however surreal or real, completely replaced the external world. Her external world.

She was now consumed. Wrapped up. Caught within the pages.

She knew she could no longer go back. She didn’t know if she could go on – she couldn’t see, and didn’t want to see, the end.

She was happy where she was, so carried on anyway.

Alison was mesmerised.

****

I’ve been away from Blogland again for a few days, partly due to a lack of inspiration and partly through feeling a need to continue a little ‘break’ I’ve been having. I still need to get back into blogging full time again, one day I will. I’m still feeling a great ‘shift’ in feeling around these parts; unfortunately as though part of the fun, the main reason for blogging, has been removed. No, not removed, diminished. I’m sure it will return. But you can’t force fun, it just has to be there. It will be back.

Although I’m lacking inspiration, Sideview always steps in with a good dose of it. Her Weekend Theme this week is the image above. Click the image to go to her site to see other takes on this week’s theme.

10 responses to “The Wor(l)d Within”

  1. prenin avatar

    Still a good piece Tom! 🙂

    I feel a bit bereft of bloggable content sometimes too, so I know how you feel! 😦

    Hope you get back into the swing of things soon!

    God Bless!

    Prenin.

    Like

    1. Tom Merriman avatar

      Thanks, Prenin.
      I’ll just have to write my way through the down time, I suppose. I should be back soon. Hopefully!

      Like

  2. Visionkeeper avatar
    Visionkeeper

    Oh my yes!!! Sounds like Alison is on the same journey we are all on….A trip into reality and the insanity of the world. And no, there will be no returning for her as well as all of us. Once that space called reality is entered, you are now falling down the rabbit hole and where we end up who knows. Hopefully in the new world. Enjoy your break time TL…We all need it from time to time especially those of us who write and not just post things. Brain drain after a while. Have a happy! Blessings…VK

    Like

    1. Tom Merriman avatar

      Brain Drain indeed, VK.
      But, I shall keep at it. There’s no point stopping after coming all this way, is there?

      Like

  3. Let's CUT the Crap! avatar

    Despite it all, Tom, this is a wonderful piece. The picture is indeed one to grab your imagination. Well done.

    Like

    1. Tom Merriman avatar

      It does that, Tess!
      The magic spoke to me within this picture.

      Like

  4. shreejacob avatar

    That was a really, really good piece and I can imagine how it is to be so fully engrossed in a good book that you want to live it!!

    I hope your fun comes back Tom!! Looking forward to your blogs 🙂

    Like

    1. Tom Merriman avatar

      I’m still waiting for inspiration to reappear, Shree. It’s been an age now!
      But, it will return!
      And I agree it is magical when you lose yourself in a good book.

      Like

  5. blackwatertown avatar
    blackwatertown

    Yup – the good book portal – agree with that.
    Inspiration – all you need to do is go away for seven months lile me. No, joking.
    My suggestions? Lift your head. get out. Wind. Afternoon conversations in Maddens in belfast – or some other pub conducive to affable story swapping. http://blackwatertown.wordpress.com/2010/01/04/the-cab-home-belfast/

    Like

    1. Tom Merriman avatar

      Thanks for the suggestions, Paul!
      I think I’ve just caught my inspiration off switch whilst doing something else – I’m sure I can flick it back on again when I find it!
      Off to read your post now!

      Like

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