Future Reflections


I awoke, bookmark on my chest, book with pages splayed beside me; the lamplight brighter than the remaining daylight outside, indicating I’d slept for a good couple of hours.

The rain pelted the window, reminding me of the waterfall in the dream; well, the sound of the waterfall as it met the crystal clear reflective pool beneath it… I watched my reflection dance through each ripple as the gentle tides lapped the edge.

Each bob constantly morphing my reflection, changing my expression slightly – one time happy, another confused… perplexed… empty… angry… neutral… calm.

As I peered deeper into the reflection, through my eyes which remained open regardless of whatever shape my face morphed into, I could see different images; thoughts; times; people.

Previous and future lives played out between the ripples – memories of this lifetime, faded and distant, yet possible futures oddly crystal clear for a second or two, then just a swirl of mirrored confusion.

I flick through the book to find the page where I last remember reading, mark the page and close it – the future may well be a mess of swirly confusion, but it’s my future, and it starts right now – and as always, nothing is as it seems.


Posted for Six Sentence Stories, the theme this week is ‘Bookmark’.

16 responses to “Future Reflections”

  1. Spira avatar

    Tom, Tom…the coffee add-ons worked! lol

    Seriously, this is one beautiful!! meditation in six sentences.
    As always indeed…there is more to any story.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Tom avatar

      I think I may have missed the coffee, Nick… I’ve been… elsewhere! Pleased you like the Six. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  2. Hauntingcomforts avatar

    Wow, I didn’t even realize it was only 6 sentences. Together, they pack a powerful punch.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Tom avatar

      Thanks, HC!
      I just wanted a quick dip into the positive dreamworld with this one, looking at how we can shape our own futures! 🙂

      Like

  3. jenne49 avatar

    Great dream sequence, Tom – thoughtful and poetic. It made me think back to one of the haiku below Spira’s story: spectres of the past do not govern the future ‘less we grant consent On you go then, off into the future you will make and ‘where nothing is as it seems’. Great story.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Tom avatar

      😃 Thanks, Jenne! Here’s to our futures! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  4. Frank Hubeny avatar

    At least you didn’t lose your place in the book.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Tom avatar

      Haha! True, Frank… not this time, anyway! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  5. Susan St.Pierre avatar

    Fascinating and a tad creepy. A great combo!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Tom avatar

      Hehehe! Thanks, Susan. Creepy in a good way, I hope! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  6. clark avatar

    Excellent job portraying the loosened bounds of reality in those moments between dreams and ‘damn I better do a good job with this class/job/relationship’.

    (liked the little frill of “…lamplight brighter than the remaining daylight outside” Nice!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Tom avatar

      Thank you, Clark. Yes, that was added to set a more relaxed tone! 😄

      Like

  7. GirlieOnTheEdge avatar

    Enjoyable foray into the world of the not quite in-between, Tom.
    I too really liked the opening sentence. A not unfamiliar experience to fall asleep while reading and wake to realize dreams and hours later you’d fallen asleep. It is the perfect opportunity to “explore”.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Tom avatar

      Isn’t it just, Denise…? And when so relaxed, the mind is open to all sorts of places to explore.

      Liked by 1 person

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