Ficlets

A Dream of Dirty Water

Why are we all here, in this place? And why is no one wearing any clothes? These are the questions that plague my dream.

The place is a simple building made of clay, lit only by the dusty pillars of afternoon sunlight slanting through an array of high set windows. The space inside is circular and completely bare except for a stream of water running through a recessed channel in the middle of the room. A simple arched doorway stands on either side of the rivulet, as if one were supposed to enter one door, leap the two foot span over the water, and keep right on going out the other door.

No one is doing that though. They’re all just standing around, staring at their own feet or considering the water impatiently. Every once a while someone makes a move towards the flow, but the chiding glances of other stop them.

The water, shallow and freely flowing, ripples and dances over an uneven surface. It begs to be sipped, but mud and sand stain its minimal depth. We all wait to drink. We all stay thirsty.

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A Dream of Dirty Water
Fyora Cartagan
Posted 9 months ago

Sounds like a zoo?
A Dream of Dirty Water
Culture Shock w/ Mike Schwartz
Posted 9 months ago

Wow… very dreamlike. Did you really have this dream or did you make it up?
A Dream of Dirty Water
THX 0477
Posted 9 months ago

Really was a dream, I swear. Seemed like a primitive mud hut or something. Who knows, but it worked for the challenge.
A Dream of Dirty Water
Tad Winslow
Posted 9 months ago

Works as poetry also, I was struck by its potential for becoming an allegory (if it isn’t already). I wonder what it could mean, very interesting dream.
—Lone Awesomebre
A Dream of Dirty Water
MagicEightBall
Posted 9 months ago

Interesting dream. You did a great job of bringing out that not-quite-sure-that-this-could-exist-in-reality quality of dreams.
A Dream of Dirty Water
Saint Chuck
Posted 9 months ago

Dreamlike and surreal. It feels a bit like a criticism towards the modern world…we all wait for someone else to spark a change.
A Dream of Dirty Water
Dreamer
Posted 9 months ago

wow, definately very weird dreamlike. Almost seems like there could be something symbolic behind it… or you ate some funny pasta that night. Either way, good job describing it in a ficlet. I loved the second sentence. I was definately not expecting that lol.
A Dream of Dirty Water
flute faerie
Posted 9 months ago

Whoa, wicked cool dream.
A Dream of Dirty Water
Storykeeper of Fae
Posted 9 months ago

This is cool. I want to analyse it!

Absolutely adore!
A Dream of Dirty Water
Amo de Tuus Aetas et Mors
Posted 9 months ago

Interesting. It’s symbolizing…. Kind of real life, how the feelings of others can often cause you to change your actions. Sequelworthy… but I haven’t the time, nor the inspiration.