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The Dream

Non-Fiction by David Cannon

We all experience strange dreams.  I have had my fare share. However, a dream I had one night has stayed vivid in my mind. Puzzling, it left a lasting impression: -

I walked along a dimly lit corridor confused as to where it led. I was aware of movement over my head, looking upwards I saw a single lit bulb hanging from the ceiling. In a pendulum motion it mysteriously moved from side to side. Slowly as if time had given it a choice of its own. The eerie silence disturbed me. My footsteps made no sound. No doors lined the passageway. Walls dirty, gray, peeled, neglected. I was surprised, as I came upon a small window, longing for a distraction. I peered out expecting a view. No light entered, its pains cracked, and broken, it was boarded over.

I continued feeling drawn. On, and on. As if from nowhere, I was suddenly faced by an enormous door. Heavy, wooden its paint weathered. It looked as if it was from another time. It bore no handle for which to gain entry. No keyhole for me to intrude. A large brass knocker hung once an image, a bull’s head, was coated with lime scale. Obscuring any character or definition to its face. I longed to discover what lay behind the door that barred my way. Yet, I feared what it was keeping hidden. Hesitant, I reached, stretched to knock timidly. No knocking resulted. Knocking harder, still no sound. Silently the door opened itself to me as if inviting me to enter. Reluctantly, I stepped through; no person stood to greet me. No visible hand to have opened the door for me.

Looking about me, I was blinded by a vast whiteness. Tall windows blazed shafts of light. Gray shimmering particles danced amongst it. Shielding my eyes from the overwhelming glare. I saw that I stood on a wooden floor, polished and buffed to the extent that it mirrored the windows. The deathly silence was broken, by a whimpering. A small frightened child could only make that heart rending plea. Concerned, vision blurred, I searched following the cries. In a corner a tiny boy sat. His back toward me. His clothes seemed colorfully garish. Compared to the sea of white. In his hand he held a toy car. He guided it back and forth on the polished floor. I placed a comforting hand on his bony shoulder. Wishing to console him. He made no movement, no sign to acknowledge my presence. His body trembled beneath my hand with each pitiful sob. I spoke "why are you crying?" no answer. Maybe too shy, or too afraid to respond.

I shook him gently. His head turned slowly, it seemed like forever. Until he finally turned his face to meet mine. I stepped back in shock. No angelic, infant face greeted me, but the face of a withered man. His face harshly wrinkled and time worn. His eyes opened wide to gaze into mine. Vacant of color, milky white. His head tilted, and his small red mouth stretched hideously into a leering grin revealing rotted teeth. Yellow and tapering to pointed needles. Frozen, though wishing to flee. I stared, compelled. The grotesque face smirked. Unaware of its intentions, I felt in danger. But could not move, nor cry out. My blood ran cold as I anticipated a grizzly death, as he reared his face closer to me.

Thankfully, I woke, my clothes damp with sweat and my heart racing. I could not go back to sleep, my eyes closed with tiredness. Each time I would be jolted back into reality by the lurking image of the gargoyle that stained my mind.

David Cannon, contact: kmlcannon@ic24.net 
Copyright 2000 David Cannon.
Reviews and comments requested
Posted 09/30/2000  

 

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