a little white tablet enters
shudders and dissolves
sinking down a tunnel
the world singes
eyes contract and relax
the throat burns and pulses
the sparks flutter across a vision
that was never meant to see them
but couldn't bear to not
the world crumbles
the walls goop and droop
collapse into the floor like melting wax
emotions turn into dancers
lights around the room
happiness the brightest wisp
with the strongest plié
anger seeps out and glides along
once a catalyst for raging physicality
now an entrancing performance piece
as the individual seeps into the ground
sinking into pillow-like concrete
a mud that hugs and folds and warms
a warmth as the world burns and crumbles
do i dare to stare at these dancers
fragments of the soul
memory of a memory
xerox of a xerox of a person
identity strewn over canvas
a paper
clouded by grey wispies
like someone brought a paintbrush
over the mind's eye
to live
to try
the beeps of a machine
is that mine
perhaps just to die
to live
to try
About the Creator
Belle
I host unofficial challenges and enjoy writing microfiction and poetry.
Top Story Count: 16
Reader insights
Outstanding
Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!
Top insights
Compelling and original writing
Creative use of language & vocab
Excellent storytelling
Original narrative & well developed characters
Eye opening
Niche topic & fresh perspectives
Heartfelt and relatable
The story invoked strong personal emotions
Standing While Falling
Quotation from Friedrich Nietzsche "He who wrestles long with monsters should beware lest he himself become a monster. And if you gaze long into an abyss, the abyss also gazes into you. Man is not destroyed by suffering, but by the meaning he makes of it."
By LUCCIAN LAYTH4 days ago in Critique
Comments (3)
I absolutely love the visuals in this. Read it twice just to let it sink in even deeper. A "xerox of a xerox of a person" is such an amazing line. That's going to stick with me for a while! Loved this!!
"like someone brought a paintbrush over the mind's eye" I especially loved those lines!
This description is trippy! It reminds me of some intense experiences with certain substances. The way you describe the sensations and the world crumbling is really vivid. I've seen some wild visuals in my time, but this takes it to another level. The idea of emotions as dancers and the world melting is pretty mind-blowing.