This post has been published by me as a part of the Blog-a-Ton 31; the thirty-first edition of the online marathon of Bloggers; where we decide and we write. To be part of the next edition, visit and start following Blog-a-Ton. The theme for the month is 'Strangers in the Night'
It was dark and eerie, a narrow alley that took me into a
world of surreal. The only sounds were the
croaking of crickets and the screeching of bats on the lone tree at the
far end. I’m nearing the end and expect to hear the familiar whooshing of the waves
that will soon engulf me. But it doesn’t happen. Instead, I see a man, just his
silhouette actually. I stop and wonder if I should turn back to the dystopian reality
that awaits me. Suddenly, I hear a voice; the words at first seem muffled .Then
a clear ringing intonation,
“It is your own
consent that will lead you down the path to freedom and happiness. All you need
is to find the power within you, to release the chains of confinement.”
Startled, I want to scream, but all that comes out is a whisper,
“Who are you?” I can hear my heartbeat echoing through the alley.
Strangers in the night, with no future or past, but then a sense of calm washes over like an
old friend.
The sonorous voice wafts back, “I’m a figment of your
imagination. A passing memory.”
A gust of wind roars over, picking up some leaves, rustling,
as it floats away. The stranger continues, “You can choose to be fettered or to
let go like those leaves which are now on their way to freedom.
“But the leaves didn’t choose to part”, I said as I found my
voice. “They dried and fell and now they are carried by the wind.”
“That’s an illusion! They fall off only when they want to,
just like everything else that is in harmony with nature.”
As if on cue, a falcon shrieks in the sky above and my eye
catches the first rays of the morning sun sparkling over the placid waters.
When I look again, the stranger of the night has vanished and
I wake up from my reverie to the beautiful and comforting sound of silence.
The fellow Blog-a-Tonics who took part in this Blog-a-Ton and links to their respective posts can be checked here. To be part of the next edition, visit and start following Blog-a-Ton. Introduced By: Net browsing, Participation Count: 1
"Good Morning Deepa! Enjoy the beautiful morning and comforting sound of silence!" That's the wonderful read.. Keep writing.. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteSomeone is Special
Thanks for stopping by! The blog-a-ton is a great idea! ihad almost given up on blogspot due to lack of feedback, this has reneewed my interest!
Delete:) that's great to know.. Keep writing! Keep the spirit up!
DeleteThe subconscious is a real powerful tool isn't it! Best wishes for BAT!
ReplyDeleteThanks Deepa! I loved your 6 part short story( have yet to read a few more!)
DeleteBest described the powers within. Really beautiful saga envisaged. Cheers.
ReplyDeletea good read! and gud take on the topic itself :)
ReplyDeleteall the best for BAT :)
if you have time do visit
Strangers in the night
Thanks Richa! I liked your story too!
DeleteSome very nice messages you got here.
ReplyDeleteI love: All you need is to find the power within you, to release the chains of confinement.
Thanks.
Thanks Kshitij! I liked your poem too!
Deleteso true...we have so much power with...jus need to awaken the subconscious mind
ReplyDeleteATB for BAT :)
i could not participate...but u can see my post here
Karan - Strangers in the Night
Thanks Karan! But I was unable to access your post.
Deletehey the above link is broken
Deleteu can see my post here
Karan - Strangers in the Night
The conflict that you represented makes home in everyone's mind. Nice one.
ReplyDeleteThanks Diwakar!
DeleteHaunting, almost like an acid trip! Nice!
ReplyDeleteThanks Sandy!
DeleteA poetic read, Deepa! Enjoyed the read.
ReplyDeleteThank you Suresh! I liked your award winning entry in the previous blogaton. Very touching indeed!
DeleteOften we need someone to tell us not to give up..even if tat someone is just a figment of our imagination...all the best for BAT :)
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks for stopping by my blog !
Deepa...this is like a prose in poetry! Beautiful...and I especially liked the 'awakened mind'...exquisite!
ReplyDeleteAn enlightened or illuminated mind is nothing contrived, but it is a natural human state rooted in reality:)
Thanks Panchali, coming from a powerhouse of talent like you is indeed humbling!
DeleteIts beautiful how you have described the maya along with falling of leaves, the fugacious routine from two different points - man and the tree :) nice one!
ReplyDeleteDo stop by my blog! Kappu
hey, try to remove captcha
Interesting philosophy brought out through the story.
ReplyDeleteFelt like I was on fantasy ride with you . Great writing !
ReplyDeleteThanks Jayshree! You're a talented writer too!
DeleteThought for the day in a 'dream'? Nice play with words.
ReplyDeleteATB for BAT 31
Here's my entry
CRD - BLAME IT ON THE DARK
Thanks for stopping by! Loved your story- the spook on Vikram and Betal, one of my childhool favs!
DeleteInteresting last few lines...words I`ve read in different places presented here as one..
ReplyDeleteThanks Richa! and for stopping by!
DeleteNice one! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Rajkiran for the feedback!
DeleteNice One, Reminded me of the movie Inception.ATB!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the feedback, Manasa!
Delete