I wake with a start. The dream fades. But not totally. I still remember its terror, the loss of an anchor for my identity.
I wake from sleep and am myself again. But how do I know I am myself? Sure, I can remember who I was yesterday; blowing out the candles on my fifth birthday cake; the wedding ceremony with Irene. But memory is not the reality. Maybe I was only born now, this instant, equipped with all the memories to make it seem I have lived before.
I will ask Irene. But she’s asleep. If I wake her, will she be the same Irene?
.
Friday fictioneers is a weekly challenge set by Rochelle Wisoff Fields to write a 100-word story in response to a photo prompt. You can find other stories here
Neil MacDonald Author 
I think that I am awake, but am I,… a fascinating story
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Or perhaps you’re a butterfly dreaming you’re a man
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I’ve sometimes wandered your protagonist’s path of thought but don’t tell anybody because they’ll think I’m weird. But all we ever has is now, this moment. Interesting.
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You know whereof I speak
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Dear Neil,
Or perhaps Irene will wake, her body inhabited by a traveler from the future. And I ask myself, if I was just born, why the wrinkles and grey hair?
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Someone’s got to do the wisdom and the gratuitous shouting
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Well, that takes us into deep thought — and that is what is wanted…probably all day…!
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Thanks so much, Ain
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Quite a mysterious feel today. interesting, Neil.
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Thanks, Mason
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Neil,
An unsettling tale, one that raises all sorts of questions about the nature of “reality.”
pax,
dora
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Thanks so much, Dora
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I hate it when that happens. Quite a mind-bending story this week, Neil.
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It’s worse when you wake up thinking you’re a teapot
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“Short and stout, Here’s my handle, here’s my spout…”
Er, I’ll get me coat…
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lol
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First of all, what a fabulous take on the prompt. It’s the perfect image to illustrate your story, and your story is a perfect account of the emotions that the prompt evokes.
I like the way you repeat “I wake,” to start both first and second paragraphs. The repetition gives me a feeling that it was a struggle to wake.
And I like the way you juxtapose blowing out the candles on your fifth birthday cake with your wedding ceremony.
It’s haunting and disturbing.
Kudos!
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You noticed the repetition of “I wake” and the reason for it!
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Scary and yet fascinating tale.
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Thanks so much
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I have dreams like this, but without Irene and the bicycle. You’ve captured the discomfortature such waking dream create. Reminds me, strangely, of the final episode of Newhart!
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I’m glad it rang a bell
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I find it’s better not to ponder such things in case I go nuts!
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Of course, it’s possible you already have, but you can’t tell without pondering
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Very existential – and a nightmare if it’s real.
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It’s fictional
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There’s a strange place between sleep and awakeness where all kinds of things appear. Interesting!
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Thanks so much, Keith
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I don’t need to dream this, I think these thoughts each time I get off my bike on the wall. Great take.
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Thanks so much
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Ooooooo I love love this! So many questions. What is real and what is not and how do we know? Dreaming or awake or still apart of the dream thinking you are awake… circles of madness
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It is a philosophical sink hole
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Disturbing and confusing for the character, but although anxious he does not want to wake Irene in case… Dementia creeps up on you.
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Dementia or philosophy. It can be hard to tell the difference sometimes
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Disturbing – perfectly captures that feeling of disorientation. Am I even who I think I am?
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Thanks so much
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As long as Irene’s there, does it matter what else is real? Good night, Irene. I’ll get you in my dreams.
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But which Irene is it?
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I think thereore I am, but when did I start thinking? And where do the thoughts originate from? Lots to think about in this piece, Neil and probably best not to, for fear of going mad.
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And what is doing the thinking?
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Something beyond my capabilities to understand
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Intriguing story Neil. Perhaps waking up is a dream ?
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There’s no telling
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