Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Trifecta: Last Night's Dream


I drifted through the caverns of a warm and cozy, under soft down, deep sleep place, and floated off.

I couldn’t hear the snap of cotton drapery signaling nighttime’s drop in temperature and autumn’s approach.

The ceiling fan blew chills like a bellow eliciting goose bumps on my uncovered skin.

Curled on my side, I began to creep over. Inching until I felt a warm line down the center of my back.

The contact of bare arm against body was all it took.

I remember breathing deeply and acknowledging comfort’s return and swimming away.

But then you spoke.

And I didn’t expect your voice.

My ears strained to hear you. My mind couldn’t grasp your words. My head was reeling.

“What did you say?”

Rolling over onto my back, I waited for your answer.

When no words came, I started to wake up.

Really wake up.

My fingers groped for the spot where your voice came from.

And the sheets were cold.

*****************************

This was written for Trifecta. The word is:

 1
: to take or seize eagerly
2
: to clasp or embrace especially with the fingers or arms
3
Remember:
               Your response must be between 33 and 333 words. 
               You must use the 3rd definition of the given word in your post. 
               The word itself needs to be included in your response. 
               You may not use a variation of the word; it needs to be exactly as stated above. 
               Only one entry per writer. 
               If your post doesn't meet our requirements, please leave your link in the comments section, not in the linkz. 
               Trifecta is open to everyone. Please join us.

19 comments:

Alicia Audrey said...

I know that feeling... Moving just enough to feel just a limb of another body, and the feeling that you are home when you find it. I've never known the feeling of waking to find it isn't there and the sheet are cold, but you made it crystal clear. Nicely done.
-AA

Ornery Owl of Naughty Netherworld Press and Readers Roost said...

I know this is what my mother must feel like. My father's been gone for approaching three years now. She says she often still hears his voice.

TMWHickman said...

I love the vivid imagery of this--just like dreams often are!

Annabelle said...

Those dreams that are almost reality are so disorienting; a beautifully captured sense of loss here.

Gina said...

I call "it" (him) my personal heater. This is partially based on a dream I had that night where I was cold and inched over feeling warmth just to find out I had dreamt the whole thing and there was no one there (he'd already left for work). It was spooky in a way. Thanks for your comment.

Gina said...

I'm so sorry. I can now imagine this all being the case. Thank you for visiting.

Gina said...

It is EXACTLY as it felt.

Gina said...

Thanks, Annabelle. It was very disorienting to find no one in the bed with me! There are many different kinds and ways to feel loss.

Jamie Miles said...

That would be so terribly sad. I certainly hope I'm not the first to leave our marital bed. Now that we are going through all this renovation and living in tiny cramped quarters, crawling in bed and going to sleep has been my favorite time of day. ESCAPE. Great writing.

Anonymous said...

you described it to such perfection that it hurt

Thomas Charles MacInnes said...

We can have all the riches in the world, all the fame and all the power but, is there anything more fulfilling that to feel the warmth of the one you love beside you in bed at night? I can be apart of from my wife all day long but, it doesn't always feel like she is missing until I go to bed alone. Luckily, those days are rare. I am lucky. Thanks for writing such a thoughtful and lovely post, Gina.

Tara R. said...

I have these sorts of dreams when my husband is away on business. He's my personal heater too. Very rich in imagery.

Trifecta said...

That's terribly sad. Great job with the write, Gina. Thanks for linking up. Don't forget to come back and vote.

lumdog2012 said...

Beautiful poem. It sort of makes you appreciate when there is a warm person, whom you love, next to you. Nice one!

Jack said...

The echoes of the past reach into the present. Loved this.

Unknown said...

So perfect Gina.

Without being "overly friendly" it's like you're in bed with me in those moments when I'm not quite sure if i'm dreaming.

Draug said...

It's strange how the night makes things appear so much realer. This is haunting and great.

Ashley Kagaoan said...

Very spooky. Reminds me of a time I answered someone calling my name in the middle of the night only to discover no one had. Ghost! Or are our minds playing tricks on us? Great story.

Anonymous said...

Romantic but so sad. Great little piece, Gina.