Friday Fictioneers is hosted by the wonderful Rochelle, the undisputed master of what I call Sound Bite Fiction.
She sets the weekly challenge, the standard, and the prompt photo.
The idea, as always, is to write a story of around 100 words based on the picture below, which this week is supplied by myself, taken in the place I call the Secret Garden.
© C. E. Ayr
Click here to hear the author read his words:
Some Days
Some days I exist
Some days I pass in a fog.
I stumble uncertainly down the broken roads in my mind with only a vague wish that no serious harm befall me.
And yet unaware of my direction or destination and uncaring of my actual arrival.
Some days I just sit, watching the world stumble futilely around me.
Have I always been this way?
I seem to have an indifference to things I should care about.
Like love, pain, family, friends.
Even life itself.
Is there something wrong with me?
Or with everyone else?
Some days I really couldn’t care less.
Some days life is better when life defaults in neutral or otherwise how do we cope? I love the way this piece leaves one thinking. Well penned.
Thanks, Susan.
Life has a way of blindsiding us sometimes, doesn’t it?
Oh Ceayr!
This is what I have missed about Friday Fictioneers, finding an absolute gem of writing! I closed my eyes and listened to your recording. Brought it to a whole new level of experience. Also you have a fabulous voice! Thank you for the photo, it was very inspiring.
Hugs Heidi xx
Oh Heidi!
Welcome back to FF and, please, consider this a standing invitation to visit whenever you can.
I am almost embarrassed by your very kind words regarding my story, the reading and even the photo prompt.
I am especially happy that the reading worked for you, I sometimes wonder if it is any more than an effective method of proof-reading.
Thank you, sincerely.
Quite a common condition, I think, and okay as long as there are fewer days like this than the other. Very well described!
Thank you, Ali, there is more of it about than I knew!
Well, better not caring than the other end of the spectrum. We have enough people going off the deep end these days worrying about things they have no power to control or influence.
Calm indifference wins the day, eh, Russell!
As others have said, you sum up melancholy and ennui so well here, C. The inability to care about anything if your mind is in the wrong place. It’s sad and moving and beautifully told.
I am glad that you find it sad, Lynn.
And I am bursting with pleasure over your kind words.
Thank you
Always my pleasure 🙂
A great muse on what is right and wrong in our behaviour and examining the validity of what we are told to believe. Is their something wrong with the narrator? Society would probably say yes, label him with conditions but in the end he has his own philosophy and shouldn’t have to bear the burden of the views he holds. He is not obligated to hold certain things important.
I agree that we are very quick – and keen – to attach labels to people and their behaviour.
One man’s depression is another man’s blessed tranquility.
The grim dullness of depression. I could see your character occupying the bench, walking up and down. And he’s right, we could be mistaken, in imagining we have a purpose.But I hope not!
Laughing.
Getting really deep here, Andy!
An astute description of the human condition. Nicely done.
Thank you, Jo
There certainly are those apahtetic days out there. It’s often the only way to make it through while retaining one’s sanity!
Sometimes I feel apathy is underrated, but I don’t do anything about it…
Raw, real. Some days I care deeply, then other days, it doesnt feel the same, as if Reality is the deep within quiet place. Love the title
Thank you, glad it worked for you
Most days I couldn’t care less!
I’ll tell Rosey!
it’s a phase we go through. it helps getting of the rut if we extend ourselves to others.
We all have our escape mechanisms, I think
I hate to think how much more I could accomplish if I didn’t have days like that.
Nah, your brain needs the respite!
I suppose everyone feels like this at some point. Some more than others. Some will embrace, others hide behind it. Thought-provoking piece.
Thanks, Dawn, it seems we all have these days
You hit the nail on the head with this small window into a mind struggling with “Who the heck am I?” “And who really cares?” From all the comments above, many agree. Well captured.
Thanks, Alicia, I admit that I am amazed that so many feel this way some days
Yep you never know, thank you for the photo.
Welcome, Ted
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I often have times like that. As far as I know, each of us has time like that over the course of his lifetime
It seems almost universal among my readers, Larry!
Thanks for visiting
Some days, I’m right there with you. It was hard, when I was still working as a therapist, to hide my “who really cares” attitude. The best thing is that, by the end of the day, I was usually feeling much better!
Some days it is harder to hide than others, I guess.
But then the sun starts to shine on the Med…
That’s a serious case of depression you’ve drawn, CE. If you’re writing about yourself you have my sympathy – I’ve been there too.
Not about me, Liz, just a story.
But thank you for the comment and the concern
What a very sad story. It sounds like quite serious depression. I really hope it’s fiction and not autobiography.
Pure fiction, Penny, but thanks for caring!
On most days i feel the same. Well, not most, but certainly some days. I guess, it’s thing called life. Lovely story.
Thanks, Neel, and keep that chin up!
We all have some days like these, and sometimes we just need to have days like these, so we can come back and start caring again.
Maybe so, Iain, I am surprised at how many feel the same way
As days go by, we go through such phases!
Like the waxing & waning of the moon…
It seems that many of us feel the same way…
These words are a perfect description of the way I sometimes feel. Nicely done.
Colline, do you know that my comments on your blog always need to be moderated?
Thank you for your comment here, it seems that lots of us have bad days!
I find myself in your words. Some days it is a struggle. Beautiful string of words.
My comment sounds like a haiku poem. 😀
Very kind, thank you
Many of us go through spells like this, but I’ve seldom seen it so accurately and hauntingly portrayed. Well done. If this comment appears twice – sorry. WordPress is playing up for me after an update.
I am almost blushing at your very kind words, Sandra.
And I am somewhat surprised at how common these feelings are.
Well, if there is something wrong with you, I have the same malady… Nicely told.
Thanks, Violet, I believe it is called ‘thinking’
Dear CE,
The human condition…nicely done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Thank you, m’lady
There seems to be an atmosphere about your picture that leads to disquieting pieces. Wonderful work!
Thanks, Neil, much appreciated
Great picture!
Everyone should slow down and ponder sometimes.
Thanks, Tannille, gotta smell the roses…
Some days, I want to read more stories of this kind – that touch me at a deeper level. Then, I go back to my other business.
Some days I want to read more comments like this!
Thank you, Reena
🙂