My very atoms vibrate: from caffeine, from sleep deprivation, from the constant moving forward. From erratic consumption of my mood regulators. But my mind is sharp, focused; my dreams, Technicolor wonders. Everything I touch explodes from this magical sub-cellular energy surging within me. When I press on the closed hollow-wood door to my shrink's office, it flies open with a bang, the knob gouging the plaster wall. He sits at his desk, the room dim but for the green glow of a single lamp, head bowed, not noticing my tumult.
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Originally published in Six Sentences, Volume I, 2008. Excerpted from BRIGHTER THAN BRIGHT.
Prayers today to: John, Franklin, Tracie, and so many others.
Peace, Linda
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Description of a person in the "high" of manic phase is very well conveyed.
ReplyDeleteIf I could remember my dreams, Technicolor would be the way to go.
Six sentences make fast flashes, and seem considerably tougher to write. Nice description of increased senses. Actions going unnoticed puts it all in perspective.
ReplyDeleteYikes! Someone needs to stop drinking coffee.
ReplyDeleteJai
Love tumult! Always can count on you for the pharmacological story of wonder! Nice.
ReplyDeleteI love how perfect the title is to the content.
ReplyDeleteFantastic description of a manic or mood altered person. I could see and feel the clarity and underlying agitation, along with the MC.
ReplyDeleteLove the vibrating atoms and the unnoticed tumult!
ReplyDeleteYou always amaze me with your ability to capture manic moods. The highflying--forward moving vibration, Illusion of focused thinking, technicolor dreams (love this!), and barely controlled energy is awesome. But what stood out to me and what I loved, especially because I don't see it portrayed too often, is the knob of the door gouging the plaster out--and the (lack of) reaction. Energy barely contained--indeed--and with a non-awareness of its power (and violence). So true.
ReplyDeleteYou so vividly capture the different phases of abnormal mood in your pieces, Linda. Very impressive!
ReplyDeleteBy the end of this, I felt like I was mixing caffeine and sleep deprivation...oh wait...anyway, this is another powerful punch of a read. I'm a fan.
ReplyDeleteI love your use of language here, painting such a vivid picture. In all ways, brilliant.
ReplyDeleteLinda ~ You had me at the green glow of the single lamp, oblivious to the tumult passing past that not solid door. Title flew your sharp focused vibrations, erratic though they were, technicolour though they exploded ~ sky high.
ReplyDeleteLovely ... as are your prayers. Mine are still with your Dad (and your insides). ~ Absolutely*Kate
So, did the door actually spring open and the handle gouge the wall? Or is that just how everything seems?
ReplyDeleteI could feel myself rev up as I read and re-read this. Powerful, to pack so much into six sentences.
Well done.
woooosh that was a fast read, good stuff and really liked the descriptions
ReplyDeleteThanks for dropping by my blog. It's nice to meet fellow academics, and fellow brain and writing people :-)
ReplyDeleteVery sharp. Breaking the sentences up with commas and colons really gives that stressed, rushed sense. They match the title perfectly. and the character.
ReplyDeleteI'm a little late (nothing new there) but wanted to say how well this worked. Loved how the shrink can just tune it out - seen it all so many times before. Your writing is always so crisp and clean. Can't wait for the book.
ReplyDelete~jon