“Speed for nowhere” is a tale I wrote years ago on my account in Medium. And last year I re-published it again, so here I use the proper date.
I wanted to remember that the sense of urgency we all feel is nothing more than a mirage. This story serves as a reminder to me to recognize the beauty of the now and enjoy it to the fullest.
Thanks for reading!
One given night, I was staring at the cubic shape of my TV set when a voice whispered to me: “Go to bed before you miss the moment!”
Without a moment’s pause, I obeyed the order, the words still ringing in my ears.
As I smoothed the sheets of my bed, I felt the familiar tug of creativity, and I wanted to capture the moment… the writing muse was inundating my whole body, but since I shouldn’t miss the moment…
I plopped into bed, feeling the softness of the sheets, and remembered that I had forgotten to brush my teeth. I went out of bed again. My teeth felt grimy, but I told myself that what I was about to do was worth it.
I could still smell the hint of shampoo from my recent shower, as I nestled into my bed, surrounded by the warmth of the sheets and blanket. Just before I switched off the lamp, there was an almighty bang and the bulb shattered into tiny crystals that glimmered in the dark and blanketed my bed.
I lamented the mess on the floor and the need to change the sheets, but I had no time to spare. So I snuggled into my welcoming, cushiony bed of tiny crystals.
My neck itched, then my left hand, my back, going down to my elbow and my whole body. I felt a strange stickiness on my skin that seemed to be growing stronger and stronger with each breath, hugging tight and delving under my skin.
I heard my cat’s meow echoing through the house, pleading for me to let her out. I imagined that, or it was real; it doesn’t matter. I’m really running late and need to get a move on!
To be honest, I could already feel the night air blowing against my skin. The suddenness of my departure left a chill in the air and an empty feeling in my chest. I could feel the pounding of my heart reverberating throughout my body as I scurried away. Everything ended before it even started, because I was in a hurry to get to somewhere… where I would never go.
Other poems in Inspiration
Tears: a short story about pain and love