I'm arrested by the mystery in this piece, Silvio, and how although it forms a key presence in the story it doesn't override it or become more than what you state it is: unresolved.
I'm really in awe that you crafted this in such a short space of time after our exchange on Notes.
This piece gave me feelings of Norwegian Wood and the trip up the mountain that Toru makes to visit Naoko.
Nathan! I knew you’d nail it! Yes, there’s that scene of the trip up the mountain, when he visits Naoko and stays with her and her friend/supervisor. Such a beautiful scene from a beautiful book. There’s also something similar in Han Kang’s The Vegetarian -- not sure if you’ve read it. If not, I highly recommend it. Kang is such an incredible writer (2024 Literature Nobel Prize). Thank you so much!
The frozen reflection with white tears will stay with me for a long time. What great mystery you weave into these letters! I think the shape of your brain is a fractal.:)
Thank you, Kimberly! Happy to see this did something to you, even though that imagery might be a little haunting. And yes, maybe it is a fractal, who knows. Maybe it’s the shape of a fractal’s fractal (lol) :)
This reminded me of the show Leftovers, where people disappear without a trace. Great story, Silvio, and yes bus stop minutes are at least 120 seconds plus bad weather extra time!
Just a gorgeous piece and fascinated by the prompt from Nathan. It’s not just the images and narrative - the ghostlike images - but the way the language’s rhythm seems to capture the mind’s movement. Lovely, Silvio
Such a haunting story, and so beautifully rendered. Well done, Sir. I especially love the reflection that is a separate entity, and the mysterious leather notebook.
“And I knew all too well that those minutes on the display take at least two to pass, sometimes three or four. Everyone knows this.” Oh my goodness, from that statement early on, I knew this was going to be an enthralling ‘unsent letter’; I wasn’t disappointed! Wonderful!!
What resonated most for me here was the beautiful hard rain, the old sturdy umbrella failing to prevent you getting soaked, the glistening floor of the bus and ‘the streaks of rain steadily whipping the window’. I was with you the whole way inside my head. Just lovely. Thank you.
Captivating - the narrator is a bit mysterious, too - why did the dad tell them about the dream; and then their dream in response? And the woman in the mirror, I thought of that famous picture of the dustbowl mother.
Thank you so much, Troy! These are the unanswered questions of an unresolved case. And yet, there’s a very subtle connection. How weird about the picture you mentioned -- I was thinking of the same one!
I'm arrested by the mystery in this piece, Silvio, and how although it forms a key presence in the story it doesn't override it or become more than what you state it is: unresolved.
I'm really in awe that you crafted this in such a short space of time after our exchange on Notes.
This piece gave me feelings of Norwegian Wood and the trip up the mountain that Toru makes to visit Naoko.
Beautiful.
Nathan! I knew you’d nail it! Yes, there’s that scene of the trip up the mountain, when he visits Naoko and stays with her and her friend/supervisor. Such a beautiful scene from a beautiful book. There’s also something similar in Han Kang’s The Vegetarian -- not sure if you’ve read it. If not, I highly recommend it. Kang is such an incredible writer (2024 Literature Nobel Prize). Thank you so much!
I don't know that book, no, but thank you. No doubt a fantastic recommendation. Onto my pile it goes. ;)
As trauma, silence comes in many forms...you write powerfully, decisively yet with such aching softness.
I’m humbled by the beauty of your words, each time you come to comment, Boustan. Thank you!
Your writings keep me thinking long after I've finished reading.
The sign of a great wordsmith.
Thank you for reading, Susan. And for your always beautiful comments!
The frozen reflection with white tears will stay with me for a long time. What great mystery you weave into these letters! I think the shape of your brain is a fractal.:)
Thank you, Kimberly! Happy to see this did something to you, even though that imagery might be a little haunting. And yes, maybe it is a fractal, who knows. Maybe it’s the shape of a fractal’s fractal (lol) :)
Love this notion of the fractal brain. Totally agree.
“I wish we could dream together, so I can point your dad out to you, if he comes.”
If we could only share dreams…what a beautiful thing! Maybe we just don’t know how yet.
Exactly. I wonder how much about ourselves and what we could be capable of we don’t know yet. Thank you, Ann!
This reminded me of the show Leftovers, where people disappear without a trace. Great story, Silvio, and yes bus stop minutes are at least 120 seconds plus bad weather extra time!
Thanks a lot, Alexander! I'm not familiar with that show, but it sounds interesting. I will check it out. :)
Just a gorgeous piece and fascinated by the prompt from Nathan. It’s not just the images and narrative - the ghostlike images - but the way the language’s rhythm seems to capture the mind’s movement. Lovely, Silvio
Thank you so much, Kate! Isn't it lovely to see how this little community of ours lifts each other up and enjoys helping?
Yes! ☺️☺️☺️
Such a haunting story, and so beautifully rendered. Well done, Sir. I especially love the reflection that is a separate entity, and the mysterious leather notebook.
Thank you so much, Terry! These are super nice words!
My pleasure, Squire.
“And I knew all too well that those minutes on the display take at least two to pass, sometimes three or four. Everyone knows this.” Oh my goodness, from that statement early on, I knew this was going to be an enthralling ‘unsent letter’; I wasn’t disappointed! Wonderful!!
Thank you, Rose! Always nice to see you commenting! And glad you liked this one. :)
What resonated most for me here was the beautiful hard rain, the old sturdy umbrella failing to prevent you getting soaked, the glistening floor of the bus and ‘the streaks of rain steadily whipping the window’. I was with you the whole way inside my head. Just lovely. Thank you.
Thank you! Love to see that you were so captured by the imagery. :)
Captivating - the narrator is a bit mysterious, too - why did the dad tell them about the dream; and then their dream in response? And the woman in the mirror, I thought of that famous picture of the dustbowl mother.
Thank you so much, Troy! These are the unanswered questions of an unresolved case. And yet, there’s a very subtle connection. How weird about the picture you mentioned -- I was thinking of the same one!