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Thursday, September 22, 2011

Somnium Perfecta Imago

I see the mirror glass, but it’s not my room on the other side; there’s rampant, swirling fog. And her. This must be the dream. I’ve been here before. The same eyes, the flaming hair, her voice calls the same angelic words as before. But I don’t know them. Are they a warning, or a blessing?
“Cursum Perficio,” she says.
My heart pounds its response and I catch myself not breathing. It’s impossible not to oscitate—I’m transfixed.
“Cursom Perficio.”
I mouth the words with her. Who is she? What is the meaning of this synchronicity? As I ponder, she beckons to me. The fog changes from gray to crimson in a brilliant miasma of warning while her words envelop the space.
“Cursum Perficio.”
I lean close and draw a breath. Then I reach to touch the glass, to break the lacuna between my wanting and her.
“Please,” I whisper. “This is perfect.”
“Cursum—”
I interrupt. “Please.”
Brilliant light blinds my vision, forcing me back. I collapse on the bed and close my eyes. I sleep. When I awake, the dream is gone. I am alone again.

If you enjoyed my 200 word blog entry, please like it here.
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49 comments:

  1. AnonymousSeptember 22, 2011 at 10:55 AM

    Jamie,

    Normally I wouldn't be fond of a "dream" story, but this one is a bit different and presented in an entirely unorthodox fashion, which I like. I'm transfixed by your language and your word-choice. A fantastic little story!

    - Rance

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  2. JamieSeptember 22, 2011 at 11:09 AM

    I'm having one of those "freaking out" moments because Rance is the name of a character in my books. Thanks for stopping by and commenting-it made my day.
    By the way, folks, my post was inspired by a short film I made during Drama Class in High School. I'm number 16 on the list if you like it. ~ Jamie

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  3. K.T. HannaSeptember 22, 2011 at 11:55 AM

    Hi Jamie.
    I'm a sucker for a good dream. One of those ones that's so real you can almost taste it.
    It's great to see so many different stories coming out of this challenge. Great use of words.
    K.T.

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  4. UnknownSeptember 22, 2011 at 12:51 PM

    Ok, so I'm drawn to your name (I'm Jamie too....just a girl Jamie!)

    2nd, this is stylistically written. A dream is ever brief and you've summed it up quite nicely in such a short piece.

    Thanks for sharing!

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  5. Nadja NotarianiSeptember 22, 2011 at 1:36 PM

    Love the desperation of the dreamer in this entry! The line..."Please...This is so perfect - " nailed it for me. ~ Nadja

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  6. Angela BrownSeptember 22, 2011 at 1:45 PM

    I'm with Nadja. This was so well written and definitely enjoyed it.

    I'm #8 if you care to step away from this beautiful dream for just a heartbeat.

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  7. JSeptember 22, 2011 at 2:28 PM

    You've done it again, Jamie! Beautiful description, and lots of feeling captured in a small amount of words. :)

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  8. Sheri L. Swift, AuthorSeptember 22, 2011 at 2:48 PM

    Beautiful and I love fairies! ; )

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  9. AnonymousSeptember 22, 2011 at 2:54 PM

    Really well done. The words don't seem so randomly tossed in as in some! Mine is #29

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  10. UnknownSeptember 22, 2011 at 2:57 PM

    Wow, loved it, was holding my breath as I read (not sure why!).

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  11. David P. KingSeptember 22, 2011 at 4:10 PM

    Your prose had me transfixed. I am very curious about the words she is saying. And what they mean. Good way to make "the dream" interesting.

    Great job, Jamie! :)

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  12. JenSeptember 22, 2011 at 5:27 PM

    I like this -- definitely more questions than answers, which is always a good thing! And great work getting the challenge words in seamlessly!

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  13. Sonia LalSeptember 22, 2011 at 5:45 PM

    Very pretty descriptions! And you use the words well!

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  14. Jamie McHenrySeptember 22, 2011 at 5:46 PM

    Everyone is so nice. Thank you. I'm home from work now and will visit your posts throughout the evening. Here's a hint about "Cursum Perficio." It's an Enya song.

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  15. F.E. SewellSeptember 22, 2011 at 9:37 PM

    Great use of challenge words! You have me convinced that you use them on a regular basis - even oscitate!

    Very well done.

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  16. CherylSeptember 22, 2011 at 9:42 PM

    Wonderful imagery, Jamie. I so wanted the dreamer to reach through the mirror and touch her.

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  17. AnonymousSeptember 22, 2011 at 11:47 PM

    I love this dream sequence. It left me with questions about what's going to happen next and what the dream really means to the MC.

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  18. Stacy S. JensenSeptember 22, 2011 at 11:58 PM

    Enjoyed this one and wonderful use of the challenge.

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  19. HeatherSeptember 23, 2011 at 8:06 AM

    I did like it...a lot!

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  20. Sher A. HartSeptember 23, 2011 at 8:52 AM

    I'm stopping by out of order because you commented on mine. This is really a perfect mood piece, thick with desire and fear. I felt it would be bad if he touched her, so I had to look up the words. Definitely worse than waking up alone, and adds depth. I love layered stories. Great job!

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  21. JoannaSeptember 23, 2011 at 8:52 AM

    Jamie, it isn't easy to write a piece where these words truly fit the vocabulary of the voice, but you managed it. Well done!

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  22. Cortney PearsonSeptember 23, 2011 at 9:59 AM

    I was transfixed. Your use of the words just flowed with the story. Well written!

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  23. Cortney PearsonSeptember 23, 2011 at 10:01 AM

    Also, I'm trying to figure out how to follow your blog...but I can't! Is there some trick I'm not finding?

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  24. Jamie McHenrySeptember 23, 2011 at 10:29 AM

    Cortney, I'm not sure what's going on. The blog traffic today has been HUGE. There should be a "follow" button on the top right of the page, but I'm not able to see it on the computer I'm on right now. I'll see what I can discover and then contact you later. Thanks for visiting.

    ~ Jamie

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  25. Gwen GardnerSeptember 23, 2011 at 12:16 PM

    Wow, the dream seemed so real. What is cursum perficio? I'll have to go look it up. Nice job! I'm #34 and a new follower!

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  26. Sarah TokeleySeptember 23, 2011 at 12:46 PM

    For me the sign of a good short piece is when I'm still thinking about it afterwards. I am with this one.

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  27. Sarah TokeleySeptember 23, 2011 at 12:47 PM

    Just to add, sometimes if the follow button is missing, pressing F5 a couple of times will bring it back.

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  28. Jamie McHenrySeptember 23, 2011 at 6:28 PM

    Thanks Sarah, that's good info to know. Blogger has been strange to me today. I couldn't post on anyone's blog, including mine, until I changed computers. Fantastic comments. This was a hard challenge, so you all are boosting my ego.

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  29. Christine RainsSeptember 23, 2011 at 6:46 PM

    Beautifully written. I love the fairy tale feeling and the mystery of it all. Well done!

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  30. Zan MarieSeptember 24, 2011 at 6:16 AM

    How haunting! Good job.

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  31. BrindaSeptember 24, 2011 at 10:52 AM

    What a beautiful piece of flash fiction! I love how you seamlessly integrated the words. They didn't see "forced" if you know what I mean. Loved it. I'm also following your blog now.

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  32. Mel CorbettSeptember 24, 2011 at 11:10 AM

    Nice very mysterious... and you had to rat yourself out that it was an enya song? the dream thing works for me because i feel like its a premonition sort of thing. Anyway, great piece.

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  33. Bethany LopezSeptember 25, 2011 at 11:26 AM

    Great job. I really enjoyed your story. I am #92. thanks

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  34. MelodieSeptember 25, 2011 at 8:34 PM

    Nicely done!
    And I love Enya...*hums* sail away, sail away..

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  35. MyneSeptember 25, 2011 at 11:42 PM

    I like the style and the narrative gimmick. Well done.

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  36. Francine HowarthSeptember 26, 2011 at 12:33 PM

    Hi,

    Beautifully atmospheric and moi smells lust on the ether. Maybe the mirror will one day draw him through to the wondrous allure within! Of course it might be a case of passionate hell. But hey, burn baby burn is preferable to wings and heavenly harps. ;) This inspires the devil within!

    best
    F

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  37. Doreen McGettiganSeptember 26, 2011 at 11:22 PM

    You really did use those crazy words seamlessly...I always enjoy a good dream/nightmare story...well done!

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  38. AnonymousSeptember 27, 2011 at 3:48 PM

    Beautifully written. I love the desperation. Great job with the challenge!

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  39. Cherie ColyerSeptember 27, 2011 at 7:07 PM

    I too was transfixed! Love your writing. :)

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  40. Jamie McHenrySeptember 27, 2011 at 7:52 PM

    I appreciate all of your fantastic comments. This type of writing is difficult for me, so your compliments are touching. This is a fun contest and a great campaign-there are so many wonderful entries. I wish you all good luck. Also, If I haven't made it to your entry yet, don't worry, I will.

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  41. Michael McDuffeeSeptember 28, 2011 at 6:46 PM

    This one has the most natural use of the challenge words I've read so far. And it's interesting. Well-played, sir.

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  42. Barbara V. EversSeptember 28, 2011 at 9:38 PM

    I forgot I was reading a challenge entry. You really drew me in, so you have a new follower and my vote. I'm # 146, btw.

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  43. Lena CorazonSeptember 30, 2011 at 1:07 AM

    Oh, this was absolutely wonderful. Excellent use of the challenge words, and the emotion that you invoked was incredibly strong.

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  44. Claire HennessySeptember 30, 2011 at 7:47 AM

    Interesting story and the way you used the words, very naturally. Nicely done :)

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  45. the wild magnoliaOctober 3, 2011 at 4:37 PM

    Fantastic story, great imagery, a mystery remains. I like that.

    #188

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  46. Avery MarshOctober 4, 2011 at 8:41 AM

    Intriguing piece, wonderfully written. I love how you not only incorporated Rachael's words, but an unfamiliar phrase that I had to Google. ;) Knowing the meaning adds a whole new element to the piece.

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  47. Karen deBlieckOctober 4, 2011 at 7:24 PM

    Very original take on the challenge. I enjoyed it. It was intriguing.

    #189

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  48. Cherie ColyerOctober 7, 2011 at 3:55 PM

    Hi Jamie, I gave you an award over at my blog: http://cheriecolyer.blogspot.com/2011/10/blog-love-to-share.html

    ReplyDelete
  49. kjmckendryOctober 11, 2011 at 6:39 PM

    Great entry! I'm wondering if he ever meets the woman in real life and what she was trying to tell him.

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